Hilton Honors American Express Card
This card fits travelers who stay at Hilton brands a few times a year and want no annual fee. It earns 7X points at Hilton properties and 5X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. Hilton Honors Silver status is included. Hilton points run lower in value than flexible currencies, so the card rewards Hilton stays more than general spending.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Hilton Honors Silver status included at no cost
- Purchase protection up to $1,000 per covered purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year
- Car rental loss and damage insurance when you reserve and pay with the card and decline the waiver
- Global Assist Hotline for emergencies more than 100 miles from home
- Amex Offers can add statement credits at enrolled merchants
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad
- Annual fee: $0
- Regular purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You stay at Hilton brands occasionally and want hotel perks without an annual fee
- Your grocery, gas and dining spending earns 5X Hilton points instead of a basic rate
- You want a first hotel card with a spending path to Gold status
- You should skip it if you want flexible, transferable points or you rarely stay at Hilton
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the no-annual-fee entry point to the Hilton program. This review covers how it earns, what Silver status adds, and when the Surpass makes more sense.
How You Earn
Points post to your Hilton Honors account and stack with the base points and status bonus you earn on stays.
- All 5X categories are U.S. merchants only
- No cap is published on the bonus categories
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Hilton hotels and resorts | 7X |
| U.S. restaurants | 5X |
| U.S. supermarkets | 5X |
| U.S. gas stations | 5X |
| Other eligible purchases | 3X |
How You Redeem
Redemptions run through the Hilton Honors program, and standard room reward nights are where the value sits.
- Book standard room reward nights at any Hilton portfolio brand
- Hilton Honors gives a fifth award night free on standard reward stays
- Non-hotel redemptions generally return less value per point
Benefits and Protections
The card carries the core American Express protections despite having no annual fee.
- Purchase protection up to $1,000 per covered purchase
- Car rental loss and damage insurance, secondary coverage
- Global Assist Hotline available 24/7 when traveling
- Dispute resolution and year-end summary
Who This Card Is For
This card is for the traveler who books a few Hilton stays a year and wants those stays to earn faster without paying a fee. It also suits someone building toward Gold status through card spending.
- Occasional Hilton guests who refuse annual fees
- Households whose grocery and gas spend can earn 5X
- Not for travelers who want transferable points
Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $150 |
| Welcome Offer | 80,000 pts after $2,000 in 6 months | 4 Free Night Awards after $3,000 in 3 months | 130,000 pts after $3,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 7X Hilton, 5X dining, groceries, gas | Up to 17X at Marriott hotels | 12X Hilton, 6X dining, groceries, gas |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | No-fee Hilton stays | Marriott free nights | Everyday Hilton earning |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $150 | $550 |
| Welcome Offer | 80,000 pts after $2,000 in 6 months | 130,000 pts after $3,000 in 6 months | 150,000 pts after $6,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 7X Hilton, 5X everyday categories | 12X Hilton, 6X everyday categories | 14X Hilton, 7X flights and dining |
| Key Credits | None | Up to $200 Hilton credit per year | Up to $400 resort credit plus more |
| Best For | No-fee entry | Everyday earning with Gold status | Frequent Hilton resort stays |
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Reader reports, not issuer data. Not a prediction of your result. Ranges only, reviewed before publishing.