Hotel

Monkey Miles Hotel Credit Cards

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How it Works – Hotel

Hotel credit cards are part of your supporting cast. I would suggest choosing them based on where you think you may travel next, and how the card’s benefits could elevate your travel. The main benefits I keep an eye on are free hotel nights, elite status qualifying nights, and hotel elite status. Currently we have Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and Hyatt cards. 

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IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

4.6
4.6/5

For the $99 annual fee, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card yields IHG One Rewards Platinum Status, a 4th night free when booking with points, an annual anniversary 40k night, and a $50 United Travel bank credit. Been in my wallet since it was released.

*Note if you have a Chase IHG One Rewards personal card or you’ve received a welcome bonus in the past 24 months you’re ineligible to add this to your wallet

Welcome Offer

165,000 IHG One Rewards after $3k within 3 months of account opening

Annual Fee

$99

Points Earned

IHG One Rewards

  • Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus
    • Good on properties up to 40k per night
    • You can add points to this certificate
  • Enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
  • Earn Structure
    • Up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
    • 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on
      • travel, 
      • gas stations, 
      • restaurants.
    • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
  • Member FDIC
  • No Foreign Transaction
  • $99 annual fee

175k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen.

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

4 reasons I keep this card in my wallet

  • A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
  • 4th night free when redeeming points
  • Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
  • The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
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IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

4.6
4.6/5

For $99 a year, this small business card yields IHG One rewards Platinum Status, a free night award certificate every year, 4th night free on award stays of 4 consecutive nights, and a $50 United Travel Bank. 

Welcome Offer

140,000 IHG One Rewards after $3k spend within 3 months of account opening

Annual Fee

$99

Points Earned

IHG One Rewards

 

  • 140k bonus points after spending $3k in the first 3 months of account opening
  • Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts
    • These are currently valid at properties 40k points and below
    • You can now add points to these nights should you want to stay at a pricier property
    • Spend $60k on the card + 1 purchase and get another anniversary night
  • 4th night free when redeeming points on a 4 consecutive night point redemption
  • 10x at IHG Hotels & Resorts worldwide ( this is on top of the bonus you get as a IHG Rewards member )
    • 5x
      • travel
      • gas stations
      • dining/restaurants
      • social media and search engine advertising
      • office supply stores
    • 3x everywhere else
  • Spend your way to Diamond with $40k in annual purchases
  • Get a 10k bonus points and $100 statement credit when you spend $20k + one additional purchase in a year
  • $50 United Travel Bank credit
  • 20% off purchased points
    • Can’t be stacked with points sales tho
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® Fee or NEXUS Statement Credit –
    • The primary cardholder receives a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee Credit of up to $100 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to the Card
  • Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business cardmember
  •  
  • No Foreign Transaction
  • $99 annual fee
  • Member FDIC

140k after $3k spend in 3 months is the best we’ve seen

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

It’s so easy to see how the annual fee is recouped. I don’t have this card quite yet, but it’s on my list to pick up in the near future.

  • A free anniversary award night every year you keep the card, worth up to 40k IHG One Rewards ( you can add unlimited points to this award night as well ) This easily offsets the annual fee for me.
  • 4th night free when redeeming points on stays of 4 consecutive nights
  • Cardholder award night sales where you get notice to book in advance or exclusively for cardholders
  • The United credit offset roughly half the annual fee
a close up of a credit card

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

3.9
3.9/5

No annual fee, no fx fees, IHG Silver Status, & Get a 4th night free when you book 4 consecutive nights with points.

*If you carry a IHG personal card you are ineligible or if you received a bonus in the past 24 months + 5/24 rules apply.

Welcome Offer

100,000 Points after $2k in purchases within 3 months of account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Points Earned

IHG One Rewards

  • No annual fee,
  • no fx fees,
  • IHG Silver Status
    • Spend your way to Gold
  • Get a 4th night free when you book 4 consecutive nights with points.
  • Earn up to 17 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • 3x on dining, gas stations, utilities, cable, internet, phone, cell, and select streaming
  • services
  • 2x everywhere else

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

If you don’t want to pay an annual fee, but still get a 4th night free when using points on 4 consecutive nights…this is a great option. 

Personally, I think the IHG One Rewards Premier is a much better card for $99 and comes with a free night good up to 40k points. If you didn’t feel like you got the value out it, you could always downgrade to this card after 12 months to enjoy no annual fee.

One thing to note… you can hold this card in tandem with the IHG Rewards Business card

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Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

3.7
3.7/5

Get 15 elite nights every year + Anniversary Night up to 35k, and Marriott Gold Status

Welcome Offer

5 Free Night Awards after $8,000 in 6 months – up to 50k per night – see

“Card Benefits below” for details

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

Life with Marriott Bonvoy really starts at Platinum status where you get breakfast and club access. That requires 50 elite nights, so having a Marriott credit card can help by starting the year off with extra elite nights.

