Best Western Rewards® MasterCard® review

How to apply for the Best Western Rewards® MasterCard®

1. Go to the First Bankcard website and click Apply now.
2. Complete the application with details like your name, address, annual income and Social Security number.
3. Review and submit your application.

The perks

• Annual fee: None.

  Start earning accelerated rewards on Best Western stays for no annual fee.

• Signup bonus: Up to 32,000 bonus points.

  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.

• Rewards: More points on Best Western stays.

  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.

• Automatic Gold Elite status.

  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.

• Discounts on select Best Western bookings.

  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.

You’ll also like …

• No foreign transaction fees.

  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.

• Travel benefits.

  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.

• Purchase benefits.

  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.

What to watch out for

• High APR.

  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.

Compare hotel credit cards

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card		150,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus $150 after making a purchase in the first 3 months	12x points on Hilton Portfolio spending, 6x at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations, 3x on all other purchases	$95		With a big welcome offer worth up to $750, up to 12x points on spending, and free Gold status, this is an upgrade from the entry Hilton card. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Hilton Honors American Express Card		100,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 after your first purchase in the first 3 months	7x points on Hilton Honors purchases, 5x at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations, 3x on all other purchases	$0		With a massive welcome offer for a no-annual-fee card and up to 7x points at Hilton, this is a solid pick for Hilton fans and occasional travelers. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Reserve®		50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases	$550		Get a generous $300 in annual travel credits, 3x points on travel and dining, and a 50% bonus on point redemptions with Chase's premier card.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What should I know before I apply?

To apply for the Best Western Rewards® MasterCard®, you must be at least 18 years old.

Information you’ll need

• Your full name and contact information.
• Your residential status.
• Your annual income, source of income and employment information.
• Your Social Security number.

What credit score do I need?

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:

• Hard pulls on your credit report. If you have several hard inquiries on your report, it could imply you’re having trouble managing your debt. Creditors that think you’re desperate for credit may be less likely to approve you for more credit.
• Factors that tie into your credit score. Banks prefer a low credit utilization when considering your for a credit card. That means a low balance relative to your credit limit. Many new card accounts are also a red flag, indicating that you’re desperate for credit or just hunting for signup bonuses.

Best Western Rewards® MasterCard® vs. Best Western Rewards Premium Mastercard

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.