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Hilton Honors Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Hilton Honors Apply Now

The Hilton Honors Amex card can serve as a no-annual-fee introduction if you prefer Hilton, although it offers limited perks beyond spending multipliers and a loyalty tier.

Hilton Honors Apply Now

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 current sign-up bonus is 80,000 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-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.
Hilton Honors

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 2:1 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.

Card Information

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
70,000 $2,000 0.6 ¢ $0 $0
$432
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
Hilton Stays & Perks 6x Points restaurants, supermarkets and gas. Complimentary Silver Status. Amex 4 Credit , Amex 3/90 , No 5/24 , Amex 1/10

AWARD SYSTEM

Hilton Honors

BANK

American Express

Reconsideration Phone 800.528.4800

SPECIAL OFFER

70,000 points for
$2,000 spend.

Spend Categories

All Other = »

3X points
1.8¢ Per Dollar Spent

Gas Stations = »

5X points
3¢ Per Dollar Spent

Grocery Stores = »

5X points
3¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels - »

7X points
4.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

Restaurants = »

5X points
3¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

Car Rental Insurance »
Using this card gives you secondary car rental insurance coverage up to $50,000 in collision damage and theft per incident.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Hotel Perks »
Automatic Silver status includes: free WiFi, late checkout, 2 water bottles per stay & 5th night free on reward stays.
Purchase Protection »
You're protected for up to 90 days, $1,000 per occurrence, and $50,000 per calendar year.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes

Transfer To Friends Yes

Travel Partner Transfers

Outside Point System Hilton Honors

Transfers In From
Point Transfer Options
Amex Member Rewards

1:2 86% value retained

Hilton Honors Application Rules

Amex will decline your application if you already have 4 credit cards (not charge) and apply for a fifth

You'll be declined if you apply for a fourth Amex card in 90 days

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

Amex allows only 1 bonus per specific card per lifetime (yours or that version of the card)

Best for Series

Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:

Breaking Points

February 28, 2025
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors is offering 70,000 points + 1 free night after spending $2000 in 3months with a $0 annual fee.. That's up 1 free night over their standard offer of 80,000 after spending $1000 in 3 months. Offer expires 4/29/25.

March 5, 2024
American Express
Mini Points - March 2024

- Amex Bonvoy Brilliant - Earn 185,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $650 annual fee.

- Amex Bonvoy Bevy - Earn 155,000 points after spending $5000 in 6 months, $250 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors Surpass - Earn 155,000 points after spending $3000 in 6 months, $150 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors Aspire - Earn 175,000 points after spending $6000 in 6 months, $550 annual fee.

- Amex Hilton Honors - Earn 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $0 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Earner - 75,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $0 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Earner + - 100,000 points after spending $2000 in 6 months, $75 annual fee.

- Wyndham Rewards Business - 50,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months + 50,000 points after spending $15,000 in 12 months, $95 annual fee.

October 23, 2023
American Express
Mini Points - October 2023

Here are the most recent Limited Time Offers on Cards that are NOT Chase Cards:

- AAdvantage Citi Business Card - 75,000 AA miles after spending $6000 in 6 months $0 annual fee for the first year.

- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card - 170,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $3000 in the first 6 months, $150 annual fee.

- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - 180,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $6000 in the first 6 months, $550 annual fee.

- Hilton Honors American Express Card - 100,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $2000 in the first 6 months, No annual fee.

May 15, 2023
American Express
Mini Points - May 2023

- Amex - Hilton Honors Business card - Limited time offer - 150,000 points + Free Night after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Amex - Hilton Honors Surpass card - Limited time offer - 130,000 points + Free Night after spending $2000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Amex -Hilton Honors card - Limited time offer - 70,000 points + Free Night after spending $1000 in 3 months, $0 Annual fee.

- Barclays - Wyndham Earner Business card - Up to 75,000 points after spending $3000 in 3 months & another $10,000 in 12 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Barclays - Wyndham Earner Plus card - 75,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months, $75 Annual fee.

- Barclays - Wyndham Earner card - 45,000 points after spending $1000 in 3 months, $0 Annual fee.