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The best credit card for hotels in Iceland.

Updated

Why this card

Chase Sapphire Reserve for hotels in Iceland.

Iceland has almost no chain hotel coverage. Hilton has the Reykjavik Nordica and the Canopy Reykjavik. Marriott has the Edition Reykjavik (a marquee 2022 opening). Everything outside Reykjavik is independent boutique or guesthouse, so the smarter play is usually a flight card plus a flexible cash-stay card.

Annual fee

$795

Best earn rate

8 points per dollar on Chase Travel, 3x on travel and dining, primary rental car coverage

Signup bonus

Currently around 100,000 points after spend, see issuer for the current offer

Iceland trips run heavy on rental cars, fuel, glacier tours, and boutique guesthouses where chain points do not apply. The Reserve's 8x on Chase Travel bookings, primary rental car coverage for the Ring Road, and strongest-in-market trip delay protection (Icelandair cancellations happen) all do real work. Priority Pass at Keflavik is a real layover comfort gain. The Reserve's points also redeem 1.5x through Chase Travel for cash bookings at independent properties.

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If the top pick is not right

Alternative: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Reykjavik Edition is on Marriott not Hilton, but Canopy Reykjavik and Reykjavik Nordica are both Hilton. The Aspire's free weekend night cert covers a Friday at the Nordica, and Diamond breakfast helps offset Reykjavik's high food costs.

American ExpressAnnual fee $550

At a glance

Side by side.

SpecChase Sapphire ReserveHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Annual fee$795$550
Best earn rate8 points per dollar on Chase Travel, 3x on travel and dining, primary rental car coverageSee alternative section above
Signup bonusCurrently around 100,000 points after spend, see issuer for the current offerVaries by month

Local tip

What to know before you book.

Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the world for restaurant food. A burger and beer in Reykjavik runs $40 to $50. Most chain and boutique hotels include breakfast in the room rate. Stock up on lunch sandwiches from Bonus or Kronan (grocery stores) for road days and save breakfast credits for the city days.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels in Iceland?

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Chase Sapphire Reserve from Chase. Iceland trips run heavy on rental cars, fuel, glacier tours, and boutique guesthouses where chain points do not apply. Annual fee is $795.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card a better choice for hotels in Iceland?

expand_more

Reykjavik Edition is on Marriott not Hilton, but Canopy Reykjavik and Reykjavik Nordica are both Hilton. The Aspire's free weekend night cert covers a Friday at the Nordica, and Diamond breakfast helps offset Reykjavik's high food costs. Annual fee is $550.