6 Best Hilton Credit Cards in 2025: What To Know
Best Hilton credit card
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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
While there are numerous Hilton credit cards to choose from, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is our top pick. With an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150, this card boasts an excellent welcome offer, strong earning rates and premium travel benefits.
Key takeaways
- Points earned on Hilton Honors credit cards can be used for stays at more than 8,000 hotels and resorts around the world.
- Some Hilton credit card offers come with a generous suite of perks, from automatic Hilton Diamond status (enrollment required) to annual resort credits.
- We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents (half of one cent) per point.
- Winner: Best Hilton credit card: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Best for luxury benefits: Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Best for no annual fee: Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Best for business travel: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Best for general premium travel: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best to transfer points to Hilton: American Express® Gold Card
Best Hilton rewards credit cards
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Annual Fee | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
|
Winner: Best Hilton credit card
|
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | 130,000 points
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
| 3X - 12X points
| |
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*
|
Best for luxury benefits
|
$550 | 175,000 points
Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
| 3X - 14X points
| |
Hilton Honors American Express Card
|
Best for no annual fee
|
$0 | 100,000 points
Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express® Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
| 3X - 7X points
| |
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
|
Best for business travel
|
$195 | 175,000 points
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus earn an additional 25,000 Hilton Honors Bonus points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on your Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
| 3X - 12X points
| |
The Platinum Card® from American Express
|
Best for general premium travel
|
$695 | As high as 175,000 points
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
| 5X points
| |
American Express® Gold Card
|
Best to transfer points to Hilton
|
$325 | As high as 100,000 points
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
| 1X - 4X points
|
Methodology: How we chose the best Hilton credit cards
To bring you the best Hilton credit cards and travel cards to use for Hilton, we looked at how Hilton and general travel cards with Hilton benefits stacked up. We use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 of them from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
We rank cards based on the following criteria:
We calculate the value of rewards and perks for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes the card’s sign-up bonus, annual bonus (including free night certificates) and travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We consider how easy the rewards are to use, looking at factors like expiration dates, minimum thresholds to redeem, blackout dates and the availability of flexible redemption options like travel statement credits and cash back.
We also compare a card’s benefits, such as purchase protections, travel protections and elite status benefits against benefits from other cards.
Note that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best Hilton credit card. However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s bonus categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
Winner: Best Hilton credit card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 130,000 points
- Excellent welcome offer worth up to several hotel nights
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
- Free night reward after you spend $15,000 during a calendar year
- Hilton credit of up to $200 ($50 in quarterly statement credits)
- Annual fee
- High spending requirement ($40,000 per year) to get Diamond status (enrollment required)
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is our pick because it offers an outstanding welcome offer, generous earning rate and valuable perks — all for a reasonable annual fee. You’ll get access to benefits like a Free Night Reward after $15,000 spent in a calendar year, up to $200 Hilton credit annually (up to $50 statement credits per quarter) on eligible purchases, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status (which includes an 80% points bonus on stays, daily food and beverage credits and more), a pathway to top-tier Diamond status* and more.
Plus, since U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations are categories where many people spend a lot, the ability to get 6 points for every dollar spent is another nice feature.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. 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 Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- 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.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you're enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Best for luxury benefits
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 175,000 points
- Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status (enrollment required)
- Up to $400 Hilton resort credit (up to $200 semi-annually)
- Up to $200 airline fee credit for incidental charges every year (up to $50 each quarter) (enrollment required)
- One free night award each year
- $550 annual fee
- Fine print on annual statement credits
While the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express does come with a $550 annual fee, it’s also packed full of benefits — including top-tier Hilton Diamond elite status* (which comes with a 100% points earning bonus on stays), up to $400 (up to $200 semi-annually) in statement credits for Hilton resort purchases, executive lounge access, premium Wi-Fi, a free night award every year and much more. Cardholders also get up to a $199 each year toward CLEAR Plus membership*, up to $200 per year ($50 quarterly) in incidental flight credits* and a $100 on-property credit for eligible two-night stays at participating Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels and Resorts properties.
