Easy Approval Hotel Credit Cards for Travel Rewards

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Man Handing a Credit Card to a Hotel Receptionist
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If you're looking to earn travel rewards, applying for a hotel credit card can be a great way to start. You can earn points or miles that can be redeemed for free hotel stays, flights, or other travel perks.

Some hotel credit cards have easier approval requirements than others, making them a good option for those with limited credit history or lower credit scores. For example, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has a lower credit score requirement than some other hotel credit cards.

These cards often come with generous sign-up bonuses, which can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars in travel rewards. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers a 75,000-point bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

What to Expect

Getting approved for an easy approval hotel credit card can be a straightforward process. Most issuers have a relatively low credit score requirement, often around 600 or lower.

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You can expect to receive a credit limit of at least $1,000, often with a higher limit available for those with good credit history. Some cards may have a lower limit, but this is less common.

The application process is usually online, and you'll need to provide some basic personal and financial information. This typically includes your name, address, income, and employment status.

You can expect a decision on your application within a few minutes, and some issuers may even offer instant approval. This is because the credit checks are often done in real-time, making the process much faster.

Hotel Credit Card Options

Hotel credit cards can earn you points, free night certificates, and even elite status, which can get you upgrades, free breakfast, and late checkout.

Many hotel credit cards offer elite status outright or elite night credits that help you earn status faster, making your stay more enjoyable.

You can earn these benefits whether you're staying at a luxury hotel or a more affordable option closer to home, and they can make a big difference in your travel experience.

Approval Options

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Instant approval is a great option for hotel credit cards, where you can get a decision within a minute or so. This process is usually quick and efficient.

However, some hotel credit cards offer pre-approval, which is based on your credit history and credit score meeting a pre-defined profile. Becoming pre-approved doesn't guarantee approval, but it means you're consistent with the card issuer's desired customer profile.

Pre-approval for hotel credit cards often comes in the form of an offer in the mail that you can apply for. This check is a soft credit check, which won't affect your credit score.

If you decide to submit a full application, be aware that it will require a hard credit check, which can temporarily reduce your credit score by a few points.

Choosing a Hotel

Instant approval on credit card applications is a great way to get a decision quickly, but it's worth noting that being pre-approved for a credit card doesn't mean you're guaranteed to be approved.

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Pre-approved credit card offers are based on your credit history and credit score meeting a pre-defined profile, and you can often receive these offers in the mail.

Hotel credit cards are a great way to earn points and free night certificates, which can make any stay more enjoyable.

If you're planning a luxury stay at an overwater villa in the Maldives or a city escape closer to home, the benefits from hotel cards will make any stay more enjoyable.

To prequalify for a business credit card, check with a credit card company, visit a local branch, or call the card's customer service to talk to someone about getting prequalified.

Being prequalified for a business credit card doesn't mean you're definitely going to get it, but it means the information the credit card issuer has access to looks like you're likely to qualify.

If you're looking for the best hotel credit card with free night certificates, consider the Citi Rewards+ Card, which offers 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening.

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Here are some key features of the Citi Rewards+ Card:

  • Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
  • Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.

Best Hotel Offers

If you're looking for hotel credit cards with great offers, you've come to the right place. There are several options available, each with its own set of benefits.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers up to 60,000 bonus points, with 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first three months, plus up to 30,000 more points by earning two points per dollar in the first six months on up to $15,000 of purchases.

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offers 3 free night awards after using your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. With this card, you can earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Here are some of the best hotel credit card offers available today:

Some hotel credit cards offer status outright, while others offer elite night credits that help you earn status faster. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, for example, offers automatic Gold Elite status, while the Hyatt card offers automatic Discoverist elite status.

The Citi Rewards+ Card offers 1x - 5x points per dollar, with a $0 annual fee and a welcome offer of 20,000 points after spending $1,500 in purchases within 3 months of account opening.

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

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Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards are a great option for those who frequently stay at Marriott properties. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card offers a 35,000 point free night certificate after your first purchase, which can be worth up to $200 in value.

The card has an annual fee of $95, but with the potential value of the free night certificate, the effective annual fee can be as low as $105 in your favor. You can also combine the certificate with 15,000 Marriott points to redeem a free night worth up to 50,000 points total.

The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card offers 6x Marriott Bonvoy points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. It also comes with a $125 annual fee, but with benefits like a free night stay after your card anniversary and automatic Silver Elite status, it's easy to merit the annual fee.

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Another option is the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card, which earns 6x points at Marriott hotels globally and comes with a $250 annual fee. It also offers a 1,000 bonus points per stay and 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status.

Here are some key benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards:

  • Earn 6x points at Marriott hotels
  • Free night awards and certificates
  • Complimentary elite status
  • 15 Elite Night Credits towards status
  • Earn 1,000 bonus points per stay
  • Low to moderate annual fees

These benefits can add up to significant value for frequent Marriott travelers, making the Marriott Bonvoy credit cards a great option for those who want to maximize their rewards and benefits.

Hilton Honors Credit Cards

The Hilton Honors credit cards offer a range of benefits and rewards for frequent travelers and hotel enthusiasts. There are several options to choose from, each with its own set of perks and requirements.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 7x points at Hilton Hotels, Hilton Honors Silver Status, and Hilton Honors Gold Status with spending. You can earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.

