Which credit card is best for Hilton stays?

There are several cobranded credit cards offered by Hilton Honors, and many people wonder which one suits their needs best. After evaluating the available Hilton credit cards, you might be ready to choose one for your next stay at a Hilton hotel.

Let’s explore some popular cards you can use for your upcoming stays at hotels within the Hilton Honors program and what rewards and benefits these cards offer based on your spending.

Evaluating credit cards for your Hilton hotel stay

In addition to using a Hilton cobranded credit card, you might want to consider a reliable travel rewards card that earns transferable points for travel expenses, like hotel stays. Let’s review some common choices and the benefits they provide.

* Bonus value is an estimated figure calculated by TPG and is not provided by the card issuer.

The details for the Hilton Aspire and American Express Green cards have been independently gathered by Dinogo. The information on this page has not been reviewed or endorsed by the card issuer.

Which card is right for you?

When selecting a credit card for your upcoming stay at a Hilton location, keep in mind two key factors: the benefits you receive during your stay and the points accumulated on the card for your payment.

The initial part is quite straightforward. Your elite status benefits will apply no matter which card you use for your stay. For instance, you don't need to use the Amex Hilton Aspire card to access your Diamond status benefits during your next visit to a Hilton.

(The only exception is when booking a paid stay at a Hilton hotel using the Sapphire Reserve through Chase Travel℠ or the Citi Strata Premier through CitiTravel.com. This typically counts as a third-party booking, meaning you'll earn 10 points for every dollar spent, but you'll likely miss out on any Hilton elite status perks.)

If you're looking to earn points from spending at hotels that are part of the Hilton Honors program, using your Hilton credit card is a solid choice. These cards generally provide a better return compared to using a Marriott credit card at a Marriott hotel, and with statement credits on several Hilton cobranded cards, your overall costs can be lower.

However, the value derived from this can be somewhat subjective: Do you want to maximize your returns based on our monthly points evaluations? Are you comfortable with earning points that are restricted to a single program and can only be used with Hilton (or transferred to airlines in ways that significantly reduce their value)?

Or do you prefer earning transferable points because you know how to maximize them for first- and business-class flight rewards, getting more value from your points? In that case, using a card that earns American Express Membership Rewards points might be your best option, as it gives you access to the full range of transfer partners while still allowing you to transfer to Hilton Honors if you need just a few more points for your next redemption.

Bottom line

Choosing which credit card to use for a purchase often involves trade-offs. You might earn more points but give up certain benefits. Alternatively, you could opt for fewer points in exchange for valuable insurance coverage with a specific card.

Fortunately, deciding on a credit card for your Hilton hotel stay is quite straightforward. With high earning rates on Hilton credit cards, you can accumulate significant rewards while enjoying their benefits — without the trade-offs typically associated with other hotel chains.

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