Hilton Honors American Express Card Overview
This Hilton honors the American Express Card Hilton’s no-annual-fee (see Rates and Fees) entry-level cobranded product. Featuring bonus points on qualifying Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, the card is a solid option for new card members loyal to the hotel chain or those looking to avoid annual fees (conditions apply). However, other travel cards offer greater points flexibility and greater benefits. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card ratings are based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and are not influenced by the card issuer.
The Hilton Honors program covers more than 8,000 locations in more than 120 countries, providing ample opportunities to earn and redeem points.
If you’re a beginner looking for a card with some Hilton benefits, you might want to check it out Hilton honors the American Express Card. It has no annual fee and comes with generous category bonuses and travel and purchase protection (conditions apply), making it a great option for travelers looking to get started with Hilton Honors.
You’ll generally need a good credit score of 670 or higher to have a realistic chance of being approved.
Here’s everything you need to decide if a card is right for your wallet.
Hilton respects the pros and cons of Amex
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Hilton Honors Amex Welcome Offer
New Amex Hilton Honors Card members can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends on January 8, 2025.
According to TPG’s September 2024 valuation, Hilton points are worth 0.6 cents, meaning the welcome offer is worth $600.
The highest offer we’ve seen in the past was 130,000 bonus points, but you had to spend $5,000 within six months of cardmembership to receive that offer. (The offer is no longer available.) Considering it’s only 30,000 extra points for an additional $3,000 spent, I’d say the current welcome offer is the better of the two.
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Hilton Honors Amex Benefits
This Hilton Honors Amex Offers some significant benefits and perks apart from the welcome offer. Given that this card has no annual fee, I can’t fault it for being perk-thin.
Here’s an overview of what this card offers (registration required for select benefits; conditions apply):
- Elite status: Cardmembers automatically earn Hilton Honors Silver Elite status, which offers member discounts, 20% points bonus on paid stays, elite rollover nights, fifth night free on award stays and more. You can upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status if you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year. It’s worth pointing out that other Hilton credit cards automatically offer Gold status, meaning spending $20,000 to get there isn’t a good price.
- Entertainment: Through the American Express Experience program, you can get exclusive access to ticket presales and card-member-only events, as well as Broadway shows, concert tours, sporting events and more.
- Shoprunner: Free two-day shipping on eligible items at a network of over 100 online stores after signing up at shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
- Extended Warranty*: The card comes with an extended warranty that adds up to one year to the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less.
- Purchase Security*: Purchase protection covers items that are accidentally damaged, stolen or lost if you paid for them with your card. This benefit covers purchases for up to 90 days and covers up to $1,000 per item – up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Car Rental Insurance**: When you use the card to reserve and pay for a car rental and decline the rental company’s insurance, you get up to $50,000 in loss and theft protection. This benefit is secondary coverage to your own auto insurance and does not include liability.
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all types of vehicles or rentals are covered and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage provided by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Earn points on Hilton Honors Amex
with Hilton Honors AmexYou’ll earn 7 Hilton Honors Points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts (including paying for your room and on-site spending at restaurants and spas), 5 points per dollar spent at US restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 5. Points per dollar at US gas stations and US supermarkets and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Given TPG’s September 2024 Hilton point valuation of 0.6 cents, you’d earn a 4.2% base return on Hilton hotels — though you’d get an additional 12 points per dollar from your Hilton Honors Silver Elite status, bringing your return to 11.4. %.
Plus, you’ll earn 3% back on spending at US grocery stores, US gas stations and US restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and 1.8% back on all other eligible purchases.
If you’re looking for high-earning opportunities that cover a wide range of travel purchases, including flights and rental cars, you won’t find it with this card.
RELATED: Which Credit Card Should You Use for a Hilton Stay?
Redeeming Points on Hilton Honors Amex
You’ll get the best value for your Hilton Points on hotel and resort stays, even with chains Lack of published award charts. The number of points you need for a hotel room fluctuates, so you won’t know the final price until you go to make the reservation.
This Points Explorer Tool Can show you what other guests have paid recently, giving you an idea of how much a given award ticket might cost.
You can also transfer your Hilton Honors points to more than 25 global airline loyalty programs. I don’t recommend this method unless you need to transfer Honors points to top off an airline account for a specific award. Transfer ratios are usually terrible, costing you thousands of points for the small return of airline miles.
My advice? Stick to hotel room redemptions to get the best value for your rewards.
You can do even better when you redeem points for stays of five nights or more. That’s because your Hilton Silver status gets you a fifth night free on stays using points.
TPG Director of Travel Content Eric Rosen recently used a fifth-night-free benefit to maximize the value of his points for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Thanks to this feature, he was able to save 120,000 Hilton points.
RELATED: Hilton adds more than 100 more hotels thanks to Small Luxury Hotels of the World partnership
Which cards compete with Hilton Honors Amex?
This Hilton Honors Amex Cards with “Hilton” in their names have obvious competitors, but a typical travel rewards credit card might work better for your wallet. Here are some options you should consider:
- If you like Hilton but want more benefits: This Hilton honors the American Express Surpass® Card Hilton hotels earn up to 12 points per dollar, offer automatic Gold status, and you can earn a free night award with $15,000 in purchases in a calendar year. You’ll also get up to $200 in statement credits on Hilton purchases each calendar year (up to $50 per quarter), and the card has a $150 lower annual fee (see Rates and Fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Hilton Surpass Card.
- If you want flexible rewards: This Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Earn 5 miles per dollar on all hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Cardholders will earn a flat 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. These miles can be transferred to Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners for maximum value. To learn more, check out our full review of Capital One Venture Rewards.
- If you want a hotel card without an annual fee, regardless of brand: If you want a hotel credit card without an annual fee and not affiliated with Hilton, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is an option. You can earn 3 points per dollar spent at Marriott Bonvoy properties. You will also receive travel and purchase protection in addition to Silver Elite status. To learn more, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card.
For additional options, see our list of the best hotel credit cards and American Express cards.
Related: Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards
Is the Hilton Honors Amex worth it?
you can guess Amex Hilton Honors Card Basically it is worth it because it has no annual fee. However, it depends on what you are looking for. I think you’ll love this card if entry-level elite status and reasonable earning categories are enough for you. If you’re looking for flexible rewards or more Hilton benefits, I recommend going for a mid-tier Hilton card or a general travel rewards card.
The bottom line
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good starter card for those looking to get the most out of Hilton’s loyalty program without paying an annual fee. It may not be the ideal card for everyone, but it may be the right card for you if that’s what you’re looking for.
Apply here: Hilton honors the American Express Card
Related: How to Choose the Best Credit Card for You
For Hilton Honors Amex Card rates and fees, click here.
For Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card rates and fees, click here.