Best in Class
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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 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 the 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 also earn a 80,000 (current special 70,000)-point sign-up bonus after spending $1,000 within six months — 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 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 an excellent introductory choice because it doesn’t come with an annual fee. Its logical upgrade is the Hilton Honors Surpass card, which costs $150 per year 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. Finally, the Hilton Honors Amex Business card, with a $195 annual fee, 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
Bonus Points
70,000
Minimum Spend
$2,000 / 6mo
Point Value
0.5 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$0
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Hilton Honors Silver Status
7X on Hilton Hotels & Resorts
5X on Gas Stations
5X on U.S. Restaurants
5X on U.S. Grocery Stores
3X on All Purchases
Potential Boosts
A Free Night Reward
Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Average Offer Length
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
3.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.5¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
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
Point Transfer Options
+16 Lower Value Transfers Show
Malaysia Airlines Enrich
Value: 1¢
24% Value Retained
10:1.2
