TravelDiari matches your credit cards to every hotel booking — saving you points you'd otherwise miss.

Destination + card

The best credit card for hotels in Austin.

Updated

Why this card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card for hotels in Austin.

Austin has the Fairmont Austin (Marriott), JW Marriott Austin, and the W Austin. Hyatt has the Hyatt Regency Austin on the river. Hilton has the Hilton Austin downtown and Canopy by Hilton in East Austin. Marriott has the deepest downtown footprint.

Annual fee

$250

Best earn rate

6 points per dollar at Marriotts, Gold elite status, 50,000-point free night cert annually

Signup bonus

Currently around 85,000 to 155,000 points after spend, see issuer for the current offer

JW Marriott Austin and Fairmont Austin both price around 50,000 to 65,000 points a night during regular weeks against $400 to $600 cash, and the 50K free night cert covers an off-peak night. Gold elite status at the JW gets you a 2 PM late checkout. The card pays for itself on a single non-festival weekend in Austin. Festival weeks are an exception (SXSW and ACL).

See this cardarrow_forward

If the top pick is not right

Alternative: World of Hyatt Credit Card.

Hyatt Regency Austin sits on Lady Bird Lake with running trail access and prices around 18,000 to 25,000 points a night against $250 to $400 cash off-peak. Anniversary free night covers it cleanly. The cheapest doorway for an Austin running or paddleboard weekend.

ChaseAnnual fee $95

At a glance

Side by side.

SpecMarriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express CardWorld of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual fee$250$95
Best earn rate6 points per dollar at Marriotts, Gold elite status, 50,000-point free night cert annuallySee alternative section above
Signup bonusCurrently around 85,000 to 155,000 points after spend, see issuer for the current offerVaries by month

Local tip

What to know before you book.

SXSW (mid-March) and ACL Festival (two weekends in October) triple Austin hotel rates and block most chain awards. F1 race weekend in late October is the third spike. Outside these three events Austin is one of the cheapest major Texas cities for chain hotels.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels in Austin?

expand_more

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card from American Express. JW Marriott Austin and Fairmont Austin both price around 50,000 to 65,000 points a night during regular weeks against $400 to $600 cash, and the 50K free nig... Annual fee is $250.

How many points do you need for a free night in Austin?

expand_more

Roughly 50,000 points per night at the recommended chain for Austin. Cash rate is around $290 per night, so the points stay is a meaningful discount versus paying cash.

Is the World of Hyatt Credit Card a better choice for hotels in Austin?

expand_more

Hyatt Regency Austin sits on Lady Bird Lake with running trail access and prices around 18,000 to 25,000 points a night against $250 to $400 cash off-peak. Anniversary free night covers it cleanly. The cheapest doorway for an Austin running or paddleboard weekend. Annual fee is $95.