As a kid, I grew up vacationing in Best Western hotels across the USA. Best Western was my mom’s preferred hotel brand because properties were generally clean and cheap. However, Best Western is not just convenient for USA road trips. The brand has hotels in 100 countries, and I even stayed in a Best Western in Paris on my honeymoon years ago.
Last month, FNBO stopped accepting applications for the Best Western credit cards. This month, a new issuer, First Bank and Trust/Mercury Financial, launched two new versions of Best Western Rewards credit cards (non-affiliate link). Are these worth considering?
Edited to add: If you had the old Best Western credit cards, you may not be eligible for these new cards. See data point below in comments.
Best Western Rewards Cards
The Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card has no annual fee and up to 40,000 bonus points.
- 4X on Best Western purchases
- 2X on all other spending
- 10,000 Anniversary Points
- Gold Elite Status
- No foreign transaction fees
The Best Western Rewards Premium Visa Signature Card has an $89 annual fee and up to 80,000 bonus points.
- 10X on Best Western purchases
- 4X at gas stations and grocery stores
- 2X on all other purchases
- Platinum Elite Status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to two free night anniversary awards (the 2nd free night after spending $10k)
Pros of Best Western Rewards offers
- Points can be used at 4300+ properties across the world
- Redemptions as low as 5000 points
- Cards include cell phone protection, trip delay reimbursement, and trip cancellation/interruption reimburement
- Points never expire
- Points can be transferred to another account that shares the same address
- Cards are relatively easy to get approved for
Cons of Best Western Rewards Offers
- Bonus points and required spending for these offers are variable, and you won’t know your offer until you start filling in your personal info (weird!)
- Cards count towards your Chase 5/24 number (as do all personal credit cards)
- Free nights from the Premium Visa Signature Card can only be redeemed at hotels in the US, Canada and the Caribbean
- Best Western Rewards points are worth only $0.006 each, meaning the highest possible bonus is worth about $480
- Best Western hotels are usually not fancy or upscale
Who Should Apply for These Cards
If you’re brand new to this miles and points hobby, this isn’t the right offer for you. Instead, I recommend starting with cards that offer flexible points that you can transfer to multiple hotels and airlines. Examples include Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards Card (affiliate link).
If you’re looking to collect hotel points, there are other hotels credit cards with better offers right now. Amex Hilton cards have elevated bonuses (see this post), and Marriott and IHG cards both have 5-free night offers (see this post).
However, if you’ve been involved in this miles and points collection hobby for years, you might have a harder time getting approved by some of the more mainstream banks. If so, these Best Western Rewards cards could be a good option for you. In fact, Leana has a stash of Best Western Rewards points from previous credit card signups.
As for me, even though I recently was denied for a new Chase credit card, I don’t plan on applying for either of these Best Western Rewards cards. I’m focused on collecting flexible points and airline miles for my family of 5 to travel internationally.
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I called FNBO and asked them about upcoming closure to my account ( when my anniversary date comes in December and I receive my bonus points). The person I spoke to madecit seem as if my account was not going to be closed and that I would receive my annual fee and continue on with FNBO. Did I just reach someone who had no clue? Should I contact First Bank now and tell them I have no interest in the new card? also if I wait 2 years is this a card you can reapply to for the sign up bonus points?
The only reason Best Western holds any interest at all for me is for use in smaller European cities where there are no larger chains. Unfortunately the credit card free nights don’t apply for those so I’m seeing very limited utility. Hard pass.
@Christian I’m passing on it, too. My family is mostly using condo rentals when we travel with all of us. That may change when my kids get older.
Definitely decent cards to consider if one is interested in road trips. I’m hoping to burn my points on Best Western properties near Grand Canyon and Yosemite parks for 2026. Fingers crossed they will not devalue for another 8 months.
Btw, I checked and neither me or my husband were eligible to apply. I’m thinking the system knows that we had these cards with the previous issuer.
@Leana Thanks for the data point. I added it to the post.
A niche card product but takes up space in CC portfolio.
There are also recent decent offers from Cardeless for Qatar Avios (50K/70K) and Avianca LifeMiles (60K) – another non-mainstream issuer to consider.
@Aleks I have one Cardless card (TAP Air Portugal), but Cardless still only allows one credit card max. If that ever changes, I’d consider a Qatar card.
“Bonus points and required spending for these offers are variable, and you won’t know your offer until you start filling in your personal info (weird!)”
That has to be the dumbest sign up policy I’ve ever heard!
As for not having upscale properties, that’s pretty accurate, but I have to say Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel is superb. Lodging options in the area are limited and this is by far the nicest, so it’s pricey. But, rooms are large, can easily accommodate a larger family, and the free breakfast is hot, fresh, and full of variety. “Only” 4 out of 5 stars on trip advisor, but that’s because people get it confused with the other Best Western across the street that isn’t nearly as nice and write a review for the wrong hotel.
@projectx Yes, I agree. I’m not sure how they determine who gets the highest signup points. Glad you had a good stay at the location near Bryce Canyon. I visited Bryce Canyon years ago, it’s so unique!
I have Best Western Diamond Select status. It has meant nothing for me in terms of upgrades this year. And even with the Diamond Select bonus points, welcome amenity points and double points promo currently running, the rate of earning free nights from stays at the hotels is poor.
@GUWonder Thanks for the feedback.