This is an easy way to pick up 15 Marriott Elite nights, Gold status, and the annual night can help offset the $125 annual fee. Don’t forget that you can also add up to 15k Marriott Bonvoy points to the anniversary night certs now.

  • Earn 5 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $8,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each bonus Free Night Award, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees
    • Certain hotels have resort fees.
    • Offer Ends 3/20/24
  • 4x at
    • restaurants worldwide,
    • U.S. gas station,
    • and wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping
  • 2x everywhere else
  • 1 Free night every year after you account anniversary ( up to 35k a night )
  • A 7% Marriott Bonvoy Room Rate Discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy when booked directly
  • If you spend more than $60k in a year, you’ll get another free night ( up to 35k a night )
  • 15 Marriott Bonvoy Elite nights per year
  • Now comes with Gold status ( that used to required $35k spend )
  • $125 annual fee
  • *Rates and Fees; terms apply 

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

a black and white credit card

Non – Affiliate Link ( Reader Referal )

Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®  American Express®  Card

4.0
4/5

This card comes with Marriott Platinum Status, 25 elite night credits, $25 a month dining credit, an 85k Marriott Anniversary Free night award, Priority Pass, and more

Welcome Offer

Earn 185k Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points after $6k in 6 months

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott life begins at Platinum status where you get executive lounge access and breakfast at most properties. This card unlocks that status just having it in your wallet.

Is it worth $650? That’s a lot, but if you’re planning Marriott stays, value breakfast/lounge access, it definitely could worth it. Just remember that Ritz Carlton doesn’t honor those benefits…

Get up to $25 monthly dining credit is worth setting a calendar alert, even it it just means loading your Starbucks account.

Another thing to note is that the Platinum status that comes with this card doesn’t include the Choice benefits extended at 50 nights. One of those is suite night upgrades, but you’ll start the year with 25 elite nights as a perk, so you’re half way there. 

  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit:
    • Each calendar year, get up to $300 in statement credits (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
    • Marriott Platinum Status is where life truly begins with Marriott because you’ll gain access to club lounges, free breakfast, upgrades, etc. Note there are some properties that won’t guarantee some of those benefits like Ritz Carlton, Edition, Bvlgari, but they are widely honored.
  • 25 Elite Night Credits
    • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • $650 Annual Fee
  • Marriott Brilliant 85k Free Night Award
    • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month.
    • Valid on redemption levels up to 85k Marriott Bonvoy Points ( however you can add 15k Marriott Bonvoy Points to it 
    • Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Earn Rates
    • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R).
    • 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
    • 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant(R) American Express(R) Card, you will be eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit.
    • You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year.
    • See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit:
    • Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges
      • The Ritz-Carlton(R) or St. Regis(R) when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck(R):
    • Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck(R) (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant(R) American Express(R) Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass(TM) Select,
    • Unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • Cell Phone Protection
    • $800 per claim
    • $50 deductible
    • damage or theft ( like a cracked screen ) 
    • cell phone line must be listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account.
    • Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • rates and fees;terms apply
  •  

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

3
3/5

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status, 15 elite nights, and an Annual Anniversary Night at properties 50k or less after spending $15k or more. Honestly…I’d think twice about this card

Welcome Offer

155k Marriott Bonvoy points after $5k in 6 months

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

Honestly… this card is a conundrum. For the annual fee premium over the Chase Marriott Boundless you don’t get a whole lot. You have to spend $15k to get a 50k or less free night, and Marriott Gold isn’t all that great.

Plus, with the Boundless you can upgrade into the Ritz Card after a year which is arguably the best card on the market. 

Personally, I think this card is a pass and would steer you towards the Boundless from Chase or the Brilliant from Amex.

  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy(R) points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • Earn 4X points
    • at restaurants worldwide
    • and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
  • Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • 1K Bonus Points Per Stay:
    • Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy(R) on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award:
    • Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy(TM) Card in a calendar year.
    • Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy(R) points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits:
    • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy(TM) American Express Card(R) you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy(R) Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Rates and fees; terms apply

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

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Learn more

Non-Affiliate Link

Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card

4.2
4.2/5

Get a category 1-4 free night every year + 5 elite night credits, and earn more elite nights via spend. It’s one of the most valuable hotel credit cards available.

