The ultimate guide to Hilton Honors credit cards: Find the best option for you

Guides The ultimate guide to Hilton Honors credit cards: Find the best option for you

Milesopedia recommends this card from American Express

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

175,000 Hilton Honors Points

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Hilton Honors provides members with countless ways to earn and redeem points at over 7,500 properties across 120+ countries and territories. From luxury stays at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad to budget-friendly options like Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, the program caters to all types of travelers.

Hilton Honors partners with American Express to offer a range of cobranded credit cards. These cards have unique benefits that can make your Hilton stays much more rewarding.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top Hilton Honors credit cards to help you find the one that best fits your needs.

What to look for in a Hilton Honors credit card

With four Hilton Honors credit cards available (three personal and one business), there are several key factors to consider:

Annual fees: Ranging from $0 to $550 — make sure the card’s benefits justify the cost.
Credit score: Most Hilton cards require a good to excellent score (690–850).
Welcome offer: Look for offers with substantial Hilton Honors points. You should ideally be opening a card with a welcome offer between 100,000 and 175,000 points.
Earning potential: Compare points multipliers for Hilton stays, dining, travel and other purchases. Some cards offer up to 14 points per dollar at Hilton properties, plus bonuses in categories like restaurants and gas stations.
Elite status benefits: Look for perks like automatic Silver, Gold or Diamond status and the ability to earn additional elite night credits through spending.
Free night awards: Some cards provide annual Free Night Rewards after meeting spending thresholds or as a built-in benefit.
Travel perks: Consider no foreign transaction fees, airline fee credits, resort credits and extras like Clear Plus membership.
Issuer restrictions: Review American Express’s “once per lifetime” rule for welcome bonuses before applying.

Best Hilton card with no annual fee

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a Hilton-branded credit card with no annual fee.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Unlock No‑Fee Hilton Benefits with the Hilton Honors American Express Card

100,000 bonus points plus a $100 statement credit after $2,000 in purchases within 6 months
No annual fee
Complimentary Silver status: fifth night free on award stays, 20% bonus points, two free bottles of water and elite rollover nights
7X points on eligible Hilton portfolio purchases
5X points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations
3X points on all other eligible purchases

Whether you stay at Hilton properties occasionally or just want perks without a fee, this card delivers a powerful welcome offer and solid ongoing earnings. Enjoy elevated status benefits from day one and rack up points on everyday spend—perfect for building your Hilton stash before your next getaway. Manage your account seamlessly in the AmEx app and take advantage of automatic elite perks every time you book.

Terms apply. Welcome offer ends 8/13/2025; bonus points and statement credit require $2,000 spend in first 6 months. See full terms for details.

Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is best for:

Occasional Hilton guests who want to earn points without paying an annual fee.
Travelers seeking basic Hilton Honors elite status benefits from Silver status like complimentary bottled water and the fifth night free when you book a standard room stay with 100% points.
Those new to hotel rewards programs who want to test the waters with a no-annual-fee card that offers decent earning potential.
Individuals who frequently spend at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants, as the card offers 5 points per dollar in these categories.
Travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees while earning Hilton Honors points.

Best mid-tier Hilton card for free nights

If you’re seeking free night awards and premium benefits without breaking the bank, our experts recommend the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Maximize Your Hilton Honors Rewards with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

130,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases within 6 months
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
Up to $200 annual statement credit ($50 per quarter) on eligible Hilton purchases
12X points per $1 on Hilton portfolio stays
6X points per $1 at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations
4X points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases
3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status and a fast track to Diamond Status
Free Night Reward after $15,000 in annual spend
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required)
No foreign transaction fees

Whether you’re booking a quick weekend getaway or a multi‑night resort stay, this card puts powerful rewards and perks in your hands. Offset the annual fee with quarterly statement credits on Hilton stays, then rack up accelerated points on both hotel nights and everyday purchases. Enjoy automatic Gold elite benefits—like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and bonus points—and use your Free Night Reward to unlock even more value. Manage your Hilton Honors balance seamlessly in the AmEx app and get the most out of every stay.

Terms apply. Statement credits capped at $50 per quarter. Welcome offer and benefits require qualifying purchases. See issuer for full details.

Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card is ideal for:

Hilton loyalists who can earn a Free Night Reward by spending $15,000 in a calendar year, easily offsetting the annual fee.
Frequent spenders at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, where the card earns 6 points per dollar.
Travelers seeking perks like complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which includes room upgrades and bonus points.
Cardholders who can maximize the up to $200 annual Hilton credit for hotel stays or incidental charges.

