Hilton Honors Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
The Hilton Honors Amex card can be a great entry point into the points and miles world if you prefer Hilton and want a credit card with no annual fee. However, it offers few benefits beyond spending multipliers and Hilton Silver status. Its regular sign-up bonus is 80,000 (current special 70,000) points, significantly lower than the 130,000 sign-up bonus on the mid-tier Hilton Surpass card. If you won’t use the Surpass benefits after the first year, it might be worth paying the Surpass’s $150 annual fee for the higher sign-up bonus, then downgrading later to this no annual fee Hilton Honors card.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
This is the only personal Hilton-branded card with no annual fee, which makes it especially appealing if you’re just starting out. You can earn a 80,000 (current special 70,000)-point sign-up bonus after spending $2,000 (currently $2,000) within six months, which is enough for a few free nights. The card provides 7x points on Hilton purchases, 5x on restaurants and supermarkets, and 3x on everything else; however, unless you plan to put significant spending on this card, you may be better off pursuing the sign-up bonus on a different card.
You’ll also receive complimentary Hilton Silver status plus travel insurance and purchase protections, but these perks are relatively limited.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:
- You want more generous Hilton benefits and don’t mind paying an annual fee to get them.
What to Know About Hilton Honors
Quality hotels but points go fast with high per night point cost.
- Amex’s one-card-per-lifetime rule makes it difficult to accrue Hilton points using Hilton cards exclusively.
- Hilton is part of the Amex partner reward system and at 1:2 is a decent transfer value.
- Hilton has high quality hotels and excellent coverage both in the US and internationally.
- We recommend this system as more of a filler. Either as a specific destination or an upscale IHG when no Hyatt stays are available.
How The Hilton Honors Credit Card Fits In The Hilton Honors Ecosystem
The Hilton Honors Amex card is a solid introductory choice because it doesn’t come with an annual fee.
- The Hilton Honors Surpass card has a $150 annual fee but offers stronger benefits and a higher 130,000-point sign-up bonus.
- The Hilton Aspire card stands at the top with 150,000 points and robust perks, although its $550 annual fee makes it ideal only for those who stay at Hilton properties three to four times a year.
- The Hilton Honors Amex Business card, with a $195 annual fee and a 150,000 point welcome offer, delivers benefits similar to the Surpass and can be an attractive alternative if you need to manage your 5/24 status.
My Experience, No Filter
I normally go for IHG cards because you can find so many hotels that cost very few points per night, but the flip side is that sometimes you end up with a pretty sketchy hotel room. With Hilton, you’re almost always getting class. With no annual fee and a nice sign up bonus, those were good reasons to grab this card, but what really sold me was the free night certificate.
The certificate can be used at any Hilton hotel as long as you book a “standard room reward.” When I stayed at an almost $1,000-per-night luxury hotel in Santa Monica and didn’t pay anything out of pocket, I almost felt like I was somehow cheating.
My advice is to get this card if they are offering the free night reward. It does need to be used within a year, but it’s a great way to enjoy a night of luxury.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Potential Boosts
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Hilton Honors Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
Amex will decline your application if you already have 5 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a sixth
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card every 7 years (yours or that version of the card)
After you apply, Amex may show a pop-up saying you're ineligible for the welcome bonus
