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What’s an airline miles or hotel point worth? If you collect frequent flyer miles or hotel rewards, then it’s important to know the value of each company’s rewards.

Just like foreign currencies, airline and hotel rewards have different values, and knowing those values will help you to choose the best credit cards for your needs. Knowing the value of your rewards can also help you to determine when it’s a good idea to redeem them, or when you’d be better off paying cash and saving your points and miles for later. You’ll also be able to decide whether or not it’s worth it to transfer credit card rewards to a specific airline program.

What's New This Month

The summer has been a quiet time for award travel. And as airlines were facing strong demand, along problems with delays and cancellations, it was seen as a poor time to make changes to their loyalty programs.

American Express

American Express is offering 30% transfer bonuses to the British Airways Executive Club and Iberia Plus programs, through August 31st. These are really strong programs, but keep in mind that award flights operated by British Airways are subject to outrageous fuel surcharges that often approach or exceed the cost of an economy class ticket. Thankfully, these airlines offer plenty of value for their partner awards.

United

United faced a summer operational meltdown, but it doesn’t really affect the value of their miles, which they recently depreciated. Delta announced a new partnership with El Al Israeli airlines. But the future benefits aren’t clear enough or widespread to change the value of Delta SkyMiles.

Hotel Loyalty Programs

There were no significant changes in hotel loyalty programs, other than IHG including the Iberostar all-inclusive resorts to its portfolio. But it’s not significant enough to change the value of IHG points at this time. 

What Are Points and Miles Worth?

Current Value (cents) Action Notes

American AAdvantage

1.3

Sell

Prices vary more than before; strong bargains are elusive. Can no longer change an award ticket—you must cancel and rebook, a major disadvantage if you want to add or drop a segment from an existing award.

American Express Membership Rewards

1.9

Buy

One of the most valuable transferable currencies around with over 12 airline and hotel partners. 

Capital One Miles

1.8

Buy

Miles are worth 1 cent when booking travel through the Capital One portal, but can get more valuable redemptions  when booking with hotel & airline partners (hence the 1.8 cent valuation).

Chase Ultimate Rewards

2.2

Buy

Points are often worth 1.25-1.5 cents, but transferring to partners can be more valuable. Most valuable partners include Hyatt, Singapore and more. 

Citi ThankYou Points

1.8

Hold

Valuable partners include Avianca, Singapore, Turkish and Virgin Atlantic. Only 1 permanent domestic transfer partner (JetBlue). Wyndham Rewards is a valuable transfer partner for hotels & vacation rentals.

Delta Skymiles

1.2

Hold

Usually requires more miles than American or United but offers SkyMiles cardholders a 15% discount in miles needed for an award. Business & first-class prices are especially high; partner awards are raised frequently. Award tickets now count toward elite status.

Hilton Honors

0.5

Hold

Higher credit card earnings largely make up for lower value. Fifth night free on award bookings can add 20% more value. No resort fees on award stays. Free breakfast benefit was replaced by a less valuable credit at U.S. hotels.

IHG One Rewards

0.5

Hold

New credit card revisions make it easier to earn points, and elite status program is being improved. High dynamic pricing of awards. Resort fees imposed on award stays.

Marriott Bonvoy

0.4

Sell

Marriott announced dynamic pricing last year. Resort fees imposed on award stays. Large number of properties worldwide. Updated suite upgrade policies.

Southwest Rapid Rewards

1.5

Hold

Sometimes lowers points value. Award tickets can be canceled any time for a full refund with no fees. Recently raised fees on oversized bags, unaccompanied minors & other charges.

United MileagePlus

1.4

Sell

In May, United instituted a massive increase in award price. Award prices have risen steadily and cost more near departure. No fuel surcharges added. Numerous Star Alliance partners serve most of the world.

World of Hyatt

1.8

Buy

Frequently adds new hotels to portfolio. Reasonable prices for award stays. Seasonal award chart charges more points at peak times. No resort fees on award stays. 

Reading the Points Valuation Chart

The value of each point or mile is based on an average or typical redemption value, and I’ve evaluated the top airline, hotel and credit card rewards programs. These valuations take into account any taxes or fees you might pay.

