Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Before you book your next vacation, an easy way to enjoy extra benefits is to use a cobranded hotel credit card. These types of credit cards usually earn bonus points when you use them to pay for hotel stays, plus they typically include additional benefits like automatic elite status, a generous welcome bonus and a free award night each year.
With so many lucrative benefits, the best hotel credit cards under $100 easily justify paying the annual fee. With several options chosen by TPG editors, finding the best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100 just got way easier.
The best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100
Different banks issue these credit cards and each offers benefits in its respective loyalty program. The cards include Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt and Wyndham Rewards.
Comparison of the best hotel credit cards with annual fees of $100 or less
| Choice Privileges® Mastercard® | Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® | Hilton Honors American Express Card | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card | World of Hyatt Credit Card | Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months | Earn 90,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months | Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 17 | Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
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Earn three free night awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership | Earn up to 60,000 bonus points. Receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening and receive up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar — on up to $15,000 of these purchases | Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening |
| Welcome bonus value* | $360 | $540 | $600 | $700 | Up to $1,260 if you redeem each free night at their maximum value | Up to $1,020 if you receive the full 60,000 points | $495 |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 first year, then $95 | $0 (see rates and fees) | $99 | $95 | $95 | $75 |
| Earning structure | 5 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases
3 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
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10 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases
5 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services 1 point per dollar on all other purchases |
7 points per dollar at hotels and resorts participating in Hilton Honors
5 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants and on eligible takeout and delivery orders 5 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations 3 points per dollar on other purchases |
Up to 26 total combined points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts (10 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar for being an IHG One Rewards member and up to 6 points per dollar with Platinum Elite status, a benefit of this card)
5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations and restaurants (including eligible takeout and delivery orders) 3 points per dollar on other purchases |
Up to 17 total combined points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy (6 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy for being a loyalty member and up to 1 point per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy with Silver Elite status)
3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 of combined spending each year at gas stations, grocery stores and dining (then 2 points per dollar) 2 points per dollar on other purchases |
9 points per dollar at World of Hyatt hotels (4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels plus 5 points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member)
2 bonus points per dollar on travel, at restaurants, airfare purchased directly from the airlines, transit, and fitness club and gym memberships 1 bonus point per dollar on all other purchases |
6 points per dollar at Wyndham Rewards hotels and gas
4 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) 1 point per dollar on other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments) |
| Value of points earned at hotels in that program* | 3 cents per dollar at Choice hotels | 6 cents per dollar at Choice hotels | 4.2 cents per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts | 5 cents per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts | 5.04 cents per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts | 6.8 cents per dollar at Hyatt and SLH properties | 6.6 cents per dollar at Wyndham properties |
| Elite status benefits | Automatic Gold status
Receive 10 Elite night credits qualifying for at least Gold level status each calendar year |
Automatic Platinum status
Receive 20 Elite night credits qualifying for at least Platinum level status each calendar year |
Automatic Hilton Honors Silver status
Unlock Gold status by spending $20,000 on purchases with your card in a calendar year |
Automatic Platinum Elite status provides 60% bonus points on paid stays, a “fourth night free” benefit on points stays, discounts on award reservation rates, a welcome gift of points or a snack at check-in, late checkout and early check-in (based on availability) and room upgrades based on availability at check-in
Unlock Diamond Elite status through the end of the following year by spending $40,000 or more on purchases with your card in a calendar year |
Complimentary Silver Elite status provides 10% bonus points on paid stays and late checkout (subject to availability)
Unlock Gold Elite status by spending $35,000 on your card in a calendar year |
Complimentary Discoverist status provides 10% bonus points on paid stays, premium in-room internet, two bottles of water each day of your stay, late checkout (when available) and status match opportunities with MGM Rewards | Complimentary Platinum status provides rollover nights, 15% bonus points on paid stays, upgrades to preferred rooms (but not suites), late checkout, early check-in, elite status with Avis and Budget car rental programs and status match opportunities with Caesars Rewards |
| Annual free night benefits | None | None, though you receive 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary | None | Receive a free night award (worth up to 40,000 points) on each account anniversary | Receive a free night award (worth up to 35,000 points) on each account anniversary | Receive a free night award (valid at Category 1-4 properties) each year on your account anniversary | None, though you receive anniversary bonus points |
| Foreign transaction fees | None | None | None (see rates and fees) | None | None | None | None |
