Credit cards with a free hotel night: Get or earn a free hotel stay with these cards

Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.

Many hotel chains offer credit cards that will give you a free night just for holding the card. These cards can offer incredible value—if you’re able to cash your free night award for more value than the card’s annual fee, the additional perks of these cards are gravy. If you stay in hotels more than a few times a year, it can make sense to have some of these cards in your wallet.

Here are the credit cards that offer a free night and what you need to know about this benefit.

Update March 29, 2024: The The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card no longer offers the ability to earn a free night award.

Overview: Cards that offer a free hotel night

Here are the credit cards that offer a free night as a perk of holding the card.

Hotel credit card	Free night for holding the card.	How to earn an additional free night
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express Annual fee: $550 (Terms apply. See rates and fees.)	Annual free night reward every year, including the first year you have the card. Awarded 8-14 weeks after your cardmember anniversary.	Spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year. Spend an additional $30,000 on the card in a calendar year. Earn up to two additional Free Night Rewards. Earn one after making $30,000 in purchases and another after making $60,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Annual fee: $195 (See Rates and Fees)	–	This benefit is eliminated as of March 28, 2024. Existing cardholders can continue to earn up to 2 free night awards (1 after spending $15,000 in a calendar year and 1 after spending $60,000 within a calendar year) June 30, 2024.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Annual fee: $99	Free night award redeemable for award stays costing up to 40,000 points. Can be topped off with points for more expensive stays. Awarded on your account anniversary date.	n/a
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Annual fee: $99	Free night award redeemable for award stays costing up to 40,000 points. Can be topped off with points for more expensive stays. Awarded on your account anniversary date.	n/a
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Annual fee: $95	Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. Awarded within 8 weeks of cardmember anniversary.	n/a
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Annual fee: $125 (See Rates and Fees)	Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points. Awarded 8-12 weeks after cardmember anniversary.	Spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. Free an additional free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees)	Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 85,000 points. Awarded 8-12 weeks after cardmember anniversary.	Spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. Earn a Choice Award each year when you spend $60,000 on the card. One of the available choice awards is an 85,000 point free night certificate.
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card	Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 85,000 points. Awarded 8-12 weeks after cardmember anniversary.	We are still working to confirm whether you can earn an additional night with the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.
World of Hyatt Credit Card Annual fee: $95	Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary. Awarded on cardmember anniversary.	Spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.

How to maximize credit card free night value

The most important thing to remember about credit card free night is that you must have a plan to use them. Here are our tips on maximizing the value you get from a credit card free night certificate.

First priority: Avoid breakage

For many people, using the free night certificate at the first opportunity is the best way to be sure that you get value from this benefit.

While you might not maximize the potential value of your free night this way, you’ll decrease that chance that this benefit goes to breakage. Breakage is what happens when a credit card benefit doesn’t get used… and credit card issuers love breakage. When you don’t use a credit card benefit by its expiration date, the credit card issuer gets the benefit (the annual fee you’re paying) but they don’t have to deliver on the benefit (the free night.) Breakage is great for businesses, but bad for you.

Secondary priority: Maximize value

If you can plan your travels ahead of time, you’ll have an opportunity to maximize the value you get from your free night certificate. Spending a bit of effort in planning and getting the most value from your certificate can increase the value of this benefit. Here are a few things to consider:

Consider what you would otherwise pay. If you use the free night certificate for a stay, don’t look at only the cash price of the hotel you are booking. Consider what you would otherwise pay for the stay. Using a certificate to stay in an $800/night luxury hotel when what you would otherwise pay $80 in cash to stay in an airport hotel means you’re probably not getting $800 of value out of the certificate. You might pay a few hundred dollars to stay in a nicer hotel, but you’re not getting $800 of value if you wouldn’t otherwise pay that price.

Be aware of location. Sometimes staying at a more conveniently-located property is simply better. One mistake I see people making (and I have made in the past) is staying at the highest-priced hotel in order to “maximize value.” If staying at a cheaper hotel means less time in transit, less transportation expense, or free parking, it can be worthwhile to use your certificate for a cheaper hotel.

More on the cards that offer a free night

Here’s a bit more on each of the cards that offers a free night award.

Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express free night

The free night awarded with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is one of the most valuable free night awards available on a credit card. That’s because it isn’t capped by award categories or maximum redemption values like the awards offered with other cards. Better yet, the Hilton annual free night award covers all applicable resort fees and taxes, excluding some properties in Malaysia.

You can redeem your free night award for one standard, double occupancy room in almost any of Hilton’s hotels worldwide. Hilton publishes a list of properties that are excluded but given that Hilton has over 7,000 properties worldwide, excluding a few dozen of the highest-end properties seems fair. Free night awards are subject to availability. Terms apply.

Each year you are a cardmember, will receive your free night award as a redeemable code in an email within 8-14 weeks after your card renewal month. To redeem your free night, you must call Hilton at 1-800-446-6677. Annual free night certificates expire one year from the date of issuance and must be redeemed before their expiration date.