Best Hilton card for luxury experiences and maximum rewards

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers premium benefits for luxury travelers.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Unlock Luxury Stays & Exclusive Perks with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card

14X points per $1 on Hilton stays
7X points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals and U.S. restaurants
3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
$450 Hilton resort credit annually (up to $150 per stay)
$250 airline fee credit per calendar year for incidental charges
$100 Digital Entertainment credit each year for eligible services
Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status for room upgrades, free breakfast and premium Wi‑Fi
Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership with unlimited lounge visits
Free weekend night reward each year after renewal
No foreign transaction fees

This card is ideal for travelers who demand top-tier benefits at every stay. Earn accelerated points on all your Hilton bookings and everyday spending, then redeem them for free nights or premium experiences. Your annual credits offset the fee and elevate resort and airline travel, while Diamond status ensures comfort from check‑in to checkout. Manage your rewards effortlessly with the Amex app and enjoy seamless access to lounges worldwide.

Terms apply. Credits require enrollment and eligible purchases. See issuer for complete details.

Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

With its $550 annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is best for:

Luxury travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties, especially high-end brands like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad.
Those who can maximize the up to $400 annual Hilton resort credit and up to $200 airline fee credit.
Travelers seeking top-tier Hilton Diamond status and its associated benefits, such as room upgrades and executive lounge access.
Those who value the annual Free Night Reward for hotel stays that would have otherwise cost 95,000 or more points per night.
Frequent travelers who can take advantage of the Clear Plus membership credit and the opportunity to earn additional free night awards through spending.

Best Hilton business card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is designed for small business owners who frequently stay at Hilton properties.

Hilton Honors Business Card

Maximize Your Stays & Savings with the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

130,000 bonus points after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months
12X points per $1 on Hilton stays
6X points per $1 on select business categories (U.S. restaurants, transit, shipping, cloud services)
3X points per $1 on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Up to $200 annual statement credit ($50 per quarter) on eligible Hilton purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status and a fast track to Gold
No foreign transaction fees

Whether you’re booking client travel or rewarding your team, this card turbocharges your Hilton Honors earnings on both hotel stays and everyday business expenses. Redeem points for free nights, room upgrades or statement credits, and enjoy built‑in reporting tools that simplify expense tracking. With automatic elite status and quarterly statement credits to offset the fee, you’ll balance growth and savings seamlessly.

Terms apply. Bonus points and statement credits require qualifying purchases. See issuer for complete details.

Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is ideal for:

Small business owners who frequently stay at Hilton properties and can earn 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases.
High spenders who can maximize 5 points per dollar on the first $100,000 in non-Hilton purchases each calendar year.
Travelers seeking perks like automatic Hilton Honors Gold status.
Business travelers who can take advantage of up to $240 in annual statement credits for purchases at Hilton properties.
Loyal Hilton guests aiming to upgrade to Diamond status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year.

Bottom line

Hilton Honors offers a range of credit cards that cater to different types of travelers, from occasional guests to frequent Hilton loyalists and luxury travelers. Whether you’re looking for a no-annual-fee option, free night rewards, or premium perks like automatic Diamond status, there’s a Hilton card that fits your needs.

By carefully considering factors like earning potential, benefits, and annual fees, you can choose the card that maximizes your Hilton stays and enhances your travel experiences.

FAQs – Hilton Honors Credit Cards

How many Hilton credit cards are there?

Hilton partners with American Express to offer four credit cards: three personal cards (Hilton Honors, Surpass^®, and Aspire) and one business card (Hilton Honors Business Card).

Which Hilton credit card is best for beginners?

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is ideal for beginners. It has no annual fee, provides automatic Silver status, and lets you earn points on everyday purchases.

What’s the best Hilton card for earning free nights?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card offers a Free Night Reward after $15,000 in annual spending and Gold status with room upgrades and free breakfast.

Which Hilton card gives automatic Diamond status?

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides automatic Diamond status, the highest Hilton Honors tier, with luxury perks and premium travel credits.

Do Hilton credit cards offer free night certificates?

Yes. The Surpass^®, Aspire, and Business cards offer Free Night Rewards after meeting spending requirements. The Aspire Card includes one automatically each year.

Can I hold more than one Hilton Honors credit card?

Yes, you can hold multiple Hilton Honors cards, including both personal and business versions, to maximize earning and benefits. Each card has unique perks and bonuses.

Marc Delaney

Marc Delaney is a bilingual (English/French) travel rewards strategist and credit card expert at Milesopedia USA. Born in the U.S. to a French-American family, Marc combines North American know-how with a deep understanding of international loyalty programs. With over a decade of experience in personal finance, he specializes in helping high-income individuals, digital nomads, and frequent flyers optimize their credit card points and travel benefits. His insights focus on maximizing value from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards®, Amex Membership Rewards®, Aeroplan® and Flying Blue®. Marc started his career advising startups on business credit strategies and later transitioned into rewards consulting for cross-border entrepreneurs. He holds a degree in economics from the University of Vermont and has contributed to financial newsletters, webinars, and loyalty-focused communities across North America and Europe. A passionate traveler, Marc has explored more than 40 countries using points and miles to fly in premium cabins and stay in luxury hotels. When he's not analyzing credit card ecosystems, you'll find him hiking remote trails or reviewing airport lounges for Milesopedia readers.

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