Opposite to widespread perception, you needn’t pay an annual payment topping nearly $800 to get the greatest journey bank card. Should you do not journey sufficient to make use of all the advantages that include a top-tier card — or just do not have room in your price range to justify these charges annually — there are nonetheless loads of no-annual-fee playing cards which may fit your wants.
Relating to lodge bank cards, the excellent news is {that a} no-annual-fee card can give you extra advantages than you would possibly count on. Some playing cards include complimentary elite standing, whereas others arrange a pathway towards incomes it by means of spending.
Relying on the product you select, no-annual-fee cobranded lodge playing cards may also help you earn perks particular to sure lodge chains. That is thanks, partially, to the elevated incomes charges they function if you e-book a keep or make an on-property buy.
The very best no-annual-fee lodge card will differ from individual to individual, however a few of the greatest choices presently out there embrace the Marriott Bonvoy Daring® Credit score Card (see charges and charges) and the Hilton Honors American Categorical Card (see charges and charges).
Each lodge chains provide properties all around the world, that means you might have tons of alternatives to earn and redeem factors nearly wherever.
The very best no-annual-fee lodge bank cards
Listed here are our prime picks for one of the best no-annual-fee lodge playing cards.
The knowledge for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Evaluating one of the best no-annual-fee lodge bank cards
| Card | Incomes charges | Welcome bonus | Bonus worth* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Daring Credit score Card |
|
Earn 60,000 bonus factors plus one free evening award (valued at as much as 50,000 factors) after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Sure motels have resort charges. | As much as $770 |
| Hilton Honors American Categorical Card |
|
Earn 100,000 bonus factors and a $100 assertion credit score after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. This provide ends Aug. 13. | As much as $500 (plus the $100 assertion credit score) |
| IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card |
|
Earn 120,000 bonus factors after spending $2,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening. | $600 |
| Alternative Privileges Mastercard |
|
For a restricted time, earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases inside three months of card membership. | $360 |
| Wyndham Rewards Earner Card |
|
Earn 60,000 factors after spending $2,000 on purchases inside 90 days of account opening. Resort charges might apply and can’t be paid with factors. | $660 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card |
|
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles when you spend $500 inside the first three months from account opening. | $370 |
*Bonus worth is predicated on TPG’s June 2025 valuations and never the cardboard issuer.
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The very best no-annual-fee lodge bank cards
Marriott Bonvoy Daring Credit score Card
Present welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus factors plus one free evening award (valued at as much as 50,000 factors) after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Sure motels have resort charges.
Bonus worth: As much as $770.
Incomes charges:
- 3 factors per greenback spent at collaborating Marriott Bonvoy motels
- 2 factors per greenback spent at grocery shops, on ride-hailing providers, on choose meals supply providers, on choose streaming providers and on web, cable and telephone providers
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
Different advantages: You may change into an computerized Silver Elite member, which will get you perks resembling precedence late checkout and 10% bonus factors on stays, as a cardholder. Subsequently, you may have the power to earn as much as 14 factors per greenback spent on eligible Marriott stays (3 factors per greenback with this card, 10 factors per greenback for being a Marriott Bonvoy member and 1 level per greenback for having Silver Elite standing).
You may even have the chance to enhance your elite standing the extra you stick with Marriott. This card comes with a number of journey and buy protections, together with baggage loss and delay insurance coverage. To prime all of it off, there is no annual payment (and no international transaction charges).
Why we prefer it: As you construct up your bank card portfolio, you may finally wish to have a card that earns transferable factors, together with an airline card and a lodge card. If Marriott is your lodge chain of selection (we do not blame you since there are greater than 9,000 properties worldwide), the Daring is the right place to start out. With a complimentary jump-start to Silver Elite standing, the chances of reaching greater tiers of Marriott elite standing are limitless.
For extra particulars, try our full assessment of the Marriott Bonvoy Daring card.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Daring Credit score Card
Hilton Honors American Categorical Card
Present welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus factors and a $100 assertion credit score after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Bonus worth: As much as $500 (plus the $100 assertion credit score).
Incomes charges:
- 7 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases made immediately with motels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio
- 5 factors per greenback spent at U.S. eating places (together with takeout and supply), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. fuel stations
- 3 factors per greenback spent on different eligible purchases
Different advantages: It is not typically {that a} no-annual-fee card gives you with as many perks because the Hilton Honors Amex does. For starters, take pleasure in complimentary Silver standing to get 20% bonus factors on stays and a fifth-night-free profit. Along with a profitable rewards price on Hilton and on a regular basis purchases, you may have secondary rental automotive protection and no international transaction charges.
Why we prefer it: The Hilton Honors Amex proves you do not have to pay an annual payment to get top-notch perks. The cardboard’s welcome bonus gives a wholesome stash of Hilton Honors factors and ample methods to proceed incomes in your on a regular basis spending. We suggest this card for individuals who take pleasure in staying at Hilton properties however wish to preserve prices as little as doable.
For extra particulars, try our full assessment of the Hilton Honors Amex.