More on the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is Hilton’s top-tier hotel card, meant for luxury Hilton travelers. The card offers massive rewards for Hilton spending, top-tier elite status with the hotel chain, and a long list of statement credits for its $550 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees; terms apply)

The card earns a whopping 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts within Hilton’s portfolio of brands. Plus 7 points per dollar on select travel and dining at U.S. restaurants. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

The Aspire card is loaded with benefits. First, you’ll receive complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status as a perk of the card. Every year upon card renewal, you’ll receive a free night reward. The card also comes with $200 in statement credits annually to use at participating Hilton resorts, $200 in annual flight credits, a credit for CLEAR Plus membership, on-property credits, and premium travel and consumer insurance perks.

For more on the perks, features, and benefits of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express and the other Hilton credit cards, see our overview of Hilton credit cards.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card free night

Every year after your account anniversary, you’ll receive a free night certificate good for a standard room night. While the certificate is value for rooms with a redemption value of 40,000 points or less, it can be topped off with points from your account if you want to redeem it for a higher-cost night. That makes the IHG free night certificate perhaps one of the most flexible certificates and easiest to maximize.

You’ll get your certificate each year on your account anniversary date, which is 12 months from the date you open your card. Anniversary night certificates expire 12 months from the date of issue and you’ll need to both book and complete your stay before the certificate’s expiration date.

More about the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG offers two personal credit cards in partnership with Chase. The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card 10x points on your IHG stays (versus 5x on the no-annual-fee card,) gives you automatic Platinum Elite status and gets you an anniversary night. The card’s annual fee is $99.

When you use your IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card at IHG hotels, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar for using the card. (IHG and Chase tout up to 26 total points per dollar when you combine points you’d earn anyway from the loyalty program, plus the points from Platinum Elite status.) You’ll also earn five points per dollar on travel, at gas stations, and on dining. Plus 3 points per dollar everywhere else.

With the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, you’ll get a free night every anniversary year, automatic Platinum elite status, a trusted traveler program credit and $50 of United TravelBank each calendar year when you register. When you redeem points for a four night stay, you’ll get your fourth night free as a perk of having the card.

IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card free night

Every year after your IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card account anniversary, you’ll receive a free night certificate good for a standard room night. While the certificate is value for rooms with a redemption value of 40,000 points or less, it can be topped off with points from your account if you want to redeem it for a higher-cost night. That makes the IHG free night certificate perhaps one of the most flexible certificates and easiest to maximize.

You’ll get your certificate each year on your account anniversary date, which is 12 months from the date you open your card. Anniversary night certificates expire 12 months from the date of issue and you’ll need to both book and complete your stay before the certificate’s expiration date.

More about the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card offers very similar rewards and benefits to the personal variant of the card, but it adds the ability to earn points in business category purchases. The IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card’s annual fee is $99.

When you use your IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card at IHG hotels, you’ll earn 10 points per dollar for using the card. (IHG and Chase tout up to 26 total points per dollar when you combine points you’d earn anyway from the loyalty program, plus the points from Platinum Elite status.) You’ll also earn five points per dollar on travel, at gas stations, on select business purchases and on dining. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.

With the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card, you’ll get a free night every anniversary year, automatic Platinum elite status, a trusted traveler program credit and $50 of United TravelBank each calendar year when you register. When you redeem points for a four night stay, you’ll get your fourth night free as a perk of having the card.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card free night

The 35,000 point certificate you get with your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® card can be redeemed for one night in a standard guest room at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel. To be eligible for redemption, the hotel must have a standard redemption award rate or PointSavers award rate for the requested stay date that is less than or equal to the value of the free night award.

Marriott free night awards can be augmented with up to 15,000 points and used for higher-value stays. For example, a 35,000 point certificate can be redeemed for a 45,000-point night by redeeming the certificate, plus 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The key to maximizing the value you get from your Marriott certificates is redeeming for stays close to the certificate’s point “value.”

The certificate you get on your cardmember anniversary will be deposited to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 8 weeks from your cardmember anniversary date. Marriott free night certificates expire 12 months after they are earned.

More about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card will give you a boost to your elite status with Marriott, a free night every cardmember anniversary year, and is currently the only Marriott card available to new customers that will give you elite night credits for spending with no caps. The card has a $95 annual fee.

When you stay at a Marriott Bonvoy^® property and charge your stay to your card, you’ll earn 6 points for every dollar of hotel charges. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining, on up to $6,000 per year in combined purchases. For other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar.

The card comes with a free night award, valid for a one-night stay at a property with a redemption level of up to 35,000 points, plus 15 elite night credits per calendar year and automatic silver elite status. The Bonvoy Boundless card also includes premium travel protections like baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and purchase protection.

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card and the other Marriott credit cards in our overview of the Marriott credit cards.

Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card free night

The 35,000 point certificate you get with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card can be redeemed for one night in a standard guest room at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel. To be eligible for redemption, the hotel must have a standard redemption award rate or PointSavers award rate for the requested stay date that is less than or equal to the value of the free night award.

Marriott free night awards can be augmented with up to 15,000 points and used for higher-value stays. For example, a 35,000 point certificate can be redeemed for a 45,000-point night by redeeming the certificate, plus 10,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The key to maximizing the value you get from your Marriott certificates is redeeming for stays close to the certificate’s point “value.”

