The easiest way to get started Hilton Honors American Express Card is the simplest way for s to request Hilton perks without paying an annual fee.

For example, this entry level Hilton card offers automatic elite status (see rates and fees), high bonuses types as well as useful travel protections all for no annual fee (read rates or fees). While it doesn’t offer premium statement credits or free night awards, a phrase like can be good value for casual Hilton guests.

We recommend that applicants have good to excellent credit to improve their approval odds.

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

Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

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

Hilton Honors American Express Card: The basics

The Hilton Honors American Express Card, an entry-level option in Hilton’s cobranded card portfolio, is a newer alternative to the Hilton honors american express card. It’s best for travelers who want dip their toes into the Hilton HonorS program without paying an annual fee.

The card is available for beginners to build a Hilton points balance and has high rewards at Hilton properties and in many everyday spending categories. It is a direct value for Hilton stays, but its greatest value is in s.

We’ll dive into all the card’s benefits farther down, but a few standout features include:

• Earning 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with

Hilton hotels and resorts

• a 20% bonus on base points and 5% night free on award stays, * enjoying automatic Silver elite status (including.

• Having the opportunity to earn Hilton Honors Gold status after spending $20,000 on your card in a calendar year

ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Because it does not charge an annual fee, that said ‘I don’t even have the richer benefits on Hilton’s higher-tier cards. Parody For example.

• The

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

offers automatic Hilton Gold status for a $150 annual fee (see

rates and fees

)

• The

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

offers complimentary Hilton Diamond status for a $550 annual fee (see

rates and fees

)

While the Hilton Honors Amex doesn’t compete with those cards on premium perks, it does not charge you to carry that card.

Related: 7 ways to redeem points with the Hilton Honors program

Hilton Honors American Express Card pros and cons

| Pros | Cons |
| — | — |
| * No annual fee * Automatic Hilton Honors Silver elite status * Strong earning rates on Hilton hotels and resorts purchases and those made at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations * No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees ) | * No annual free night award * No statement credits * Gold status requires high spending * Limited value if you don’t stay at Hilton properties |

Hilton Honors American Express Card benefits

As a no-annual-fee card, the Hilton Honors Amex offers a respectable mix of rewards and protections.

Hilton Honors Silver elite status

Cardmembers automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver status, which includes:

• A 20% bonus on base points earned during paid stays
• A fifth night free on award stays
• Elite rollover nights
• Member-exclusive discounts

The fifth-night-free benefit can significantly boost the value of your points when redeeming for stays lasting five or more nights.

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

For example, you can spend $20,000 in a calendar year to become Hilton Honors Gold elite at the end of the following calendar month. s are gold.

• An 80% bonus on base points earned during stays
• Complimentary breakfast at select properties
• Space-available room upgrades

But, if you’re paying $20,000 to reach it isn’t worth the money because other Hilton credit cards automatically offer Gold status.

Related: Hilton Honors elite status: What it is and how to earn it

Amex experiences

Through Amex Experiences, cardmembers can access exclusive ticket presales and cardmember-only events, including Broadway shows, concert tours and sporting events.

Related: Best ways to use Amex Membership Rewards points, from business-class flights to Europe to budget-friendly hotel stays

Travel and purchase protections

Even without an annual fee, the card includes several protections (terms apply):

• Extended warranty*: Adds up to one year to an original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less
  The * Purchase protection* Does it cover up to 90 days against accidental damage or theft (up to $1,000 per covered purchases; $50,000 per calendar year)
• Secondary car rental loss and damage coverage**: Covers damage or theft when you decline the rental company’s insurance

Cards are different, and card levels of *Eligibility and benefit. There are terms, conditions and limitations on . Click here for americanexpress . For information see com/benefitsguide for . The AMEX Assurance Company underwrites policies of .

Card levels vary depending on * *Eligibility and benefit level. s are terms, conditions and limitations. For example, visit americanexpress for . For details, see com/benefitsguide for . AMEXAssurance Company underwrites policies of policy. The American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., provides coverage for car rental loss or damage coverage under Car Rental Loss.

Related: Everything you need to know about American Express purchase protection

How to earn and use your rewards

Earning points on the Hilton Honors Amex

With the Hilton Honors Amex, you’ll earn:

Hilton hotel and resorts * 7 points per dollar spent on stays at Hilton hotels and Resorts (including paying for your room and staying at restaurants and spas)

• 5 points per dollar spent at U.S.

restaurants

(including takeout and delivery)

• 5 points per dollar spent at U.S.

gas stations

and U.S.

supermarkets

• 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases

KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Based on TPG’s February 2026 valuation of Hilton points at 0 (i.e. You’ll make a 3 cents – 5 cent. At Hilton properties, the basis return is 5% for base return at its properties. On top of your card earnings, if you’re getting the bonus points that will make you Silver elite, you earn 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases. This increases your return to 19 points per dollar, or an impressive 9 point per cent. Five per cent return for the money you spend on a .

