Credit Card That Waives Resort Fees at Top Hotels

If you're a frequent traveler, you know how frustrating it can be to pay extra resort fees on top of your hotel bill. That's why we're excited to share with you our top pick for a credit card that waives resort fees at top hotels.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a great option for travelers, offering a $95 annual fee and a 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. This card also earns 2X points on travel and dining purchases.

Resort fees are extra charges added to your nightly room rate, often labeled as fees for amenities like pools or WiFi access. They can be hidden in plain sight, with hotels charging them even if they don't provide actual amenities.

Fees started appearing around 1997, according to a 2017 report from the Federal Trade Commission. They were initially meant to cover actual amenities, but now many hotels charge them regardless.

At least half of resort destinations have some kind of fee attached to the room now. This is a big problem, as it can catch guests off guard.

The average resort fee is about $42, according to a recent analysis by NerdWallet. This might not seem like a lot, but resort fees as a whole make up about 11% of the overall costs to stay at a hotel each night.

The Hilton Aspire Card is a great option for those looking to waive resort fees. It offers a $400 resort credit that renews each cardmember anniversary, distributed semi-annually in increments of up to $200.

You can use this credit for room rates, but only if they're not prepaid. This includes special rates offered by the hotel, such as discounts for extended stays or AAA membership discounts.

The credit is automatically applied as a statement credit, and you can earn up to 6,800 bonus points per year by maximizing your $200 allotment. This can be redeemed for a free night, considering standard room rewards start at 5,000 points.

Here's a breakdown of the key benefits:

President Joe Biden is taking a stand against hotel fees, calling for Congress to ban surprise resort fees and require hotels to include them in the room rate. This is a big move to help consumers avoid hidden charges.

Some states are also getting involved, like California, which is launching efforts to remove the hidden fees from hotel bills. Legislation introduced in California would require the extra charges to be included in the overall price of a good or service, like hotel rooms.

A group of hotel guests is taking the fight against hotel fees to court, suing Marriott International in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. They claim that fees labeled as "Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance Cost Surcharge" exceed the actual costs of providing employees personal protection devices.

Grassroots efforts, like the group Kill Resort Fees, are also joining the fight to end hotel surcharges.

The Hilton Aspire card is a valuable tool for travelers, offering a range of benefits that can help you save money and earn rewards.

The card's resort credit is a standout feature, providing a statement credit of up to $400 per year, distributed semi-annually in increments of up to $200.

You can use the credit for eligible charges at over 300 Hilton Resorts, but it's essential to note that hotels not listed on Hilton's website do not qualify.

The credit can be used for room rates, including special rates and discounts, as long as they're not prepaid.

A good rule of thumb is to book rates that don't charge you for the entirety of the stay upfront, and you should qualify for the credit.

You'll earn 14x Hilton Honors points on all Hilton purchases, and as a Diamond member, you'll earn an additional 20 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels.

With the resort credit, you can earn a total of 6,800 bonus points, valued at $34, for every $200 in reimbursed charges.

This can be a significant bonus, especially when you consider that standard room rewards start at 5,000 points, which means you'll have earned enough for a free night once you've redeemed even the first portion of your annual credit.

The Hilton Aspire Card offers an amazing resort credit benefit that's worth exploring. This credit is automatically applied to your statement, providing a $400 credit distributed semi-annually in increments of up to $200.

You can use this credit for room rates, but there's a catch – it only applies to rates that aren't prepaid. This means you can take advantage of special rates like discounts for extended stays or AAA membership discounts.

A good rule of thumb is to book rates that don't charge you for the entirety of the stay upfront. This will ensure you qualify for the credit.

You can earn up to 6,800 bonus points per year with the Hilton Aspire Card, which can be redeemed for a free night. In fact, the points required for a standard room reward start at just 5,000 points.

Here are the three main requirements to use the Hilton Aspire Resort Credit:

This opens up some interesting options for using the credit beyond just room rates. You can also use it for activities like cultural excursions, spa charges, and even room service.

Let's take a closer look at "Example Hotel", a great place to stay if you're looking to avoid resort fees. They offer a free breakfast buffet for all guests.

The hotel is located near several popular attractions, including the beach and a nearby shopping center. This makes it easy to get around without having to rent a car.

One of the best things about Example Hotel is that it's a member of a rewards program that offers points for every stay. This can add up quickly and lead to some great perks.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is a great option for those looking to stay in Orlando, with rates starting from just $85 per night.

You can score a 2-night stay here entirely with your Hilton Aspire card credit, which is a fantastic deal.

Orlando is known for having a vast range of hotels, including the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, which is also included in Hilton's resort list.

If you want to stay longer, you could book a 3-night stay and pay just $55 out of pocket, making it an affordable option for a longer trip.

At Example Hotel, you'll find a range of amenities to enhance your stay. About 1,779 hotels in the U.S. charge a resort fee, which can range from a few dollars to over $30 per night.

Be prepared to pay extra for some perks, as some hotels now charge a separate fee to use the pool, secure lounge chairs, or hit the gym. Resort fees are down 17 percent from the peak in 2018, but the number is growing with more people traveling again.

One way to avoid resort fees is to use credit card reward points to pay for your hotel room. Many operators waive resort fees if you are redeeming loyalty points.

You can also search for a hotel that doesn't charge resort fees - they may be in the minority, but you should be able to find a handful in the area you're staying. ResortFeeChecker.com is a searchable database of hotel fees.

Resort fees can really add up, with some hotels charging as much as $30 per night. About 1,779 hotels in the U.S. charge a resort fee, which is down 17 percent from the peak in 2018.

Using credit card reward points can help you avoid resort fees, as many operators waive them when you redeem loyalty points. If you don't have any rewards, you can search for a hotel that doesn't charge resort fees - they're in the minority, but you can find a few options.

ResortFeeChecker.com is a great resource for finding hotels with waived resort fees or avoiding them altogether.

Hotels have been charging extra fees, often called resort fees, which can add up to $35 per night to your room rate.

These fees can be a significant drain on your travel budget, but some hotel credit cards offer a solution.

The World of Hyatt program waives resort fees for top-tier Globalist members.

If you're a Hyatt loyalist, consider earning Globalist status to avoid these fees altogether.

Some hotel credit cards offer statement credits to offset resort fees, so be sure to check your card benefits.