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Many hotel credit cards offer annual “free” night certificates. (They’re commonly referred to as “anniversary nights” because most don’t trigger until the second year of card membership.) But are they worth the annual fees?
Are Free Nights Really “Free”?
Let’s get this out of the way now. Annual free nights can be a great way to ultimately save some money during your travels. But each of the below credit cards carries an annual fee. So you’re essentially paying for a “discounted” hotel night.
For example, if you have the World of Hyatt Credit Card ($95 annual fee) and use it at a participating property that costs $100, then you’ve saved some money. (All information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.) But wasted/expired free nights are no good, so make sure to get hotel credit cards with benefits you’ll actually use and enjoy.
Make sense?
I’ve used anniversary night benefits for stays in Tokyo, New York City, Boston, London, Fargo, Minneapolis, and other cities. And some of my more valuable bookings have been for last-minute bookings at airport hotels when I needed somewhere to stay — without spending a ton of money or points.
(Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.)
IHG Credit Cards
IHG offers a pair of credit cards featuring anniversary nights: the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Free Night Award: One annual free anniversary night, starting in year two of holding the card. The anniversary night benefit is valid at IHG properties valued at 40,000 points or fewer. However, if you find a property that costs more than 40,000 points, you can apply points to pay for the difference.
- Complimentary Status: IHG Platinum Elite
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three (3) months of being approved for the card.
- Annual Fee: $99
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: This card features a great benefit: members receive a free fourth night on award stays of three nights. So you basically redeem three nights’ worth of points — and the fourth night’s room rate (of the same stay) is free.
- IHG gets beaten up a lot. They don’t really have a bunch of luxury. Even some InternContintental hotels are fairly meh. But this card is especially great for families. Why? So many Holiday Inns have pools — which kids love. And the welcome offer comes with enough points to create a good vacation for the family.
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more here and learn how to apply for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
- Free Night Award: One annual free anniversary night, starting in year two of holding the card. The anniversary night benefit is valid at IHG properties valued at 40,000 points or fewer. Just like its personal/consumer card, you can apply points to pay for the difference over 40,000 points.
- Complimentary Status: IHG Platinum Elite
- Current Welcome Offer: 140,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within three (3) months of being approved for card membership.
- Annual Fee: $99
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: Earn 5X on eligible travel, gas stations, select advertising, and restaurant purchases. Plus, this card also features the Fourth Night Free benefit. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS application fee statement credit up to $120 every four years.
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more here and learn how to apply for the IHG Business Card.
Marriott Credit Cards
Marriott offers the most free hotel night certificate of any major hotel chain. Their Bonvoy loyalty program features credit cards from both American Express and Chase. Plus, two cards currently offer free nights as part of their welcome bonuses!
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- Free Night Award: Receive one (1) Free Night Award (starting year two of card membership) redeemable at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels valued at 35,000 points or fewer. You can earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60,000 in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards, valued at a total of up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. Each award can be redeemed for one night at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. (Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply.)
- Annual Fee: $125 (See Rates and Fees; terms apply)
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: Members earn 15 elite night credits each year of card membership. You earn 6X for each dollar spent on eligible purchases participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and 4X at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more and learn here how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- Free Night Award: One anniversary night (starting year two of card membership) redeemable at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels valued at 35,000 points or fewer.
- Complimentary Status: Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within your first three (3) months of being approved for the card.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: Earn up to 17X per dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels. (Everything else earns 2X.) But a $95 annual fee for a card awarding you one night at a 35,000 point property is certainly good.
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more and learn here how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
- All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Free Night Award: One anniversary night after your card renewal month, redeemable at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels valued at 85,000 points or fewer.
- Complimentary Status: Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn 95,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on the card within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. (Terms Apply.)
- Annual Fee: $650 (See Rates & Fees. Terms apply.)
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: This card is packed with benefits. The first is the fact that your anniversary night can be redeemed at hotels valued up to 85,000 points. It also comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required) and a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider). Terms apply, enrollment required.
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more and learn here how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex.
Hilton Credit Card
Only one Hilton card offers an annual free night.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Free Night Award: One free weekend night, starting the first year of card membership.
- Complimentary Status: Hilton Honors Diamond
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn 175,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within three (3) months of being approved for the card. This offer expires on July 31, 2024. (Terms apply. This offer expires on January 8, 2025.)
- Annual Fee: $550 (Rates and fees.)
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: It’s fairly easy to earn back that $550 annual fee — and come out ahead. (Rates and fees.) First, card members can earn up to $400 statement credits for purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts. (Terms apply.) Next, cardholders can earn up to $200 in airline flight credit ($50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com) So if you plan to take a trip or two during the course of a year, the Hilton Aspire Amex can help you save a few bucks. Plus, the card gives you complimentary Hilton Diamond status. So get ready to enjoy some upgrades!