You can more than make up for the annual fee if you utilize the generous cardholder benefits, and remember that you also earn generous rewards with this card on paid Hilton hotel stays, airfare, car rentals and more.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express is Hilton’s luxury credit card that comes with its highest level of benefits and rewards earning rate: 14X points on eligible purchases at hotels or resorts in the Hilton Portfolio, 7X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants and 3X points on other purchases. You’ll also get the following welcome offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- 14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
- 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants
- 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status (enrollment required)
- One Free Night Reward in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal
- Up to $400 Hilton Resort credit (up to $200 semi-annually)
- Up to $200 flight credit (up to $50 per quarter, enrollment required)
- Up to $199 CLEAR credit (enrollment required)
- $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
- National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® Status (enrollment required)
- Access to 24/7 American Express concierge
- No foreign transaction fees
- Terms apply
Best for no annual fee
Hilton Honors American Express Card
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 100,000 points
- $0 annual fee
- Valuable welcome offer
- Complimentary Silver elite status (with a chance to earn Gold status)
- Mediocre benefits
- Low rewards rate in non-bonus categories
- Welcome offer is lower than that of other Hilton cards
If you want to boost your balance of Hilton Honors points without paying an annual fee, you might want to look at the Hilton Honors American Express Card. The card offers mediocre travel benefits compared to the other (much pricier) Hilton cards, but you’ll be able to earn a solid rewards rate without paying an annual fee.
You should also note that the card can be useful if you want elite status with the hotel brand. Cardholders get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, but they can achieve Gold status when they use their cards for $20,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers a lower welcome offer and earning rate than the mid-level and premium Hilton Honors cards; however, it’s also the only Hilton card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations AND 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express® Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
- 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.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Best for business travel
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 175,000 points
- Generous rewards for paid hotel stays
- Excellent welcome offer
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with a chance to upgrade to Diamond
- Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required)
- $195 annual fee
- Requires an eligible small business
- High spending requirement of $40,000 per year to get Diamond status
If you want to earn rewards to help offset the cost of business travel and you frequently stay at Hilton properties, you should look at The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Similar to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, it comes with a generous welcome offer, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and bonus rewards in a range of categories.
Cardholders also get the chance to move up to Hilton Honors Diamond status with $40,000 in purchases charged to their card within a calendar year. The card also comes with up to $240 in Hilton statement credits each year ($60 quarterly) when used for purchases at Hilton properties worldwide.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
If you’re a small business owner who travels on a regular basis, you should consider The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. You’ll 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. Terms & Limitations Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus earn an additional 25,000 Hilton Honors Bonus points after you spend an additional $2,000 in purchases on your Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 8/13/2025.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- 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.
- Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
- 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.
- You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- Terms apply.
Best for general premium travel
The Platinum Card® from American Express
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: As high as 175,000 points
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status (enrollment required)
- Ability to transfer Membership Rewards to Hilton Honors points
- Large suite of other travel and luxury benefits
- Valuable travel credits
- $695 annual fee
- No Hilton-specific card perks aside from Gold elite status (enrollment required)
- Statement credits can be difficult to use
If you’re looking for a premium card with luxury benefits but want one that’s more flexible than the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, The Platinum Card® from American Express is a good option. Along with redeeming your Membership Rewards points for travel, statement credits and more, points can be transferred to American Express travel partners — which include the Hilton Honors loyalty program.
While The Platinum Card® from American Express does come with a hefty $695 annual fee, it also comes with Hilton Honors Gold elite status*, one of the largest collections of airport lounges around and a variety of valuable travel credits.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
Because you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors points at a rate of 1:2, the four Hilton American Express cards are not your only options for boosting your Hilton Honors point balance. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Also, earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. Terms apply. Other purchases made with the card earn the standard rate of 1X points.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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 through American Express Travel using 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, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $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® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, 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.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
Best to transfer points to Hilton
American Express® Gold Card
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: As high as 100,000 points
- Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Hilton Honors points
- Excellent earning rate on popular spending categories
- Uber and dining credits (enrollment required)
- Variety of travel and shopping protections
- $325 annual fee
- No benefits specifically with Hilton
- Statement credits can be difficult to use
If you prefer earning flexible card rewards instead of being tied down to only earning Hilton points, but can’t justify the high fee of The Platinum Card® from American Express, you may want to consider the American Express® Gold Card. This card offers exceptional rewards for food purchases of all kinds, and it comes with a generous welcome offer to boot.
The American Express® Gold Card also lets you transfer your rewards to a variety of airline and hotel programs, including Hilton. However, the card doesn’t offer any Hilton-specific benefits.
Earning Hilton Honors rewards
The American Express® Gold Card is another card that earns Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Hilton Honors at a rate of 1:2. 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. Terms apply.
There’s also a great welcome offer: You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- 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 get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $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 U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $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 towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Who should get a Hilton hotel credit card?