| Other benefits | Up to $800 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when using card to pay your monthly phone bill (subject to $25 deductible)
Mastercard® World Elite benefits
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Up to $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Up to $800 of cell phone protection against damage or theft when using card to pay your monthly phone bill (subject to $25 deductible) Mastercard® World Elite benefits |
Free two-day shipping with eligible stores after enrolling for ShopRunner
Access to Amex Offers for targeted rebates, spending offers and bonus points |
Up to $100 in statement credits to reimburse your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee
Up to $50 in United TravelBank credit each year after linking your IHG One Rewards and United MileagePlus accounts Receive a $100 statement credit plus 10,000 bonus IHG points after spending $20,000 on your card in a calendar year Save 20% on IHG points purchases when paying with your card; note that this does not apply to buying points with a discount or bonus offer Access to Chase Offers for targeted rebates, spending offers and bonus points |
Receive 15 elite night credits per year, which help you achieve higher status levels
Receive one elite night credit for each $5,000 spent on the card Access to Chase Offers for targeted rebates, spending offers and bonus points |
Earn another free night award (valid at Category 1-4 properties) by spending $15,000 on your card within a calendar year
Receive five tier-qualifying nights automatically each year Earn two tier-qualifying nights for each $5,000 spent on your card |
Receive 7,500 bonus points on each account anniversary after paying the annual fee
Redeem 10% fewer Wyndham points for “go free” award stays
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* Points value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer.
The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Details of the best hotel credit cards with annual fees under $100
Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
Current welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in purchases in the first three months
Annual fee: $0
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Benefits at hotels participating in Choice Privileges: Automatic Gold status with 10 elite night credits, qualifying for at least Gold level status each calendar year. You’ll also get 10% bonus points every time you book a qualifying stay at Choice® Hotels, getting you halfway to Platinum Elite status.
Why it’s worth it: With the Choice Privileges, you’ll get 5 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 3 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Apply here: Choice Privileges® Mastercard®
Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Current welcome offer: Earn 90,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in purchases in the first three months
Annual fee: $0 first year, then $95
Benefits at hotels participating in Choice Privileges: Automatic Platinum status with 20 Elite night credits, qualifying for at least Platinum level status each calendar year. Also earn 25% bonus points every time you book a qualifying stay with Choice® hotels, putting you 10 nights closer to earning Diamond status.
Why it’s worth it: With the Choice Privileges Select, you’ll get 10 points per dollar on stays at participating Choice Hotels properties, plus on Choice Privileges point purchases, 5 points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, home improvement stores and phone plan services and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
You’ll also receive 30,000 bonus points every account anniversary, plus up to $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
For more information, see our full review of the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard.
Apply here: Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 17.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates & fees)
Benefits at hotels participating in Hilton Honors: Receive complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
Why it’s worth it: The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers one of the highest hotel credit card welcome bonuses on this list but it sits in the middle of the pack in terms of its actual value. You’ll earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership.
Cardholders receive automatic Silver status, which normally requires multiple stays at Hilton properties. Your status will be upgraded to Gold after spending $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year.
For more information, see our full review of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Current welcome offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
Annual fee: $99
Benefits at hotels participating in IHG One Rewards: Receive complimentary Platinum Elite status, which offers benefits like 60% bonus points on paid stays, a “fourth night free” benefit on points stays, discounts on award reservation rates, a welcome gift of points or a snack at check-in, late checkout and early check-in privileges (based on availability) and room upgrades based on availability at check-in
Why it’s worth it: People who redeem points with IHG love the fourth-night reward benefit on award stays. This perk saves up to 25% on points redemptions and can be used an unlimited number of times. You can pair this benefit with the annual free night award (worth up to 40,000 points) for an even longer stay. Plus, you’ll earn 10,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit each year that you make $20,000 in purchases and can enjoy $50 in United TravelBank credit by linking your IHG and United accounts and can receive reimbursement for your application fee to government security programs.
You can earn up to 26 total combined points per dollar at IHG Hotels and Resorts (10 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar for being an IHG One Rewards member and up to 6 points per dollar with Platinum Elite status, a benefit of this card). This is in addition to earning 5 points per dollar on travel, gas stations and dining (including eligible takeout and delivery orders) and 3 points per dollar on other purchases.
For more information, see our full review of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
Apply here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Current welcome offer: Earn three Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership
Annual fee: $95
Benefits at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy: Receive complimentary Silver Elite status. This tier provides 10% bonus points on paid stays and late checkout (subject to availability).
