The IHG One Rewards Traveler and Hilton Honors American Express Card are two popular hotel credit cards that cater to travelers seeking rewards within their respective hotel networks.
Here's our full comparison to help you decide between the two:
General Comparison
Both cards come without an annual fee and provide a significant rewards ratio within their hotel networks.
The Hilton Honors card stands out with its superior points rewards ratio, whereas the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card features a 0% intro APR.
Here's a side-by-side comparison:
Hilton Honors American Express | Wyndham Rewards Earner Card | |
Annual Fee | $0 ( See Rates and Fees. ) | $0 |
Rewards | 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases . | 5X points on eligible purchases made at Hotels by Wyndham as well as on qualifying gas purchases. Earn 2X points on eligible dining and grocery store purchases (excluding Target® and Walmart®) and 1X points on all other purchases (excluding Wyndham Vacation Club down payments).
|
Welcome bonus | 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership | Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 180 days |
0% Intro APR | N/A | 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening |
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. ( See Rates and Fees.) | $0 |
Purchase APR | 20.24% – 29.24% variable APR | 20.99% – 29.99% variable |
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Point Rewards Comparison
When comparing the points rewards between the two cards, there’s no clear winner. While the Hilton Honors card offers a much higher rewards rate, the overall value for redemption is pretty similar.
Spend Per Category | Hilton Honors Amex | Wyndham Rewards Earner Card |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 50,000 points | 20,000 points |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 20,000 points | 8,000 points |
$4,000 – Airline | 12,000 points | 4,000 points |
$5,000 – Hotels | 35,000 points | 25,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 20,000 points | 20,000 points |
Total Points | 137,000 points | 77,000 points |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~0.6 cent | 1 point = ~1.1 cents |
Estimated Annual Value | $822 | $847 |
The Hilton Honors Amex card lets you earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for hotel stays, upgrades, and unique experiences. You can use your points for free nights at Hilton properties worldwide or enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment.
On the other hand, Wyndham Rewards lets you redeem points for hotel stays at Wyndham properties around the world, as well as for gift cards, merchandise, and experiences.
Which Benefits You'll Get With Each Card?
Both cards offer basic benefits for cardholders, while the main perk is the elite status each card provides:
Hilton Honors American Express
- Hilton Honors Silver Status: Enjoy a 20% bonus on Base Points, expediting your journey to free nights. Spend $20,000 on eligible Card purchases in a calendar year to upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the following calendar year.
- ShopRunner: Enjoy complimentary membership with ShopRunner, providing free 2-day shipping on eligible items from a network of 100+ online stores. Enroll with your eligible Card at shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Access the Global Assist® Hotline for travel assistance over 100 miles from home, offering services like lost passport replacement, translation, missing luggage, and emergency legal and medical referrals. Costs from third-party service providers are the Card Member's responsibility.
- Dispute Resolution: American Express collaborates with you and the merchant to promptly resolve unrecognized charges or billing issues.
Wyndham Rewards Earner Card
- Annual Bonus: Earn 7,500 bonus points every anniversary year by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases, equivalent to a complimentary night at participating properties.
- Automatic GOLD Level Benefits: Receive automatic Wyndham Rewards GOLD membership with associated perks like complimentary WiFi, preferred room selection, late checkout, and more.
- Cardmember Booking Discount: Wyndham Rewards Earner Cardmembers enjoy additional savings on the Best Available Rate at participating Hotels by Wyndham, enhancing the value of their stays.
Which Protections You'll Get With Each Card?
With the Wyndham card you'll get only the following protection:
- $0 Fraud Liability Protection: Benefit from $0 fraud liability protection, ensuring that you are not held responsible for unauthorized charges, and providing enhanced security for card usage.
The Hilton Honors card offers the following protections:
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When reserving and paying for a rental vehicle with your eligible Card, and declining the collision damage waiver, you're covered for damage or theft in a covered territory. Exclusions apply, and the coverage is secondary without liability coverage.
- Purchase Protection: Covered Purchases made with your Eligible Card are protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date, covering theft or accidental damage.
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When You Might Want The Hilton Honors Card?
Opt for the Hilton Honors Amex over the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card if:
Hilton Loyalty and Preferences: If you hold a strong allegiance to Hilton hotels or have a preference for their properties, the Hilton Honors Card is the preferred choice. It offers exclusive perks, bonus points, and a pathway to elite status within the Hilton Honors program, catering to your loyalty and preferences.
You Prefer a Larger Hotel Network:Choose the Hilton Honors Amex if you value a broader range of hotel options, as Hilton has a larger global network compared to Wyndham, providing more choices for your travels.
You Want A Wider Range Of Redemption Options: Hilton Honors points can be redeemed for a broader range of travel options, including stays at over 6,500 Hilton hotels worldwide, flights, car rentals, and even merchandise.
When You Might Want The Wyndham Rewards Card?
You might prefer the Wyndham Rewards Earner Card if:
You Frequent Wyndham Properties: If you frequently visit Wyndham properties, the Wyndham Rewards Earner card is a great choice. It offers strong earning rates on Wyndham stays, helping you accumulate points faster for hotel redemptions.
You Want a 0% Intro APR: Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner if you’re looking for a 0% introductory APR. This gives you a period with no interest on purchases, making it easier to manage expenses without extra costs.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're in search of a travel credit card offering hotel rewards, there are several compelling alternatives worth exploring:
The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $395 |
Rewards |
1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
|
1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
| 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
|
Welcome bonus |
80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
|
60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
|
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0
|
Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR | 21.99% – 28.99% variable APR | 19.99% – 29.74% (Variable) |
Compare IHG One Rewards Traveler Card
In our opinion, the IHG One Rewards Premier wins only if you plan to spend a significant amount on hotels. If not, the differences are minor.
IHG One Rewards Traveler vs. Premier: Side By Side Comparison
Compare Hilton Honors American Express Card
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Amex Hilton Honors vs World of Hyatt: Which Hotel Card Wins?
The Surpass card boasts a notably higher annual fee, justified by its superior rewards ratio and benefits compared to the Hilton Honors card.
The Hilton Honors Amex is our winner with higher cashback value and great overall rating for a hotel card with no annual fee.
Hilton Honors American Express vs. Marriott Bonvoy Bold: Side By Side Comparison
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