The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an entry-level card featuring 7 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus 5 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
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- 7X Points at Hilton Hotels and Resorts
- 5X Points at U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Supermarkets, and U.S. Gas Stations
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status
- No Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
Welcome Bonus
The Hilton Honors Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
To be eligible for the welcome bonus, you must not currently have this specific Hilton Honors American Express Card or have had it in the past. However, if you’ve held other Hilton co-branded cards previously, you can still qualify for this offer.
Earning Points
The Hilton Honors Amex earns Hilton Honors points at the following rate:
The Hilton Honors Amex offers decent bonus earning rates on Hilton stays and everyday categories like dining, gas, and groceries. However, given Hilton’s lower point value, the base earning rate of 3x on general purchases is quite low compared to other travel cards.
While the 7x rate on Hilton stays is attractive, some hotel cards offer even higher earning potential on brand-specific purchases.
No Annual Fee
The Hilton Honors Amex has no annual fee (rates & fees), making it an attractive option for those looking to earn Hilton points without additional costs. While it may not provide as many perks as premium cards, it serves as a solid entry-level option for Hilton loyalists or those new to hotel rewards programs.
Hilton Honors Card Benefits
The Hilton Honors Amex offers the following benefits:
Hilton Silver Status: Cardmembers earn Hilton Silver elite status, which has limited perks of a 15% points bonus on Hilton stays, two complimentary bottles of water per stay, and a fifth night free on award stays.
Path to Hilton Gold Status: If you spend $20,000 in a calendar year, you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Gold elite status.
Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
*90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Redeeming Hilton Honors Points
Hilton Honors points offer flexibility and value for travelers, with over 7,500 properties worldwide available for redemption. While the program uses dynamic pricing instead of a fixed award chart, members can still find excellent deals, especially during peak travel periods. The best way to use Hilton points is typically for hotel stays, where we found during our data study that you should get, on average, about 0.51 cents per point in value. To maximize your redemptions, search for properties within your point budget during your desired travel dates. Elite members benefit from a fifth night free on award stays, stretching points even further. For those short on points, the Points & Money option allows for customizable combinations of cash and points. Hilton also offers premium room awards, letting you book suites or rooms with better amenities using points. This can be particularly useful for families or those desiring extra space. Beyond hotel stays, Hilton points can be redeemed for unique experiences through Hilton Honors Experiences, including exclusive events and activities. While other redemption options exist, such as transferring to airlines, using points for Amazon purchases, or booking car rentals, these typically offer lower value. Focus on hotel stays and experiences to get the most from your Hilton Honors points. With strategic planning, you can turn your points into memorable stays at properties ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury resorts worldwide.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this card:
Pros:
No Annual Fee: This card offers Hilton Honors rewards and benefits without charging an annual fee, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Bonus Points on Hilton Stays: Cardholders earn 7x points on Hilton purchases, providing a good return for loyal Hilton customers.
Complimentary Silver Status: The card automatically grants Hilton Honors Silver status, offering perks like bonus points on stays and a fifth night free on award bookings.
Cons:
Limited Elite Status: While Silver status is included, it offers minimal benefits compared to higher tier statuses available with other Hilton cards.
Lower Earning Rates: The card’s earning rates, particularly on non-Hilton purchases, are lower compared to premium Hilton cards or general travel rewards cards.
Fewer Premium Benefits: Unlike higher-tier Hilton cards, this one lacks perks like free night certificates or substantial travel credits.
Dynamic Award Pricing: Hilton’s lack of a fixed award chart means point values can fluctuate, potentially reducing the value of points earned with this card.
Alternatives to the Hilton Honors Amex
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (review) offers nice rewards at Hilton properties while providing automatic Gold status that includes valuable perks like room upgrades and breakfast benefits. This mid-tier Hilton card hits a sweet spot for occasional Hilton guests who want elite perks without premium card costs. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 12x points on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio; 6x points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations; 4x Points on U.S. Online Retail Purchases; 3x points for all other eligible purchases. Main Benefits: Hilton Gold elite status, up to $200 Hilton credit (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a Hilton property), free night award after eligible spending of $15,000 in a calendar year, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (review) is one of the most popular travel rewards cards because it offers nice welcome bonus and extra points on travel and dining, which can be transferred to airline and hotel partners or redeemed directly for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel℠. The Sapphire Preferred also offers great travel and purchase protections for a card with a $95 annual fee. Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Earning Rewards: 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2x points on all other travel purchases, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Ability to transfer to airline and hotel partners, 25% bonus when redeeming points through Chase Travel, $50 annual hotel stay credit via Chase Travel, 10% anniversary points bonus, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
Is the Hilton Honors Card Worth It?
The Hilton Honors Amex offers a decent entry point for occasional Hilton guests, but has limitations for more frequent travelers.
For those staying at Hilton properties several times a year, the higher-tier Hilton cards indeed provide better value. These premium options typically offer automatic Gold or Diamond status, higher earning rates, and valuable perks like free night certificates or resort credits.
While the no-annual-fee card is suitable for beginners or very infrequent Hilton guests, regular Hilton travelers likely find the added benefits of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (review) or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (review) outweigh their annual fees.
Learn How to Apply: Hilton Honors American Express Card.
- bonus_miles_full
- 7X Points at Hilton Hotels and Resorts
- 5X Points at U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Supermarkets, and U.S. Gas Stations
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status
- No Annual Fee (Rates and Fees)
