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16,000
Points as welcome offer
Up to 13x
Points
$0
Annual fee
18.74% to 22.74%
Purchase APR (variable)
Annual fee | $0 |
---|---|
Welcome Offer | 16,000 points after your first purchase and 16,000 points on your first stay |
Rewards | 13x points at Best Western (using your card as a member) and 2x points on everything else |
Purchase APR | 18.74% to 22.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | 18.74% to 22.74% variable |
Recommended minimum credit score | 670 |
Issuer | Mastercard |
Review by
Kevin Joey Chen is a credit cards, banking and investments writer whose work and analysis have appeared on CNN, U.S. News & World Report, Business.com, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com. He's passionate about helping you get your finances in order by expertly navigating cutting-edge financial tools — including credit cards, apps and budgeting software.
The Best Western Rewards® MasterCard® isn’t for everyone, but it’s a strong choice for two types of travelers.
If you’re a frequent Best Western customer, you’ll like generating as many points as you can. You’ll maximize your rewards with this card, and you can quickly rack up free nights through consistent stays.
You might also like this card if you travel infrequently but are certain you’ll stay with Best Western on your next vacation. On top of accelerated rewards for Best Western purchases, the card offers more than the industry standard 1x points on non-Best Western purchases, so you can still accumulate significant rewards from everyday spending.
Start earning accelerated rewards on Best Western stays for no annual fee.
Earn 16,000 points after your first purchase, and another 16,000 points on your first Best Western stay.
This is a solid bonus. It’s typically good for two free nights, as the average stay costs 16,000 points. And it could be worth more, as you’ll find free Best Western nights as low as 8,000 points.
Free membership with Best Western Rewards® earns you 13x points when you use your card for Best Western stays. Nonmembers earn only 3x points on Best Western stays.
Earn 2x points on all other purchases.
As a frequent Best Western customer, you’ll like the healthy point boost the card offers. Even if you don’t stay at the hotel chain often, 2x points is a decent rate.
Jump to Gold status in the Best Western Rewards program. Typically, you’d need 10 nights, 7 qualifying stays or 10,000 points to qualify for this tier. Gold comes with enhanced perks like extra points or a thank-you gift upon arrival, early check-in, late checkout and a 10% points bonus per stay.
Receive a 10% discount when you book an eligible room at the Best Western Rewards Rate. If you’re a Best Western regular, these savings can add up.
Pay no transaction fees when you use your card abroad or at a foreign website. This is usually a 3% fee, and it can add up if you use your card often.
Receive travel accident insurance when you use your card to purchase travel fare. Also receive auto rental insurance when you pay for your rental with your card. It’s a solid pair of benefits for a no-annual-fee travel card.
Receive purchase protection on eligible items you buy with your card. For 90 days after the purchase date, you’ll receive up to $1,000 for an eligible claim. And you’ll receive extended warranties for a maximum of one additional year on eligible items.
Your purchase and balance transfer APR will be 18.74% or 22.74% variable. That’s a high rate considering the average credit card APR is 16%. It’s a good idea to pay off your balance on your Best Western Rewards® MasterCard® each month.
To apply for the Best Western Rewards® MasterCard®, you must be at least 18 years old.
You’ll have a better chance of being approved for this card if you apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
Here are a few other factors that might affect your odds of approval:
When comparing these two Best Western credit cards, consider several factors including the annual fee and the rewards rate. The premium card offers more reward points, but it charges an annual fee. Weigh in whether you can offset the annual fee with the rewards you earn, or whether the no-annual-fee card makes more sense based on your spending.
As of October 2020, First National Bank of Omaha — First Bankcard’s parent company — receives a 1.8 out of 5 ratings from consumers at BBB. The agency has accredited the bank in 1984 and it rates the bank with a high A+.
Register an account on the First Bankcard website to pay your balance online. You can also enroll in autopay.
After the close of each billing cycle, you have a grace period of at least 21 days to pay your balance. If you do, you won’t pay interest on your purchases.
For each late payment, you’ll incur a fee of up to $39.
If you have questions about your account, call the number on the back of your card. Alternatively, call 888-295-5540 for the general credit card customer service line.
Consider picking up the Best Western Rewards® MasterCard® if you’re a regular Best Western customer or will stay with the chain on occasional trips. With automatic Gold status and booking discounts, the card is most useful if you’re a frequent guest.
If you’re not sure this card is right for you, consider other hotel credit cards.