For example, a hotel may initially quote you a price of $200 a night, or 10,000 points, making it appear as if you’re getting 2.0 cents in value per point redeemed. But if paying in cash requires another $100 in taxes and resort fees which aren’t imposed on award bookings, you’re actually receiving 3.0 cents in value per point redeemed. Point valuations are also shown for the previous month, so you can learn if there's been a recent change.

But the current value of a point or mile doesn’t tell the whole story. Because people choose to participate in a program, and possibly apply for a credit card based on the future of a program, I’ve also included my evaluation of its prospects. And like a stock recommendation, I’ve used the simple labels of Buy, Sell and Hold:

  • A Buy recommendation: This program has been trending upward and is becoming increasingly more valuable compared to its competitors.
  • A Hold recommendation: There’s been few significant changes to it recently.
  • A Sell recommendation: I've seen devaluation and other negative changes to their terms and conditions.

Finally, I’ve included notes on each program that shine some light on the factors that lead me to arrive at each value.

Complexity of Determining Rewards Points Value

When you exchange currencies, you can look up the value of each, down to the smallest fraction of a penny. But when it comes to airline miles and hotel points, there’s rarely a fixed value. Instead, the value of your points and miles will reflect the ever-changing value of whatever you can redeem them for.

Sometimes, these programs can offer fantastic deals, such as luxury hotel stays or business class flight that offers you several cents in value per point or mile redeemed. But other options could require redeeming several points or miles for every penny you receive in value.

Methodology: What Are Points and Miles Worth?

One way to come up with values is to shop for flights and hotels, and simply divide the number of points or miles by the cost. This sounds objective, but it would really just be based on which awards were chosen.

So while I look at the value of multiple redemptions, it's also necessary to incorporate my judgment and experience. I’ve been collecting credit card rewards and airline miles since I was a teenager in the 1980s (yes, I’m that old), and I’ve been studying the field and writing about it professionally since 2008. Over this time, I estimate I’ve earned and spent over 10 million points and miles. I’ve also booked hundreds of award flights and hotel stays on behalf of myself, my family and friends.

Quick Tip

The values listed in our table represent a combination of my latest research into points and miles, as well as my judgment based on my personal experience.

Southwest Companion Pass Value

The Companion Pass® from Southwest is one of the best deals you can find when it comes to travel perks, assuming you don't have to spend a fortune to acquire it. From time to time, Southwest offers this perk as part of the sign-up bonus for new card members. To put a dollar value on it is tricky, because it really comes down to how much you use it and where you fly.

To make it simple, we looked at the average price of domestic roundtrip flights in the US (~$300 in February 2023, according to Consumer Price Index data) and made the assumption that people will use it at least two times. That puts the value of the Southwest Companion Pass at $600. However, it can easily be worth thousands if you fly with a partner frequently while you have it.

Travel Credit Card Offers

A popular way rewards travel aficionados earn large sums of points and miles in a short amount of time is through credit card sign-up bonuses. Essentially, card issuers offer new customers a welcome bonus as an incentive for opening an account. If you're interested in earning rewards that you can put toward travel, here are some options you may want to look into.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$95
  • Sign Up Bonus 60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,320 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.022 base)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the gold standards for earning travel rewards. It has a generous sign-up bonus and you can earn points on travel and dining expenses. The card does have an annual fee, but you can continue earning points through bonus categories and an anniversary points boost.

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is pretty flexible as it lets you transfer rewards points into miles or points several airlines and hotel programs. You can take advantage of strong transfer partners such as United, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Hyatt. Similarly, you can book any reservation you want through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Although the card might not be ideal for the most frequent travelers, it has a built-in upgrade path, so when it’s time to level up your travel rewards game, you won’t have to start from scratch.

Pros

  • Points are easily transferable to airlines and hotel partners
  • Accelerated earnings on dining, travel & household purchases
  • Excellent travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Not ideal for the highest spenders
  • $95 annual fee

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR21.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$550
  • Sign-Up Bonus 60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points More Info

    Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. Dollar Equivalent: $1,320 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.022 base)

This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge network.

Overview

If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a generous sign-up bonus that can be used for travel-related spending booked through Chase Travel℠. Transfer the points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners and they’re potentially worth even more.

