Is the Hilton Business Amex worth it?
Editor's Note
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great pick for small-business owners loyal to Hilton. It offers complimentary Hilton Gold elite status and several business management tools for a moderate $195 annual fee (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
This card's benefits and the welcome offer can provide decent value to cardmembers looking to book Hilton stays for their business. However, this card isn't for everyone.
Let's take a closer look at the Hilton Business card to see if it's a fit for you.
Welcome offer
Right now, new Hilton Amex Business cardmembers can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
TPG's June 2025 valuations value this welcome offer at $650.
Keep in mind that Hilton uses dynamic pricing for hotel redemption bookings. These bonus points may sound like a lot, but in reality, they might cover just two nights at a top-tier property.
That said, this is still a great way to get some real value out of your business's routine spending.
Related: 7 ways to redeem points with the Hilton Honors program
Earning points
The Hilton Business Amex earns a decent 12 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts. Plus, you'll earn 5 points per dollar on all other purchases up to $100,000 per calendar year (3 points per dollar on purchases thereafter).
That's a solid rate for Hilton purchases but average for other spending. The Hilton Business Amex is not the best card for earning rewards on non-Hilton spending.
This card's rates equate to a 7.2% return at Hilton properties and a 3% return on other spending up to $100,000 (then 1.8% on all non-Hilton purchases afterward), per TPG's April 2025 valuations.
Keep in mind that you'll receive extra points per dollar on your Hilton bookings through this card's complimentary Gold elite status. Since this status level provides an 80% bonus on points earned, you'll receive another 18 points per dollar on top of the 12 points per dollar this card earns. That amounts to an impressive 30 points per dollar.
Other Hilton cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, offer better value in bonus-earning categories.
Related: The best Hilton credit cards
Redeeming points
Your Hilton Honors points can be redeemed for hotel nights, Hilton event credits, Hilton Honors Experiences, Amazon purchases and with airlines. We recommend using your points for hotel nights for the best value (by far).
Hilton Honors uses a dynamic pricing system, so you might want to use its Points Explorer tool to show you the award night price range for a specific property over the next month.
Thanks to the Hilton Business Amex's complimentary Gold status, you'll receive your fifth night free. That means you only have to pay for four nights, which is a great way to save on lengthier award stays.
Card benefits
The Amex Hilton Honors Business includes a few useful benefits for a mid-tier card:
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status: With Gold status, you'll enjoy an 80% points bonus on Hilton stays, the fifth night free on award redemptions, elite tier rollover nights, complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credits at all hotels and room upgrades.
- Upgrade to Diamond status: You can upgrade to Diamond Elite status through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $40,000 with your card in a calendar year. With Diamond status, you'll get access to superior upgrades, executive lounges and more.
- Up to $60 quarterly Hilton statement credit: You'll earn up to $240 per calendar year in statement credits, split into up to $60 each quarter on eligible Hilton purchases. Purchases can include room reservations at any Hilton property and incidental charges.
- Rental car elite status: Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status that provides guaranteed upgrades, no second drive fees and the ability to earn faster free rental days. Terms apply.
- Travel protections: Baggage insurance*, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance**, access to the Global Assist Hotline***, extended warranty* and purchase protection* are available to cardmembers.
- Expense management tools: Lastly, you'll have access to the American Express Business app, QuickBooks integration, Vendor Pay and more.
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies 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.
***Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Related: Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards
Bottom line
The Hilton Amex Business offers some value when used during Hilton stays, thanks to Gold elite status and quarterly up to $60 Hilton statement credits for a moderate annual fee.
Where the card falls short is the lack of bonus-earning categories tailored to businesses, no free night certificates and a cap on earning 5 points per dollar on everyday purchases (on the first $100,000 spent each calendar year, then 3 points per dollar).
While there is value to be had, prospective cardmembers will probably be better off with the better-value Hilton Surpass or Hilton Aspire cards or another business card.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Amex Business.
Apply here: Hilton Honors Amex Business
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Business card, click here.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 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.
- See Rates & Fees