- Learn More and How to Apply: Read more now about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.
Hyatt Credit Card
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card
- Free Night Award: You’ll receive one free night each year (starting the second year of card membership). The award is valid at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort. Keep in mind that Hyatt has a partnership with MGM Resorts/M Life; the World of Hyatt Credit Card‘s free night is redeemable at many of their properties. (Great to help save some money on a Vegas vacation!)
- Complimentary Status: Hyatt Discoverist status. (Plus, earn an additional free night at any Category 1–4 Hyatt hotel or resort if you spend $15,000 during your cardmember anniversary year.
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn up to 60,000 bonus World of Hyatt points. First, earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases during your first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to 30,000 more by earning two bonus points total per $1 spent within the first six months from account opening on purchases that normally earn one bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent. Got that straight? 🙂
- Annual Fee: $95
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: The World of Hyatt Credit Card can help you achieve higher-tier Hyatt status. You receive five qualifying night credits towards your next tier status every year. Plus, you earn two additional qualifying night credits against your next status tier each time you accrue $5,000 in spending on the card.
- All information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.
Wyndham Credit Cards
Two Wyndham credit cards don’t offer free night awards, per se. Rather, they deposit into your account a nominal amount of points which can be redeemed for free nights at certain hotels.
- Wyndham Rewards Earner+ Card
- Free Night Award: 7,500 bonus points after paying your renewal fee. That’s worth one night at many Wyndham properties. But Wyndham itself admits, “A free night can require up to 30,000 points per bedroom at participating properties.”
- Complimentary Status: Wyndham Platinum
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn up to 90,000 bonus points: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of card membership.
- Annual Fee: $75
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: Cardholders can get a 10% discount on award bookings. They also enjoy special card member booking discounts.
- All information about the Wyndham Rewards Earner+ Card was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.
- Wyndham Earner Business Card
- Free Night Award: 15,000 bonus points after paying your renewal fee. That’s worth two nights at many Wyndham properties.
- Complimentary Status: Wyndham Diamond
- Current Welcome Offer: Earn up to 75,000 bonus points: Earn 65,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of card membership. Then earn an additional 10,000 bonus points after a purchase is made on an employee card in the first 90 days.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Other Notable Benefits and Points Earnings: Cardholders can get a 10% discount on award bookings. They also enjoy special cardmember booking discounts.
- All information about the Wyndham Earner Business Card was collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. It was not provided by or reviewed by the card issuer.
Honorable Mention
Although it doesn’t offer a free night certificate, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers cardholders up to $200 in yearly statement credit on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel. (Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay.)
Most participating properties are high-end — and generally with price tags to match.
But you can occasionally find a great deal. I’ve had decent luck in Las Vegas — often getting FHR property rooms for $200 or under for one night. (Read about my FHR stay at Bellagio.) Keep in mind that FHR bookings come with a number of benefits:
- Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
- Daily breakfast for two people ($30 per person or $60 total per room)
- Guaranteed 4 PM late check-out
- Noon check-in, when available
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- $100 Food and beverage credit to be used during the stay
Final Approach
Annual free nights can be a great way to save some money while traveling. Make sure to get hotel credit cards whose benefits you’ll actually use and enjoy.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
For rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, please visit this link.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of the links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Good morning, Chris!
You list “…earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants within the first six months of card membership” as one of the bonus/benefits of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card but when I click on the links provided, I do not find this in the list of benefits described on the landing page.
Thanks for catching that! I updated the post accordingly.
Forgot USBank Radisson cards which give you points annually that can be used towards a free night….similar to Wyndham.
Bottom line – If you get any of these cards just for the free night, they are no bargain (unlike the IHG card, until a couple of years ago). Now, if you are actually traveling and use the co-branded cards at their respective properties, you will find that points earning (and sometimes status) becomes _much_ easier and the cards can help pay for themselves more than the free night.
There’s a Chase Marriott biz card as well with a free 35k night.
Yep. But it’s not open to new applicants, unfortunately.
I have 7 of these and use all the free nights each year more than wiping out all of the annual fees even before calculating the other benefits that come with them.
For more than a decade, for the price of the old $49 IHG credit card, have used free night certificate at the Intercontinental Times Square and loved it. While it’s more of a challenge now to find a night for 40,000 points or less, Sunday nights are often available as are stays during winter months. It’ still a great deal with the current $89 IHG credit card. As for the $95 annual fee Hyatt card, used my free night for the Hyatt Place Boca Raton in January, which would have otherwise cost over $300.
On the Marriott 35K it can be hard to find rooms at that rate in places you would like to visit. I often have to use them in less desirable locations due to the low value.
The WF Choice Privileges Select gives 30K points each anniversary, if anyone is actually into Choice hotels.