The certificate you get on your cardmember anniversary will be deposited to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 8-12 weeks from your cardmember anniversary month. When your certificate is deposited, you’ll get an email letting you know that the certificate has arrived and how to redeem it. Marriott free night certificates expire 12 months after they are earned.

If you earn an additional free night after spending $60,000 on the card, this award will be deposited within 8-12 weeks after you meet the purchase requirements.

More about the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card is for small business owners who want a boost to their elites status and a free night every cardmember anniversary year. With the card, you’ll get elite night credits, increased points with Marriott, and increased point earnings in bonus categories. The card has a $125 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)

When you stay at a Marriott Bonvoy^® property and charge your stay to your card, you’ll earn 6 points for every dollar of hotel charges. You’ll also earn 4 points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. shipping purchases. For other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar.

The card comes with a free night award, valid for a one-night stay at a property with a redemption level of up to 35,000 points, plus 15 elite night credits per calendar year and automatic gold elite status. With the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, you do have the ability to earn an additional free night award after spending $60,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year. Terms apply to all benefits.

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card and the other Marriott credit cards in our overview of the Marriott credit cards.

About Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card free nights

The 85,000 point certificate you get with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card can be redeemed for one night in a standard guest room at a participating Marriott Bonvoy hotel. To be eligible for redemption, the hotel must have a standard redemption award rate or PointSavers award rate for the requested stay date that is less than or equal to the value of the free night award.

Marriott free night awards can be augmented with up to 15,000 points and used for higher-value stays. For example, an 85,000 point certificate can be redeemed for a 100,000-point night by redeeming the certificate, plus 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The key to maximizing the value you get from your Marriott certificates is redeeming for stays close to the certificate’s point “value.”

The certificate you get on your cardmember anniversary will be deposited to your Marriott Bonvoy account within 8-12 weeks from your cardmember anniversary month. When your certificate is deposited, you’ll get an email letting you know that the certificate has arrived and how to redeem it. Marriott free night certificates expire 12 months after they are earned.

If you choose an additional 85k certificate with the Choice Award you earn after spending $60,000 on the card, your award will be deposited within 8-12 weeks after select your benefit. You must select your Choice Award by February 1st of the year after you reach $60,000 in eligible purchases.

More about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the card for small business owners who want high-tier elite status and who stay at luxury hotels like The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis®. The card offers instant Platinum status with Marriott, an annual 85k free night certificate, property credits at luxury brands, and a airport lounge access. The card has a $650 annual fee. (See Rates and Fees)

When you stay at a Marriott Bonvoy^® property and charge your stay to your card, you’ll earn 6 points for every dollar of hotel charges. You’ll also earn 3 points per dollar spent restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. For other eligible purchases, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar.

The card comes with an free night award usable at hotels costing up to 85,000 point per night. You’ll also get instant Platinum Elite status, a $100 property credit toward qualifying charges when you stay at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis®, and 25 elite night credits for having the card. The Bonvoy Brilliant also features the opportunity to get up to $300 in dining credits ($25 credits monthly) and a choice award after $60,000 of spending. Options for the Choice Award include an additional 85k certificate. Terms apply to all benefits.

Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card and the other Marriott credit cards in our overview of the Marriott credit cards.

The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card

The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is not currently available to new cardmembers and Chase does not publish details about the card. We are currently working on confirming the details of this card and how to get the card.

About the World of Hyatt Credit Card free night

With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll get one category 1-4 free night each year after your cardmember anniversary. You can also earn up to one additional free night award by spending $15,000 on the card within a calendar year.

Free night awards are redeemable for one night in any standard room at a Hyatt hotel designated as a category 1-4 hotel with World of Hyatt. Resort, destination, and facility fees are waived when you redeem a free night award.

You’ll receive your annual award within the calendar month of your cardmember anniversary. If you earn an additional free night award through spending, you’ll get your free night award within 4 weeks. Free night awards are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued. You must redeem your free night award for a stay with a check-out date prior to the award’s expiration.

More about the World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is an essential credit card for Hyatt loyalists. The card offers increased points for Hyatt stays, a free night award, five nights of elite status credit, and the opportunity to earn an unlimited number of elite nights through spending. The World of Hyatt Credit Card has a $95 annual fee.

When you use the card for Hyatt hotel stays, you’ll earn four points per dollar using the card. This is in addition to the five points per dollar you’ll earn as a World of Hyatt member. The card also earn 2 points on travel, dining, restaurants, and fitness club and gym memberships, plus 1 point on everyday purchases.

In addition to earning the most points on your Hyatt stays, The World of Hyatt Credit Card can help you earn elite status with the chain. You’ll get 5 elite-qualifying night credits toward your status every year, just for holding the card. And you’ll earn 2 more for every $5,000 you spend on the card. An annual free night certificate, redeemable for one night at a category 1-4 hotel is another perk of the card.

Learn more about the benefits and features of the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the other Hyatt credit cards in our overview of Hyatt credit cards.

American Express card disclosures

• For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
• For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
• For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees

Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.