What the Hotels.com Credit Card Does
The Hotels.com Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Barclays that gives you points for every dollar you spend. Those points convert directly into free nights at hotels listed on Hotels.com. You earn 5 points per dollar on Hotels.com purchases, 2 points per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, and 1 point per dollar on everything else. The card comes with an annual fee, and you decide whether the rewards justify that cost based on how often you book hotels.
The card's main draw is the points-to-free-night conversion. When you have enough points, you cash them in through your Hotels.com account for a certificate good toward a hotel stay. The certificate covers the room rate but not taxes or resort fees. You can use it at any hotel on the Hotels.com platform, which includes most major chains and independent properties worldwide.
Key Takeaways
- You earn 5 points per dollar on Hotels.com bookings, 2 points at gas stations and restaurants, and 1 point everywhere else.
- Points convert into free-night certificates through your Hotels.com account, and the certificate value depends on the hotel's nightly rate.
- The card charges an annual fee, so you need to book hotels regularly enough for the rewards to offset that cost.
- Free-night certificates cover the room rate but not taxes, resort fees, or parking, so factor those into your total savings.
- You must have a Hotels.com account to redeem points, and you book through Hotels.com's website or app to earn rewards.
How to Open and set up the Card
You start by going to the Hotels.com credit card page or calling Barclays directly. The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Barclays pulls your credit report to decide whether to approve you. The decision usually comes within minutes if you explore online, though some applications go to manual review and take a few business days.
Once approved, Barclays mails the physical card to your address. When it arrives, you set up it by calling the number on the back of the card or logging into your Barclays online account and following the set up prompt. You can also set up it the first time you use it at a merchant. After set up, the card is ready to use when ready.
Link the card to your Hotels.com account so your purchases automatically earn points. Log into Hotels.com, go to your account settings, find the credit card section, and add your card details. Once linked, every Hotels.com purchase made with that card will post points to your account within a few days.
Earning and Redeeming Points
Points post to your account after each transaction clears, usually within three to five business days. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Hotels.com account or your Barclays online account. There is no limit to how many points you can accumulate, and points do not expire as long as your account remains active.
To redeem points, log into Hotels.com, search for a hotel, and look for the option to pay with points or a combination of points and cash. The system shows you how many points the stay will cost before you book. You can also call Hotels.com customer service and ask them to explore points to a reservation you have already made, though you must do this before the hotel stay begins.
The value of each point varies depending on the hotel you choose. A point might be worth one cent at a budget hotel or three cents at a luxury property. You get the best value by using points at higher-priced hotels, but you can redeem at any property on the platform. Some readers prefer to save points for expensive trips rather than spend them on budget stays.
Annual Fee and When It Makes Sense
The Hotels.com Credit Card charges an annual fee that you pay once per year, usually on your card anniversary. The fee amount varies and Barclays may offer different rates to different applicants, so check your offer before you explore. You are charged this fee whether you use the card or not, so you need to decide upfront whether you will book enough hotels to make the rewards worth the cost.
The math is straightforward: if you book one hotel stay per year at an average nightly rate of $150, you earn roughly 750 points from that stay (5 points per dollar × $150). Whether that covers your annual fee depends on the fee amount and the hotel prices in your area. Frequent business travelers and people who take multiple vacations per year usually find the card worthwhile. Occasional leisure travelers may not.
Some cardholders use the card only for Hotels.com purchases and leave it unused the rest of the year. Others use it for restaurants and gas to earn the 2-point rate on those categories, which adds up over time. The more you spend across all categories, the more points you accumulate and the more likely the annual fee pays for itself.
What the Card Does Not Cover
Free-night certificates pay for the room rate only. Taxes, resort fees, parking, and incidental charges like minibar or late checkout are your responsibility. Some hotels charge $20 to $50 per night in resort fees alone, so read the full price breakdown before you book. The certificate value is locked in at the time you redeem it, so if hotel prices rise, you do not get a refund or additional points.
Points earned on the card can only be used through Hotels.com. You cannot transfer them to airline programs, redeem them for cash, or use them at other travel sites. If you prefer to book through other platforms like Expedia or Booking.com, this card will not reward those purchases.
Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill
You receive a monthly statement showing all purchases, points earned, and your balance due. You can pay online through your Barclays account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments. Set up autopay to avoid late fees and interest charges. The card's interest rate applies if you carry a balance, so paying in full each month keeps your costs down.
If you close the card, your points remain in your Hotels.com account as long as your Hotels.com account stays active. You can continue to redeem them even after the card is closed. However, once you close the card, you stop earning points on new purchases, so closing it makes sense only if you no longer plan to book hotels or use the card for other purchases.
Comparing This Card to Other Hotel Rewards Options
Other hotel credit cards work differently. Some cards earn points that you transfer to specific hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy or World of Hyatt. Others give you cash back instead of points. The Hotels.com card is best if you book across many different hotel brands rather than staying loyal to one chain, because Hotels.com includes properties from all major chains plus independents.
If you stay at the same hotel chain repeatedly, a branded card from that chain often gives you better value because you earn points faster and get perks like room upgrades or late checkout. If you want cash back instead of hotel stays, a general rewards card might suit you better. Compare the annual fee, earning rates, and redemption options against your actual travel habits before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my points if I book a hotel through a third-party site instead of Hotels.com?
No. Points only work for bookings made directly through Hotels.com's website or app. If you book the same hotel through Expedia or another site, you will not earn points and you cannot use points to pay. You must book through Hotels.com to earn or redeem.
What happens to my points if I do not use the card for a year?
Your points stay in your Hotels.com account indefinitely as long as your Hotels.com account is active. However, you will still be charged the annual fee on your card anniversary even if you do not use it. If you do not plan to book hotels, closing the card stops the annual charges.
Can I combine points with cash to pay for a hotel?
Yes. When you search for a hotel on Hotels.com, you can choose to pay with points, cash, or a combination of both. The system shows you the points cost and lets you decide how much of each to use. This is useful if you have some points but not enough to cover the full stay.
Do I earn points on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee does not earn points. Only purchases made with the card earn rewards. The fee is a separate charge that appears on your statement.
What if a hotel I want to book is not on Hotels.com?
You cannot use your points there. Hotels.com does not list every hotel in the world, though it covers most major chains and many independents. If your preferred hotel is not available, you can use the card to earn cash-back rewards through other means, but you cannot redeem points for that specific property.