Best Western Credit Cards

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has a global network of 4,200 hotels, with locations in over 100 countries and territories, making it a reliable choice for domestic and international travelers. Though the brand struggled to compete in the last decade, it’s now growing in popularity. This in part due to property upgrades as well as the addition of the Best Western Rewards (BWR) loyalty program and the Status Match…No Catch program.

Best Western loyalists might take an interest in the major perks that come with its branded credit cards. And the Status Match…No Catch program allows users to match their elite status in other loyalty programs. Here’s a closer look at what the credit cards and rewards program have to offer.

Best Western Credit Cards

Best Western Rewards Mastercard

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on FirstBank’s secure website

Best Western Rewards Mastercard

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 20.99% – 24.99%
• Benefits: 13 points per $1 spent on Best Western stays, 2 points per $1 spent elsewhere
• Category: Hotel Card

The first tier in the Best Western credit card family is the Best Western Rewards Mastercard. New cardholders can take advantage of the introductory offer, which includes up to two free stays, made possible by the opportunity to earn 32,000 bonus points (16,000 points after your first purchase and 16,000 after your first stay.) Cardholders also earn 13 points per dollar spent on Best Western stays and 2 points per dollar on everything else.

The Best Western Rewards Mastercard, which carries a 20.49% or 24.49% APR and no annual or transaction fees, also entitles users to a 10 percent discount on stays when booking through their rewards site.

Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard

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on FirstBank’s secure website

Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard

• Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, $59 after
• APR: 18.99% – 24.99%
• Benefits: 20 points per $1 spent on Best Western stays, 2 points per $1 spent elsewhere
• Category: Hotel Card

The next tier of the Best Western credit card family is the Best Western Rewards Premium, and new cardmembers can receive up to four free nights, received after earning 70,000 bonus points—that’s 50,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three billing cycles and an additional 20,000 anniversary bonus if you spend $5,000 within 12 billing cycles. In addition to bonus points, cardholders can earn 20 points per dollar on Best Western stays and 2 points per dollar on everything else.

The Best Western Rewards Premium card will earn holders automatic Platinum Elite Status and a 10 percent discount when booking through the Best Western discount site. The card comes with an 18.49% to 24.49% APR and no foreign transaction fees, though unlike the Best Western Rewards card, the Rewards Premium card comes with a $59 annual fee that’s waived for the first year.

Taking Advantage of the Status Match…No Catch Promotion

If you already have elite status in another loyalty program and are considering a Best Western credit card, then applying for the Status Match…No Catch program might be a no-brainer. It’s an easy way to increase your point rewards with minimal effort.

Best Western Elite members can earn hefty bonus point increases, with Gold members earning a 10 percent point bonus, Platinum members earning a 15 percent point bonus, Diamond members earning a 30 percent point bonus, and Diamond Select members earning a full 50 percent point bonus.

To sign up for the program, complete the Status Match…No Catch form, which will require you to provide your Best Western Rewards member name and account number as well as the competitor’s loyalty program and your elite level. Then email, fax, or send in the form along with a copy of the most current statement from the competitor’s loyalty program or a copy of your current competitor rewards card.

Benefits for Best Western Rewards Members

If you stay at or plan to stay at Best Western properties and you can maximize your points earned by matching your elite status through the Status Match…No Catch program, then you can really increase your earning power. Points earned through the BWR program do not expire, and there is no limit on how many points you can earn.

With significant point rewards for Best Western stays, if you’re frequently traveling and staying at brand properties, then the card can provide value. But to receive the best value, you’ll likely want to consider the Best Western Rewards Premium card.

Of course, the addition of the Status Match…No Catch program can also leverage your existing membership status with other brands, providing a slew of perks right off the bat.

The Downside and What to Watch Out For

That said, while the cards do offer competitive rewards for property stays, they aren’t as competitive as some other rewards programs. While some of the top travel rewards programs offer a point value around 1 cent per point, Best Western’s is typically lower. On average, the value for hotels booked through Best Western is .7 cents per dollar, though it can be lower, particularly if you’re looking to use your rewards for gift cards (.4 cents per dollar) or airline travel (5:1 mile ratio).

If you really enjoy staying at Best Western properties or if you want to maximize your elite status earned through other rewards programs, you may find the Best Western Rewards Premium card worth your while. However, with more competitive rewards programs available, many of which have better redeem rates and options, these cards simply don’t replace some of the top-earning rewards credit cards out there today.