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 and a $100 statement credit 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.
Including the statement credit, the offer is worth $500 (according to TPG's April 2026 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 10% based on TPG's April 2026 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
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.