Guide
Best credit card for hotel bookings (2026)
Chase Sapphire Preferred earns 5× on hotels through Chase Travel. Sapphire Reserve earns 4× on direct hotel bookings. Venture X earns 5× via Capital One Travel. Direct chain bookings may trigger hotel-specific offers.
Quick comparison
| Card | Best for | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Preferred | Chase Travel hotels | 5× points | $95 |
| Sapphire Reserve | Direct hotel charges | 4× points | $550 |
| Venture X | Capital One Travel | 5× miles | $395 |
Why most people pick the wrong card
Most people default to the same card at checkout — usually the one on top in their wallet. That habit quietly costs hundreds of dollars a year when another card in your stack earns 3×, 4×, or even 6× on the same purchase.
How Pikt routes smarter than guesswork
Pikt links the cards you already carry, weighs your offers and category earn rates, and tells you the best card to use — with a plain-English explanation and dollar estimate for every purchase. Online, the Pikt Checkout extension auto-fills that card at checkout; in-store, Pikt Nearby names it on your lock screen. Pikt factors portal vs direct hotel coding and active Chase or Amex hotel offers.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Airbnb count as hotels?
- Usually no — Airbnb typically codes as travel or lodging, not hotels. Earn rates vary by card.
$426 at Delta Airlines → Sapphire Preferred earns $26.63 (+$13.85 vs default card)
See your personal best cards
Generic advice assumes average spend. Your wallet is different. Take Pikt's 60-second quiz — pick your top spending areas and whether you prefer cash back, travel points, or simplicity.
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