The Best Western Credit Card is a popular choice among travelers who seek rewards and benefits from frequent stays at Best Western properties. With a generous rewards program and no annual fee, this card offers an appealing opportunity for those who frequently stay at Best Western hotels and resorts. In this article, we will examine the features, pros, and cons of the Best Western Credit Card to help you decide if it’s the right card for your needs.

This credit card provides cardholders with a host of benefits, including elite status, a spending bonus, and a high rewards rate. While these features make the card advantageous for Best Western loyalists, it’s essential to assess the overall value and flexibility of the rewards system. We will explore the details of the rewards program, weighing the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision about whether this card should be a part of your financial toolkit.

Best Western Credit Card Overview

Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®

The Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® is a co-branded credit card offered by Best Western Hotels & Resorts and the First National Bank of Omaha. This card is geared towards travelers who frequently stay at Best Western properties and want to earn rewards for their stays. The card comes with no annual fee and provides cardholders with a decent rewards rate for Best Western stays.

Notably, the card offers a welcome bonus of 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 billing cycles after the account is opened. Additionally, you can earn 20,000 points after spending $5,000 every 12 billing cycles. The rewards structure allows you to earn 13 points per dollar spent on Best Western stays, with 10 points coming from the Best Western Rewards program and 3 points from the credit card itself.

However, the card does have a somewhat high Regular APR ranging from 25.74% – 29.74% Variable APR. This means that carrying a balance can be expensive, so it is advised to pay off your statement balance each month to take full advantage of the rewards without incurring high-interest charges.

Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard®

The Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard® is an upgraded version of the Best Western Rewards® Mastercard®, offering greater benefits and rewards for cardholders who frequent Best Western properties. This card does come with an annual fee, but it provides cardholders with a higher reward rate and additional perks.

The welcome bonus for this card can be quite lucrative. Cardholders are eligible to earn a generous welcome bonus and a spending bonus once they meet certain spending thresholds. For those who plan to spend at least $5,000 annually on this card, the rewards and benefits can outweigh the annual fee.

The Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard® offers a higher rewards rate than the standard version, allowing you to earn even more points for Best Western stays. You’ll enjoy luxury perks and a higher rewards rate for your loyalty to the Best Western brand. However, it’s important to note that the rewards earned with this card have limited flexibility, meaning they can generally only be used toward Best Western stays and related expenses.

Both the Best Western Rewards® Mastercard® and Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard® are good options for travelers who patronize Best Western hotels frequently. By choosing the card that best aligns with your spending habits and desired benefits, you can maximize the rewards and value you receive from each card.

Rewards and Benefits

Earning Points

The Best Western Rewards Mastercard offers Best Western Rewards members the opportunity to earn points on their everyday purchases. Cardholders can earn 20 points per $1 spent on Best Western stays, and 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. This competitive points earning rate makes it an attractive option for travelers who frequently stay at Best Western hotels.

Redeeming Points

In the Best Western Rewards program, points can be redeemed for various redemption options, including:

• Free nights at any Best Western hotel worldwide
• Gift cards from popular retailers and restaurants
• Travel partners’ rewards, such as airline miles
• Merchandise and experiences
• Charitable donations

To maximize the value of their points, cardholders should focus on redeeming them for free nights at Best Western properties, as this is where they will typically find the most value.

Elite Status and Perks

The Best Western Rewards Mastercard comes with automatic Gold status for cardholders. Gold status in the Best Western Rewards program offers several notable benefits for travelers, including:

• 10% bonus points on each stay
• Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
• Room upgrade, subject to availability

In addition to Gold status, the no-annual-fee credit card offers other perks, such as travel and hotel benefits for U.S. travelers who frequently visit Best Western hotels. However, it’s essential to note the rewards rate on non-Best Western purchases and the redemption flexibility may be limited compared to other loyalty program credit cards.

Overall, the Best Western Rewards Mastercard offers a competitive rewards rate and valuable elite status perks for travelers loyal to the Best Western brand. By paying with points earned on this card, members can make the most of their Best Western stays and enjoy additional benefits like room upgrades and early check-in/late check-out options.

Fees and Rates

Annual Fee

The Best Western Rewards Premium Card comes with an $89 annual fee. In contrast, the Best Western Rewards Mastercard offers a $0 annual fee option.

APR

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for both the Best Western Rewards Premium Card and the Best Western Rewards Mastercard varies based on your creditworthiness, corresponding with the Prime Rate.

Balance Transfer Fee

For both the Best Western Rewards Premium Card and the Best Western Rewards Mastercard, the balance transfer fee is either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer made within the first 90 days from account opening, whichever is greater. The balance transfer fee then increases to 5% of the amount of each transfer made after the first 90 days or a minimum of $10, depending on the card.

Foreign Transaction Fee

There are no foreign transaction fees for the Best Western Rewards Premium Card and the Best Western Rewards Mastercard, making it convenient for international travelers.

Welcome Bonuses and Requirements

Sign-up Bonus

The Best Western Rewards® Premium Mastercard® offers a tiered sign-up bonus. Cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three billing cycles after the account is opened, and an additional 40,000 bonus points if they spend at least $5,000 during each 12 billing cycle period in the first year. This brings the total potential bonus to 120,000 points, which can be redeemed for up to 7 free nights at Best Western properties.

