Hilton Honors American Express Card Review: Full Details


Hilton Honors American Express Card Overview

He Hilton Honors American Express Card is Hilton’s free annual rate (see rates and fees) co-branded commodity product. With bonus points on eligible Hilton purchases and complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, the card is a solid option for new cardholders loyal to the hotel chain or those looking to avoid annual fees (terms apply). However, other travel cards offer more points flexibility and greater benefits. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

*Card rating It is based on the opinion of TPG editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

He Hilton Honors Program covers more than 8,000 locations in more than 120 countries, providing ample opportunities to earn and redeem points.

If you’re a beginner looking for a card with some Hilton perks, you might want to check out the Hilton Honors American Express Card. It has no annual fee and comes with generous upgrade bonuses and travel and purchase protections (terms apply), making it a great option for travelers looking to get started with Hilton Honors.

Generally you will need a good credit score of 670 or higher to have a realistic chance of being approved.

Here you’ll find everything you need to decide if the card is right for your wallet.

Hilton Honors Amex pros and cons

Advantages Cons
  • No annual fee
  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Terms apply
  • You cannot get a free night award, unlike other Hilton cards

Hilton Honors Amex Welcome Offer

New Amex Hilton Honors Cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on card purchases within the first six months of card membership. This offer ends January 8, 2025.

THE TYPE OF THE POINTS

According to TPG from September 2024 ratingsHilton points are worth 0.6 cents each, which means this welcome offer is worth $600.

He highest offer we have seen in the past It was 130,000 bonus points, but you had to spend $5,000 within six months of card membership to receive that offer. (Offer is no longer available.) Considering it’s only 30,000 extra points for an extra $3,000 in spending, I say the current welcome offer is the better of the two.

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Hilton Honors Amex Benefits

He Hilton Honors Amex It presents some notable advantages and benefits beyond the welcome offer. Since this card has no annual fee, I can’t fault it for being slim.

HILTON

Here’s an overview of what this card has to offer (enrollment required for select benefits; terms apply):

  • Elite status: Cardholders automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver Elite Statusoffering member discounts, a 20% points bonus on paid stays, elite rollover nights, a fifth night free on award-winning stays and more. You can upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status if you spend $20,000 on the card in a calendar year. It is worth noting that other hilton credit cards They offer Gold status automatically, which means spending $20,000 to get there isn’t a good value.
  • Entertainment: Through the American Express Experiences program, you can get exclusive access to ticket pre-sales and cardholder-only events, as well as Broadway shows, concert tours, sporting events, and more.
  • Store corridor: Free two-day shipping on eligible items at a network of over 100 online stores after you sign up for shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
  • Extended warranty*: The card comes with an extended warranty that adds up to one year to the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less.
  • Purchase Protection*: Purchase protection covers accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost items if you paid for them with your card. This benefit covers purchases for up to 90 days and covers up to $1,000 per item, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
  • Car rental insurance**: When you use the card to reserve and pay for a car rental and decline the rental company’s insurance, you’re covered against damage and theft, up to $50,000. This benefit is secondary coverage to your own auto insurance and does not include liability.

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

**Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

Earn points at Hilton Honors Amex

With the Hilton Honors Amexyou will win 7 Hilton Honors Points per dollar on stays at Hilton hotels and resorts (including payment for your room and restaurant and spa expenses), 5 points per dollar in the US. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), 5 points per dollar in the US. gas stations and United States supermarkets and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.

Given the TPG of September 2024 valuation of Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, you’ll earn a 4.2% base yield on Hilton hotels, though you’ll earn an additional 12 points per dollar from your Elite Hilton Honors Silver status, bringing your yield to 11.4%. .

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Additionally, you’ll receive a 3% return on your spending at US supermarkets, gas stations and restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and a 1.8% return on all other eligible purchases.

If you are looking for greater income opportunities that cover a broader range of travel shopping, including flights and rental cars, you won’t get that with this card.

Related: What credit card should I use for stays at Hilton?

Redeem points at Hilton Honors Amex

You’ll get the best value for your Hilton points for hotel and resort stays, even with the chain. lack of published prize tables. The number of points you need for a hotel room varies, so you won’t know the final price until you go to make the reservation.

He Point Explorer Tool can show you what other guests have paid recently, giving you an idea of ​​how much a given award ticket might cost.

HISPANOLISTIC/GETTY IMAGES

You can also transfer your Hilton Honors points to over 25 global airline loyalty programs. I do not recommend this method unless necessary. transfer honors points to complete an airline account for a specific award. The transfer fee is usually terrible, costing you thousands of points for a small return on airline miles.

My advice? Stick to hotel room redemptions to get the best value for your rewards.

You’ll get even better when you redeem points for a stay of five nights or more. That’s because you get a 5th night free on stays using pointsthanks to its Hilton Silver status.

TPG Travel Content Director Eric Rosen He recently used the fifth night free benefit to maximize the value of his points for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Thanks to this feature, he was able to save 120,000 Hilton points.

Related: Hilton adds 100 more hotels through Small Luxury Hotels of the World partnership

What cards compete with the Hilton Honors Amex?

He Hilton Honors Amex The card has natural competitors with “Hilton” in their names, but a general travel rewards credit card may also work better on your wallet. Here are some options you should consider:

  • If you like Hilton but want more perks: He Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earn 12 more points per dollar at Hilton hotels, provides automatic Gold status and can earn a free night reward by spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year. You’ll also earn up to $200 in statement credits toward Hilton purchases each calendar year (up to $50 each quarter), and the card has a low annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees). For more information, see our full review of the Amex Hilton Surpass card.
  • If you want flexible rewards: He Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card Earn 5 miles per dollar on all hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel. Cardholders will earn 2 flat miles per dollar on all other purchases. These miles can be transferred to over 15 Capital One transfer partners for maximum value. For more information, see our Complete Capital One Venture Rewards Review.
  • If you want a hotel card with no annual fee, regardless of the brand: He Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card It’s an option if you want a hotel credit card with no annual fee and aren’t tied to Hilton. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy properties. You’ll also receive Silver Elite status, plus travel and purchase protections. For more information, see our Full Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Review.

For additional options, see our list of best hotel credit cards and American Express Cards.

Related: The best credit cards without annual fee

Is the Hilton Honors Amex worth it?

You could assume the Amex Hilton Honors Card It is worth it by default since it has no annual fee. Although it depends on what you are looking for. I think you’ll like this card if the entry-level elite status and fair income brackets are enough for you. If you’re looking for flexible rewards or more Hilton perks, I recommend opting for a mid-tier Hilton card or a general travel rewards card.

In a nutshell

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good starter card for those looking to maximize the benefits of the Hilton loyalty program without paying an annual fee. It may not be the ideal card for everyone, although it may be the right card for you if that’s what you’re looking for.


Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card


Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

For Hilton Honors Amex Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card, click here.



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