5 reasons you should get the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Amex Card
Editor's Note
The entry-level Hilton Honors American Express Card can be a surprisingly great addition to anyone’s wallet, whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a complete newbie.
Even if you don’t frequently stay at Hilton properties, this no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees) can help you rack up bonus points on your everyday purchases. Then, you can unlock award nights at thousands of properties worldwide.
Here are five reasons you should consider applying for this card right now.
Valuable welcome offer
New Hilton Honors Amex cardmembers can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
This is an easy welcome bonus to hit; virtually anyone can spend $2,000 in six months.
The bonus points are worth $500 (according to TPG’s June 2025 valuations).
As a reminder, American Express restricts applicants from earning a welcome offer on a card more than once per lifetime. So, this card could be a terrific alternative for those who’ve previously held other Hilton Honors cards and thus aren’t eligible for another welcome offer on those cards.
Fortunately, Amex will let you know if you’re ineligible for a welcome offer during your application, so you won't receive a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Related: The best credit card welcome offers this month
No annual fee
The Hilton Honors Amex is the baseline card in the Hilton credit card portfolio.
While the card isn’t packed with many ongoing perks, it’s still a great option if you’re looking for something that doesn’t charge an upfront fee.
Related: TPG’s 10 commandments of credit card rewards
Free elite status
How often does a card with no annual fee come with complimentary elite status? The Hilton Honors Amex confers Hilton Silver status. (Terms apply.)
Although Silver won’t get you too many perks, it unlocks a key benefit that’s a must-have for award travelers: You’ll get your fifth night free on award stays (for stays of up to 20 nights). The savings add up if you’re staying at expensive properties.
Other perks of Silver elite status include a 20% points bonus on stays and two complimentary bottles of water per stay at most properties.
And if you spend $20,000 or more on eligible purchases with your Hilton Honors Amex in a calendar year, you’ll receive Gold elite status through the end of the next calendar year. Gold grants you extra perks like daily food-and-beverage credits and preferred room upgrades upon availability. (Terms apply.)
Related: Hilton Honors elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Complements other Amex cards
Other Hilton Honors cards
If you already carry another Hilton Honors card in your wallet (or have in the past), why not add this no-annual-fee card for the welcome offer alone? We all want the opportunity to get more bonus points, and the Hilton Honors Amex offers just that.
Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex
Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
The Hilton Honors Amex isn’t just for beginners. In fact, I’d argue that it’s a good fit for those who already carry premium rewards cards — namely, The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Both the consumer and business Amex Platinum cards offer complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status to cardmembers (enrollment is required; terms apply).
So, while the complimentary Silver elite status from the Hilton card isn't needed, it actually offers earning rates that complement these two Amex cards well.
If you use your Hilton Amex to pay for stays at Hilton properties and have Hilton Gold status through either Amex Platinum card, here’s how many points you’ll earn:
- Base earnings: 10 points per dollar
- Gold status bonus: 8 points per dollar
- Card bonus: 7 points per dollar
In other words, you’ll take home 25 points for every dollar you spend at Hilton properties, a return of 12.5% based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations. And even this doesn’t take into account any promotions that may be in effect at the time of your stay.
Beyond that, the Hilton Honors Amex offers a nice array of everyday bonus categories that pair nicely with the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum:
- 5 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 5 points per dollar spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
- 5 points per dollar spent on gas at U.S. gas stations
- 3 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
And if you ever need to top off your Hilton Honors points balance, remember that Hilton is a transfer partner of American Express. For every 1 Membership Rewards point you transfer, you’ll get 2 Hilton Honors points.
Related: Guide to Marriott and Hilton elite status with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
Targeted upgrade offers
Anecdotally, American Express is known for being generous in targeting Hilton Honors members for upgrade offers.
In the future, you may be offered bonus points for upgrading your Hilton Honors Amex to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, which is a mid-tier card, or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which is the most premium Hilton card.
There’s no guarantee here, but in the past, we’ve seen upgrade offers of up to 150,000 bonus points.
That means you could potentially upgrade your card, snag a great haul of bonus points and enhance your benefits — all without filling out a whole new card application (and receiving a hard pull on your credit report).
Bottom line
It’s not often that we recommend applying for a no-annual-fee card over its counterparts that do have annual fees. However, there are many valid reasons why the Hilton Honors Amex is a good deal.
Now for the harder decision: Where will you travel with your new stash of points?
To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Honors Amex.
Apply here: Hilton Honors Amex
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- 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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro 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.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- 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.