Hilton Honors Amex Card Review: Great Benefits with No Annual Fee

Overview of the Hilton Honors American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is Hilton's entry-level cobranded card with no annual fee (see rates and fees). It offers bonus points on eligible Hilton purchases and grants complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, making it an appealing choice for newcomers loyal to the brand or those wanting to avoid annual fees (terms apply). However, other travel cards may provide more flexibility in points and additional benefits. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating reflects the views of TPG's editors and is not swayed by the card issuer.

The Hilton Honors program encompasses over 8,000 destinations across more than 120 countries, offering numerous chances to earn and redeem points.

For beginners seeking a card with Hilton benefits, the Hilton Honors American Express Card could be a great fit. It has no annual fee and offers attractive category bonuses along with travel and purchase protections (terms apply), making it an excellent choice for those starting their journey with Hilton Honors.

Typically, you'll need a solid credit score of 670 or above to increase your chances of approval.

Here’s everything you need to determine if this card suits your financial needs.

Pros and Cons of the Hilton Honors Amex Card

Hilton Honors Amex Welcome Bonus

New Amex Hilton Honors cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points by spending $2,000 within the first six months of cardmembership. This offer is valid until January 8, 2025.

Based on TPG's September 2024 valuations, Hilton points are valued at 0.6 cents each, making this welcome offer worth approximately $600.

The highest bonus we've previously seen was 130,000 points, but it required $5,000 in spending within six months to qualify. (This offer is no longer available.) Considering it was only 30,000 additional points for an extra $3,000 in spending, I believe the current welcome offer is more advantageous.

Benefits of the Hilton Honors Amex

The Hilton Honors Amex offers several noteworthy perks in addition to the welcome bonus. Since this card carries no annual fee, it can be forgiven for having fewer perks.

Here’s a summary of the card’s offerings (some benefits require enrollment; terms apply):

• Elite status: Cardholders automatically enjoy Hilton Honors Silver elite status, which includes member discounts, a 20% points bonus on paid stays, elite rollover nights, a fifth night free on award stays, and more. You can achieve Hilton Honors Gold status by spending $20,000 on the card within a calendar year. Note that other Hilton credit cards provide Gold status automatically, making the spending requirement less appealing.
• Entertainment: Access exclusive ticket presales and cardmember-only events through the American Express Experiences program, including Broadway shows, concert tours, and sporting events.
• ShopRunner: Enjoy free two-day shipping on eligible purchases at over 100 online retailers after signing up at shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
• Extended warranty*: The card extends the manufacturer’s warranty by up to one year on warranties of five years or less.
• Purchase protection*: Items bought with the card are covered for accidental damage, theft, or loss for up to 90 days, with coverage up to $1,000 per item, totaling up to $50,000 per year.
• Car rental insurance**: When you reserve and pay for a rental car using the card and decline the rental company's insurance, you are covered for damage and theft up to $50,000. This benefit acts as secondary coverage to your personal auto insurance and does not include liability.

*Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Earning Points with the Hilton Honors Amex

With the Hilton Honors Amex, you can earn 7 Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent on stays at Hilton hotels and resorts (including room charges and on-site expenses at restaurants and spas), 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 5 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

According to TPG's September 2024 valuation, Hilton points are valued at 0.6 cents each, resulting in a 4.2% base return at Hilton hotels. With the additional 12 points per dollar from your Hilton Honors Silver elite status, your return increases to 11.4%.

Additionally, you’ll earn a 3% return on purchases made at U.S. grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants (including takeout and delivery), along with a 1.8% return on all other eligible purchases.

If you're seeking higher earning potential across a broader range of travel expenses, such as flights and car rentals, this card may not meet your needs.

Redeeming Points with the Hilton Honors Amex

For the best value from your Hilton points, opt for hotel and resort stays, despite the chain's absence of published award charts. The number of points required for a hotel room can vary, so the final cost won’t be clear until you make a reservation.

The Points Explorer tool provides insights into what other guests have recently paid, helping you gauge the potential cost of a specific award ticket.

You can transfer your Hilton Honors points to more than 25 airline loyalty programs worldwide. However, I wouldn't recommend this approach unless you're just topping off an airline account for a specific award. The transfer ratio is typically unfavorable, costing you thousands of points for a meager return in airline miles.

My recommendation? Focus on redeeming points for hotel stays to maximize the value of your rewards.

You’ll get even greater value when you redeem points for stays of five nights or more. This is because you receive a fifth night free on award stays, courtesy of your Hilton Silver status.

TPG's director of travel content, Eric Rosen, recently took advantage of the fifth-night-free benefit to enhance the value of his points during a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. This benefit allowed him to save 120,000 Hilton points.

What are the alternatives to the Hilton Honors Amex card?

The Hilton Honors Amex card faces competition from other cards featuring 'Hilton' in their names, but general travel rewards cards may provide better overall benefits. Here are several options worth considering:

• If you prefer Hilton with extra benefits: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers a generous 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels, grants automatic Gold status, and lets you earn a free night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Additionally, you can receive up to $200 in statement credits for Hilton-related purchases each year (up to $50 quarterly), with an annual fee of just $150 (see rates and fees). For more details, check our comprehensive review of the Amex Hilton Surpass card.
• If you seek versatile rewards: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card earns 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, along with a flat 2 miles per dollar on all other purchases. These miles can be transferred to over 15 partners for optimal value. To learn more, read our detailed review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
• If you're looking for a hotel card with no annual fee, no matter the brand: The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card is a solid choice if you want a hotel credit card without an annual fee and aren't exclusively loyal to Hilton. You'll earn 3 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy locations, receive Silver Elite status, and gain travel and shopping protections. For additional information, check out our thorough review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card.

For more choices, refer to our list of the top hotel credit cards and American Express options.

Is the Hilton Honors Amex a worthwhile investment?

You might think the Amex Hilton Honors card is automatically a great choice due to its no annual fee. However, it really depends on your needs. This card is likely to appeal to you if you're satisfied with basic elite status and reasonable earning rates. If you're after more flexible rewards or additional Hilton benefits, consider opting for a mid-tier Hilton card or a general travel rewards card.

In summary

The Hilton Honors American Express Card serves as an excellent entry-level option for those eager to take advantage of Hilton's loyalty program without incurring an annual fee. While it may not suit everyone, it could be the right fit for you if that's what you prioritize.