6 Best Credit Cards for Las Vegas Hotels
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Editors note: The partnership between Hyatt Hotels and MGM Resorts is ending on Sept. 30. This article is being updated to reflect that change. MGM has announced a forthcoming partnership with Marriott Bonvoy set to launch in October. Read can more on that here.
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.
Top credit cards for Las Vegas hotels
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.
More than a dozen Las Vegas hotels, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York-New York Hotel & Casino and Excalibur, fall under the Hyatt brand, which means you can redeem your World of Hyatt points to book these properties. Plus, award stays have waived resort fees, which Vegas hotels are infamous for.
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card, you’ll automatically reach Hyatt’s Discoverist elite status level — its late checkout perk (when available) comes in handy if you need to sleep in after a late night out. You’ll also earn 2 points per dollar spent on dining out at Vegas restaurants and on rideshare services, such as Uber and Lyft.
What else you need to know:
Annual fee: $95.
Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
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 Tropicana Las Vegas. And like Hyatt, Hilton waives resort fees on award stays.
With the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you’ll receive complimentary Diamond status, the highest tier of Hilton Honors elite status. Diamond members get the most perks at Hilton properties, including space-available room upgrades, executive lounge access and a 100% point bonus on paid stays. Terms apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card members also get a yearly $250 Hilton resort credit, which can be used toward eligible purchases at the property, including at on-site restaurants or spa bookings. This can be a great way to relax and get away from the perpetual noise of slot machines. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card also offers built-in concierge services that can help you find and purchase show tickets or make restaurant reservations. Terms apply.
What else you need to know:
Annual fee: $550. Terms apply.
Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
» Learn more: The best hotel credit cards right now
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. Terms apply.
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmembers have access to the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection that 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 Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.
» 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. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
» Learn more: New Las Vegas hotels to know about in 2021
Although the Citi 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 Premier® Card earns 3x points on 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 the Citi ThankYou travel portal and spend at least $500. As a Citi 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: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spend on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
If you prefer cash-back rewards, you might want to take a look at the Capital One SavorOne 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 SavorOne 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 after 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
Other tips for spending on a credit card in Vegas
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.
» Learn more: Caesars versus MGM Rewards — which is better?
If you want to book your Las Vegas stay with a hotel credit card
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.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024, including those best for:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
on Chase's website
1x-5x
Points60,000
Points
on Chase's website
1.5%-6.5%
Cashback$300
2x-5x
Miles75,000
Miles
