Who doesn’t love a free night stay or two with their favourite hotel chain? Besides that, it’s also nice to take advantage of room upgrades, late check-outs, and complimentary credits during a hotel stay, among other things.
While you can always pay for these extra perks, you can also get them for free with the use of a hotel credit card that offers a way to earn these bonuses without having to pay for them outright.
That’s precisely what hotel credit cards in Canada are designed for, as they come with various perks such as those just mentioned. The thing is, there’s only one co-branded hotel credit card in Canada; the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card. Is it the best one for hotel rewards or do other credit cards have hotel perks?
Best Hotel Credit Cards In Canada
| Annual Fee | Hotel Benefits | |
| Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card | $120 | – Receive one free night at Marriot Bonvoy property – 15 Elite Night Credits – Free upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status |
| Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card | $150 | – Receive one free night at Marriot Bonvoy property – 15 Elite Night Credits – Free upgrade to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status |
| American Express Cobalt Card | $12.99 monthly | – Hotel burglary insurance – A credit of up to $100 to use on hotel amenities – A category-one room upgrade |
| Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card | $150 | – Visa Infinite Hotel Collection – Hotel burglary insurance |
Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card is the only co-branded hotel credit card in Canada, but is it the best?
Well, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card not only offers rewards to help you take advantage of free hotel stays and room updates, but it takes things a step further by offering luxury experiences at the more elite hotel chains in the country.
Plus, you’ll get the following hotel rewards:
- Every year on the anniversary date of getting your Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card, you’ll receive a Free Night Award to be applied to a hotel stay with Marriot Bonvoy properties.
- Get 15 Elite Night Credits every year to be used towards reaching the next level of Elite status.
- Upgraded membership to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status after spending at least $30,000 in purchases each year.
Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card Main Features
Annual fee: $120
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 21.99%
Earn rate: As a card member, you’ll earn 5 points for every dollar spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and 2 points for every $1 spent for all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Travel Insurance -The card offers seven types of travel insurance including travel emergency assistance, travel accident, car rental, flight delay, baggage delay/theft/lost insurance and hotel burglary insurance.
- Marriott Bonvoy Moments Program – This allows you to gain access to rare and unique events and experiences, including backstage passes to concerts, meet-and-greets, and more.
- Buyer’s Assurance Protection Plan – With this, your manufacturer’s original warranty will be automatically extended up to 1 additional year when you fully charge eligible purchases to your Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.
- Purchase Protection Plan – Eligible items charged to your card will be covered for 90 days after purchase in the event of theft or accidental damage for up to $1,000 per incident.
- American Express Invites – Enjoy memorable and entertaining experiences through advanced ticket access, special offers, and e-updates.
Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card
Own a business and travel a lot? The Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card might be a better choice for you. With this American Express card, you’ll not only benefit from free hotel stays and room updates, but you’ll have added business benefits at your fingertips. This includes a full suite of business solutions, Employee Card Misuse Protection, and an extensive travel insurance program.
Plus, you’ll get the following hotel rewards:
- Every year on your cardmember anniversary you’ll receive one free night at a Marriot Bonvoy property.
- Get 15 Elite Night Credits every year to be used towards reaching the next level of Elite status.
- Upgraded membership to Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
- After charging $30,000 each year, or
- Combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your card.
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Main Features
Annual fee: $150
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 21.99%
Earn rate:
- Earn 5 points for every $1 spent at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
- Earn 3 points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, dining and travel.
- Earn 2 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Suite of business solutions (insurance, management tools, payment flexibility, etc.)
- Employee Card Misuse Protection
- Extensive travel insurance (travel accident, car rental theft & damage, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage, hotel burglary)
- Purchase coverage
- American Express Experiences
Looking for the best credit card options?
Other Hotel Credit Cards In Canada
While there aren’t any other co-branded hotel credit cards in Canada, there are credit cards that offer hotel benefits.
American Express Cobalt Card
The American Express Cobalt card is a lifestyle credit card that aims to help you live life your way and reward you for it. Points can be redeemed for anything and can also be transferred on a 1:1 ratio with many frequent flyer and loyalty programs.
This card also offers a few unique hotel benefits including:
- Get up to $500 in coverage against theft of most personal items with hotel burglary insurance.
- A credit of up to $100 to use on hotel amenities like the spa, food, and other activities*.
- A category-one room upgrade (if available)*.
*only applicable if you stay 2 consecutive nights at participating hotels.
American Express Cobalt Card Main Features
Annual fee: 12.99/monthly (equates to $155.88 annually)
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 21.99%
Earn rate:
- 5 points per dollar spent on restaurants and food delivery.
- 3 points per dollar spent on streaming subscriptions.
- 2 points per dollar spent on travel and transportation.
- 1 point per dollar spent on everything else.
- 1 extra Amex points will be added to all eligible hotel and car rental bookings.
Extra features:
- Insurance Benefits – Gain access to a suite of travel insurance including travel medical, travel delay, travel accident, lost/delay/stolen baggage, car rental, mobile device, and hotel burglary insurance.
- American Express® Experiences – Get early access to special events, concerts, movies and exclusive offers.
- Cobalt Perks Program – Get extra bonus points offers and complementary or discounted events.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card is a well-rounded card that offers a high earn rate on purchases and some added hotel benefits. With it, you’ll have access to the Visa Infinite Hotel Collection. This allows you to get the best rates available and other perks like a room upgrade, and free wi-fi.
You’ll also have free concierge services to help you with any planning and bookings you may have.
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card Main Features
Annual fee: $150
Purchase rate: 20.99%
Cash advance rate: 22.99%
Earn rate:
- 3x SCENE+ points for every dollar spent on groceries at Sobey’s, IGA, and other participating stores.
- 2x SCENE+ points for every dollar spent on eating out, other grocery stores, entertainment, and transit.
- 1x SCENE+ points for every dollar spent on all other purchases.
Extra features:
- Travel Insurance – This card has a comprehensive travel insurance package. It includes eight types of travel insurance including travel cancellation/interruption, travel medical and hotel burglary.
- No FX Fees – No FX fees are charged for online or abroad purchases. Only the exchange rate will apply.
- Lounge Access – Get a free membership with the Visa Airport Companion Program and 6 free airport lounge visits.
Additional Reading
Final Thoughts On The Best Hotel Credit Cards In Canada
If you like the idea of getting a free night stay at a hotel on occasion and appreciate VIP treatment in the form of room upgrades and travel insurance, then you may want to consider one of these hotel credit cards. The Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card requires an annual fee, but you can take advantage of stays at high-end hotels. If you’d rather forgo the annual fee and are fine with regular hotel stays, consider the Best Western Mastercard.
