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Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Hilton Honors American Express Card: 2024 Review

Hilton Honors American Express Card: 2024 Review

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is great for people who like to maximize travel rewards such restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Andrew O'Malley
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan

3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases

Welcome Offer

100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Our Rating

4.2
4.2/5

0% Intro

N/A

Annual Fee

$0

APR

20.24% – 29.24% variable APR

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Hilton Honors American Express Card

hilton honors card

Rates & Fees / Terms Apply

Rewards Plan

3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases

Welcome Offer

100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

0% Intro

4.2
4.2/5

PROS

CONS

APR

20.24% - 29.24% variable APR

Annual Fee

$0

0% Intro

N/A

Credit Requirements

Good - Excellent

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a credit card suitable for beginners seeking Hilton perks. Covering over 7,000 hotels in 120+ countries, it offers opportunities to earn and redeem points. With no annual fee, it's an attractive option for travelers venturing into the Hilton Honors program.

Cardholders enjoy 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases .

Loyal customers are rewarded with a silver honors-level membership and a status upgrade to the gold level by spending a minimum of $20,000 per year. Additional perks include entertainment access, ShopRunner benefits, extended warranty, purchase protection, and car rental insurance.

Cardholders need not worry about paying for renewal because there is no annual fee. The Hiltons Honors Card provides travel benefits to users like no foreign transaction fees, insurance coverage for car rentals, and a global assist feature for emergency purposes in a foreign land (See rates & fees).

How much are 10,000 points worth?

This depends on your redemption method,  – but generally, the Hilton Honors points are typically worth 0.5 cents each. So, 10,000 points would be worth $50.

Hilton Honors American Express Card overview
(Photo by photobyphotoboy/Shutterstock)

Table of Contents

Pros & Cons

Let's explore the pros and cons of the Hilton Honors Amex Card:

Pros
Cons
Welcome Bonus
Low Redeeming Rate
Elite Status Benefits
Transfer Ratio to Airlines
No Annual Fee
Limited Travel Benefits
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Lack of Published Award Charts
Travel and Purchase Protections

First-timers have an introductory offer of 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Cardholders automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver elite status, providing member discounts, a 20% points bonus on paid stays, and additional perks. Spending $20,000 in a calendar year upgrades to Hilton Honors Gold status.

HiltonHonors status progress silver
HiltonHonors status progress (screenshot from Hilton app)

The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with no annual fee, making it an affordable choice for those looking to enjoy Hilton perks without extra costs.

The card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a suitable option for international travelers.

The card offers travel benefits such as car rental insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection covering items accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost.

The rate to redeem travel points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card is 0.6 cent and significantly low compared to most credit cards.

Transferring Hilton Honors points to airline loyalty programs is possible but often not recommended due to unfavorable transfer ratios.

While the card offers some travel benefits, it lacks comprehensive travel perks compared to other premium credit cards.

The absence of published award charts for Hilton properties can make it challenging to predict point requirements for hotel stays.

Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 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

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 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

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

What Can I Do With My Points?

The redemption options for the Hilton Honors American Express Card primarily revolve around the Hilton Honors loyalty program.

Here are the key redemption options:

  • Hotel Stays: The most common and often most valuable redemption is for hotel stays at Hilton properties. Points can be used to cover the cost of room nights at various Hilton hotels and resorts worldwide. The number of points required for a stay varies based on factors such as location, hotel category, and demand.

Book hotel with Hilton Honors Amex card
Book hotel with Hilton Honors Amex card
  • Transfer to Airline Partners: Hilton Honors points can be transferred to over 40 global airline loyalty programs. However, it's important to note that the transfer ratios may not be favorable, and it's generally not recommended unless you need to top off an airline account for a specific award.

  • Other Redemption Options: While Hilton primarily focuses on hotel-related redemptions, some additional options may include experiences, charitable donations, or merchandise through the Hilton Honors platform. However, the value of points for these options may vary.

Bid and book experience with Hilton miles
Bid and book experience with Hilton miles (screenshot taken by our team from Hilton website)

How To Apply For Hilton Honors Amex Card?

Visit the website at americanexpress.com, look for the Hilton Honors American Express Card at the top of the page and select. Click on “Apply Now” to begin your application. 

Fill in your personal information; name, date of birth, phone number, email, and home address. 

Scroll down to provide your financial details like social security number, annual income, and income source. Click on “Continue to terms.”

The terms and conditions contain all the interest rates and transaction fees for using the Hilton Honors American Express Card. If you agree, click on “Agree & Submit Application.”

Your application is now complete, and you will be contacted via any of the contact details you provided for approval on your application.

How It Compared To Other Hilton Credit Cards?

The Hilton Honors Amex is a great option for entry-level users, while the Surpass and Aspire cards offer better rewards and benefits at higher annual fees for those looking for a more premium experience. Its key advantage is the lack of an annual fee, making it an appealing choice for those who want Hilton perks without the added cost.

Comparatively, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card stands out with its higher points per dollar earnings.Additionally, it provides automatic Gold status, a free night reward, and up to $200 in statement credits toward Hilton purchases annually. The Surpass Card comes with a $150 annual fee, but the enhanced rewards and benefits may justify the cost for frequent Hilton guests.

For those seeking top-tier luxury benefits, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is an elite option with a $550 annual fee. It offers substantial rewards, including complimentary Diamond status, a valuable airline fee credit, and a free weekend night reward.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Card Right for You?

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is suitable for people who like to maximize rewards by patronizing U.S restaurants, cafes, U.S supermarkets, and gas stations.

The Silver and Gold status levels are a way to reward loyal customers. Entry-level members earn 10 points per dollar spent, while clients are automatically upgraded to Silver status, earning 12 points per dollar. The highest level, Gold status, allows members to earn up to 18 points per dollar.

A significant advantage is that clients do not have to worry about yearly renewal fees or international transaction charges, in addition to an exciting introductory offer

Compare The Alternatives

Let’s also review some other hotel rewards credit cards so you can make a comparison to determine if the Hilton Honors card is for you or not.

World of Hyatt

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card review 2019

hilton honors card

World of Hyatt Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Annual Fee
$95
$95
$0
Rewards
1X – 4X 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on purchases at all Hyatt hotels. Plus, 5 Base Points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent for being a World of Hyatt member. 2x Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting as well as fitness club and gym memberships. Plus, earn 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
1x – 6X 6X points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card. Plus, earn up to 10X points from Marriott for being a Marriott Bonvoy® member. Plus, earn up to 1X point from Marriott with Silver Elite Status. Earn 3X points for every $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. Earn 2X points for every $1 you spend on all other purchases.
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
60,000 points Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points after qualifying purchases.
125,000 points Earn 125,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from your account opening.
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0.
$0. See Rates and Fees.
Purchase APR
21.49%–28.49% variable
21.49%–28.49% variable
20.24% – 29.24% variable APR

FAQ

The Hilton Honors American Express card does come with car rental damage and loss insurance. If you pay for your entire rental with your card and decline the rental company collision damage waiver, you’ll have coverage. The World of Hyatt card does not have this feature.