6 Best Credit Cards for Las Vegas Hotels

A bachelor party, a milestone birthday celebration or an elopement are all great reasons to visit Las Vegas and experience its neon lights, flashy vibes and over-the-top decor. However, all that glitz and glam can cost a fortune before you even factor in gambling expenses.

Here are some of the smartest credit cards for Las Vegas hotels to help you make your trip a little less costly.

Apply for a new credit card at least six months ahead of travel so that you'll have sufficient time to earn your welcome bonus and redeem that stash for a good hotel deal.

1. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

In early 2024, Marriott's partnership with MGM went live and now more than a dozen additional Las Vegas hotels, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York Hotel & Casino and Excalibur, fall under the Marriott brand, which means you can redeem your Marriott Bonvoy® points to book these properties.

With the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, you’ll automatically receive Marriott’s Gold elite status level, which includes 2 p.m. late checkout (when available), 25% bonus points on stays, 15 elite night credits, a Free Award Night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and more. Terms apply.

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $250 (see rates and fees).

• Welcome bonus: Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

2. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Hilton Honors members will find nearly two dozen Hilton hotels near the Strip and the airport, including Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which is part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Hilton waives resort fees on award stays.

With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you’ll receive complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, the second highest tier of Hilton Honors elite status. Gold members get perks like a daily food and beverage credit (or breakfast, varies by region), space-available room upgrades and a 80% point bonus on paid stays. Terms apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card members also get a yearly $200 Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) and a Free Night Reward certificate after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Terms apply.

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $150 (see rates and fees).

• Welcome bonus: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now

3. The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers its cardmembers access to luxury properties listed under the Fine Hotels + Resorts program and The Hotel Collection program. Cardmembers also receive a $200 annual hotel credit that can be used on eligible stays at a property in either collection when booked and prepaid through American Express Travel. Note that The Hotel Collection stays must be two nights minimum. Terms apply.

Eligible properties include many Strip icons, such as the ARIA Resort & Casino, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas. Many participating hotels also come with special perks for cardmembers, like property credits, complimentary breakfast or room upgrades (when available). Terms apply.

Think of it as having status at a hotel without actually needing to have status.

If you need dinner or show reservations, you can also call the concierge line available 24/7 as part of your card benefits. Terms apply.

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).

• Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers have access to The Edit by Chase Travel℠, which includes more than 1,000 properties around the world. Benefits of booking a stay at one of these hotels in Las Vegas can include daily free breakfast, early check-in or late checkout, and on-site property credits.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® benefits include 3x points on travel and dining and 10x points on Lyft rides through March 2025 — not a bad rebate on cruising up and down the Strip. Plus, the card’s annual $300 travel credit is good toward any travel purchase charged directly on your card, including a stay at The Edit properties.

» Learn more: The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $550.

• Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

5. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Although the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card doesn’t offer hotel status, it’s still a great one to use to pay for your hotel, flight and meals while in Vegas. That’s because the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card 10 ThankYou points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi. And 3x points on other hotels, airfare, restaurants, gas stations and supermarkets.

Once per calendar year, you can get $100 back in hotel savings if you use your card to book lodging through Cititravel.com and spend at least $500. As a Citi Strata Premier℠ Card holder, you also get access to the Citi Entertainment program, which sets aside an allotment of event tickets for Citi cardholders, helping you score seats to some of Vegas’ popular shows.

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $95.

• Welcome bonus: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

6. Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you prefer cash-back rewards, you might want to take a look at the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. The card offers 5% cash back on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel.

Even if you use points to cover your Las Vegas hotel stay, dining and entertainment aren’t free. This card offers a solid return of 3% cash back on purchases made in the following categories: dining, entertainment, grocery stores and streaming services.

Additionally, you’ll earn 8% cash back on event tickets purchased through Capital One Entertainment. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card also comes with complimentary concierge service, which means you can let someone else make reservations for you while you enjoy your time in Sin City.

What else you need to know:

• Annual fee: $0.

• Welcome bonus: Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.

» Learn more: How to travel to Las Vegas on points and miles

Rewards credit cards aren’t the only way to help you with your Las Vegas trip. Here are a couple of tips for making your stay a little more affordable:

• Get status matched to Caesars Rewards Diamond. If you happen to be a Diamond elite member of the Wyndham Rewards program, you can link your account and request a status match from Caesars Rewards. You’ll receive great perks as a Diamond member, such as waived resort fees, free parking and a $100 annual dinner credit.

• Bring cash. You can cover many Vegas expenses with a credit card, but according to a Nevada law, playing chips isn’t one of them. If you plan on gambling, make sure to bring cash or use a card like the Charles Schwab Bank Debit Card to avoid fees on ATM withdrawals.

• Use the right credit card to access airport lounges. Certain credit cards allow you to access certain LAS airport lounges. Since most of these lounges offer hot (and usually high quality) meals, this can be an excellent way to save on at least one dining out expense. Credit cards with Priority Pass membership let you access either of the two Las Vegas Priority Pass lounges. Meanwhile, The Platinum Card® from American Express gets you into the high-end Centurion Lounge. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Caesars versus MGM Rewards — Which is better?

On the casino floor, the house always has the edge. But when it comes to booking a Vegas hotel with a credit card, you can win big discounts. Just be sure to use a card that comes with elite status or rewards for extra hotel perks and savings, or one that offers high point earnings in popular spending categories to get the most return on your stay in Sin City.