Hilton Honors American Express Card review: Full details
Hilton Honors American Express Card overview
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is Hilton’s no-annual-fee (see rates and fees) entry-level cobranded product. Featuring bonus points on eligible Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, the card is a solid option for new cardmembers loyal to the hotel chain or those looking to avoid annual fees (terms apply). However, other travel cards offer more points flexibility and bigger perks. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Hilton Honors program covers over 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 perks, you may want to look at the Hilton Honors American Express Card. It has no annual fee and comes with generous category bonuses and travel and purchase protections (terms 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 the card is right for your wallet.
Hilton Honors Amex pros and cons
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Hilton Honors Amex welcome offer
New Amex Hilton Honors cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of cardmembership. This offer ends Jan. 8, 2025.
According to TPG’s September 2024 valuations, Hilton points are worth 0.6 cents apiece, which means this 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. (Offer no longer available.) Considering that’s only 30,000 extra points for an additional $3,000 in spending, I say the current welcome offer is the better of the two.
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Hilton Honors Amex benefits
The Hilton Honors Amex features a few notable perks and benefits beyond the welcome offer. Given that this card doesn’t have an annual fee, I can’t fault it for being perk-thin.
Here’s an overview of what this card has to offer (enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply):
- Elite status: Cardmembers automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver elite status, which provides member discounts, a 20% points bonus on paid stays, elite rollover nights, a 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 offer Gold status automatically, meaning spending $20,000 to get there isn’t a good value.
- Entertainment: Through the American Express Experiences program, you can get exclusive access to ticket presales and cardmember-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 more than 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 an original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less.
- Purchase protection*: Purchase protection covers items 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’re covered against damage and theft — up to $50,000. This benefit is secondary coverage to your own auto insurance and doesn’t 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 level varies by card. Not all vehicle types 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 is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Earning points on the Hilton Honors Amex
With the Hilton Honors Amex, you’ll earn 7 Hilton Honors points per dollar on stays at Hilton hotels and resorts (including paying for your room and on-site spending at restaurants and spas), 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 5 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Given TPG’s September 2024 valuation of Hilton points at 0.6 cents apiece, you’ll earn a 4.2% base return at Hilton hotels — though you’ll get an extra 12 points per dollar from your Hilton Honors Silver elite status, bumping your return to 11.4%.
In addition, you’ll receive a 3% return on spending at U.S. grocery stores, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and a 1.8% return on all other eligible purchases.
If you’re looking for higher earning opportunities covering a wider swath of travel purchases, including flights and rental cars, you won’t get that with this card.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?
Redeeming points on the Hilton Honors Amex
You’ll get the best value for your Hilton points for hotel and resort stays, even with the chain’s lack of published award charts. How many points you need for a hotel room fluctuates, so you won’t know the final price until you go to make a reservation.
The 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 over 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. The transfer ratio is normally terrible, costing you thousands of points for a small return of airline miles.
My advice? Stick to hotel room redemptions to get the best value for your rewards.
You’ll do even better when you redeem points for a stay of five nights or longer. That’s because you get a fifth night free on stays using points, thanks to your Hilton Silver status.
TPG director of travel content Eric Rosen recently utilized the 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 another 100-plus hotels thanks to Small Luxury Hotels of the World partnership
Which cards compete with the Hilton Honors Amex?
The Hilton Honors Amex card has natural competitors with “Hilton” in their names, but a general travel rewards credit card may also do better in your wallet. Here are a few of the options you should consider:
- If you like Hilton but want more perks: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns a higher 12 points per dollar at Hilton hotels, provides automatic Gold status, and you can earn a free night reward by spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year. You’ll also get up to $200 in statement credits toward Hilton purchases each calendar year (up to $50 each quarter), and the card has a low $150 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: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 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 the Capital One Venture Rewards.
- If you want a hotel card without an annual fee, regardless of brand: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is an option if you want a hotel credit card without an annual fee and aren’t tied to Hilton. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy properties. You’ll also receive Silver Elite status, plus travel and shopping protections. 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: The best no-annual-fee credit cards
Is the Hilton Honors Amex worth it?
You might assume the Amex Hilton Honors card is worth it by default since it has no annual fee. It depends on what you’re looking for, though. I believe you’ll like this card if entry-level elite status and fair earning categories are sufficient for you. If you’re looking for flexible rewards or more Hilton perks, I recommend going for a mid-tier Hilton card or general travel rewards card.
Bottom line
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good starter card for those looking to maximize the benefits of Hilton’s loyalty program without paying an annual fee. It may not be the ideal card for everyone, though it may be the right card for you if that’s what you seek.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
Related: How to choose the best credit card for you
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card, click here.