Pros

  • An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
  • Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
  • Generous rewards rates for spending

Cons

  • High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
  • Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Product Image for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
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Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees
  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR19.99% - 29.49% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$95
  • Sign Up Bonus 75,000Capital One Rewards Miles More Info

    Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel Dollar Equivalent: $1,350 (75,000 Capital One Rewards Miles * 0.018 base)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to both beginner and expert travelers. The upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making the card a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines is with the flexibility of the redemption process, though. You can redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Overview

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to beginner and expert travelers alike. The card’s big upfront bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making it a solid option for a large audience. Where it really shines, though, is with the redemption process. When it comes to travel credit cards, it can be really challenging to find a way to use your rewards in the way you want.

With hotel and airline credit cards, for instance, you’re basically stuck redeeming your points or miles with the co-branded hotel or airline partner. And with some general rewards programs, you might get less value if you use your points or miles to book a flight versus a rental car or hotel.

With the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, though, you’ll get a lot of flexibility. Here are some of the top redemption options that are available: redeem miles to cover past travel expenses, book travel through Capital One or transfer miles to any of Capital One’s multiple airline and hotel loyalty programs.

Perks

  • Receive an application fee credit for TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry every four years
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to premier culinary events, must-see music events and major sporting events

Pros

  • Simple rewards and earning structure
  • Ability to earn transferable points to use with travel partners
  • Relatively modest $95 annual fee
  • Application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

Cons

  • Other travel cards offer higher rewards rates on certain spending categories

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Product Image for Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
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Secure application on issuer’s website

Rates & Fees
  • Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
  • APR19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$0
  • Sign Up Bonus 20,000Capital One Rewards Miles More Info

    New cardholders can earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending $500 with the card during the first three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $360 (20,000 Capital One Rewards Miles * 0.018 base)

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card features several standout benefits, including the ability to transfer miles to Capital One travel partners—an uncommon feature on a card with no annual fee. Plus, the ability to transfer miles to travel partners—both airlines and hotels—is arguably the most attractive feature of this travel card.

Overview

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card features several standout benefits. Perhaps the most appealing feature of this travel credit card is the ability to transfer miles to Capital One travel partners—an uncommon feature on a card with no annual fee. Plus, the ability to transfer miles to travel partners—both airlines and hotels—is arguably the most attractive feature of this travel card.

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Ability to earn transferable points to use on travel partners
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Earning rate is lower than some of the competition
  • Not useful if you don't spend in dining, entertainment, streaming, and supermarket categories

Airline Cards

Co-branded airline credit cards offer large sign-up bonuses to new cardholders, in addition to perks like upgraded boardings, free checked bags, discounts on in-flight purchases and more.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$69
  • Sign Up Bonus $400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info

    Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent:

This is a great starter card for infrequent domestic travelers who want to earn rewards toward discounted Southwest flights without a huge annual fee. You won't get a ton of perks compared to other Southwest cards, and this card does charge foreign transaction fees so probably isn’t best for international travelers.

Overview

This is the entry-level card for aspiring Rapid Rewards point earners, and new cardholders can earn a nice sign-up bonus, which can help get you closer to booking flights for your next travel destination. This card also earns 3,000 anniversary points each year and 2 EarlyBird check-ins annually.

Above all, for a modest $69 annual fee, the Rapid Rewards Plus credit card helps you rack up points as cheaply as possible.

Pros

  • 2x points on Southwest purchases, local transit and commuting, select streaming and more
  • Annual fee that's palatable
  • All points earned count towards Companion Pass®

Cons

  • In exchange for a lower annual fee, the card's ongoing benefits may seem lackluster
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card

This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

  • Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$99
  • Sign Up Bonus 50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info

    Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base)

This middle-of-the-pack Southwest card is a good option for occasional travelers. In exchange for a moderate annual fee, you'll enjoy strong travel perks on top of 6,000 bonus points every anniversary. Another nice perk is this card charges no foreign transaction fees, unlike the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus.

Overview

In addition to perks like no foreign transaction fees and being able to earn A-list flight status, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card also offers a generous 6,000 bonus points every cardholder anniversary. It’s these types of benefits that help round out the value of the $99 annual fee.

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card also offers two EarlyBird Check-Ins each year.

Pros

  • Land A-List status faster with 1,500 TQPs for every $10,000 you spend
  • All points earned count towards Companion Pass®
  • 6,000 bonus points awarded every cardmember anniversary

Cons

  • $99 annual fee
  • Must fly Southwest often for this card to make sense

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$149
  • Sign Up Bonus $400 statement credit + 40,000 pts.Southwest Rapid Rewards Points More Info

    Earn a $400 statement credit and 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent:

If you’re looking for a Southwest credit card stacked with travel rewards and perks, this is it. Although it has the highest annual fee of Southwest consumer cards, you could easily offset the fee if you travel Southwest frequently.

