Personal Finance Credit Cards
Written by Eric Rosen; edited by Katherine Fan; reviewed by Angela Fung
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
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Introduction to Hilton Credit Cards
This guide explores the best credit cards for Hilton travelers so you can decide which Hilton Honors card is best for you.
Compare the Best Hilton Credit Cards
Best for everyday earning and stays
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.45/5
Perks
Earn 12X points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6X points for purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases. Earn 3X points for all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
$150
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024)
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- High welcome bonus
- Complimentary Hilton Gold status
- Generous bonus categories for earning points
Cons
- Weekend night reward requires spending $15,000 on the card in a year
- Not much in the way of complimentary benefits beyond Hilton Gold status
Insider’s Take
This card is a terrific choice if you stay with Hilton, even occasionally. It balances excellent benefits, including Gold status and 10 airport lounge visits per year, with a modest annual fee. And while it doesn't come with an automatic free night certificate on your account anniversary, you can earn one by spending $15,000 on the card in a year.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
- Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best for occasional Hilton travelers
Hilton Honors American Express Card
On American Express's website
Perks
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024)
Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- High welcome bonus
- No annual fee
- Complimentary Silver elite status with Hilton
Cons
- Limited benefits beyond earning Hilton points
Insider’s Take
If you're an infrequent traveler and like earning Hilton points but don't want to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is definitely worth considering.
Hilton Honors Amex review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 7/31/2024.
- 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 on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- No Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best for luxury benefits
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Insider’s Rating
4.8/5
Perks
Earn 14X points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 7X points on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies. Earn 7X points on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Earn 3X points on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$550
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases
Intro Offer
175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024)
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Complimentary top-tier Hilton elite status
- Get a weekend night reward each year after you renew your card
- High welcome bonus
- Valuable annual statement credit for eligible Hilton purchases
Cons
- High annual fee
Insider’s Take
Many of the best credit cards come with high annual fees that certainly aren't for everyone, and that's definitely the case with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card . This is Hilton's most expensive (and rewarding) card, and it's geared toward loyal Hilton travelers who can make the most of its many generous benefits.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Best for business travelers who prefer Hilton
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
2.7/5
Perks
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases. Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, earn 3X points thereafter.
Annual Fee
$195
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
20.99% - 29.99% Variable
Intro Offer
130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Comes with complimentary Hilton Gold elite status
- Strong welcome bonus
- Up to $60 back each quarter on eligible Hilton purchases
Cons
- Benefits do not outweigh the annual fee for most business travelers
Insider’s Take
Small business owners who like staying with Hilton can get automatic Hilton Gold status and up to $240 a year in statement credits for eligible Hilton purchases.
Hilton Honors Amex Business Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
- Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
- You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
- Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
- Terms apply.
Best for non-loyalists who want Hilton elite status
The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.4/5
Perks
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.
Annual Fee
See Rates and Fees
$695
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Intro Offer
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
- Annual statement credits with Saks and Uber
Cons
- Bonus categories leave something to be desired
- One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
Insider’s Take
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, complimentary hotel elite status, and more.
Amex Platinum Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peaco*ck, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best for flexibility and redeeming points
American Express® Gold Card
On American Express's website
Insider’s Rating
Business Insider's Ratings are decided by our editorial team. The rating system considers various factors and evaluates cards against others of the same type so you can pick a card that is a good fit for your goals.
4.3/5
Perks
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Annual Fee
See Rates and Fees
$325
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Intro Offer
60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership, up to $100 back (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24)
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide, up to $100 back (Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24)
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Pros
- Great rewards for dining and for shopping at U.S. supermarkets
- Monthly statement credit for eligible dining purchases recoups some of the annual fee
Cons
- Underwhelming welcome bonus
Insider’s Take
Foodies and travelers alike will appreciate the American Express Gold's generous welcome bonus and Membership Rewards points earning. Its Uber Cash credits are useful for rides and Uber Eats, and monthly dining credits with participating merchants like GrubHub and Seamless are easy to use.