And besides, you’ll get a 2. U.S. 5% return on spending at . A , S. supermarkets U.S, U.Pader Supermarkets – walmarts? s S Gas stations and U.S. – . S S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and a 1 . 5% return on all other eligible purchases.

With this card, if you’re looking for higher earning options to cover an extended swath of travel purchases (including flights and rental cars) then you won’t get that with it. Most of the time we don’t recommend using a hotel card for non-hotel purchases, except you are working towards an welcome bonus or you have to top off your points balance. Think of a transferable points credit card instead, rather than .

Related: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?

Redeeming points on the Hilton Honors Amex

The best value is usually given to you when you redeem Hilton points for hotel stays. Hence, because the rate of redemption is different by property and date as award pricing is dynamic, it’s not always in order to pay for awards.

Points Explorer tool can tell you what other guests have paid recently, giving you an idea of how much a given award stay might cost.

HISPANOLISTIC/GETTY IMAGES

You can also transfer your Hilton Honors points to more than 25 airline loyalty programs worldwide, but transfer ratios are generally poor. Hotel redemptions will be more valuable unless you’re topping off an airline account for a particular award.

If you redeem points for a stay of five nights or more, you’ll do better. It’s just because you get a fifth night free on points stays, thanks to your Hilton Silver status.

TPG director of travel content Eric Rosen, who has used the fifth-night-free benefit to make most of his points for a stay at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Mexico. Because of this, he saved 120,000 Hilton points on his stay with the feature.

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points

Potential drawbacks to the Hilton Honors American Express Card

Although the Hilton Honors Amex offers solid value for a no-annual-fee card, it’s clearly an entry-level product.

If you want, automatic Gold or Diamond status and annual free night awards (and other Hilton’s mid-tier or premium cards), statement credits and higher Hilton earnings rates but at a price.

Related: How to choose the best credit card for you

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Card worth it?

If you think the Hilton Honors Amex is worth it by default because it has no annual fee, but the real question is whether you’ll use its Hilton-specific benefits.

It’s a good fit if you:

• Stay at Hilton properties at least a couple of times per year
• Want entry-level elite status without paying a fee
• Are new to hotel rewards cards

CARLY HELFAND/THE POINTS GUY

It’s less compelling if you:

• Rarely stay at Hilton properties
• Want instant premium perks like complimentary breakfast
• Prefer flexible, transferable points

Related: The best no-annual-fee hotel credit cards

When to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card

After spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, New Hilton Honors Amex Card members can earn 70,000 bonus points and a free night reward.

TPG’s February 2026 valuations suggest that Hilton points are 0 in value. The value of this welcome offer is $350 plus a free night reward, and 5 cents – i.e.

XAVIER LORENZO/GETTY IMAGES

Just remember, Amex only gives you one welcome bonus per card (per lifetime) so it’s very important to apply at the right time. If you’re not eligible for a welcome bonus, Amex will alert you before applying.

Related: Best time to apply for Hilton American Express cards based on offer history

Other cards to consider if you don’t want the Hilton Honors American Express Card

A natural rival of the Hilton Honors Amex is “Hilton” (in their namesake), but a general travel rewards credit card may also be better in your wallet, as does ‘Hirton’. What should you do here, ?

• If you like Hilton but want more perks: The

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

Hilton properties are more expensive than the Hilton Honors Amex, offer automatic Gold elite status and a spending-based way to earn an annual free night reward. This card is a reasonable $150 annual fee (see See ) for this card.

rates and fees

). To learn more, check out our

full review of the Hilton Amex Surpass Card

.

• If you want flexible rewards: The

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Travel Bonus miles are awarded for all hotels, vacation rentals and car rentals booked through capital one travel. Capital One’s 15-plus transfer partners are the best places to move these miles for maximum value. Check out our review of s to learn more.

full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards

.

• If you prefer Marriott: The

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

(see

rates and fees

If you stay at Marriott properties often, it’s a good idea to go with . You’ll get bonus points on Marriott stays, Silver Elite status and travel and shopping protections. Check out our review of s to learn more.

full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Bold card

.

We list the best hotel credit cards, top Hilton credit card and most American Express Credit Cards for more options.

Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex: Is it worth paying $150 for extra perks?

Bottom line

For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is seen as “a no-frills way to earn Hilton points and enjoy entry-level perks without paying an annual fee.”

No high-end travelers will be disappointed by this, but for casual Hilton guests who want to earn rewards and unlock the fifth-night-free perk at no cost, it’s a smart, low risk addition to your wallet.

Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card

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

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