Hilton Honors American Express Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $0
• APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Rewards: 7X points at Hilton, 5X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas, 3X on everything else
• Bonus: 100,000 bonus points after $2,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Hilton loyalists, frequent hotel stayers on a budget
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+)

Overview

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the perfect entry point for Hilton enthusiasts who want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. With 7X points at Hilton properties, 5X on dining, supermarkets, and gas, and 3X on everything else, this card offers surprisingly strong earning rates across the board—all while charging no annual fee.

Built for travelers who stay at Hilton properties regularly but don't need ultra-premium benefits, this card delivers automatic Hilton Silver status and the potential to reach Gold status after spending $20,000 annually. The generous welcome bonus of 100,000 points (worth 2+ free nights) makes it easy to start earning toward your next vacation immediately.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Balance Transfer APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 19.74%–28.74% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: While this card allows balances, paying in full maximizes rewards value.

Benefits Overview

Hotel Benefits

• Automatic Hilton Honors Silver Status: Includes benefits at 7,600+ properties worldwide
• Earn Hilton Honors Gold Status: After $20,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges
• Weekend Night Reward: Earn a Weekend Night Reward after $15,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year

Hilton Status Benefits (Silver)

• Priority Room Assignment: Subject to availability
• Digital Check-In: Skip the front desk
• 5th Night Free: On rewards stays
• Bonus Points: Earn 20% bonus on base points earned during stays

Gold Status Benefits (After $20K Spend)

• Complimentary Breakfast: For up to 2 guests
• Space Available Upgrades: Including Executive Level rooms
• Bonus Points: Earn 80% bonus on base points earned during stays
• All Silver benefits included

Travel Benefits

• Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Protection for qualified trip disruptions
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Secondary coverage worldwide
• Travel Accident Insurance: Coverage for qualified accidents

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Free Additional Cards: Add authorized users at no cost

Rewards & Points

• 7X Hilton Honors points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
• 5X points at U.S. restaurants
• 5X points at U.S. supermarkets
• 5X points at U.S. gas stations
• 3X points on all other eligible purchases

Redemption Options:

• Book free nights at 7,600+ Hilton properties worldwide (starting at 5,000 points per night)
• Upgrade rooms using points
• Book Hilton experiences and events
• Transfer points to select airline partners (poor value—not recommended)
• Purchase items through Hilton Honors Marketplace
• Donate points to charitable causes

Points never expire as long as you have activity in your Hilton Honors account every 24 months.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 100,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 100,000 Hilton points is typically worth $500–$700 in free hotel nights, enough for 2–3 nights at mid-tier Hilton properties. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $0
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent Hilton guests who stay 3+ nights per year at Hilton properties
• Budget travelers who want hotel rewards without annual fees
• Families and grocers who maximize 5X at supermarkets and gas stations
• Frequent diners earning 5X at restaurants
• Hilton status seekers working toward Gold status ($20K spend threshold)
• Everyday spenders who benefit from 3X on all other purchases
• International travelers who avoid foreign transaction fees
• Those new to hotel cards testing benefits before upgrading

Not Good For

• Non-Hilton guests who prefer hotel flexibility
• Luxury hotel seekers who stay primarily at premium brands
• Those wanting premium status without spending thresholds (consider Surpass or Aspire)
• Low spenders who can't reach $20,000 for Gold status
• Those preferring cash back over hotel-specific points
• Balance carriers (high APR makes this expensive)
• Those wanting airline transfer flexibility (Hilton transfers offer poor value)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• No annual fee makes it risk-free to try and keep long-term
• 7X earning at Hilton properties is excellent for hotel stays
• 5X earning on dining, supermarkets, and gas is exceptional for a no-fee card
• 3X on everything else provides solid base earning rate
• Automatic Hilton Silver status included
• Path to Gold status after $20,000 annual spend
• Weekend Night Reward after $15,000 spend adds free night
• 100,000-point welcome bonus provides immediate value
• No foreign transaction fees for international travel
• Comprehensive travel protections included
• Points never expire with regular account activity

Cons

• Hilton points are less valuable than Marriott or IHG points (typically 0.5¢ each)
• $20,000 spending threshold for Gold status is high
• Silver status benefits are limited compared to Gold/Diamond
• Weekend Night Reward ($15K threshold) is restricted to weekends
• Hilton points don't transfer well to airlines
• Large hotel portfolios mean varying property quality
• No lounge access or free nights included automatically
• APR is high if you carry a balance
• Points devalue during peak travel seasons
• May require significant spend to reach valuable redemptions

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $20,000 per year on typical expenses:

Benefits Value:

• Hilton Gold status: ~$200 value (free breakfast, upgrades)
• Weekend Night Reward (after $15K): ~$150 value
• Silver status benefits: ~$50 value
• Total Benefits: ~$400

Net Annual Fee: $0 - $0 = $0 (completely free)

Total Value: 90,000 Hilton points (worth $450–$630 in free nights) + $400 in status benefits = $850–$1,030 in total value with no annual fee.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You stay at Hilton properties 3+ times per year
• You want hotel rewards without paying an annual fee
• You spend heavily on dining, supermarkets, and gas (5X categories)
• You can reach $20,000 annual spend for Gold status benefits
• You value free breakfast and room upgrades (Gold benefits)
• You want to build Hilton points for future vacations
• You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
• You appreciate the 3X base earning rate on all purchases
• You're new to hotel cards and want to test benefits first

You Should Skip It If...

• You rarely stay at Hilton properties
• You prefer hotel chain flexibility over Hilton loyalty
• You want automatic premium status without spending thresholds
• You can't reach $20,000 spend for Gold status (limited Silver benefits)
• You prefer cash back over hotel-specific points
• You stay primarily at luxury hotel brands
• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR)
• You want airline transfer flexibility (Hilton transfers offer poor value)
• You need premium benefits like free annual nights (consider Surpass or Aspire)

Apply Now

Apply for Hilton Honors American Express Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.