Amex Gold Card review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
- Get the American Express® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Credit use varies by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Best Hilton Credit Cards of 2024
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Best for everyday earning and stays
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Best for occasional Hilton travelers
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Best for luxury benefits
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Best for business travelers who prefer Hilton
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for non-loyalists who want Hilton elite status
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for flexibility and redeeming points
Hilton Credit Card Reviews
Best for Everyday Earning and Stays: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card represents the best of all worlds — a card with a moderate $150 annual fee that comes with supercharged earning capacity and mid-range elite status. You can currently earn a welcome bonus offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024).
Business Insider estimates that Hilton points are worth 0.5 cents each, on average. So the points from the bonus are worth around $650 in Hilton hotel stays. That's not counting the Hilton free reward night certificate that comes with the bonus, which is valid at nearly any Hilton property. If you use it at a luxury resort, for example, you could get a value of over $1,000.
This card earns 12 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases and 6 points per eligible dollar spent in a variety of categories, including U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations, 4x points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else. That means you can rack up thousands of points simply by using your card for everyday purchases.
If you spend $15,000 or more on purchases with your card in a calendar year, you'll score a free night reward that you can use at almost any Hilton property worldwide. Cardholders automatically get Hilton Honors Gold status — which comes with perks like room upgrades, bonus earning on stays, and free breakfast (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit in the US) — but can bump up to Diamond status with $40,000 in card spending in a calendar year.
Read more in our Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card review.
Best for Occasional Hilton Travelers: Hilton Honors American Express Card
While you don't normally get tons of extra perks from a no-annual-fee travel credit card, the Hilton Honors American Express Card makes up for fewer benefits with a hefty bonus. New applicants can earn a welcome bonus of 70,000 Hilton Honors bonus points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024).
The Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases and 5 points per eligible dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
Like other Hilton co-branded cards, it earns 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else. Cardholders receive entry-level Silver elite status but can spend their way up to Gold with $20,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year.
Read more in our Hilton Honors American Express card review.
Best for Luxury Benefits: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire charges a $550 annual fee — but it also confers benefits unmatched by the best hotel credit cards. It also offers a substantial welcome bonus: 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership (offer ends 7/31/2024). That's worth around $875 in stays, based on Business Insider's valuations.
Cardholders receive up to $250 in statement credits each account year for purchases made at participating Hilton Resorts, and up to another $250 in airline fee credits each calendar year for things like checked bags and seat assignments on your selected airline.
When you book a qualifying two-night stay at participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties, you'll get up to a $100 credit for eligible charges. Cardholders enjoy automatic top-tier Diamond status, with benefits like the best chance at room upgrades, club lounge access, complimentary breakfast, and double the points a regular member earns on stays.
Hilton Aspire card members get a free night reward when they open the account and reach their account anniversary and renew (it's not part of the bonus), and can earn an additional one after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. They can also enroll in Priority Pass membership for access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
The earning is pretty extraordinary, too — 14 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases, 7 points per dollar at eligible U.S. restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, and on eligible car rentals, and 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else.
Read more in our Hilton Honors Aspire Card review.
Best for Business Travelers who Prefer Hilton: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
To be honest, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card made this list because it's the only business card Hilton offers. This card used to be a fantastic earner for small business owners, but major changes in March 2024 significantly decreased its value.
The annual fee on The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is now $195 for new cardholders, more than double the previous fee of $95. The higher annual fee will go into effect for current cardholders on their next card renewal date.
Cardholders will no longer have 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card also lost free night rewards for high spenders. Cardholders will no longer earn a free night after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, or a second night award for spending $60,000 within the same year. This is a keen loss for travelers who valued Hilton free night certificates for aspirational stays at luxury properties such as the Waldorf-Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, where rooms regularly go for more than $1,000 a night.
