United Club vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Card.

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• This card provides an accessible entry point into the Hilton Honors ecosystem with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees).
• Cardholders can rack up points quickly with 5X points on spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• Because the card has no annual fee to offset, you start getting value from day one, and the fifth-night-free benefit on award stays means your points go further on longer trips (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Receive automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, which provides access to travel perks on every stay.
• Earn bonus points on eligible purchases at Hilton properties and on everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• Get access to exclusive Amex benefits, including Amex Offers and special event ticket access.

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Cons

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• The card lacks premium benefits found on higher-tier Hilton cards, such as free night rewards or resort credits.
• Hilton Honors points generally have a lower value than points from competing hotel programs, and the program has limited transfer partners.
• It offers minimal travel protections, lacking the robust insurance coverage found on many other travel cards.

Hilton Honors American Express vs United Club

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Categories

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When considering which is better, United Club or Hilton Honors, the choice ultimately depends on whether your travel loyalty lies with a specific airline or a hotel chain.

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• The United Club℠ Card is a premium travel card designed for frequent United Airlines flyers and dedicated loyalists. It is best for those who want to maximize their benefits when flying United, from lounge access to priority services.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card is tailored for travelers who stay within the Hilton portfolio, whether they are loyal guests or occasional visitors. It suits everyday spenders and budget-conscious travelers looking to earn hotel points and enjoy automatic elite status.

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Redemption

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The United Club℠ Card: Rewards are primarily redeemed within the United Airlines ecosystem for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related perks. Points can also be used for unique experiences and merchandise through the airline's loyalty program.

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Hilton Honors American Express Card: Points are redeemed for free nights and room upgrades across Hilton's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts worldwide. Cardholders can also use points for on-property rewards or transfer them to partner airline loyalty programs.

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Travel Perks

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• The United Club℠ Card: Cardholders receive a full United Club membership, granting access to United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliate lounges worldwide. The card enhances the airport experience with priority check-in, security screening, baggage handling, and boarding on United flights. It also includes free first and second checked bags for the primary cardmember and a companion traveling on the same reservation. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card provides complimentary Hilton Honors elite status, which offers perks during hotel stays. However, it does not include airport lounge access. Cardholders should also be aware that it carries a foreign transaction fee for international purchases.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the most informed decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your real spending data—before you apply and with no impact on your credit score.
• Personalized Recommendations: Receive data-driven card recommendations and side-by-side comparisons tailored to your financial habits from a pool of nearly 3,000 cards.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Rewards Stacking: Earn additional Kudos Boost rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the United Club?

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The United Club℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United flyers, particularly business and international travelers who prioritize comfort and convenience during their journeys. These cardholders, often chasing MileagePlus Premier status, will find immense value in the complimentary United Club membership, which grants access to a global network of lounges. Ultimately, this premium card is most suitable for those whose travel patterns allow them to fully leverage benefits like free checked bags and priority services, easily justifying the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?

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The Hilton Honors American Express® Card is an excellent choice for occasional Hilton guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. It's also a strong contender for everyday spenders, as it offers accelerated points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. According to a recent review, the card is also accessible for those with good, but not necessarily excellent, credit, making it a practical tool for building a credit history while accumulating travel perks.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card is the right choice for you after our United Club vs Hilton Honors comparison, let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that might better suit your needs.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. 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.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most premium cards require good to excellent credit.
• Plan your spending to meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the rewards program to confirm it aligns with your travel or spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Explore various application channels to find the best available welcome offers.
• Focus on co-branded cards that match your loyalty to specific airlines or hotels.
• Start with no-annual-fee cards to build a relationship with a card issuer.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors?

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Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer points between United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors. They operate as separate loyalty programs, so you'll need to earn and redeem points within each respective ecosystem.

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Do points expire for United and Hilton?

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United MileagePlus miles have the advantage of never expiring. Hilton Honors points, on the other hand, will expire after 24 months of account inactivity, but simply earning or redeeming any number of points will keep your balance alive.

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Which credit cards offer benefits for these programs?

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Both loyalty programs partner with major banks on co-branded credit cards. You can find United cards from Chase, like the United Club℠ Infinite Card, and Hilton cards from American Express, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which offer perks like lounge access or elite status.

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