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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Hilton Honors American Express Card review: Solid perks for beginner travelers
Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
September 29, 2026 • 11 min read
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Quick summary
A no-annual-fee hotel card provides automatic entry-level elite status and strong earning potential at hotel properties and select U.S. merchants.
Cardholders can access exclusive event presales and receive travel and purchase protections, such as extended warranty and purchase protection (terms apply).
The card is best suited for those who stay at the hotel chain occasionally and want to build loyalty points without premium perks or fees.
Higher-tier cards offer more valuable benefits, such as premium elite status, annual free night awards and statement credits, but require a fee.
What to consider
Gold elite status is only available after $20,000 in annual spending, while other cards grant it automatically with a fee.
The fifth-night-free benefit on award stays can significantly increase the value of points for longer hotel stays.
Points are most valuable when redeemed for hotel stays; transfers to airline partners generally offer less value.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of entry-level versus premium hotel cards, including which benefits matter most for different types of travelers.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
at American Express's secure site. Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
Rewards rate
Rewards rate
Rate
Category
7X
Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
5X
Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card: at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, at U.S. gas stations.
3X
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Intro offer
Earn 70,000 Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.74%-28.74% Variable
Recommended credit
Excellent to Good
If you want Hilton perks without paying an annual fee, the (see rates and fees) is the simplest way to get started.
This entry-level Hilton card offers automatic low-tier elite status and strong bonus categories — all for no annual fee. While it doesn't offer premium statement credits or free night awards, it can still deliver solid value for casual Hilton guests.
We recommend that applicants have good to excellent credit to improve their approval odds.
Here’s everything you need to decide if the card is right for your wallet.
Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: The basics
The is an entry-level option in Hilton's cobranded card portfolio. It can be a good option for those who stay at a Hilton property once or twice per year and engage with the Hilton Honors program, but don't want to commit to an annual fee.
The card earns elevated rewards at Hilton properties and in several everyday spending categories, making it accessible for beginners building a Hilton points balance. However, its greatest value lies directly in Hilton stays.
We'll dive into all the card's benefits further down, but a few standout features include:
Earning 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton hotels and resorts
Enjoying automatic Silver elite status, which includes a 20% bonus on base points and a fifth night free on award stays
Having the opportunity to earn Hilton Honors Gold status after spending $20,000 on your card in a calendar year
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
That said, it doesn't offer many of the standout benefits found on higher-end Hilton credit cards:
The offers automatic Hilton Gold status for a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees)
The offers complimentary Hilton Diamond status for a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees)
The Hilton Honors Amex doesn't compete with those cards on premium perks, but it also doesn't charge you to carry it.
Strong earning rates on Hilton hotels and resorts purchases and those made at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
Limited value if you don't stay at Hilton properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card benefits
As a no-annual-fee card, the Hilton Honors Amex offers a respectable mix of rewards and protections.
Hilton Honors Silver elite status
Cardmembers automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver status, which includes:
A 20% bonus on base points earned during paid stays
A fifth night free on award stays
Elite rollover nights
Member-exclusive discounts
The fifth-night-free benefit can significantly boost the value of your points when redeeming for stays lasting five or more nights.
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
You can earn Hilton Honors Gold elite status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $20,000 in a calendar year. Gold status includes:
An 80% bonus on base points earned during stays
A daily food-and-beverage credit at eligible U.S. properties or complimentary continental breakfast at eligible properties outside the U.S.
Space-available room upgrades
However, other Hilton credit cards provide complimentary Gold status without requiring $20,000 in annual spending, so using this card primarily to earn Gold may not provide the best value.
Through Amex Experiences, cardmembers can access exclusive ticket presales and cardmember-only events, including Broadway shows, concert tours and sporting events.
Even without an annual fee, the card includes several protections (terms apply):
Extended warranty*: Adds up to one year to an original manufacturer's warranty of five years or less
Purchase protection*: Covers eligible items for up to 90 days against accidental damage or theft (up to $1,000 per covered purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year)
Secondary car rental loss and damage coverage**: Covers damage or theft when you decline the rental company's insurance
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car rental loss or damage coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases
KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Based on TPG's September 2026 valuation of Hilton points at 0.4 cents apiece, you’ll earn a 2.8% base return at Hilton properties. However, when you factor in the bonus points you get from Silver status, you’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible Hilton purchases on top of your card earnings. This bumps your return to 19 points per dollar, or an impressive 7.6% return on your spending.
Additionally, you’ll receive a 2% return on spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and a 1.2% return on all other eligible purchases.
You won't find broad travel protections for flight delays or rental car damage with this card. As such, we don't recommend using a hotel card for non-hotel purchases unless you're working toward a welcome bonus or you need to top off your points balance. Instead, consider a transferable points credit card that earns more flexible points and likely has better travel protections.
You'll typically get the best value redeeming Hilton points for hotel stays. Award pricing is dynamic, so redemption rates vary by property and date.
The Points Explorer tool can show you what other guests have paid recently, giving you an idea of how much a given award stay might cost.
CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY
You can also transfer your Hilton Honors points to over 25 airline loyalty programs worldwide, but the transfer ratios rarely make sense. Unless you're topping off an airline account for a specific award, hotel redemptions will provide better value.
You’ll do even better when you redeem points for a stay of five nights or longer. That’s because you get a fifth night free on points stays, thanks to your Hilton Silver status.
Eric Rosen, TPG's director of travel content, used the fifth-night-free benefit to maximize the value of his points for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Mexico. Thanks to this feature, he saved 120,000 Hilton points on his stay.
Potential drawbacks to the Hilton Honors American Express Card
Although the Hilton Honors Amex offers solid value for a no-annual-fee card, it's clearly an entry-level product.
If you want automatic Gold or Diamond status, annual free night awards, statement credits or higher Hilton earning rates, one of Hilton's higher-tier cards may be a better fit, though you'll pay an annual fee.
When to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card
New members can earn 70,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 13, 2027.
Based on our valuations, this offer is worth $280 plus the value of the free night reward.
The Valorian Los Angeles Curio Collection by Hilton. HILTON
Remember that Amex only allows you to earn one welcome bonus per card, per lifetime, so it's very important to apply at the right time. Amex will alert you before submitting an application if you're not eligible for a welcome bonus.
Other cards to consider if you don't want the Hilton Honors American Express Card
The has natural competitors with “Hilton” in their names, but a general travel rewards credit card may also do better in your wallet. Here are a few of the options you should consider.
If you like Hilton but want more perks: The earns more at Hilton properties than the Hilton Honors Amex, provides automatic Gold elite status and has a spending-based pathway to earning an annual free night reward. This card comes with a $150 annual fee. To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Amex Surpass Card.
If you want flexible rewards: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns bonus miles on all hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. These miles can be transferred to Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners for maximum value. To learn more, check out our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
If you prefer Marriott: The (see rates and fees) is an option if you frequently stay at Marriott properties. You’ll earn bonus points on Marriott stays, enjoy Silver Elite status and receive travel and shopping protections. To learn more, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.
The is a straightforward way to earn Hilton points and get complimentary Silver status without paying an annual fee.
For casual Hilton guests who want to earn rewards and unlock the fifth-night-free perk at no cost, it's a smart, low-risk addition to your wallet.
Frequent Hilton travelers who value higher elite status, annual free night rewards or statement credits will likely get more from one of Hilton's higher-tier cards.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Aspire Card, click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
