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Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card* vs. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*
Although the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card* carries an annual fee of $95, your earning potential is comparatively higher. The card earns 6 points per dollar at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3 points per dollar each year (up to $6,000 spent) on combined grocery stores, gas stations and dining purchases and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Plus, you’ll earn additional points for being both a Marriott Bonvoy member and from the Silver Elite status the card grants with ownership. That Silver Elite status also comes with 15 Elite Night credits, which will get you closer to the next status rung of Gold.
The annual fee on the Bonvoy Boundless Card can be negated by the annual free night award worth up to 35,000 Bonvoy points. Perhaps more importantly, the Marriott umbrella of properties is one of the largest and most widespread in the world. Unless you have a particular need or preference for Best Western properties, pledging loyalty to Marriott may be a better choice when it comes to utility and reward redemption.
Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card* vs. Hilton Honors American Express Card
Another no annual fee hotel rewards card to consider is the Hilton Honors American Express Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees). The card earns 7 Hilton Honors points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5 points for each dollar of eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Hilton also has properties worldwide, with a significant footprint in the U.S. The Hilton card also grants Hilton Honors™ Silver elite status, but lacks the travel and cellphone protections of the Best Western card.
However, the Hilton Honors program offers a fifth night free perk when you book reward stays of four or more nights. For those who typically travel for extended periods, the Hilton Honors program could allow you to stretch your points farther than the Best Western Rewards program, but your mileage will vary depending on the property. Ultimately the best choice between these two value-priced co-branded hotel cards will come down to where you prefer to stay.
Best Western Rewards® Visa Signature® Card* vs. Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has a $95 annual fee but offers far more flexibility when it comes to travel rewards. The card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, 4 points per dollar on airlines, 3 points per dollar on other travel and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. That rate beats the rewards on the Best Western card and allows you to score generous points on any hotel, without being locked into a specific brand. Plus, rewards can be redeemed to book travel any way you’d like or taken as cash back. With the Autograph Journey, Wells Fargo also introduced transfer partners so cardholders can transfer to a growing list of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
The Autograph Journey card also offers a $50 annual statement credit with a $50 minimum airline purchase, which can help compensate for the card’s annual fee. It offers a host of travel protections and insurance similar to the Best Western Card but with a few more thrown in. The Autograph Journey card offers cellphone insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, travel accident insurance and lost luggage reimbursement. Most will find the Autograph Journey’s versatility more cost-efficient than the Best Western Card, even with the annual fee.