Why it’s worth it: The welcome bonus of three Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months of card membership is worth up to $1,260 in TPG’s latest valuations. The annual free night that comes with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless credit card is capped at 35,000 points, so the free nights from the welcome bonus have a higher potential value. You also can add up to 15,000 points to free night awards to redeem for even higher-priced properties.
Cardholders receive automatic Silver Elite status, which includes 10% bonus points on stays, priority late checkout and free Wi-Fi. You’ll be upgraded to Gold Elite status after spending $35,000 on purchases each calendar year and will receive 15 elite night credits towards higher status levels, deposited in your Marriott Bonvoy account automatically at the beginning of each year. Those interested in earning Marriott Bonvoy status will also be interested in earning 1 elite night credit for each $5,000 spent on the card.
You can earn up to 17 total combined points per dollar spent at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy (6 points per dollar with this card, up to 10 points per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy for being a loyalty member and up to 1 point per dollar from Marriott Bonvoy with Silver Elite status). Plus, you also earn 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 of combined spending each year at gas stations, grocery stores and dining (then 2 points per dollar) and 2 points per dollar on other purchases.
To learn more about this card, read our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card.
Apply here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Current welcome offer: Earn up to 60,000 bonus points. Receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening and receive up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 points per dollar on purchases that normally earn 1 point per dollar — on up to $15,000 of these purchases
Annual fee: $95
Benefits at hotels participating in World of Hyatt: Receive complimentary Discoverist status. The lowest tier in World of Hyatt offers benefits like 10% bonus points on paid stays, premium in-room internet, two bottles of water each day of your stay and late checkout (when available).
Why it’s worth it: The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a perennial keeper thanks to its annual free night valid at Category 1-4 hotels and the ability to earn a second free night after spending just $15,000 on purchases per calendar year. Most travelers can easily spend an average of $1,250 per month on their card each year to snag that second free night, and you’ll also earn six tier-qualifying nights from that spending as well.
The card comes with automatic Discoverist status, which normally requires 10 tier-qualifying nights or 25,000 base points earned. This is the lowest status tier in World of Hyatt, but the card includes five qualifying night credits toward elite status each year automatically. Plus, you can earn two additional night credits for every $5,000 you spend on the card. Theoretically, you could earn Globalist status solely based on your credit card spend.
You’ll earn 9 points per dollar at World of Hyatt hotels (4 points per dollar at Hyatt hotels plus 5 points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member), 2 bonus points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from the airlines, restaurants, local transit, commuting and fitness club/gym memberships in addition to 1 bonus point per dollar on all other purchases.
For more information, see our full review of the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Apply here: World of Hyatt Credit Card
Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card
Current welcome offer: Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days from account opening
Annual fee: $75
Benefits at hotels participating in Wyndham Rewards: Receive complimentary Platinum status, which includes benefits like rollover nights, 15% bonus points on paid stays, upgrades to preferred rooms (but not suites), late checkout, early check-in, elite status with Avis and Budget car rental programs and status match opportunities with Caesars Rewards
Why it’s worth it: Because of Wyndham’s award structure, the full sign-up bonus alone of 45,000 points is worth up to six free nights at participating properties. That’s because awards start at 7,500 points and don’t exceed 30,000 points.
Earn 6 points per dollar at Wyndham Rewards hotels and on eligible gas purchases, 4 points per dollar on dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart), 1 point per dollar on other purchases (excluding Wyndham Timeshare resort down payments).
You’ll also receive an annual bonus of 7,500 points each year upon renewal of the card, which is enough for a free night in some Wyndham properties. Those earning rates and the anniversary bonus are truly phenomenal if you visit Wyndham locations regularly.
Cardholders receive automatic Platinum-level elite benefits and exclusive discounts on rooms, and free night redemptions cost 10% fewer points for cardholders.
For more information, see our full review of the Wyndham Rewards credit cards.
Bottom line
Choosing the right hotel credit card can unlock attractive benefits and more earning power at your favorite hotel brand.
The best hotel credit cards under $100 can provide automatic elite status, the opportunity for annual free nights, bonus points when paying for your stay and many other benefits.
Although most of these credit cards do charge annual fees, the value of their benefits and additional rewards easily make up for the small price tag.
Additional reporting by Lee Huffman.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex card, click here.