Welcome Offer

See Benefits – up to 30k bonus points

Annual Fee

$95

Points Earned

World of Hyatt points

  • 30k Bonus after you spend $3k in 3 months of account opening
    • 2x on $15k spend in the first 6 months, up to a max 30k points
  • 5 Elite nights next year
  • 4x bonus points on every dollar spent at Hyatt hotels
    • On top of 5x a base member earns
  • 2x points at:
    • restaurants
    • airline tickets purchased direct from airlines
    • local transit and commuting
    • fitness clubs and gym memberships
  • Every Account Anniversary you’ll get a Free Night at category 1-4 hotels
  • Bonus Free Night at category 1-4 hotels when you spend $15k a year
  • Get Discoverist Elite status as along as your card is open
  • 2 Elite night credits for every $5k you put on your card.
  • Annual fee of $95

We have seen 60k after $4k spend in 3 months

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

The World of Hyatt credit card comes with an annual category 1-4 award night which I have always found a way to redeem on a property that is worth more than the $95 a year I pay for the card. That alone makes it worth it to me.

It comes with 5 elite nights every year which can be helpful if you’re shooting for status. 

Hyatt points are also the most valuable hotel points around coming in somewhere in the 1.5 to 1.8 cents per point value.

This makes putting everyday spend on the card a decent value proposition if you’re angling for Hyatt status and card spend can help boost those elite nights as well. Every $5k you put on the card yields 2 elite nights. 

Don’t forget that $15k spend yields an additional category 1-4 night.  

a close up of a credit card

Learn More:

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 Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy

Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

4
4/5

Earn 15 elite nights every year you keep the card, Marriott Silver Status + an annual 35k point anniversary night.

Make sure you read the Marriott application rules as they can be tricky

Welcome Offer

Limited time offer! Earn 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after $5k spend in 3 months

Annual Fee

$95

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

  • 3x points in combined purchases on gas, groceries, and dining
  • 2x points on all other purchases
  • Automatic Silver status and get gold if you spend $35k+ on the card
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year
  • 1 Elite night for every $5k in purchases
  • No fx fees

We have seen offers as high as 5 nights, up to 50k per night, for $5k spend in 3 months

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

As I mention in many of my breakdowns for hotel cards…the annual anniversary night usually outweighs the annual fee. 

For $95 a year, you’ll earn an anniversary night good at properties up to 35k a year. You can add 15k to these certificates as well, but keep in mind, this point range will probably be useful on road trips or nights near a hotel…not uber luxury properties.

You’ll also start get 15 elite nights per year which is fantastic if you’re chasing Marriott status.

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Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase

3.7
3.7/5

No annual fee and 15 elite nights per year

Welcome Offer

Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$0

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

 

 

  • No annual fee
  • 15 elite nights every year which gives you silver status
  • No fx fee

I believe 60k after $2k spend in 3 months is the best ever

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

Marriott life begins at 50 elite nights. Why? Because that’s the threshold for Platinum status which includes free breakfast and executive lounge access. 

Getting closer to Platinum status is the primary reason you’d add this card to your wallet because it costs you nothing to earn 15 elite nights every single year. 

Is this the best card for you? That’s a tough call. It doesn’t come with that many additional benefits, and there are quite strict restrictions when it comes to having more than one Marriott card. 

One thing to keep in mind is that if you do have this card for over a year, and you’d like a lot more benefits, you could always upgrade to the Ritz Carlton card.

Learn More

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Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card

3.8
3.8/5

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card from Chase offers 15 elite nights, Marriott Gold status, 1000 bonus points each qualifying stay…$250 fee. 

Welcome Offer

85k Marriott Bonvoy after $4k in 3 months

Annual Fee

$250

Points Earned

Marriott Bonvoy

  • 85k points after $4k spend in 3 months
  • 6X Points per $1 spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • $250 Annual Fee
  • 4X Points per $1 on the first $15,000 in combined spending each year on grocery store and dining purchases
  • 2X Points per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • 1,000 Bonus Points per eligible stay at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • Free Night Award after $15,000 in spend every calendar year (valued at 50,000 points)
  • 15 Elite Night Credits towards status each calendar year
  • Automatic Gold Elite status each account anniversary year as a cardmember
  • Additional Benefits
    • Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
    • Baggage Delay Insurance
    • Extended Warranty Protection
    • Lost Luggage Reimbursement
    • Purchase Protection
    • Roadside Dispatch
    • Travel Accident Insurance
    • Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
  • Trip Delay Reimbursement

It debuted with 125k after $4k in 3 months

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

Yes, you get Marriott Gold status, 1k bonus points per eligible night, and 15 elite night credits, but I’m not really understanding why the card is $250 

At $250, you’d think you’d get a free night every year as part of the card benefits, but you don’t. You need to spend $15k to get a 50k free night. If that 50k night was included, I could perhaps see the added value, but it’s not.

Personally…I’d don’t get why anyone would pay the extra money over the Bold or Boundless.

