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Some hotel credit cards will give you a free night just for holding the card. If you travel frequently, having one or more of these cards can be an easy way to get value in excess of the annual fee—in most cases, the free night you get from a card will be worth more than the annual fee you’re paying.
Here’s what you need to know about credit cards that offer free nights.
In this article…
Overview: Cards that offer a free hotel night
| Hotel credit card | Annual free night | Earn additional free nights | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express Annual fee: $550 (See rates and fees) | ||
 | IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees | – | |
 | IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Annual fee: annual_fees | – | |
 | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card Annual fee: $95 | – | |
 | Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | ||
 | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | ||
 | The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card Annual fee: $450 | ||
 | World of Hyatt Credit Card Annual fee: $95 |
A bit more on each credit card’s free night
Want to know more about the best credit cards that offer free hotel nights? Here’s a quick summary of what kind of free night you’ll get with each card. Scroll down for more on each card and additional details about the free nights.
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express: Annual free night reward every year, including the first year you have the card.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Free night award redeemable for award stays costing up to 40,000 points awarded each year.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Free night award redeemable for award stays costing up to 40,000 points awarded each year.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Free night award valid for one-night stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points.
- 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.
- World of Hyatt Credit Card: Receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your cardmember anniversary.
Details on credit cards that offer a free night
Here are all of the details on the free night awards offered by the best credit cards for free hotel stays.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express: Up to 3 free nights each year
- Free night: Annual free night award valid for a standard room, double occupancy at the vast majority of Hilton properties, worldwide.
- When you get it: Within 8-14 weeks after your renewal month.
- How to earn up to 2 additional free nights: Earn a second free night award after making $30,000 in purchases in a calendar year. Earn a third free night award after making $60,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
- When the free night expires: One year from the date it is issued.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $550 (Terms apply. See rates and fees.)
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.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: $550
(See Rates and Fees.)
This is a direct bank link. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card welcome offer
Earn 175,000 Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/31/2024.
You will also receive a Hilton Free Night award upon approval and every cardmember anniversary year.
This card offers a decent bonus for the amount of spending required, but don’t forget about the Hilton Free Night Award that you earn when your card is opened. While not technically part of the welcome bonus, it’s a valuable first year perk.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Annual Hilton Free Night award.
Hilton Honors Diamond Status.
Up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits per year (Up to $200, semi-annually)
Earn up to 2 additional Hilton Free Night awards.
Rewards:
14x on Hilton hotel purchases.
7x on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com.
7x on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies.
7x at U.S. restaurants.
3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned Hilton Honors bonus points.
Learn more:
Compare this card to other Hilton cards in our overview of Hilton credit cards.
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: Anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points
- Free night: Annual free night certificate valid for rooms with a redemption value of up to 40,000 points.
- When you get it: On your account anniversary date.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $99
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.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
This welcome bonus is a large amount of points, but keep in mind that IHG points will get you less value per point than most other points.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Anniversary free night.
Redeem 3 nights, get 4th night free.
Automatic Platinum Elite status.
No foreign transaction fees.
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS statement credit.
Purchase protection.
Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance.
$50 United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year.
Rewards:
10x at IHG Hotels and Resorts
5x on travel.
5x at gas stations.
5x at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery.
3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as IHG Rewards points.
Learn more:
Learn more about this and other cards with a free hotel hight.
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Anniversary night worth up to 40,000 points
- Free night: Annual free night certificate valid for rooms with a redemption value of up to 40,000 points.
- When you get it: On your account anniversary date.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $99
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.
IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
The current welcome offer is a large number of points, but the welcome bonus on the personal card is larger. Go for the personal card instead.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Automatic Platinum Elite status.
Redeem 3 nights, get the 4th night free.
Anniversary free night.
Rewards:
10x at IHG Hotels and Resorts.
5x on travel and hotels.
5x at gas stations.
5x on social media, search engine advertising, and office supply stores.