Instead, cardholders will get $240 in annual statement credits, divided into quarterly credits of up to $60 on eligible hotel stays and incidental fees at Hilton properties. They also get complimentary Emerald Executive Club elite status at National car rentals.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership. The points are worth about $650 in stays, based on Business Insider's valuations.
This card is still an exceptional earner. It pulls 12 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases, 5 points on the first $100,000 in non-Hilton purchases each calendar year, and then 3 points after that.
If you're a diehard Hilton loyalist in personal and business travel, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card might still be a good fit for you. If you're not, you'll almost certainly find better value from a differentrewards business credit card.
Read more in our Amex Hilton Honors Business Card review.
Best for Non-Loyalists Who Want Hilton Elite Status: The Platinum Card® from American Express
While the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire comes with automatic Diamond status, if you're not a hardcore Hilton loyalist, you might want to consider a card that comes with elite status but earns points that transfer to other partners. The Platinum Card® from American Express fits the bill because cardholders can activate complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status, too).
Hilton Gold status gets you a fair shot at room upgrades, 18 points per eligible dollar on stays instead of the normal 10, welcome amenities, and even complimentary continental breakfast at most properties.
With the Platinum card, you'll earn Amex Membership Rewards pointswhich transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, so you're effectively earning double Hilton points on everyday spending. The card costs $695 per year, but it comes packed with other valuable benefits that, if put to use, make the annual fee worthwhile.
It currently offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
Read more in our American Express Platinum Card review.
Best for Flexibility and Redeeming Points: American Express® Gold Card
You won't enjoy Hilton Honors elite status with the American Express® Gold Card, but you will earn a phenomenal number of points in several everyday spending categories that you can then transfer to your Hilton account.
This card earns 4X Membership Rewards® points on purchases at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 4X Membership Rewards® points at US supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points), 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com, 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com, and 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases.
Remember that 1 American Express Membership Rewards point converts to 2 Hilton points, so you're essentially doubling those earning rates if you plan to transfer your points to Hilton Honors. You'll also have the flexibility to transfer your points to other American Express Membership Rewards partners, like Delta, JetBlue, and Marriott.
The card also curently offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership plus 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first six months of card membership, up to $100 back (offer ends 11/6/24),
Read more in our Amex Gold Card review.
How to Choose the Right Hilton Credit Card
If you stay at Hilton hotels often, it makes a lot of sense to use a Hilton credit card to boost your points-earning potential, and enjoy benefits such as elite status and award stays every year. You can also get good value from non-Hilton cards that earn points and offer perks you can enjoy on stays.
It goes without saying that the best Hilton credit card for you will align with your travel and spending habits. If you value premium benefits and elite status, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire will be a good choice despite its high annual fee. If you don't want to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is great for casual Hilton travelers.
Maximizing Rewards With the Right Hilton Credit Card
The right Hilton credit card can help you accelerate your way into luxury hotel stays and get the most value out of budget nights.
Hilton offers a variety of credit cards, from a simple everyday earner without an annual fee up to one of the best premium credit cards that confer perks like top-tier Diamond elite status and up to $250 per year in statement credits toward airline incidental fees.
Our guide to earning, redeeming, and maximizing Hilton Honors points can help you make the most of your credit card rewards.
Hilton Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of having a Hilton credit card?
Hilton credit cards can give you premium benefits more than 7,000 hotels across 19 brands in the Hilton family. The right cards can get you free late check-out, top-tier elite status, and enough points to book several free nights at top-tier hotels.
What is the best Hilton credit card?
The best Hilton credit card with the most valuable benefits is the Amex Hilton Aspire. It comes with $1,000+ in value each calendar year from perks such as a free Night Reward upon account opening — and another reward night after each account anniversary(and paying the annual fee), Priority Pass membership which offers access to 1,300+ airport lounges, and up to a $250 annual resort credit valid at Hilton resorts.
If you travel regularly or stay at a fancy Hilton hotel once per year, these benefits could easily offset its $550 annual fee.
Can I use my Hilton points at Hilton Garden Inn?
