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The best credit card for hotels at US national parks.

Updated

Why this card

Chase Sapphire Reserve for hotels at US national parks.

National park lodges (Old Faithful Inn, Many Glacier Hotel, Ahwahnee, Lake McDonald Lodge) are concession-operated by Xanterra or Aramark and do not participate in chain loyalty. The strongest chain plays are gateway towns: West Yellowstone, Jackson Hole (Hilton, Hyatt), Springdale Utah (Hilton), and Tusayan (Best Western near Grand Canyon).

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

National park trips run heavy on rental cars, gas, and concession lodges that do not take chain points. The Reserve's 8x earn on Chase Travel for booking the in-park lodges (Xanterra and Aramark both list through Chase Travel) and primary rental car coverage do the heavy lifting. Trip delay protection covers weather closures, which happen at Yellowstone and Glacier into June and again in October. The Reserve's points redeem 1.5x through Chase Travel for the concession lodges that have no other point currency.

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If the top pick is not right

Alternative: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

If your trip stages out of gateway towns rather than in-park lodges (Hilton Garden Inn West Yellowstone, Hampton Inn Jackson Hole, Hampton Inn Springdale), the Aspire's Diamond breakfast saves $40 to $60 per day for two on a road trip where breakfasts are otherwise gas station food.

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.

In-park lodge bookings open exactly 13 months in advance and the most desired properties (Old Faithful Inn Yellowstone, Ahwahnee Yosemite, Many Glacier Hotel) sell out within hours. Set a calendar reminder for 13 months out at 7 AM Mountain Time on day one of your target month. Backup plan: gateway town chains and a 5 AM drive-in for sunrise photos.

Questions

Frequently asked.

What is the best credit card for hotels at US national parks?

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Chase Sapphire Reserve from Chase. National park trips run heavy on rental cars, gas, and concession lodges that do not take chain points. Annual fee is $795.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card a better choice for hotels at US national parks?

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If your trip stages out of gateway towns rather than in-park lodges (Hilton Garden Inn West Yellowstone, Hampton Inn Jackson Hole, Hampton Inn Springdale), the Aspire's Diamond breakfast saves $40 to $60 per day for two on a road trip where breakfasts are otherwise gas station food. Annual fee is $550.