What the Hotels.com Credit Card Actually Does
The Hotels.com credit card is a co-branded card issued by Barclays that gives you rewards points when you book hotels through Hotels.com. You earn 10 points per dollar spent on Hotels.com bookings and 1 point per dollar on everything else. Those points convert to statement credits you can use toward future hotel stays on the platform — roughly 1 cent per point, though the exact value depends on which hotels you book.
The card has an annual fee (currently $95) and no introductory offer period. It's designed for people who book hotels regularly through that specific website and want to accumulate credits faster than they would with a general rewards card. If you rarely use Hotels.com or prefer other booking platforms, this card will cost you money rather than save it.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 10 points per dollar on Hotels.com bookings and 1 point per dollar everywhere else, with an annual $95 fee.
- Points convert to statement credits at roughly 1 cent per point, meaning you need to spend about $950 on Hotels.com annually just to break even on the fee.
- The card only works if you book through Hotels.com itself — points don't earn on other travel sites or direct hotel bookings.
- You have no introductory 0% APR period, so interest charges start when ready if you carry a balance.
- The card includes trip cancellation insurance and other travel protections that may or may not matter depending on how you travel.
The Math: When This Card Makes Sense
To justify the $95 annual fee, you need the rewards to cover it. At 10 points per dollar on Hotels.com, you earn roughly $0.10 in value per dollar spent. That means you need to spend $950 on Hotels.com bookings in a year just to break even — before interest charges or other fees.
If you spend $2,000 on Hotels.com annually, you'd earn about $200 in points value, netting $105 after the fee. If you spend $1,500, you'd earn $150 in points, netting $55. Below $950, the card costs you money. The card only makes financial sense if you're a frequent Hotels.com user who would book there anyway, not someone considering switching to use the rewards.
Also consider: the 1 point per dollar on non-Hotels.com purchases is weak compared to general rewards cards. Most no-annual-fee cards offer 1.5% to 2% cash back on all purchases. If you're using this card for groceries, gas, or restaurants, you're getting a worse deal than you'd get elsewhere.
Interest Rates and Fees Beyond the Annual Charge
The Hotels.com card has a variable APR that changes with the market. There is no introductory 0% APR period, so if you carry a balance from month to month, you'll pay interest when ready at the card's current rate. Barclays publishes the range but not your specific rate until you're approved.
Late payments trigger a late fee (typically $25 to $39 depending on how late you are) and can raise your APR. If you're considering this card because you need to spread payments over time, the interest cost will quickly erase any rewards value. This card works best for people who pay the full balance every month.
There are no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you book hotels internationally through Hotels.com. There are also no balance transfer or cash advance options — you can't use this card to move debt around or withdraw cash.
Travel Protections and Insurance
The card includes trip cancellation insurance (covers prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason), trip delay reimbursement (covers meals and lodging if your flight is delayed more than 12 hours), and lost luggage reimbursement. It also includes emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling outside the U.S., up to $500 each.
These protections have limits and exclusions. Trip cancellation typically covers only trips booked with the card and cancelled for specific reasons (illness, injury, death of a family member) — not for job loss, change of plans, or weather. Read the full terms before relying on any of these benefits, because what sounds covered often isn't.
If you already have travel insurance through your employer, homeowner's policy, or another credit card, these protections may be redundant. They're a bonus if you don't have coverage elsewhere, not a reason to carry the card on their own.
How Points Work and What They're Actually Worth
Points are deposited into your Hotels.com account and appear as a statement credit when you book. You don't redeem them separately — they automatically reduce what you owe at checkout. One point equals roughly 1 cent in value, though the exact amount varies by hotel and availability.
Points don't expire as long as your account remains active, but your account closes if you don't use it for two years. If you earn points and then stop using Hotels.com, you could lose them. Points are also non-transferable — you can't move them to another person or use them on other travel sites.
The redemption value is lower than it sounds. If you book a $200 hotel night and earn 2,000 points (10 per dollar), those points are worth about $20 toward your next stay. That's a 10% return, which sounds good until you remember you paid a $95 annual fee to get it.
Comparing This Card to Alternatives
If you book hotels frequently but don't care which platform you use, a general rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold might serve you better. These cards offer 2% to 3% back on travel purchases (including hotels booked anywhere) and have no annual fee or a fee that's offset by credits. You'd earn more on non-Hotels.com bookings and wouldn't be locked into one website.
If you specifically love Hotels.com and book there constantly, this card could work. But even then, compare the points value to what you'd earn with a 2% cash-back card. On a $2,000 annual Hotels.com spend, this card nets you $105 after the fee. A 2% card would give you $40 with no fee — you'd come out ahead with this card, but only if you're truly committed to Hotels.com.
If you book hotels rarely (fewer than five times a year), skip this card entirely. The annual fee will outweigh any rewards you earn.
How to Decide If You Should Get This Card
Ask yourself three questions: Do I book hotels through Hotels.com at least five times a year? Do I pay my credit card balance in full every month? Am I comfortable with a $95 annual fee? If you answered yes to all three, this card might make sense. If you answered no to any of them, it won't.
Before you explore, check your current credit card rewards. If you already have a 2% cash-back card or a travel rewards card, calculate what you'd earn on your typical annual hotel spend. Compare that number to what you'd earn with this card minus the $95 fee. The card that leaves you with more money in your pocket is the right choice.
Also consider how you book. If you sometimes use other sites (Expedia, Booking.com, direct hotel websites), you're splitting your spending across platforms. The Hotels.com card only rewards Hotels.com bookings, so your points accumulate more slowly. A general rewards card would capture all your travel spending in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn points on hotel bookings made through a travel agent or third-party site?
No. Points only earn when you book directly through Hotels.com using the card. If you book through another site or have someone else book for you, you earn nothing, even if the hotel is listed on Hotels.com.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Hotels.com account as long as you log in at least once every two years. If your account goes inactive for two years, Hotels.com may close it and you'll lose the points. Closing the card itself doesn't when ready erase points, but you lose the ability to earn new ones.
Do I have to use Hotels.com, or can I transfer points to an airline?
Points are locked to Hotels.com and can only be used for hotel bookings on that platform. You cannot transfer them to airlines, other travel sites, or convert them to cash. They're only useful if you plan to book hotels through Hotels.com in the future.
Is there a sign-up bonus?
The Hotels.com card currently has no introductory bonus offer. You start earning the standard 10 points per dollar on Hotels.com bookings when ready, but there's no extra points offer for new cardholders.
What if I want to cancel the card after the first year?
You can cancel anytime. There's no penalty for closing the account early. If you decide the $95 annual fee isn't worth it after your first year, you can cancel before the next fee posts. Just make sure you've redeemed any points you've earned, since they may be lost if your account becomes inactive.