Apply right here: Hilton Honors American Categorical Card
IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card
Present welcome bonus: Earn 120,000 bonus factors after spending $2,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
Bonus worth: As much as $600.
Incomes charges:
- As much as 17 factors per greenback spent at IHG Lodges & Resorts (damaged down as 5 factors per greenback for being an IHG Traveler cardholder, as much as 10 factors per greenback spent on stays for being an IHG One Rewards member and as much as 2 factors per greenback spent on stays with Silver Elite standing, a good thing about this card)
- 3 factors per greenback spent on utilities, web, cable, telephone providers and choose streaming providers, at fuel stations and on restaurant purchases (together with takeout and eligible supply)
- 2 factors per greenback spent on all the things else
Different advantages: This lodge card comes with the distinctive good thing about a fourth-night-free reward, that means you may pay the worth of three nights to remain for a complete of 4 nights if you e-book with factors. Plus, you may get a 20% low cost on factors purchases if you pay for these factors together with your card.
Why we prefer it: By being strategic with this card, you will get a ton of worth with out paying an annual payment.
For extra particulars, try our full assessment of the IHG One Rewards Traveler card.
Apply right here: IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit score Card
Alternative Privileges Mastercard
Present welcome bonus: For a restricted time, earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases inside three months of card membership.
Bonus worth: As much as $360.
Incomes charges:
- 5 factors per greenback spent at eligible Alternative Lodges, together with Alternative Privileges level purchases
- 3 factors per greenback spent at fuel stations, at grocery shops, at residence enchancment shops and on telephone plan providers
- 1 level per greenback spent on different purchases
Different advantages: You may get computerized Gold standing within the Alternative Privileges program, which unlocks advantages resembling an elite welcome present, early check-in and late checkout. You may additionally rise up to $800 of mobile phone safety in opposition to harm or theft if you pay your month-to-month invoice with this card (topic to a $25 deductible), in addition to World Elite Mastercard advantages.
Why we prefer it: Being a Alternative Privileges elite member will improve your lodge expertise, and with this card, you may be granted this standing at no cost. Whereas not essentially the most profitable no-annual-fee lodge card on the market, this card gives simplicity — a motive to maintain it in your pockets annually.
For extra particulars, try our full assessment of the Alternative Privileges Mastercard.
Apply right here: Alternative Privileges Mastercard
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
Present welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 factors after spending $2,000 on purchases inside 90 days of account opening. Resort charges might apply and can’t be paid with factors.
Bonus worth: As much as $660.
Incomes charges:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on motels by Wyndham and fuel
- 2 factors per greenback spent on eating and at grocery shops (excluding Goal® and Walmart®)
- 1 level per greenback spent on all the things else
Different advantages: With this card, you may take pleasure in no international transaction charges and complimentary Gold standing, which ensures free Wi-Fi, most popular room choice and late checkout. Moreover, you get the power to redeem 10% fewer Wyndham Rewards factors in your eligible stays. Plus, you earn 7,500 bonus factors every anniversary 12 months after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases.
Why we prefer it: For a card with no annual payment, those that keep at Wyndham properties often can get appreciable worth from the welcome bonus and ongoing Gold elite standing.
Study extra: Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
Associated: Wyndham Rewards: Information to incomes, redeeming and elite standing
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Present welcome bonus: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles after spending $500 inside the first three months from account opening.
Bonus worth: $370.
Incomes charges:
- 5 miles per greenback spent on motels and rental automobiles booked by means of Capital One Journey
- 1.25 miles per greenback spent on all different purchases
Different advantages: Whereas the lodge playing cards above can get you elite perks or different unique advantages, typically limiting your self to 1 model does not make sense. That is why the VentureOne is our favourite for all lodge stays, because it gives a easy incomes scheme (limitless 1.25 miles per greenback spent on all purchases), plus a fair easier approach to redeem. And in the event you e-book by means of Capital One Journey, you may earn 5 miles per greenback.
You may redeem your miles for any lodge (or different journey) costs in your card. Should you’re a sophisticated award traveler, you may be blissful to know which you can switch your Capital One miles to airline and lodge companions like Air Canada Aeroplan and Singapore KrisFlyer to seek out much more potential worth.
Why we prefer it: We like the flexibleness that the VentureOne gives. You will not get lodge elite standing with this card, however you should use this card to pay for motels from any model. If all you are on the lookout for is a approach to earn and redeem your journey rewards, it is a good card for you. Plus, with no international transaction charges, you possibly can take the VentureOne with you wherever.
For extra particulars, try our full assessment of the Capital One VentureOne.
Study extra: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit score Card
Backside line
Nearly all the no-annual-fee lodge playing cards on this information get you computerized elite standing. The very best decide for you’ll first depend upon the lodge chain you favor, however take a deeper take a look at the continuing rewards price and any extra advantages you will get from the cardboard (resembling no international transaction charges or any journey and buy protections).
And bear in mind: Since you are not paying an annual payment on any of those playing cards, you will not have to fret about whether or not you are stretching sufficient worth to justify the fee annually.
Associated: Earn rewards on a price range with these no-annual-fee bank card methods
For charges and charges of the Hilton Amex card, click on right here.
