Getting free hotel nights with credit card rewards is easier than ever. Travelers can avoid paying annual fees and get free stays in luxury hotels by using their cards wisely. Changes to travel programs and the launch of new cards in 2025 have changed the way awards, welcome bonuses, and other benefits work. We’ll list the best hotel credit cards for getting the most free nights. It includes the latest information on earning structures, elite status benefits, and spending limits. Each card has the expected annual fee, the ability to get a free night, and other useful features that are meant to help first-time users make personal finance decisions with confidence and clarity.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Free night: Category 1 – 4 property annually, plus a second after $15K spent.
- Welcome offer: 2 free nights + 25K bonus points after meeting multi-tiered spending thresholds.
- Points transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards at 1:1 instantly. Hyatt points are consistently valued highest among partners.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless & Brilliant
- Boundless: ~35K‑point free night yearly, welcome offer often includes 3 free nights up to 50K.
- Brilliant: ~85K‑point free night, Platinum status, and up to $300 statement credit.
- Marriott remains Kiplinger readers’ favorite for flexibility and ease of redemption.
IHG One Rewards Premier
- Awards free night up to 40K points annually.
- Includes Platinum Elite status and IHG’s 4‑for‑3 award deal.
- Points transfers evenly from Ultimate Rewards, but point value is lower than Hyatt’s.
Hilton Aspire & Surpass
- Aspire: multiple free-night awards, Diamond status, resort credits, Priority Pass.
- Surpass: weekend‑night certificate after $15K spend, Gold status, and strong earning rates.
- Offers high signup bonus and solid ongoing multipliers with zero annual fee.
- No automatically granted certificate, requires redemption via points.
Citi Strata Elite
- New in 2025 as Citi’s premium offer: includes $300 hotel credit and elevated travel earning via Citi Travel.
- Harder justification unless high spend offsets $595 fee.
Top Hotel Credit Cards Offering Free Nights Summary
| Card | Annual Fee | Free Night Benefit | Points Earnings & Elite Status | Notable Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 | 1 free night annually at Category 1–4; extra free night with $15K spend in a year | 9× Hyatt on stays, 2× travel/dining, 1× others; Discoverist status | Strong welcome: 2 free nights + 25K points after $4K/3mo and $12K/6mo |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® (Chase) | $95 | 1 free night award up to ~35K points annually | 6× Marriott stays, 2× travel; Silver Elite status | Welcome bonus often 3 free nights up to 50K after initial spend |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® (AmEx) | ~$650 | 1 free night award up to ~85K points annually | 6× Marriott stays, 3× restaurants/flights; Platinum Elite | $300 annual Marriott credit, high-tier bonus structure |
| IHG One Rewards Premier | ~$99 | 1 free night award up to 40K points annually | Elevated points on IHG stays, Platinum Elite status | Access to IHG’s 4th-night-free benefit on award bookings |
| Hilton Honors AmEx Aspire | ~$550 | 1 free night plus extra certificate(s) based on spending | Automatic Diamond status, high multipliers on Hilton stays | Quarterly resort credit, lounge access, statement credits |
| Hilton Honors AmEx Surpass | ~$150 | Free weekend-night certificate after $15K in annual spend | 12× Hilton stays, 6× restaurants/gas, 3× all other | Gold status, statement credits |
| Choice Privileges® Mastercard® | $0 | Free stay via points (no annual free-night award) | 5× points at Choice hotels, tiered returns elsewhere | No fee card with solid signup bonus (~60K points) |
| Strata Elite (Citi) | $595 | $300 hotel credit (not certificate) | 12× points via Citi Travel on hotels, dining, car rental, airlines | Citi’s premium new card with multiple credits and lounge access |
Conclusion
As of the middle of 2025, there are a number of hotel credit cards that offer great free-night value, each one designed for a different type of traveler. The World of Hyatt Card is the best deal for your money. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless is great for easy travel across a wide range of options. The Bonvoy Brilliant offers more benefits for a higher price. IHG Premier is good for travelers who spend a lot of money on hotels with about 40,000 points. If you use Hilton a lot, Hilton Aspire or Surpass are good options. Choice Privileges Mastercard gives users value without charging an annual fee. Wealthy people target the new Citi Strata Elite, yet its high fee necessitates significant spending to justify it. Before you apply, think about how often you travel, what hotel brands you like, and whether perks like elite status, statement credits, or lounge access fit with your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card offers the best free night value with lowest fee?
The World of Hyatt Card ($95 a year) is often the best overall deal because it gives you a free night every year, a good welcome offer, elite status perks, and a high point value.
Are welcome bonuses still available in mid‑2025?
Yes. A lot of these cards still give welcome bonuses for multiple nights or free nights, as well as big point bonuses for spending a certain amount. For example, the Marriott Boundless card often comes with three free nights, while the Hyatt Card comes with two free nights and points.
Can points transfer from Chase Sapphire cards?
Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy, and IHG at a rate of 1:1. Hyatt transfers usually give the most value (about 2.2¢ per point), while IHG transfers give the least (about 0.5¢ per point).
Do these free-night certificates expire?
Yes. Welcome certificates and award nights usually expire within a year of being given out. Annual anniversary certificates, on the other hand, may not expire until your next statement year. Make sure to read the terms for cardholders.
Updated by Albert Fang
Source Citation References:
+ Inspo
There are no additional citations or references to note for this article at this time.