Best Hotel Credit Cards for Hilton Loyalists in 2024

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Updated: September 30, 2024

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American Express provides co-branded Hilton Honors credit cards for personal and business customers alike. It also offers a no-annual-fee option for people who aren’t looking for much in the way of added perks.

The points you stand to earn per dollar spent varies based on the card you get. For example, while you may earn up to 7x points per dollar on category-based spending with the Hilton Honors American Express Card, this changes to up to 12x points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

Using any Hilton Honors card outside of the U.S. is ideal as none of the existing ones charge foreign transaction fees. Travel- and Hilton-specific benefits vary from one card to the next. The APR that applies to your card also needs your attention when making a selection.

MoneyGeek experts go through all existing and new cards from this segment every month. The in-depth comparison that follows to select the best Hilton Honors credit cards accounts for parameters such as welcome offers, reward rates, annual fees, APRs and added benefits.

If you are considering looking at what other hotel credit cards have to offer, you may benefit by checking our list of all the top hotel credit cards in the U.S.

10Welcome Offer and Hotel Rewards Rate
 
-7%Annual Fee
 
-5%APR and Foreign Transaction Fees

MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 3 Hilton Honors Credit Cards

Quick Summary

All the top Hilton Honors credit cards give you the ability to earn higher points when you spend across different bonus categories, although they come with different reward rates. Welcome offers also vary based on the card you select. Other factors that need your attention when choosing a card from this segment include hotel- and travel-related perks, annual fees and APRs.


  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

    Great for earning Hilton Honors points


    • 3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $195Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a powerful tool for businesses, particularly those with frequent travel or dining needs. Its standout benefits are the generous welcome offer and robust hotel perks, which include status upgrades and free nights. Its diverse earning categories make accumulating points easy and rewarding, and no foreign transaction fees make it a great companion for international travel. While the value of Hilton Honors points might be lower than some competitors, the card's high earning rates can offset this if they align with your typical business spending. Lastly, its annual fee is modest and can easily be justified considering the rich rewards and perks, delivering both practical value and a touch of luxury for your business.

    Pros

    • Attainable welcome offer
    • Hotel perks, including status and free nights
    • Variety of earning categories
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Cons

    • Hilton points have a lower value than competitors
    • Modest annual fee
    • Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 1/8/2025.
    • Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card, which includes benefits at Hilton hotels and resorts such as an 80% bonus on all Base Points earned on every stay.
    • Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
    • Get up to $60 in statement credits quarterly for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio using the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
    • Upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond Status through the end of the calendar year by spending $40,000 or more in eligible purchases within a calendar year.
    • Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases up to $100,000 each calendar year. All purchases thereafter earn 3X points.
    • Enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status using the link on your American Express online account. Once enrolled, you can reserve a car by calling National directly, using your travel service, booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
    • Annual fee of $195 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 Business Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

    An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points


    • 3–12 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $150Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a fantastic option for travelers, especially those with a penchant for Hilton stays. Imagine walking into a Hilton property and enjoying complimentary upgrades, thanks to the Gold Status that comes with this card. Whether you're dining out stateside or shopping online, you're racking up points at an impressive rate. And for the globetrotters, there's no need to worry about those pesky foreign transaction fees. The card does have an annual fee, and while the perks cater primarily to Hilton enthusiasts, its broad rewards system can offer value to many.

    Pros

    • Generous welcome bonus
    • Purchases from Hilton get bonus points
    • Complimentary Hilton upgrades
    • No foreign transaction fees See Rates & Fees

    Cons

    • With annual fee
    • Benefits mostly Hilton-centric
    • Earn 165,000 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. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
    • Receive up to $200 back annually on eligible Hilton purchases.
    • Earn 12X Points on Hilton purchases, 6X Points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, 4X Points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
    • Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
    • Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.
    • Achieve Hilton Honors Diamond Status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
    • Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
    • No foreign transaction fees. See Rates & Fees
    • $150 annual fee. See Rates & Fees
    • Terms apply.
    • See Rates & 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.
    Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card

    A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts


    • 3–7 Points per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    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


    Cons

    • Potentially high APR
    • High credit requirement
    • Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
    • Earn 7X 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
    • Hilton Honors Silver status. Spend $20,000 in a calendar year to upgrade to Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
    • No foreign transaction fees.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.
    Hilton Honors American Express Card

Summary of the Best Hotel Cards for Hilton Loyalists

Take a quick look at this Hilton Honors cards comparison table to determine which of the top cards might work best for you based on factors such as who these cards are best suited for, annual fees, points per dollar rates and the creditworthiness needed to apply.

>> MORE: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR MARRIOTT LOYALISTS
  • Credit Card
    Best For
    Avg. Reward Rate
    Annual Fee
    Credit Needed
  • The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
    The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
    Great for earning Hilton Honors points
    3–12 Points per $1*
    $195
  • Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
    Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
    An excellent credit card for earning Hilton Honors points
    3–12 Points per $1*
    $150
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card
    Hilton Honors American Express Card
    A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
    3–7 Points per $1*
    $0
  • Hilton Honors American Express Card
    Hilton Honors American Express Card
    A rewarding travel card for people who are casual guests at Hilton hotels and resorts
    3–7 Points per $1*
    $0
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Even if you only travel a few times a year, the higher-end Hilton cards may be worth the extra fee. These cards provide automatic elite status, which may qualify you for free breakfast, lounge access, upgraded rooms and late check-out, which might otherwise cost hundreds of dollars per trip. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.

How to Compare Hotel Credit Cards & Intro Offers

While the top credit cards for Hilton loyalists come with some similarities, there are a few differences you should know about as well. Only then will you be able to select a card that works well for you.

1
Welcome offer

The number of welcome bonus points you may earn as a new cardholder depends on the card you get. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Other Hilton Honors cards come with similar offers, but the points received and/or spend-based requirements differ.

2
Rewards rate

The points-per-dollar rate and applicable bonus categories are not the same across all the top Hilton Honors cards. The Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Card offers 12x points on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio; 6x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, and on gas purchases at U.S. gas stations; and 3x miles on all other categories. The Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers 14x points on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio; 7x points on flights you book through AmexTravel or directly with airlines and on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies; 7x points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery; and 3x points on all other purchases.

3
Annual fee

The Amex Hilton Honors Card makes for a good no-annual-fee option, especially if you’re not looking for much in the way of features and perks. On the other end of the spectrum is another card on our list of the best credit cards for Hilton Loyalists — the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card — which has a $450 annual fee.

4
Hilton-specific benefits

These largely depend on the annual fee you’re prepared to pay. For example, the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card, which has a $95 annual fee, gives you complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and spend-based weekend night rewards. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card, on the other hand, offers complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, Hilton Resort statement credit, Hilton on-property credit and spend-based weekend night rewards in exchange for a $450 annual fee.

5
APR

If you plan to carry balances over from one billing cycle to the next, you might be better off getting a low APR card instead of one that offers rewards.

6
Foreign transaction fee

None of the existing credit cards for Hilton loyalists charge foreign transaction fees, although this is not the case with all American Express cards.

7
Added features/perks

Other card-specific features and benefits might come in the form of return protection, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, airline fee credit and travel insurance coverage. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card lets you get additional employee cards and gives you access to different expense management tools.

Further Reading

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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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