You can use your Hilton points for stays at any Hilton brand, including Hilton Garden Inn. At over a century old, Hilton is one of the largest hotel chains, and now comprises 19 brands with over 7,000 properties in 123 countries and territories. Familiar labels like luxurious Waldorf Astoria, budget-friendly DoubleTree, and unique Curio Collection properties are all under Hilton's umbrella.
Is my Hilton Honors login the same as the Hilton credit card login?
Your Hilton credit card account and your Hilton Honors loyalty program account are completely different. When you earn rewards with your Hilton credit card, they will automatically be deposited into your Hilton Honors account. To log into your Hilton credit card account, you'll sign in to your American Express account. You will notgo through the Hilton website. Your credentials will likely be completely different.
Is Hilton Honors Wi-Fi free with Hilton credit cards?
Hilton offers free standard Wi-Fi to regular members or those with Silver or Gold elite status, but only Diamond elite members receive free high-speed premium Wi-Fi. The only card that automatically gets you Diamond status is the Amex Hilton Aspire.
Do Hilton Honors credit card offers ever increase?
Occasionally, Amex will run limited-time elevated offers on its Hilton Honors credit cards. These tend to appear a couple of times a year, but there's no guarantee of increased offers in the future.
It's always best to apply for credit cards when welcome bonus offers are at their highest. You can read our guide to the best current credit card sign-up bonuses for an idea of what's available right now.
Which Hilton credit card is best for frequent travelers?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire is our top-choice hotel credit card for frequent travelers who value premium benefits and exceptional value. Despite a sky-high annual fee of $550, cardholders immediately get top-tier Diamond elite status and several hundred dollars' worth of statement credits toward travel expenses.
Can I have more than one Hilton credit card?
You can have multiple Hilton credit cards, especially if you pair a small-business credit card with a personal credit card. However, you may not be able to earn more than one sign-up bonus from Hilton at a time.
What's the fastest way to earn Hilton Honors points with a credit card?
How do I avoid paying high annual fees on Hilton credit cards?
The entry-level Hilton Honors American Express Card does not charge an annual fee.
How does Hilton credit card complimentary status upgrade work?
Hilton allows certain customers to skip traditional requirements for earning elite status in exchange for spending money on credit cards. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire can get complimentary Diamond status for paying an annual fee of $550, while you can earn Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a calendar year on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Hilton Credit Cards
Business Insider's experts looked at both co-branded Hilton credit cards from Amex, and general travel credit cards that earn rewards or have perks you can use at Hilton hotels.
We chose cards to suit different types of consumers, from families and road-trippers to business travelers and frequent flyers who love to travel in style. We also considered factors like annual fees, welcome bonus offers, ongoing benefits like elite status and statement credits, and earning rates for everyday spending.
Our picks for the best Hilton Honors credit cards range from a basic no-annual-fee card to a top-tier premium credit card with luxury benefits, with something for everyone in between. For a closer look at our methodology, here's how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
Eric Rosen is a travel and credit card expert who has been helping readers reap the rewards of loyalty programs for over a decade.Eric is based in Los Angeles, though you'll often find him globetrotting to destinations like Australia, Kenya, and Laos on assignment for publications including National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg, and AFAR, among others. He covers a mix of award travel, aviation, luxury, food, wine, and wellness. He also recently launched a podcast called Conscious Traveler where he discusses the latest in sustainability, conservation, culture, and community, and how they can inform us to make more meaningful choices when we travel.
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Angela Fung is the Compliance Manager for Business Insider'sPersonal Financedivision, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to maintain reader trust by confirming stories are fact-checked and current so that readers can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by maintaining clear, precise language that is compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.
Top Offers From Our Partners
Raisin High Yield Savings Account Earn 5.27% Annual Percentage Yield (APY). $1 minimum deposit. FDIC Insured.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
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Watch: Marketing leaders have to help their companies keep pace with the rapidly changing worlds of their customers, says Elizabeth Rutledge, CMO of American Express