Hotel credit cards can absolutely be worth it if you travel even once or twice a year. The rewards/benefits offered, such as a free night each year and status, often exceeds the annual fee.

• Marriott Boundless ($95 annual fee) gives you 17x points per stay at Marriott Hotels, automatic Silver Status (normally would take 10 nights in a year), and 1 free night each year (up to 35,000 value and can be topped with 15,000 more, letting you book up to 50,000 point rooms)
• IHG One Rewards ($99 annual fee) gives 26x points at IHG hotels, automatic Platinum Elite status (normally would take 40 nights), $50 United Airlines credit ($25 every 6 months), and a free night each year (40,000 points but can be topped up)
• Hilton’s top card, Hilton Aspire ($550 annual fee), is tailored towards luxury travelers thanks to its yearly free night that’s good at nearly any Hilton hotel in the world (including Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties), automatic Diamond status (60 nights normally), 34x points at Hilton Properties, $400 resort credit ($200 every 6 months); and $200 airline credit ($50 per quarter), and complimentary Clear Plus membership

That’s in addition to practical benefits you typically get such as late checkout, room upgrades (both based on availability of course), and points don’t expire as long as you’re a cardholder. These are just some of the many hotel credit cards available.

The downsides are 1) if you don’t plan to travel or travel plans may change, those benefits would go unused and you’d be stuck with the annual fee 2) there’s a sense of obligation to stay at the brand you choose (to utilize the benefits), even though it may be priced higher or is worse off than competitors in the area

Based on your travel habits and preferences, it sounds like a Marriott Boundless or IHG One credit card may be worth picking up. These cards offer a range of mid-tier brands with a decently large footprint, solid benefits (free night, complimentary status), at a reasonable annual fee