Hilton Honors Business Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
This card is a good fit for business owners nearing their 5/24 limit, and anyone looking for a quick infusion of Hilton points and complimentary Gold status. The 130,000 (current special 130,000)-point welcome offer sounds high, but Hilton points generally require more points per night than other hotel programs, so they won't go quite as far. Even so, the combination of a sizable welcome offer, Gold status, and the fact that the card doesn't count against 5/24 can make it an attractive addition to a broader card strategy.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers a 130,000 (current special 130,000)-point welcome offer after spending $6,000 (currently $8,000) in the first six months. We value Hilton points at roughly 0.6¢ each, making the bonus worth about $780.
The card carries a $150 annual fee, which can be partially offset by up to $240 in annual statement credits on purchases made directly with Hilton properties. However, these credits are split into $60 increments each quarter, so if you don't stay at Hilton at least once every quarter, you may need to get creative to fully use them.
Other highlights include:
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (Hilton's second-highest published tier)
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
- Fifth night free benefit when you book an award stay of five or more nights
- 5x points on all purchases, up to $100,000 annually
The 5x points multiplier on all purchases can help you build your Hilton balance faster, while the fact that this card does not count against your 5/24 status makes it an attractive option for business owners.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Here are some reasons this card may not be right for you:
- It doesn’t offer a free night certificate each year.
- The benefits are less valuable if you don’t stay at Hilton properties regularly.
- If you only want the welcome offer, the 5x points benefit isn’t particularly valuable beyond meeting the spending requirement.
- You won’t benefit from Hilton or National Car Rental statuses.
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 Business Credit Card Fits In The Hilton Honors Ecosystem
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the only Hilton business card and will not impact your 5/24 status. If you're comparing it to Hilton's personal cards, the right choice largely depends on how often you stay with Hilton and how much you value elite status.
- Hilton Honors Surpass: Our favorite Hilton card for most travelers. It offers complimentary Gold status, a 130,000-point welcome offer, and a lower $150 annual fee than the premium Aspire.
- Hilton Honors Aspire: The premium option for frequent Hilton guests. It includes complimentary Diamond status, a variety of travel credits, and a 150,000-point welcome offer, though its $550 annual fee is substantially higher.
- Hilton Honors: Hilton's no-annual-fee card. It offers a smaller 80,000-point welcome offer and fewer ongoing benefits, making it more of an entry-level option.
The Business card's biggest differentiator is that it doesn't count against 5/24, making it a useful way to earn Hilton points and Gold status while not impacting your eligibility to get more Chase cards.
Card Information
Differentiating Perks
Card Extras
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Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
Hilton Honors Business Application Rules
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Amex card in 90 days
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
You might not be allowed to get a second card for a separate business (EIN)
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
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