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Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Points Earned

Hilton Honors

 

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

4.5
4.5/5

Hilton Honors Diamond status, annual night anywhere in the world, $400 Hilton resort credit, $200 airline credit, Priority Pass select… this is one bad mamma jamma of a card

Welcome Offer

175k Hilton Honors after $6k spend in 6 months + Free Night Certificate

Annual Fee

$550 *Rates and Fees; terms apply

This is hands down the best hotel card available. 

Not only do you get top tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, but you get an free night certificate that you can use anywhere in the world, $200 Hilton Resort credit Jan through June and another July through Dec, $200 airline credit broken into $50 quarterly credits, and the list goes on. 

If you’re at all thinking of staying at International Hilton properties, get this card ahead of time to enjoy the executive lounge access and free breakfast that comes along with Diamond Status.

This is a card we’ve had since it debuted and we get a lot from the annual night cert and top tier status to recoup the $550 annual fee.

  • Free night certificate after hitting minimum spend + on your account anniversary every year
  • Diamond status, top tier, as long as you maintain the card
  • Up to $400 resort credit
    • ( not good on prepaid rates)
    • Semi Annual – $200 January to June another $200 July to December
  • Up to $189 Clear® Plus Credit
  • Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
  • Book a 2 night minimum stay at hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com and get up to $100 in credits for qualifying charges at participating Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts
  • Priority Pass select
  • 14x points at Hilton Hotels
  • 7x points
    • U.S. restaurants,
    • airfare booked directly with the airline/Amex travel, select car rental agencies
  • $550 *Rates and Fees; terms apply

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

a blue and white credit card

Learn More

Reader Referral

Information about this card has been collected independently by Monkey Miles. Card issuer is not responsible for the information or accuracy.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

3.8
3.8/5

Hilton Honors Gold, Hilton Property Credits, and a free night anywhere in the world after $15k annual spend

Welcome Offer

155k Hilton Honors after $3k spend in 6 months

Annual Fee

Points Earned

Hilton Honors

 

 

This would be an advantageous card to hold if you’re planning on taking any international trips. Why? 

Outside the U.S., Hilton Honors Gold, which comes as a perk of this card, is valued much higher than in the U.S. You’ll often get a decent upgrade or even executive lounge/breakfast. 

  • Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • NEW Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
  • Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
  • Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
  • NEW Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
  • Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
  • Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
  • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
  • Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors(TM) Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
  • NEW Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $150 annual fee.
  • *Rates and Fees; terms apply

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

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Hilton Honors American Express Card

3.7
3.7/5

No fee + Hilton Honors Silver status which means you get a 5th night free when redeeming points. 

Welcome Offer

100k Hilton Honors after $2k spend in 6 months

Points Earned

Hilton Honors

No fee and comes with Silver status. 

The reason this is worth noting is because often you can buy Hilton points for less money than the cash rate and Silver status opens up a 5th night free with points. 

Remember if you have an Amex Platinum you get Hilton Gold as a perk…

  • Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
  • Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
  • Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
  • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • No Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • Rates and Fees/Terms Appl

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

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Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

3.7
3.7/5

Get comped Hilton Honors Gold status as long as you hold the card and a free night certificate after $15k spend

Welcome Offer

130k Hilton Honors after $3k in spend in 3 months

Points Earned

Hilton Honors

 

Since this is a business card, it may be advantage to hold this for Hilton Honors Gold status since it doesn’t count against your 5/24 number and you can earn a free night certificate after $15k spend each year. 

Don’t forget that you need at least Silver status to get a 5th night free on awards, and if you’re thinking of purchasing Hilton points, this is quite advantageous on longer stays to reduce overall cost.

  • Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 Months of Card Membership.
  • 12X at Hilton hotels and resorts when you book direct
  • 6X on
    • U.S. gas stations
    • U.S. purchases for shipping,
    • wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers
    • flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
    • car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
    • U.S. restaurants
  • 3X on all other eligible purchases
  • Comped Hilton Honors Gold Status as long as you hold the card
  • Spend $15k get a Free Night Certificate every year
    • Spend $45k total and get another one
  • Annual fee is $95 Rates and Fees; terms apply

We keep an up to date spreadsheet that lists what the highest offers: You can find that spreadsheet here.

Main Cast: 

Cards that earn flexible points and should be used on the bulk of your purchases.

Supporting Cast:

Cards that earn fixed points in the currency of the airline/hotel and can not be transferred at attractive rates. These cards yield benefits that make it worth keeping, but not necessarily worth putting a lot of your everyday spend on. 

How it Works – Hotel

Hotel credit cards are part of your supporting cast. I would suggest choosing them based on where you think you may travel next, and how the card’s benefits could elevate your travel. The main benefits I keep an eye on are free hotel nights, elite status qualifying nights, and hotel elite status. Currently we have Marriott, IHG, Hilton, and Hyatt cards. 

Miles' Top Credit Cards

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