Overview

When you look at benefits like a $75 annual travel credit, free checked bags and discounts on in-flight purchases, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is probably the most affordable of all the Southwest credit cards. Similarly, the 7,500 bonus points each cardmember anniversary really pack on the value and offset this card’s $149 annual fee.

Pros

  • Although there's a $149 annual fee, the $75 Southwest annual travel credit makes the card much more affordable for frequent flyers
  • 7,500 anniversary bonus points as a cardmember

Cons

  • Higher annual fee may not be a fit for some
  • Must fly Southwest with some frequency for card to make sense

United Quest℠ Card

United Quest credit card
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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR21.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$250
  • Sign Up Bonus 70,000United MileagePlus Miles More Info

    Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $980 (70,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base)

If you’re a frequent United flyer who can offset the relatively high annual fee with the wide range of travel perks, this card could be a good fit. Those looking for lounge access, though, should consider the cheaper Explorer card or go for the Infinite if they can justify its big annual fee.

Overview

The United Quest Card comes with a lot of flair, and it can be an excellent choice for United enthusiasts who don’t travel quite enough to justify paying for the airline’s premium credit card.

Between the annual United purchase credit and award flight bonuses alone, you should be able to recoup the cost of the card’s annual fee. And if you regularly check bags, this card can be a lifesaver — most airline cards only offer the first checked bag free, so this would be a solid card to use for international flights.

Pros

  • Ways to easily offset the annual fee including an $125 United Airlines statement credit and anniversary flight credits
  • Your first and second checked bag fees are waived, saving you up to $360 per roundtrip flight
  • Up to $120 back for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee, every four years

Cons

  • Does not come with United Club passes
  • Only makes sense for those that fly United with some frequency

United℠ Explorer Card

United MileagePlus Explorer credit card
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  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR21.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$95 More info

    $0 Intro for the First Year, then $95

  • Sign Up Bonus 60,000United MileagePlus Miles More Info

    Limited-time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $840 (60,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base)

United’s mid-tier card offers some nice perks you don’t always get with comparable cards, like two lounge passes annually, along with a free year before the annual fee kicks in. If you’re an occasional flyer not ready to commit to a bigger annual fee, this card is a good middle ground.

Overview

The card’s benefits really help it stand out from the crowd. Here’s what you’ll get: One free checked bag for each flight, priority boarding, 25% back on inflight purchases, two United Club airport lounge passes every year and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years. The card also offers trip protections, including primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement and trip delay reimbursement. The card’s annual fee is $0 for the first year, then $95 after that, which will give you some time to confirm that it’s a good fit before the fee hits.

Pros

  • Free first checked bag on United flights
  • Up to $120 back for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee, every four years
  • Two annual United Club passes
  • Annual fee is waived the first year (then $95)

Cons

  • Not the best card for those that fly United more than a few times per year
  • $95 annual fee after the first year

United Gateway℠ Card

United Gateway Card Credit Card
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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work
  • APR21.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$0
  • Sign Up Bonus 30,000United MileagePlus Miles More Info

    Limited-time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more. Dollar Equivalent: $420 (30,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base)

United’s only no-annual-fee card is a good fit for infrequent United flyers who want to earn decent miles on travel and gas purchases. You won’t get many of the perks that come with other United cards, such as free checked bags, but this is a good entry-level option if you’re just starting to explore travel cards.

Overview

The United Gateway Card doesn’t offer a ton of perks, but it does offer some travel insurance and purchase protections such as rental car insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, extended warranty protection and purchase protection. This card can be a good way to try out the airline or travel rewards in general. 

Pros

  • No annual fee to worry about
  • Good entry point to earning United miles
  • 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations and local transit and commuting.
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • No free checked bags with this card
  • May make more sense to upgrade to an annual fee card with United perks

United Club℠ Infinite Card

United Club Infinite Credit Card
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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.0/5 How our ratings work
  • APR21.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$525
  • Sign Up Bonus 90,000United MileagePlus Miles More Info

    Limited-time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,260 (90,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base)

United’s premier card comes with a sizable annual fee, but if you’re a serious United flyer, want lounge access and can use other perks like free checked bags or the TSA PreCheck credit, you could eke a lot of value out of this card. Those who can’t use enough of the perks to offset the high annual fee may be better off with a different card.

