Key facts
The no-annual fee Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with complimentary Hilton Silver status and earns bonus Hilton points on Hilton stays, US restaurants, US gas stations, and US supermarkets.* Terms apply.
*American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Min. Credit Score for Approval:
Good *Ongoing APR:
20.49%-29.49% VariableForeign Transaction Fee:
0%Reward multipliers
- Earn 7x Hilton Honors bonus points for eligible spend charged directly at Hilton properties worldwide
- Earn 5x Hilton Honors bonus points at US restaurants, US gas stations, and US supermarkets*
- Earn 3x Hilton bonus points on all other eligible purchases on your Card.
With the MilesTalk Hilton Honors points value pegged at half a cent per point, you’ll earn between 1.5 cents and 3.5 cents in value per dollar spent.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Applies to bookings at Hilton Honors properties booked directly with Hilton. Otherwise, earn 3X
Estimated Rewards Value: 3.5%
At U.S. Restaurants. Take out and delivery included.
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.5%
At U.S. Supermarkets. * American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.5%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.5%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Shoprunner Benefit
You can enroll this American Express card to get access to a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which gives you free 2-day shipping at 100+ online retailers. Enrollment required; terms apply.
American Express Experiences
You’ll have exclusive access to ticket presales and Card Member-only events around the country. This includes Broadway shows and concert tours, family and sporting events, and more. Terms apply.
Grants Hotel Status
Silver Elite status with Hilton Honors comes with the card automatically and includes benefits like a 20% points bonus on stays, free bottled water, the 5th night free on reward stays, and elite rollover nights.
Want to upgrade to Gold status? You could instead get the Hilton Surpass™ Credit Card with a $95 annual fee, or you could spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Hilton Honors Amex within a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
Gold status notably includes an 80% points bonus on stays, space available room upgrades, and a Daily Food and Beverage Credit or Continental Breakfast.
Note that this Hilton credit card does not come with a Free Night Reward.
Secondary Car Rental CDW Waiver
Terms
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company.
This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Extended Warranty
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Terms
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Purchase Protection
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Terms
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
American Express offers the Global Assist® Hotline on this card.
You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.
Terms
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Unusual for a credit card with no annual fee, but in keeping with this card being aimed at travelers, you will not see any foreign transaction fees when using your Hilton Honors credit card abroad.
No Fees for Authorized Users
You can add an Additional Card for anyone, including your child (13+), spouse or employee.
Amex Offers
Save with constantly changing offers in the Amex Offers tab of your Amex app or on the Amex website. View up to 100 per card at a time. The savings on these really add up and offers vary by card.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- 7X points when staying at Hilton portfolio properties
- Comes with Silver Elite Status with the chance to earn Gold
- No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Silver status benefits are light compared to Gold status
- The earn rate on everyday spend is higher on other cards
- Lacks any high end benefits, but then again it's a no annual fee card
Our review
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the entry level Hilton card in a family of three Hilton credit cards for individuals including this one, the Hilton Honors Surpass® Credit Card ($150 annual fee), and the Hilton Aspire® credit card ($550 annual fee).
(All information about the Hilton Honors Aspire® Credit Card ahas been collected independently by Your Best Credit Cards.)
If you stay with Hilton frequently and simply aren’t willing to pay an annual fee, this isn’t a bad card. With 7X earned at Hilton portfolio properties (we value that at 3.5% worth of points back since we value Hilton points at 0.5 cents each), you’ll certainly do well when you pay with this card at Hilton family hotels and resorts.
5X Hilton Honors points at US restaurants, US gas stations, and US supermarkets on a no-annual fee card isn’t bad either, with a 2.5% effective return on spend assuming a value of 0.5 cents per Hilton point).
However, if you do step up to the annual fee cards, you do get more. The Surpass comes with automatic Hilton Gold status instead of Hilton Honors Silver status, which adds a breakfast or meal voucher credit to your benefits along with room upgrades and gives you the opportunity to earn a Free Night Reward valid on any Standard Night Reward after $15,000 in spend on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
And the Aspire, despite its heft annual fee, provides come crazy benefits like Diamond elite status.
However, you are probably reading about this card because you want a no annual fee Hilton credit card and this one is pretty strong for a new annual fee hotel card. Not to mention the shopping protections like Extended Warranty and Purchase Protection as well as no foreign transaction fees.
Rates and Fees for the Hilton Honors Credit Card from American Express
Frequently asked questions
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card have an annual fee?
This Hilton credit card has no annual fee.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card get you into airport lounges?
It doesn’t. But the Hilton Honors Aspire Card does.
Is it hard to get the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
Not really, as long as you have a “Good” or better credit rating and a good history with Amex (if you have one with Amex at all).
How do I earn points with the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
- Earn 7x Hilton Honors bonus points for eligible spend charged directly at Hilton portfolio properties
- Earn 5x Hilton Honors bonus points at US restaurants, US gas stations, and US supermarkets*
- Earn 3x Hilton bonus points on all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Is there a better credit card than the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
There might be a better credit card for you for you than a Hilton credit card. Use our Interactive Card Explorer and Calculator to find your best credit card.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card charge foreign transaction fees?
Surprisingly for a no annual fee credit card, it does not charge a foreign transaction fee.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card have car rental coverage?
It offers secondary coverage. Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.
See terms above.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card come with any Elite Status?
It comes with Silver elite status in the Hilton Honors program. You can earn Gold status with $20,000 in annual spend on the Hilton Honors credit card.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card offer extended warranty?
Yes, the Extended Warranty on the American Express Hilton Honors card can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
See complete terms above.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card offer purchase protection?
Yes, Purchase Protection can help protect your Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
See complete terms above.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card offer trip protections?
Only secondary car rental CDW (Terms Apply). See details above.
What credit score do I need to get at Hilton Honors American Express Card?
You’ll probably want a FICO of at least 670 or so for the best approval odds, although if you are an existing American Express customer, odds are good they will simply rely on your relationship with them in determining an approval.
What can I do with the points earned for spending on the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
You can redeem them at over 6,000 Hilton Honors family hotels and resorts around the world. And as long as you have this card, you’ll get the 5th Night Free on ant 5 standard rewards nights booked consecutively using points. Resort fees are also waived on resort fees.
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card have Cell Phone Protection?
As a no fee credit card, the Hilton Honors card does not have this benefit.