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The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is geared towards business owners, offering 12x points at Hilton Hotels, Hilton Honors Gold Status, and Hilton Honors Diamond Status with spending. This card has a welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers 12x points at Hilton Hotels, Hilton Honors Gold Status, and a Free Night Reward with spending. You can earn 130,000 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.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a high-end option with a $550 annual fee, but it offers a range of benefits, including a free night certificate valid at almost any Hilton property, second and third free nights after $30,000 and $60,000 in spending, respectively, $400 in Hilton credits, and $200 in airfare credits.

Here's a summary of the Hilton Honors credit cards:

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card also offers up to $250 back in statement credits on purchases at Hilton Resorts, up to $250 back in statement credits for airline incidental charges, a free weekend night rewards, and up to $100 in statement credits toward on-property charges at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels. With automatic top-tier Hilton Diamond status, you'll enjoy bonus points and dining credits on stays.

Hyatt Credit Cards

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Hyatt Credit Cards are a great option for travelers who frequently stay at Hyatt properties. The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers 2x - 9x points per dollar, with a $95 annual fee.

You can earn up to 65,000 Bonus Points, including 35,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point.

The card also offers complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open, and a free night every year at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort.

Here are some key benefits of the World of Hyatt Credit Card:

  • Earn up to 65,000 Bonus Points
  • Complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status
  • Free night every year at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
  • 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status
  • Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card offers similar benefits, including earning 4x points at Hyatt Properties and complimentary Discoverist Status. You can also gift Discoverist Status up to 5 employees.

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The card also offers up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt, including 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card is a great option for Hyatt loyalists, and can also be a good choice for anyone planning to stay at least once at a Category 1-4 Hyatt property each year.

The card's annual fee is $95, and you can earn an additional free Category 1-4 certificate after spending $15,000.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers a very affordable annual fee of $95, and a free night certificate for a Category 1 through 4 stay, every cardmember anniversary.

You can earn up to 60,000 bonus points with the World of Hyatt Credit Card, including 30,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months and up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 points per dollar in the first 6 months on up to $15,000 of purchases that normally only earn one.

Other Hotel Credit Cards

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The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card is a great option for those looking for a hotel credit card with easy approval. It has a very affordable annual fee of $95.

If you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 180 days, you'll get 15,000 bonus points every cardmember anniversary, which can be redeemed for a free night at a 1-bedroom Vacasa vacation rental. This is a steal, especially for travelers heading to Hawaii, where you can get a free night at a resort for just 13,500 Wyndham points.

The card also offers complimentary Wyndham Rewards Diamond status, which can come in handy for those who frequently stay at Wyndham properties. However, it's worth noting that the earning categories are relatively weak, apart from gas which earns 8X.

Here's a comparison of some other hotel credit cards:

The Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card may not have the flashiest earning categories, but it's a great option for those who want to earn free nights at vacation rentals. By redeeming your points for a free night at a Vacasa property, you can get a lot of value out of this card, especially if you're planning to stay at a resort in Hawaii.

Hotel Credit Card Benefits

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Hotel credit cards offer a range of benefits that can make your travels more enjoyable and rewarding. Many cards provide elite status, which can get you perks like upgrades, free breakfast, and late checkout. You'll be treated better when you stay, and can get things like room upgrades and priority check-in.

Elite status can be achieved through various means, including earning points or purchasing elite status outright. For example, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers automatic Platinum elite status, which includes perks like earning bonus points on stays and a shot at room upgrades.

Some hotel credit cards also offer bonus points for spending within the hotel's network. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, for instance, offers 6X points at Marriott hotels, while the Hilton Aspire card offers 14X points at Hilton hotels.

Here are some of the best hotel credit cards that offer generous free night certificates and other benefits:

These cards can help you earn points and free night certificates, which can be redeemed for stays at luxury hotels like The St. Regis New York and the Waldorf Astoria Maldives. With the right hotel credit card, you can enjoy a more rewarding travel experience without breaking the bank.

Hotel Credit Card Fees

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Hotel credit card fees can be a significant factor in your decision, and it's essential to weigh them against the benefits you'll receive.

Annual fees can range from $0 to over $500, and it's crucial to consider whether the perks and rewards will offset the cost.

You should scrutinize the annual fee of a credit card against its potential benefits, as a basic cost-versus-benefit analysis may not accurately reflect your personal travel preferences.

Running the numbers for yourself can help determine if the annual fee is worth it, and if the free night certificates and other perks can fully offset the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score is needed for a hotel credit card?

To be eligible for a hotel credit card, you typically need a good to excellent credit score of at least 670. Check your FICO score to see if you qualify for a hotel credit card.

Which card is easiest to get approved for?

For those with no credit, the Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card is the easiest to get approved for. If you're looking to rebuild credit, the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured Credit Card is also a good option.

Angelo Douglas

Lead Writer

Angelo Douglas is a seasoned writer with a passion for creating informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Angelo has established himself as a trusted voice in the world of finance. Angelo's writing portfolio spans a range of topics, including mutual funds and mutual fund costs and fees.

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