Overview

If you love United Airlines, can fly with the airline often and enjoy benefits like airport lounge access free checked bags and quick trips through airport security on busy travel days, then the United Club Infinite Card is made for you. It’s loaded with travel perks such as statement credits and valuable insurance benefits.

Pros

  • You and your eligible travel companions can enjoy complimentary access to United Club locations
  • Up to $120 statement credit for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application
  • Check up to two bags for free

Cons

  • $525 annual fee will only be worth it for United loyalists

Hotel Cards

In addition to generous welcome bonuses to new cardholders, hotel credit cards offer continuing value to members in the form of late check outs, access to status programs and perks like outsized points earning on purchases made directly with the brand.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$99
  • Sign Up Bonus 140,000IHG One Rewards Points More Info

    Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening Dollar Equivalent: $700 (140,000 IHG One Rewards Points * 0.005 base)

Aside from its astounding sign-up bonus, this card offers tons of value, especially for loyal IHG customers, like a free Reward Night on your account anniversary and Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member. Plus, it offers a Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA Pre✓® fee credit every four years, and IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at a variety of hotels.

Overview

Frequent customers of IHG hotels and other people who enjoy earning rewards nights for hotel stays and premium hotel status should consider picking up this card.

Pros

  • Generous rewards rate on IHG Hotels and Resorts purchases
  • Automatic IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status which gets you perks like upgrades
  • Free reward night every account anniversary, with the potential to be worth hundreds of dollars

Cons

  • Has an annual fee
  • Only makes sense if you plan to stay at IHG properties

IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card

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Secure application on issuer’s website

  • Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.74% - 27.74% (Variable)
  • Annual Fee$0
  • Sign-Up Bonus 80,000IHG One Rewards Points More Info

    Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $400 (80,000 IHG One Rewards Points * 0.005 base)

Whether your family is looking for some free hotel nights for a road trip or you’re a loyal customer of the IHG hotel brand, this card offers you a chance to earn decent rewards. Aside from its generous sign-up bonus, it offers tons of value, including the option to redeem points at all IHG properties.

Overview

Whether you’re a family looking for some free hotel nights while making your annual road trip or you’re a loyal customer of the IHG hotel brand, the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card — which has no annual fee, by the way — offers you a chance to earn some decent rewards.

Perks

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Silver Elite Status included with the card

Pros

  • One of the top picks for a no-annual-fee hotel credit card
  • Book three nights with points, get your fourth free
  • Entry-level Silver Elite status, with the chance to upgrade to Gold with $20,000 or more in annual spend

Cons

  • No free night account anniversary reward

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

  • Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
  • APR20.99% - 27.99% Variable
  • Annual Fee$95
  • Sign Up Bonus 60,000World of Hyatt Points More Info

    Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent Dollar Equivalent: $1,080 (60,000 World of Hyatt Points * 0.018 base)

World of Hyatt offers extremely valuable rewards, and this credit card puts you on the fast track to enjoying some of the program’s preferred benefits. The card also offers a free night every year, as well as automatic Discoverist status, which is the program’s lowest status level. However, there is a path to earn up to Globalist status, depending on how much you spend on the card.

Overview

Among all of the top hotel rewards programs, World of Hyatt offers the most valuable rewards, and the World of Hyatt credit card puts you on the fast track to enjoying some of the program’s preferred benefits.

Pros

  • Hyatt has one of the most rewarding hotel loyalty programs around
  • Free night certificate at any Hyatt Category 1-4 property, awarded every year on your cardmember anniversary
  • Automatic Discoverist status, with an expedited path to higher tiers in the World of Hyatt loyalty program

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No high-end perks

Bottom Line

While it can be a complicated endeavor, understanding how much your rewards points and miles are worth will help you maximize the value you get from your travel redemptions. Plus, if you're interested in applying for a new travel credit card, knowing the value of the rewards program's points or miles will help you decide on the most valuable option.

JS

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a journalist who specializes in covering credit cards, award travel and other areas of personal finance. As one of the nation’s leading experts in the credit card industry, Jason’s work has been featured at mainstream outlets such as Yahoo! Finance, MSN Money and Business Insider.