5x at restaurants, including eligible takeout and delivery.
3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as IHG Rewards bonus points.
Learn more:
Learn more about other cards that offer a free hotel night.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Annual 35,000 point free night certificate
- Free night: Annual free night award certificate, valid for standard rooms up to 35,000 points.
- When you get it: On your account anniversary date.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $95
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.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: $95
This is a referral link. All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card sign-up bonus
Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Silver Elite Status.
Earn Gold Elite status when you spend $35,000 on the card in a calendar year.
15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year.
Annual 35k free night award.
Rewards:
6x at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
3x on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on gas stations, grocery stores, and dining.
2x on other travel purchases.
2x on all other purchases.
Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points.
Learn more:
Compare this card to other Marriott credit cards in our overview of Marriott credit cards.
Find more cards that offer a free hotel night for having the card.
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: Annual 35,000 point free night certificate
- Free night: Annual free night award certificate, valid for standard rooms up to 35,000 points.
- When you get it: On your account anniversary date. (Earned certificates are deposited 8-12 weeks after purchase requirements are met.)
- How to earn an additional free night: Spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $125 (See Rates and Fees)
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.
Learn how to apply.
Annual fee: $125
(See Rates and Fees)
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
This welcome offer awards free night certificates. If you have a plan to use the certificates, you can usually get more value out of this offer than through a welcome offer that awards points..
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
7% discount on eligible bookings.
Free night award after your card renewal month.
Earn an additional free night award after spending $60k in purchases in a calendar year.
15 Elite Night credits.
No foreign transaction fees.
Terms apply to all benefits.
Rewards:
6x at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
4x at restaurants worldwide.
4x at U.S. gas stations.
4x on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers.
4x on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points.
Learn more:
Compare this card to other Marriott credit cards in our Marriott card overview.
Find other cards that offer a free night award.
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: Annual 85,000 point certificate, plus earn an additional free night
- Free night: Annual free night award certificate, valid for standard rooms up to 85,000 points.
- When you get it: Within 8-12 weeks of your anniversary month (annual certificate) or when your Choice Award is selected (earned certificate.)
- How to earn an additional free night: Spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year and select a free night certificate as your Choice Award.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees)
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.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status.
$300 Brilliant® dining credit. ($25 per month.)
85k Free Night Award.
Brilliant® Earned Choice Award after spending $60k in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
$100 property credit for qualifying charges The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® properties when booking a 2-night minimum stay.
25 elite night credits.
Priority Pass Select.
Rewards:
6x at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
3x at restaurants worldwide.
3x on flights booked directly with airlines.
2x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as Marriott Bonvoy points.
Learn more:
Compare this card against the other Marriott cards in our overview of Marriott credit cards.
Learn more about the rules for earning Marriott credit card welcome bonuses.
Find other cards that offer a free night benefit.
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: Annual Category 1-4 free night, plus earn a second free night each year
- Free night: Annual category 1-4 free night.
- When you get it: In the calendar month of your cardmember anniversary (annual award) or within 4 weeks (earned award.)
- How to earn an additional free night: Spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- When the free night certificate expires: 12 months from the date of issue.
- Annual fee: Annual fee: $95
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.
This is a direct bank link. All information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card sign-up bonus
bonus_miles_full
Get this card for its free night award, not for the welcome bonus. This is the standard welcome bonus offer on this card.
More about this card
Benefit highlights:
Free category 1-4 free night award each year.
Earn a second category 1-4 free night award after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
Receive 5 qualifying nights toward status every year.
Earn 2 tier-qualifying nights for every $5,000 spent on the card.
World of Hyatt Discoverist status.
Rewards:
4x at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
2x on dining.
2x on airline purchases directly from airlines.
2x gym memberships.
2x local transit and commuting.
1x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as World of Hyatt bonus points.
Learn more:
Learn more in our overview of Hyatt credit cards.
Find other cards that offer a free night award.
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.
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.
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.
