Best Hotel Credit Cards Canada 2026
| Card | Annual Fee | Hotel Program | Key Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Amex | $120 | Marriott Bonvoy | Free night cert + Silver Elite |
| Marriott Bonvoy Amex (Business) | $150 | Marriott Bonvoy | Higher earning + Gold Elite |
| Amex Cobalt (transfer to Marriott) | $155.88 | Flexible (MR → Marriott) | 5x dining/grocery → transfer |
| TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite | $139 | Aeroplan (hotel transfers) | Aeroplan points for hotels |
| Scotiabank Gold Amex | $120 | Scene+ (hotel bookings) | 5x grocery/dining |
Marriott Bonvoy Amex Card Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $120 |
| Earning rate (Marriott) | 5x Bonvoy points per $1 |
| Earning rate (dining) | 3x |
| Earning rate (other) | 2x |
| Free night certificate | Up to 35,000 points (annually) |
| Elite status | Marriott Silver Elite |
| Welcome bonus | Typically 50,000-55,000 points |
Free Night Certificate Value
| Hotel Category | Points Needed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1-3 | 7,500-20,000 | Budget Marriotts |
| Category 4-5 | 20,000-35,000 | Courtyard, Residence Inn |
| Above Category 5 | 35,000+ | ❌ Certificate doesn’t cover |
The annual free night alone is worth $150-300+, more than covering the $120 fee.
Hotel Points Transfer Options
| From | To | Transfer Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Amex MR (Cobalt) | Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1.2 |
| Amex MR (Cobalt) | Hilton Honors | 1:1 |
| Aeroplan | Marriott Bonvoy | Available |
Strategy: Best Hotel Stays on Points
| Approach | Best Card | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott loyalist | Marriott Bonvoy Amex | Direct earning + free nights |
| Flexible hotel choice | Amex Cobalt (transfer) | Transfer to multiple programs |
| Budget hotel stays | Use free night cert on Cat 4-5 | $200-400 value per night |
| Luxury hotel stays | Accumulate Bonvoy for premium properties | 50,000-85,000+ points/night |
Who Should Get a Hotel Credit Card
| Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 5+ hotel nights/year with Marriott | ✅ Marriott Bonvoy Amex is a must |
| Occasional traveller | ⚠️ Amex Cobalt more flexible |
| Business traveller | ✅ Bonvoy Business for Gold Elite |
| Rarely stay at hotels | ❌ Cash back card is better value |