How to maximize credit statements on Hilton Credit Cards

Don’t let strict terms and conditions fool you – the Hilton Honors U.S. Express card statement credit may be more flexible than you think.

AMEX currently issues four Hilton credit cards (three consumer products and one commercial product), three of which have declared credits to help offset their annual fees. The terms apply.

On the surface, points may seem a bit limited, but as you will read below, there may be some creative ways to make the most of them.

Beyond and Business Hilton Credits

Middle level Hilton Honors American ExpressSupasspass® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Both provide a stated credit for Hilton purchases. SuperPass offers up to $50 credits per quarter, while the business offers up to $60 credits per quarter (total $200, over $200, and Hilton Honors Business is $240 per calendar year, made directly in the Hilton portfolio). The terms apply.

Interestingly, American Express Business Platinum Card®This is not a common brand Hilton card, and it also offers quarterly note credits, or a declared credit of up to $200 a year in calendar year.

You must also have a Hilton Hotel membership (no additional fee for joining) to obtain a statement credit on this card. The terms apply.

Official use

The terms and conditions of all three cards indicate that the only purchase that triggers credit is the eligible room fee and the fees charged to your room when staying at the hotel.

This means you can be sure you will receive the following credits:

• Booking directly through the Hilton website or app (but not through third-party channels such as online travel agencies or ChaseTravel℠).
• Occasional purchases charge rooms, including purchases, room service and spa treatments.

Anecdotal uses

We have received data points that the following purchase triggers a statement credit even if you are not staying in the hotel:

• Buy meals at a restaurant in Hilton
• Gift shops purchased at Hilton Hotel
• Hilton Online Gift Card Purchase

Of course, your mileage may vary depending on how the merchant or personal property code is purchased. However, this does make you hope that you can maximize your credit even if you don’t stay at the Hilton every quarter.

For example, TPG’s chief spokesman Clint Henderson traveled to Montreal. Instead of staying at the Hampton Inn in downtown Hilton, Montreal, he took a quick bite and two days later his purchase sparked credit.

In 2024, I purchased Hilton Gift Cards online every quarter, which triggered credit on my Hilton Business Cards every time.

However, these have become “out of stock” since the beginning of this year. Many travelers also express frustration at how difficult it is to redeem them on their property. So if (and when) you can buy them again, I don’t recommend buying them.

If you are currently sitting on a bunch of Hilton gift cards, please follow the steps below to explain how to use them. I have used them successfully recently at the Hilton Hotel in Brazil. Although it is relatively frictionless, the process does take 20 minutes.

Aspire Flight Credit

My favorite hotel card, Hilton Honors America Express Aspire Card, offers up to $50 quarterly lenders on qualified flight purchases directly with airlines or through Amextravel.com (declared credits up to $200 per calendar year).

Information on the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Official use

As you might expect, airline tickets should trigger credit whether they are booking directly with the airline or through Amex Travel.

However, if something goes wrong, such as your flight being delayed or cancelled, the card outperforms other cards that offer excellent travel protection. Therefore, you may not want to use this card for air ticket purchases.

For example, I use all my flight bookings Chase SapphireReserve® (See rates and fees) as it provides the best protection for any card.

Anecdotal uses

The following purchases we receive also triggered a statement credit:

• Taxes and fees
• Seat upgrade
• United Travel Bank reload

TPG’s senior editorial director Nick Ewen received a credit line (a week later) to upgrade to Delta Comfort+.

Similarly, your mileage may vary depending on how individual airlines buy it.

Aspire Clear Plus Credit

Each calendar year has a clear plus declared credit limit of up to $199.

This is easy to use: You can cover your membership or loved ones’ membership, as credit will trigger regardless of the member name.

Over the years, I found clear use increasingly frustrating and had longer lines and repeated identification checks. However, given that the card’s statement credit is basically “free”, it’s worth staying active. Registration is required and the terms and conditions apply.

Aspire Resort Credit

Finally, use $200 in biennial Hilton Resort Statement Credit every six months ($400 in total per calendar year). The credit can only be used approximately at 320 Hilton resorts worldwide, including all-inclusive, beach, golf, luxury and spa resorts.

I successfully used this credit line for a two-night stay at the Hilton Vallarta Riviera all-inclusive resort in Puerto Rico, Mexico, for the first half of 2024.

Then, in December 2024, I booked a flexible rate at a participating resort in Porto, Portugal, and stayed in June 2025. I emailed the property and asked them to deposit $200 with my reservation for the month (December) booking, which successfully triggered my credit line for the second half of 2024.

During my June stay at the property, I used my credit line for the first half of the year to sell this book for $200 expenses – a total of $400 credit for this booking.

Then, I will try to stay on another participating property in the second half of this year. If it doesn’t fit my travel plan, I’ll make a reservation in the first half of 2026 and ask the property to charge $200 in deposits sometime in the second half of this year.

Bottom line

Despite strict terms, Hilton Amex states credits are often more flexible in practice.

Hilton’s honor surpasses and Hilton Memorial Business Card members don’t need to spend the night to use their credit – dining or shopping at the Hilton hotel may be enough.

For Aspire Cardembers, the easiest way to use Flying Credit is to reload your United Travelbank balance. You may also trigger it with a seat upgrade or bonus tax. As for resort credit, make sure to plan your resort strategically as pre-deposits can activate it.

Since the results depend on how you buy it, try a small transaction first, then wait a few days to confirm the credit before spending more.

Related: Hilton Free Night Certificates: How to Earn They and Maximize Their Value