Lisa Gerstner
About the Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards 2025
The Kiplinger Readers’ Choice Awards aim to recognize and celebrate the best products and services in the personal finance arena. We asked you, our Kiplinger community, to help us name the products and services you think have delivered excellent value in the past year.
The survey results, which we’re sharing here in our second annual Readers’ Choice Awards, offer valuable insight into which providers shine when it comes to your everyday interactions and experiences with them. Our Awards recognize excellence in everything from credit cards, banks and brokers to insurers, tax software and financial apps. For each category, we’ve listed an overall winner that earned the highest score. We’ve also highlighted other products and services that earned above-average scores for various criteria we asked readers to assess.
By voting, our community has helped us form our guide to the very best financial products. These are the products and companies that you think stand out from the crowd.
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards: Hotel Credit Card Rewards Programs
As with airline card programs, hotel credit card programs reward you for being loyal to a particular hotel chain. The more you stay, the more perks you can receive, such as free nights, upgraded rooms, late checkouts and more.
These hotel credit card programs earned top marks from our readers, who rated the programs on the strength of customer service, the likelihood they’d recommend the program to others, and overall satisfaction.
OVERALL WINNER: Marriott Bonvoy cards
Outstanding for:
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- Customer service
- Most recommended
- Overall satisfaction
Marriott’s program features four credit cards. Two are issued by Chase Bank and two by American Express.
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card ($95, see rates and fees)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card ($0, see rates and fees)
- The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card ($250, see rates and fees )
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card($695 fee, see rates and fees)
One reader commends the program for offering quick and easy point redemptions. “The points are usable at any hotel almost immediately for an available room on the same day. Very, very flexible.” You can also transfer points to the frequent flier programs of 39 airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest and United.
The cards offer extra points when you stay at Marriott properties. And all but the Bold card come with a free night award each year, either after your account anniversary or after you spend a certain amount on the card.
World of Hyatt Credit Card
Outstanding for:
- Most recommended
Issued by Chase, the World of Hyatt card ($95) provides nine points per dollar spent on Hyatt stays, two points per dollar on travel and dining purchases, and one point per dollar on other spending.
Each year on your cardmember anniversary, you get a free night at an eligible Hyatt hotel or resort, and you can earn an extra free night by charging at least $15,000 annually on the card. Plus, cardholders get complimentary Wi-Fi and late checkout of 2 p.m. (when available) during Hyatt stays.
Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards Categories
- Readers' Choice Full-Service Brokers
- Readers' Choice Wealth Management
- Readers' Choice Cash Back Credit Cards
- Readers' Choice Travel Rewards Credit Cards
- Readers' Choice Airline Credit Card Rewards Programs
- Readers' Choice National Banks
- Readers' Choice Internet Banks
- Readers' Choice Auto Insurance Companies
- Readers' Choice Homeowners Insurance Companies
- Readers' Choice Annuity Providers
- Readers' Choice Tax Software
- Readers' Choice Peer-to-Peer Payment Services
-
Buying Gold as an Investment: What to Watch ForGold is seen as a safe haven, but every investment method carries trade-offs. Here’s how to decide which is right for you.
-
Think You Know How 2025 Tax Brackets Work? Take Our QuizQuiz Test your knowledge of IRS rules that impact how much money you keep in your wallet.
-
Buying Gold as an Investment: What to Watch For
Gold is seen as a safe haven, but every investment method carries trade-offs. Here’s how to decide which is right for you.
-
How to Cancel Amazon Prime (Even If It Looks Like You Can't)Tired of Amazon Prime? Canceling it might not be as straightforward as you think. Here's what you need to know.
-
Is Lifestyle Creep Hurting Your Retirement?Are you spending a lot on non-essentials that once felt like luxuries but now seem normal? You might be experiencing lifestyle creep. Here's how to stop it in its tracks.
-
I Have $150,000 That I Don’t Need Anytime Soon, but I Don’t Want To Put It in the Market. What Should I Do?My strategy offers a guaranteed return that can earn you thousands effortlessly.
-
A Nasty Surprise Awaits Snowbirds: Thousands in Unexpected BillsBefore leaving your home for the winter, remember to do this one thing, or else you might face an expensive repair bill upon return.
-
I'm a CFP: Here's What You Should Do if Your Financial Adviser's Firm Gets AcquiredYou've had the same financial adviser for a long time, but things are changing. Now what? Stay the course, or jump ship? Five questions could help you decide.
-
ABLE Accounts: A Special Needs Consultant Breaks Down Common MythsABLE accounts help thousands of people with disabilities, but misconceptions still prevent eligible families from applying. Here, a financial professional separates fact from fiction.
-
How to Navigate Your Finances After Losing Your Spouse: Thoughts From a Financial PlannerIt's important you get involved in financial planning now so you're prepared and confident to make decisions when you potentially become your own financial manager.