Hilton Honors credit cards are geared to frequent travelers who stay in Hilton hotel or resort properties at least a few times per year. We say this because all cards come with the lowest level of elite status (Hilton Honors Silver*) at a minimum, and because several of the cards offer annual statement credits for purchases at Hilton properties.
Hilton credit cards also offer their highest rewards rates for paid hotel stays with the brand, so they are ideal for consumers who pay for stays at any of Hilton’s 8,000+ hotels and resorts around the world.
Still, you should compare Hilton credit cards to find the right fit. The chart below reveals which card to consider based on your goals.
| Consider this card | If you… |
|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Want to earn a generous amount of Hilton points with only a reasonable annual fee. |
| Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** | Plan to take advantage of the card’s premium benefits to help offset the card’s high annual fee. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | Want to boost your Hilton Honors rewards balance without paying an annual fee |
| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | Are a small business owner who regularly travels for work. |
Pros and cons of Hilton credit cards
- Earn points to use toward free nights at more than 8,000 hotels and resorts
- Provide elevated points in popular spending categories
- Welcome offers let you earn a large influx of Hilton Honors points in a short period of time
- Hilton credit cards offer elite status
- Many come with various statement credit offers
- Points have limited redemptions outside of hotel stays
- Most Hilton credit cards come with an annual fee
- With no published award chart, it can be difficult to know how many Hilton points you’ll need for a free night
How much are Hilton points worth?
LendingTree data shows that Hilton Honors points are worth an average of 0.5 cents (half of one cent) each, so 10,000 Hilton points are worth roughly $50. This means if you’re receiving 0.5 cent per point or better for an award stay, it’s worth using points rather than paying cash.
To determine the value you are getting for your points, use the following formula:
For example: If the cash price for a hotel stay you want is $300 and booking with rewards would cost you 60,000 points, for example, the formula would look like this: $300 ÷ 60,000 points = 0.005
With this redemption, each point is worth half a cent (0.5 cents) each, or the average point value for Hilton Honors rewards, so it would definitely be worth using points.
That being said, points are for spending. Even if you’re not getting the full half cent value from each point, it may be worth using them if you don’t have any trips planned for quite a while.
What do you get with Hilton elite status?
Benefits you get with Hilton Honors elite status increase based on the tier of status you can achieve. For example, you get the lowest tier of status (Silver) with the Hilton Honors American Express Card, but this status comes with limited benefits like free bottled water, elite rollover nights, spa discounts at Hilton properties and a fifth night free on award stays. If you work your way to Hilton Diamond status, which you get with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express, on the other hand, you can enjoy luxury perks like space-available room upgrades, executive lounge access at Hilton properties, 48-hour room guarantees, daily breakfast (or daily food and beverage credits) and more.
Here’s a rundown of the main benefits that come with each elite status tier:
Anyone can sign up to be a Hilton Honors member for free and receive a core set of benefits. This includes the ability to earn points on stays, no resort fees on award stays, free Wi-Fi and access to member-only pricing.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers complimentary Hilton Silver elite status and the ability to upgrade to Gold status after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.
Here are a few of the benefits that come with Silver elite status:
- 20% points-earning bonus on stays
- Fifth night free on reward stays
- Free bottled water at select hotels
- The ability to rollover elite nights to get a head start on next year’s elite status
Both the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offer complimentary Gold elite status. Gold elite members get all the perks of Silver status, in addition to the following benefits:
- 80% points-earning bonus on stays
- Daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast (varies by brand and region)
- Space-available room upgrades
- Milestone bonuses
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express offers complimentary Diamond elite status, which is the highest status that Hilton offers. Diamond elite members get the benefits of all lower levels of status and also receive the following:
- 100% points-earning bonus on stays
- Executive lounge access where available
- 48-hour room guarantee
- The ability to give elite status to another member once you hit 60 nights in a calendar year.
Additional Hilton credit card benefits
Hilton credit cards come with valuable travel benefits like elevated rewards on Hilton hotel stays, no foreign transaction fees and baggage insurance coverage1. Here are a few of the Hilton credit card benefits you might be interested in:
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Up to $400 property credit
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** includes a posh benefit for those who often stay at Hilton resorts. You’ll get up to $200 semi-annually in statement credits toward eligible purchases at participating Hilton resorts.
Both the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card come with smaller annual credits that apply to on-property Hilton purchases each year.
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Up to $200 airline fee credit
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** comes with a $200 airline fee credit you can use for incidental charges like seat selection fees, baggage fees or in-flight refreshments after you choose a designated airline at the beginning of the year. This credit is given out quarterly for eligible purchases, in increments of $50.