Credit Score Requirements

To be eligible for the Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard, applicants should have a good to excellent credit score. While there isn’t a specific FICO score requirement, credit scores in the range of 670 to 850 are generally considered good to excellent. Your credit score, along with your income, employment status, and other financial factors, will be taken into account when determining your eligibility for the card.

Spending Requirement

The Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard has a spending requirement tied to the sign-up bonus. The initial 80,000 bonus points are earned after spending $3,000 in the first three billing cycles after the account is opened. To reach the additional 40,000 bonus points, cardholders must spend at least $5,000 during each 12 billing cycle period in the first year.

This spending requirement means that in order to fully maximize the sign-up bonus, cardholders need to spend a total of at least $18,000 in the first year. However, even if the annual spending requirement isn’t met, the initial 80,000 bonus points can still be earned by meeting the $3,000 spending requirement in the first three billing cycles.

To help meet these spending requirements, the card offers rewards rates of 20x points on Best Western stays, 2x points on all other purchases, and access to a 24/7 reservation line exclusively for cardholders.

Alternative Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a popular travel rewards card offering valuable points and flexibility. Cardholders can earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X point for every dollar spent on other purchases. The card comes with a sizeable signup bonus if you meet the minimum spending requirements within the first three months. Points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program for travel, cash back, or gift cards. Some of its notable features include:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal
• Transfer points to various airline and hotel loyalty programs

The card has an annual fee of $95.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those who want a travel credit card with no annual fee. It offers 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases, making it easy and straightforward to earn travel rewards. The bank provides a signup bonus if you spend a minimum amount within the first 90 days. Additional features include:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Redeem points for travel expenses, such as flights and hotel stays
• Preferred Rewards clients can enjoy bonus points

Citi® Double Cash Card

The Citi® Double Cash Card is a cashback credit card that stands out for its simplicity and rewards structure. It allows cardholders to earn 2% cash back on every purchase: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% as you pay it off. The card has no annual fee, which makes it an attractive option for those who want a straightforward rewards card. Some features of the card include:

• No limit on the cash back you can earn
• Balance transfer options with an introductory rate
• Minimal fees for late payments within the first instance.

Each of these alternative credit cards serves different needs, from travel rewards to cashback, so you can choose the one that best fits your spending habits and preferences.

Comparing Best Western Credit Cards to Competitors

Rewards Potential and Redemption Values

When comparing the Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard to other travel credit cards, it’s essential to consider the rewards potential and redemption values. For Best Western loyalists, this hotel credit card offers substantial benefits as it provides 13 points per dollar spent at Best Western properties, along with a welcome bonus of 40,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three billing cycles.

In contrast, other travel credit cards might offer varying levels of points or miles per dollar spent on hotel stays, airline tickets, or other travel-related expenses. To put things into perspective, here’s a brief comparison:

• Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard: 13 points per dollar spent on Best Western stays, 2 points per dollar spent on other purchases
• Typical Hotel Credit Card: 5-10 points per dollar spent on hotel stays, 1-2 points per dollar spent on other purchases
• Typical Travel Credit Card: 2-5 points or miles per dollar spent on travel, 1-2 points or miles per dollar spent on other purchases

Redeeming rewards with the Best Western Rewards loyalty program offers versatility, as points can be used for free stays at Best Western properties worldwide without blackout dates, airline miles with partner programs, hotel brands’ elite status (Gold and Platinum Elite status), and even Amazon gift cards.

When comparing redemption values, it’s essential to note that Best Western points may not be as valuable as points or miles offered by other travel credit cards, especially if the cardholder frequently stays at high-end luxury properties or prefers different hotel brands.

Ongoing APR and Fees

The Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard is a solid option for those seeking a hotel credit card without an annual fee. Moreover, unlike some co-branded hotel credit cards, this card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travels.

However, when comparing interest rates and fees with other travel credit cards, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each card. The ongoing APR for the Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard tends to be similar to its competitors, but factors such as credit score and existing debt can influence the final APR offered.

Here’s a quick comparison of the Best Western card and a typical travel credit card:

• Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard: $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, competitive ongoing APR
• Typical Travel Credit Card: $95 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, competitive ongoing APR

In conclusion, the Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard can be a great choice for loyal Best Western customers, offering generous rewards potential and flexible redemption options. However, based on individual spending habits and travel preferences, other travel credit cards may offer better rewards potential or suit diverse needs better.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many points for a free night?

The number of points required for a free night at a Best Western hotel varies depending on the property and the type of room you choose. However, free nights typically start at 8,000 points for a standard room.

Value of 5,000 points?

The value of 5,000 Best Western Rewards points can vary depending on how you redeem them. On average, Best Western Rewards points are worth about 0.6 cents each. So, 5,000 points would be worth approximately $30 when used towards hotel stays.

Highest level of rewards?

Best Western Rewards has several elite status tiers with various perks and benefits. The highest level of rewards is the Diamond Select tier, which offers a 50% bonus on base points earned, room upgrades, and other exclusive benefits.

Number of rewards levels?

Best Western Rewards has five elite status tiers: Blue, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Diamond Select. Each tier has its unique perks and benefits, with higher tiers offering more rewards and privileges.

Credit score requirement?

The Best Western Credit Card is generally aimed at applicants with good to excellent credit scores. This means a credit score of around 700 or higher is typically required for approval.

Payment options available?

As a Best Western Credit Card holder, you have multiple payment options available. You can pay your credit card bill online, by phone, or through the mail. Additionally, you can set up automatic payments to ensure timely payments and avoid late fees.