HOME |
CREDIT CARDS |
LONG DISTANCE |
INTERNET |
LOANS |
CELL PHONES |
INSURANCE |
BANKING |
KNOWLEDGE |
||||||||||||
:: HOME :: CREDIT CARDS · Main Page · Card Recommender · Comparison Chart · Sort by Bank/Issuer · Top Five Credit Cards · Credit Card Specials · Sort by Credit Rating Main Categories · Balance Transfer Cards · Business Credit Cards · Cash Back Credit Cards · Fixed APR Credit Cards · Instant Decision Cards · Low APR on Purchases · Rewards Credit Cards · Student Credit Cards · Travel Reward Cards Other Specialty Cards · Cards for Parents · Gas Rebate Cards · Hotel Reward Cards Bad/Damaged Credit · Bad Credit Credit Cards · Debt Consolidation · Pre-paid Cards Credit Resources · Calculators - New! · Tips & Advice - New! · Credit Card FAQ · Credit Card Glossary · Credit Reports, Scores · Identity Protection · More Credit Resources :: LONG DISTANCE :: INTERNET SERVICE :: LOANS :: CELL PHONES :: INSURANCE :: ONLINE BANKING :: KNOWLEDGE :: MORE |
Credit Card Tips and Advice Center Topic: Hotel Reward Credit Cards See the subtopics menu for tips and advice about hotel reward credit cards. For additional information about credit cards, see the topic list directly below.
Should I get a rewards card that is specific to hotel rewards, or one that offers options? Credit card reward programs come in all shapes and sizes. If you know that you definitely want a rewards program that builds points toward free or discounted hotel stays, then you will want to find a card made specifically for that purpose - a hotel reward credit card. Hotel reward credit cards will typically build up points faster toward a hotel stay than a rewards card that offers various rewards. When the program offers the choice of several different rewards, the points may not build up as quickly as with a program solely for hotel rewards. If you aren't sure which kind of rewards you want to earn with your credit card, then you should consider credit cards that offer flexible reward programs. Flexible credit card reward programs allow cardholders to choose among many different reward choices, such as hotel stays, airline tickets, cash back, merchandise or other rebates and rewards. But if your main objective is to earn free hotel stays then you should compare hotel reward credit cards, find the one that best fits your individual needs and apply online. ^ Back to top How can I maximize the benefits of a hotel rewards credit card? Hotel reward cards can be quite enticing, especially for people who use their credit cards frequently and have the potential to earn rewards quickly. When you receive a hotel rewards credit card you should take the time to understand what you can do to maximize the amount of benefits you will receive through the program. Some hotel reward programs offer double and triple points for certain purchases, such as when you pay for a night's stay at a hotel or you purchase something at a preferred merchant. Other programs will offer bonus points for purchases made a certain times of the year and others offer additional points as a sign-up bonus. If you know ahead of time what situations result in additional points you can plan your spending around maximizing your hotel reward card's point earning potential. Knowing the instances which result in double or triple points will allow you to earn the points you want much quicker. If you haven't yet picked out a hotel rewards card, then be sure to keep this in mind while you are comparison shopping. Look for a credit card that allows you to earn extra points from the things you already purchase on a regular basis, and make sure that the interest rate is low enough to where the card makes sense for all of your needs. ^ Back to top How can I earn points toward a hotel stay? Many hotels offer reward programs for their guests. Guests can earn rewards, such as free hotel stays, based on the reward points they earn from previous stays. If you aren't a frequent traveler, then building up points within these programs can take some time, and some of these programs have expiration dates for their points so if you don't utilize the points within a certain amount of time they might turn unusable. The best hotel rewards programs are those programs that offer more flexibility, and most of these are combined with a credit card. Using this type of program you can earn reward points toward hotel stays through other methods, such as everyday purchases. If you do not travel often then getting a hotel rewards credit card may allow you to build up the points you need to cover the cost of an occasional hotel stay. If you prefer to not attach your hotel rewards program to a credit card then you can check with the hotel chain which you most frequently visit and see if they have a separate rewards program that you can join. ^ Back to top Do specific hotels offer reward credit cards? Several major hotel chains partner with credit card issuers to offer reward cards. These hotel credit cards feature major credit card logos, and you can usually use them anywhere credit cards are accepted. The points you earn can be redeemed for hotel stays. Hotels that participate in credit card reward programs like this include Hilton, Starwood, and many other hotels. If there is one particular hotel that you prefer to stay at while you are traveling then you should be on the lookout for literature in the room on your next stay which invites you to apply for one of the hotel reward credit cards. You can also check online to see what information you can find. It is likely that you can find a credit card reward program for your favorite hotel on e-wisdom.com and apply online. ^ Back to top What kind of restrictions do some hotel rewards cards have? If you are planning on applying for a hotel rewards credit card in anticipation of earning free hotel stays, make sure that you pay close attention to any restrictions involved. With a specific card, there may be certain holidays, days of the week, or even months of the year that are not eligible for point redemption. You may also encounter fees when you redeem your points, and some credit card companies place restrictions on how many points can be redeemed at one time. Obviously, you should attempt to find a more flexible card that allows you to redeem your hotel reward points whenever you want, and without any exorbitant fees or restrictions. No matter what your credit rating is, you should still be sure to spend the time necessary to find the least restrictive hotel rewards credit card available to you. This way, you have a better chance of enjoying the rewards that you earn. ^ Back to top What is a hotel reward credit card? You have probably heard of airline rewards credit cards that allow cardholders to accumulate bonus points toward a free or discounted airline ticket. Other travel industries have followed suit, and now you can apply for hotel reward credit cards. These cards allow you to build up bonus points from purchases that can be applied toward a free or discounted hotel stay. Depending on your spending habits, you might be able to cover an entire weekend stay at a hotel simply by using your credit card reward points. Also, many hotel reward credit card programs offer large bonus points as a welcome, so by simply making your first purchase on the card you may suddenly have enough bonus points for a free night. If you are a frequent traveler and/or charge a lot with your credit card month-to-month, you can end up earning a lot of hotel-related rewards with these types of programs. ^ Back to top
Should you transfer an existing balance from one card to another? Use this calculator to help determine the best distribution of your credit card debt. Enter your credit card balances, rates and credit limits to find out. · Calculate which balance transfers will produce the greatest savings
Resources: Credit Card Recommender | Free Credit Report & Score | Protect Your Identity
^ Back to top |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Home | Banking | Cell Phones | Credit Cards | Insurance | Internet Access | Loans | Long Distance | More About | Articles | Blog | Bookmark | Contact | FAQ | Glossary | Knowledge | Search | Site map | Tell a friend |