Hilton Honors American Express Card Overview
Hilton Honors American Express Card is an entry-level co-branded product from Hilton. It offers bonus points on Hilton accommodation, free silver elite identity and basic privileges, with no annual fee (see Fees and Fees). However, other travel cards offer more points flexibility and greater privileges. Card rating*: ⭐⭐
*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not affected by the card issuer.
The Hilton Honors Program covers over 8,000 properties in approximately 140 countries, providing ample opportunities for making money and redemption.
If you are a beginner looking for cards with Hilton privileges, you may want to check out the unfamiliar Hilton Honors American Express card.
For travelers looking to earn Hilton honors, this is a great option due to generous category bonuses and travel and purchase protections (the terms apply).
We recommend that applicants usually have a good credit score of 670 or higher to increase their chances of approval.
This is everything you can determine if the card is right for your wallet.
Hilton Memorial Amex Pros and Cons
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Hilton Honors Amex Welcome Offer
New Hilton Honors Amex Cardmembers spent $2,000 in the first six months of card membership, earning 100,000 bonus points and $100 in stated credit. This offer ends on August 13.
According to TPG’s June 2025 valuation, the value of Hilton points is 0.5 cents, which means this welcome offer is worth $600, including a stated credit.
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This offer is close to the best offer we’ve seen on the card, so if you’re looking for an unfamiliar Hilton card, it’s definitely worth considering. Remember that AMEX only allows you to get one welcome bonus for each card in your lifetime, so applying at the right time is very important.
Related: Current Offers on Hilton Amex Card
Hilton Honors Amex Welfare
Hilton Honor Amex offers you some notable benefits. Given that this card has no annual fee, I can’t accuse it of being a benefit.
Here is an overview of what the card provides (the option is required for admission; terms and conditions apply):
- Elite identity: CardMembers automatically receives Hilton Honor Silver Elite status, a status that offers membership discounts, paid accommodation, 20% bonus on Elite Transition Nights, a bonus fifth night and more. If you spend $20,000 on your card during the calendar year, you can upgrade to Hilton Honors Golden State at the end of the next calendar year. It is worth pointing out that other Hilton credit cards will automatically offer gold status, which means spending $20,000 to get there without good value.
- entertainment: With the AMEX Experience Program, you can exclusively access ticket pre-sales and card-only events, as well as Broadway shows, concert tours, sports events and more.
- Extended Warranty*: The card comes with an extended warranty, with an original manufacturer warranty of five years or less for a total of one year.
- Purchase Protection*: The purchase protection covers items, if you pay with a card, it will be accidentally damaged, stolen or lost. This earning covers purchases up to 90 days, covering up to $1,000 per purchase and up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Car rental insurance**: When you book and pay for a car rental and refuse insurance from a rental company with the card, you resist damage and theft, up to $50,000. This benefit is a secondary coverage of your own auto insurance and does not include liability.
*Qualifications and income levels vary from card to card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. For more information, visit AmericaneXpress.com/benefitsguide. The policy is underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Qualifications and income levels vary from card to card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit AmericaneXpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Undertaken by Amex Assurance Company. Provides car rental loss or loss coverage through American Express travel-related services.
Related: Everything you need to know about US Express Purchase Protection
Win points on Hilton Honors amex
Using Hilton Honors amex, you will receive:
- Spend 7 points per dollar on accommodation at Hilton Hotels and Resorts (including on-site spending for your room and restaurants and spas)
- Spend 5 points per dollar at US restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- Spend 5 points per dollar at US gas stations and US supermarkets
- Spend 3 points per dollar on other qualified purchases
Given that TPG’s June 2025 Hilton Points valuation is 0.5 cents, you will receive a base return of 3.5% at the Hilton Hotel. However, with your bonus points for Silver Elite status, you will spend 12 points on top of your eligible Hilton card purchase income. This will make you return 19 points per dollar, or your return on spending is impressive.
Additionally, you will get a 2.5% return on spending at US grocery stores, US gas stations and US restaurants including takeaway and delivery, and a 1.5% return on all other eligible purchases.
If you are looking for higher income opportunities to cover more travel purchases (including flights and car rentals), you won’t use this card. Generally, unless you want to receive a welcome bonus, we do not recommend using a hotel card for non-hotel purchases, which you will need to lower your points balance.
Related: Which credit card should you use for your Hilton?
Redemption Points on Hilton Honors Amex
Even if the chain lacks a published rewards list, you will get the best value for Hilton points for Hilton Hotels and Resorts. How many points a hotel room will fluctuate, so you won’t know the final price until you book.
The Explorer tool can show you the recent fees paid by other guests, giving you an idea of the cost of a given reward ticket.
You can also transfer the Hilton Honors Index to loyalty programs for more than 25 airlines around the world. We do not recommend this approach unless you need to transfer Hilton Honors points to lower your airline account for a specific reward. Transfer ratios are often bad, causing your thousands of airlines to return.
My advice? Stick to the redemption of hotel rooms to get the best reward value.
You do better when you redeem points for five nights or more. This is because of your Hilton Silver Identity, you can get the fifth night for free with points.
TPG Travel Content Director Eric Rosen used the fifth night’s proceeds to maximize the value of his points in order to stay at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Thanks to this feature, he was able to save 120,000 Hilton points in his stay.
Which cards compete with Hilton Honors AMSX?
Hilton Honors Amex Cards have the name of a natural competitor, but general travel rewards credit cards may also do better in your wallet. Here are some options you should consider:
For additional options, see our list of the best hotel credit cards and the best American express cards.
Related: Hilton vs. Hilton Amex Beyond: Is it worth paying a $150 perk?
Is Hilton Honor Amex worth it?
You might assume that the Amex Hilton Honor Card is worth the default because it has no annual fee, but it depends on what you want. I believe that if the entry-level elite identity and fair income category are for you, you’ll love this card. However, if you are looking for flexible rewards or more Hilton rewards, I recommend you purchase a mid-to-premium Hilton card or a general travel reward card.
Bottom line
The Hilton Honors American Express card is those excellent starter cards that want to maximize the benefits of the Hilton loyalty program without paying an annual fee. This may not be the ideal card for everyone, although if you stay a few times a year and want to win Hilton points, this may be the right card for you.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
For rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Amex card, click here.
For the rates and fees of Hilton Honors, Amex Spare Card, click here.