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Up to $100 property credit
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** also offers a $100 property credit when you book a stay at participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
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Free night reward
You can earn free night awards with several of the Hilton cards as well. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** gives one free night award each year without a spending requirement. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card gives one free night award if you spend $15,000 on your card in a calendar year.
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Baggage insurance
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** offers baggage insurance1 for lost, damaged or stolen baggage. The Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express® Gold Card also offer baggage insurance1.
How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
In order to find the right Hilton card, you’ll want to look into the following card benefits and characteristics.
Credit card welcome offers help you earn an influx of points within a short amount of time, and Hilton Honors welcome offers can be worth a few free hotel stays right off the bat. Just remember that you have to meet a minimum spending requirement to qualify for these offers and that you should only pursue bonuses you can easily earn through regular spending and bills.
The ongoing earning rate is another critical feature to consider when choosing a credit card, and the co-branded Hilton credit cards all have a standard earning rate of 3X Hilton Honors points per $1. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card both earn 1X Membership Rewards points per $1 in non-bonus categories, which is effectively 2X Hilton points based on the transfer ratio. If you’re looking strictly for Hilton points, any of the four co-branded cards might be a better choice.
You should also factor in the rewards you can earn for paid Hilton stays and other types of purchases. All of the Hilton credit cards offer elevated earning rates ranging from 5X in select categories to 14X points at Hilton hotels.
The co-branded Hilton cards all earn Hilton Honors points you can redeem for free nights at Hilton hotels and resorts around the world. Other redemption options for Hilton Honors points include experiences (concerts, dining, sporting events and more), Lyft rides, shopping and rental cars.
No matter which of these cards you pick, you have the same redemption options for your Hilton Honors points.
While avoiding annual fees on credit cards makes sense when you want to keep costs down, annual-fee credit cards offer much better rewards and more valuable perks. You should weigh the value of the rewards and benefits against the card’s cost — you may find that you come up much farther ahead with an annual fee card than with a no-annual-fee card.
Let’s say you’re considering the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card with its annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. You would need to decide if the benefits are worth it or not, which you can do by adding up the value of the welcome offer and perks like complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 Hilton credit annually (up to $50 statement credits per quarter) on eligible purchases.
There are multiple Hilton credit cards that offer a free night reward as a cardholder perk:
- You’ll need to reach a spend threshold of $15,000 to earn a free night with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- As the premium card option, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** offers this night outright for every year you’re a card member.
Hilton Honors offers a fifth-night free benefit on award stays to its elite members as a 20% discount off the total number of points required for the stay. All co-branded Hilton credit cards provide some level of Hilton elite status after you enroll in the Hilton Honors program, from lowly Silver with the Hilton Honors American Express Card to top-tier Diamond status from the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express**. Picking any Hilton credit card lets you take advantage of the Hilton fifth-night free benefit.
Only the more premium Hilton credit cards offer travel credits as a perk:
- The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express** comes with multiple travel credits, including up to a $400 resort credit annually (up to $200 semi-annually), an annual airline incidental credit of up to $200* (up to $50 quarterly) and a $100 on-property credit for two or more nights at Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express offers a number of travel credits as well, including up to a $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit*, two $50 semi-annual Saks credits* and up to $200 per year ($15 per month and a bonus $20 in December) in Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides and U.S. UberEats purchases when you add the card to the Uber app*.
Frequently asked questions
Hilton has a dedicated page where you can buy, gift, pool or transfer points. You’ll need to have an open Hilton Honors account to be able to buy Hilton points for yourself.
You typically need a FICO credit score of at least 670 to 850 to qualify for a Hilton Honors credit card issued directly by the network, which includes the lineup of Hilton cards. Good FICO Scores start at 670, the minimum you may need to be approved. Application approval is always dependent on each individual’s overall credit profile.
You can apply for many of the cards on this page through the “Apply Now” button. You can also go to the Hilton website or the American Express website, or call American Express. After applying, American Express will check your credit score and credit history to see if you qualify and potentially instantly approve you for a new card, sometimes even offering an instant card number.
If you’ve held your Hilton Honors American Express Card for at least 12 months, you may be able to upgrade it to either the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express**. If you have held your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for at least 12 months, you may be able to upgrade it to the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express.
You cannot upgrade the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express or The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. American Express often sends out upgrade offers for their Hilton credit cards.
American Express issues a credit limit on its cards specific to the cardholder. Your individual credit limit will be based on your income, credit history and other factors.
1. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Card
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- American Express® Gold Card
The information related to the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
