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Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Jul 23, 2026 · research
Hilton Honors American Express Card
American ExpressHilton Honors

Hilton Honors American Express Card

A travel rewards card with no annual fee that earns high rewards on Hilton stays, U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.

Entry LevelPersonal
American Express
$0
Annual fee
7x pts hotels & resorts
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating

Current Welcome Offer

Earn 100,000 points

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

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Card Offers

public

Earn 100,000 points

Verified

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

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Earning Rates

Hotels & Resorts
7xpoints

For eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio.

Dining
5xpoints

At U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.

Gas Stations
5xpoints

At U.S. gas stations.

Groceries
5xpoints

At U.S. Supermarkets.

Other purchases
3xpoints

On other eligible purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • No annual fee makes it a low-risk entry point into the Hilton Honors program
  • Automatic Hilton Honors Silver status with the 5th standard reward night free benefit
  • Strong earning rates of 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations for a no-fee card
  • No foreign transaction fees, useful for international Hilton stays
  • Path to Hilton Honors Gold status with $20,000 in annual spend, unlocking free breakfast and room upgrades

Cons

  • Hilton Honors points carry relatively low per-point value compared to transferable point currencies
  • Silver status does not include free breakfast or lounge access, limiting on-property perks
  • The $20,000 spend threshold for Gold status is high for a no-annual-fee card
  • Car rental coverage is secondary, not primary, meaning personal auto insurance is billed first
  • Rewards are locked to the Hilton ecosystem with no option to transfer points to other programs

Key Takeaways

  • No annual fee makes this card essentially free to hold for Hilton fans
  • Automatic Silver status includes the 5th night free on standard reward stays, a benefit many cardholders overlook
  • Earning 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations accelerates point accumulation beyond just hotel stays
  • Gold status is attainable via $20,000 in annual spend but resets each year
  • The card is not ideal for those seeking cashback, transferable points, or premium travel perks

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$0
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
19.49% - 28.49%

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

5 benefits (1 strong or better)

Travel Insurance

Elite Status

Purchase Protection

Lifestyle Benefits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

5th Standard Reward Night Free via Silver Status

Hilton Honors Silver status, granted automatically to all cardmembers, includes a free 5th night on standard reward stays. On a 5-night redemption, this effectively reduces the points cost by 20%, adding meaningful value that many cardholders miss.

No-Fee Path to Hilton Gold Status

Unlike most hotel cards that require a premium annual fee for Gold status, this no-fee card offers a route to Gold by spending $20,000 in a calendar year. Gold status adds free breakfast and room upgrades at most Hilton properties, perks usually reserved for higher-tier cards.

Global Assist Hotline for Emergency Travel Coordination

The 24/7 Global Assist Hotline is available whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, covering emergency medical referrals, legal referrals, lost passport assistance, and emergency cash wires. This benefit is often overlooked on entry-level cards but can be valuable in a genuine travel emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card have an annual fee?
No, the Hilton Honors American Express Card carries no annual fee. There is also no first-year waiver because the fee is $0 every year.
What Hilton Honors status does the card provide?
All cardmembers automatically receive Hilton Honors Silver status. Silver status includes a 20% bonus on Base Points earned, a fifth standard reward night free on eligible stays, and two complimentary water bottles per stay.
How can I upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status with this card?
Spending $20,000 on the card within a calendar year upgrades your status to Hilton Honors Gold. Gold status adds free breakfast at most properties, room upgrades when available, and an 80% bonus on Base Points. This status resets annually and must be re-earned each year.
What are the earning rates on this card?
The card earns 7 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels and Resorts, 5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Are there foreign transaction fees on this card?
No, the Hilton Honors American Express Card charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States. Note that currency conversion fees applied by merchants are separate and not controlled by the card issuer.
Does this card include car rental insurance?
Yes, the card provides secondary car rental loss and damage insurance when you pay for the rental with the card and decline the collision damage waiver at the counter. Because coverage is secondary, your personal auto insurance is billed first, which could affect your premiums. Certain vehicle types and some countries may be excluded.
What credit score is typically required to be approved for this card?
American Express generally requires good credit for approval of the Hilton Honors American Express Card. Applicants with established credit histories and responsible credit management tend to have the best approval odds.
What emergency travel assistance does the card provide?
The card includes access to the Global Assist Hotline, available 24/7 when you are traveling more than 100 miles from home. Services include coordination of medical referrals, legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and lost passport assistance. American Express coordinates these services, but any third-party costs incurred are the cardholder's responsibility.

Card Questions & Answers

Source-backed guidance for the most common questions about this card.

Browse all answers

Based on the latest staged extraction results, Citi Simplicity ® Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Card currently list Hotel Status.

3 sourcesOpen dedicated answer page

About This Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is best for casual Hilton loyalists who want to earn hotel points on everyday spending without paying an annual fee. It suits travelers who stay at Hilton properties a few times per year and want entry-level elite status perks at no cost.

Earn Hilton Honors Bonus Points on every purchase and enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. Get 7X Points on Hilton stays, 5X Points on dining, groceries, and gas, and 3X Points on all other eligible purchases with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is one of the few no-annual-fee co-branded hotel cards that provides automatic elite status and a genuine path to a higher status tier purely through card spend.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card

Earn 100,000 points with no annual fee.

Spend $2,000 in 180 days

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  • 1 of 1 offer verified
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