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Hilton Honors American Express Card Review
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers rich travel rewards, a vast hotel network and unique perks for travelers of all types. Compare this card with other travel cards to determine if it's your top pick.
Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30. Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Casie McCoskey
Content Editor
Casie McCoskey is a professional editor passionate about providing people with accessible information on personal finance. Before MoneyGeek, she worked in the legal field, drafting and editing briefs and motions.
Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30. Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Casie McCoskey
Content Editor
Casie McCoskey is a professional editor passionate about providing people with accessible information on personal finance. Before MoneyGeek, she worked in the legal field, drafting and editing briefs and motions.
Updated: August 25, 2024
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Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a traveler's dream come true. With no annual fee and a generous welcome bonus, it's a financial no-brainer for those frequenting Hilton properties or just seeking exceptional value. Whether dining out stateside or shopping abroad, you'll accumulate points seamlessly without those pesky foreign transaction fees. And here's the kicker — this card instantly boosts you to Hilton's Silver status! Want more perks? Just up your spending game, and Gold status awaits. This card truly embraces both the occasional and the dedicated traveler.
- PROS
- No annual fee See Rates and Fees
- Generous welcome bonus
- High earning rates with Hilton
- No foreign transaction fees See Rates and Fees
- Automatic Hilton Silver status
CONS- Potentially high APR
- High credit requirement
- Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first six months.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases.
- No annual fee See Rates and Fees
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. Spend $20,000 in a calendar year to upgrade to Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- With no foreign transaction fees, you can make purchases abroad without any extra costs. See Rates and Fees
- Terms Apply
- See Rates and Fees
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an excellent tool for casual and frequent travelers. This financially savvy card is free of annual fees and offers a substantial welcome bonus. It generously rewards users for stays at Hilton hotels and everyday expenses like restaurants and gas stations in the U.S., enhancing its utility for all kinds of consumers. It negates foreign transaction fees, proving invaluable for international travel. Cardholders also enjoy an immediate upgrade to Hilton's Silver status, with the potential for Gold, elevating your overall travel experience and giving you access to more perks. It's a card that enriches your travel lifestyle while being kind to your wallet.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Overview
When exploring your credit card options, carefully assessing each card's features will help you make the selection that best fits your preferences. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with the following highlights:
- Rewards Rate: Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S. and 3X Points for all other eligible card purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
- Regular APR: 20.99%–29.99% (variable) See rates and fees
- Annual Fee: $0 See rates and fees
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None See rates and fees
- Intro APR Offer: None
- Terms Apply
- See rates and fees
Consider how this card complements your lifestyle, as these factors can significantly impact your financial habits and benefits.
Important Card Details
With credit cards, each feature represents a unique blend of benefits and considerations tailored to different consumer needs and lifestyles. Our analysis of the Hilton Honors American Express Card delves into its various attributes, assessing how they align with users' diverse requirements and preferences.
Fees
When assessing a credit card, the first thing to look at is the associated costs — and the Hilton Honors American Express Card shines bright in this department. It boasts no annual fee, which means you're not shelling out yearly just to have it in your wallet. Even better? You can take this card on international adventures without fretting over foreign transaction fees. These savings can make a real difference over time, especially if you're a global wanderer. Terms Apply
Rewards
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is like a goldmine for rewards enthusiasts. Right off the bat, a generous bonus of 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Frequent stays at Hilton hotels maximize your benefits, netting you a whopping 7X points per dollar. And it doesn't stop there: restaurants, gas stations, or supermarkets purchases in the U.S. earns you a solid 5X points. For all other eligible purchases? You're still pocketing 3X points. This card ensures every dollar spent is a step closer to your next reward. Terms Apply
Hilton Benefits
American Express richly rewards loyalty with this card. From the get-go, cardholders enjoy the privileges of Hilton Honors Silver status — think late check-outs and bonus points. For consumers who want to up the ante, a spending spree of $20,000 in a calendar year will catapult you to the Hilton Honors Gold status realm. This elevated status translates to even more perks like complimentary breakfasts and room upgrades. If Hilton is your go-to for accommodations, this card is your ticket to a more luxurious stay. Terms Apply
How the Hilton Honors American Express Card Compares
In this comparison, we'll examine two popular credit cards side-by-side, dissecting their features and benefits to help you determine which aligns best with your financial goals and spending habits.
How This Card Compares
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Rewards Rate: Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S., and 3X Points for all other eligible card purchases.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
- Regular APR: 20.99%–29.99% (variable) See rates and fees
- Annual Fee: $0 See rates and fees
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None See rates and fees
- Intro APR Offer: None
- Terms Apply
- See rates and fees
- Best For: Loyal Hilton guests and frequent spenders on restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations in the U.S. This card offers significant rewards and a substantial welcome bonus. Still, its high APR makes it less suitable for those carrying a balance.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Rewards Rate: Earn 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6 points per dollar for eligible U.S. restaurant, supermarket and gas station purchases, 4 points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Regular APR: 20.99%–29.99% Variable See rates and fees
- Annual Fee: $150 See rates and fees
- Foreign Transaction Fee: None See rates and fees
- Intro APR Offer: None
- Terms Apply
- See rates and fees
- Best For: Frequent Hilton hotel visitors and regular U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas station spenders. Despite its high APR, it is well-suited for consumers who can offset the annual fee with travel and spending habits.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
About Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30.
Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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