Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review 2026: The Entry-Level Hilton Card
September 27, 2026
.webp)
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the entry-level Hilton credit card. It comes with complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status and earns 5X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
Here's what the card earns, what it leaves out compared with the Surpass and Aspire, and who it makes sense for in 2026.
Hilton Honors Card Overview
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "105", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Occasional Hilton Guests", "headerHint": "Complimentary Silver Status"} ]]
Annual Fee: See the card details above for current fees.
Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends January 13, 2027.
How You Earn:
- 7X points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
- 5X points at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 5X points at U.S. supermarkets
- 5X points at U.S. gas stations
- 3X points on all other eligible purchases
Best For: Travelers who stay with Hilton occasionally and want to earn Hilton points without committing to a premium card.
Kudos tip: The 5X categories overlap with a lot of other cards. Add your cards to your Kudos Wallet and Kudos recommends the best card for each purchase, so you know when the Hilton card earns the most and when another card wins.
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.
What Benefits Come With the Hilton Honors Card?
Complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver Status
Silver status comes with the card. It gives you a 20% bonus on Base Points earned on stays, plus the fifth night free when you book a standard room reward stay of five or more nights entirely with points.
Gold Status After $20,000 in Spending
Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year and you earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the following calendar year. Gold adds perks like a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast at many properties and space-available room upgrades.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
American Express doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad, which is uncommon for an entry-level card.
Other Benefits and Protections
- Amex Offers with extra rewards at select brands when you add them to your card
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, which is secondary coverage and does not include liability
- Purchase Protection of up to $1,000 per covered purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year, for up to 90 days
- Amex Presale Tickets® and Amex Reserved Tickets® for select events
- Global Assist® Hotline when you travel more than 100 miles from home
What It Doesn't Include
The card has no ongoing Free Night Reward benefit, no Hilton statement credits and no car rental status. The Free Night Reward in the current welcome offer is a one-time bonus. If you want an annual or spend-based free night, look at the Surpass or the Aspire.
Kudos tip: Amex Offers have to be added to your card before you shop. Kudos can activate card-linked offers across your cards automatically, so you don't miss one you would have used.
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.
Hilton Honors Card Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong everyday earning for an entry-level card: 5X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
- Silver status: A 20% bonus on Base Points and the fifth night free on standard room reward stays booked with points
- Path to Gold: Gold status after $20,000 in calendar-year spending
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- No ongoing free night: Only the welcome offer includes one
- No Hilton credits: The Surpass and Aspire both include statement credits
- Limited point flexibility: Hilton Honors points are worth the most on Hilton stays, unlike flexible points you can move to multiple travel partners
- Secondary rental car coverage: Your personal auto insurance pays first
Is the Hilton Honors Card Worth It?
For an entry-level hotel card, yes, as long as you stay with Hilton at least occasionally. You earn Hilton points on everyday spending and get Silver status.
The question is whether a Hilton card is the right place for your everyday spending. If you rarely stay with Hilton, points from a flexible rewards card will usually be easier to use.
Who Should Get the Hilton Honors Card?
Occasional Hilton guests. If you stay a few nights a year, the card adds Hilton points and Silver perks to the stays you already make.
Travelers who don't want to track credits. You get hotel rewards without having to use statement credits to get your value.
Everyday spenders who like Hilton. 5X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations builds your Hilton balance between trips.
Points savers. Silver's fifth night free on standard room reward stays stretches your points on longer trips.
Who Should Skip It?
- Travelers who rarely stay at Hilton properties
- Anyone who prefers flexible points they can transfer to several airline and hotel partners
- Hilton guests who would use Gold status and quarterly Hilton credits, where the Surpass is likely a better fit
How the Hilton Honors Card Compares to Other Hilton Cards
Hilton Honors Card vs. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1064", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Hilton Travelers", "headerHint": "Complimentary Gold Status"} ]]
The Surpass upgrades you to complimentary Gold status, adds up to $200 a year in Hilton credits ($50 per quarter), and earns a Free Night Reward after $15,000 in calendar-year spending. It also earns 12X at Hilton and 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations.
Hilton Honors Card vs. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1066", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Hilton Travelers", "headerHint": "Complimentary Diamond Status"} ]]
The Aspire includes complimentary Diamond status, an annual Free Night Reward, up to $400 a year in Hilton Resort credits and up to $200 a year in flight credits. It's built for frequent Hilton guests who will use those credits.
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.
Kudos tip: Use Kudos Explore to compare all three Hilton cards side by side, including welcome offers and annual fees, before you apply.
Bottom Line
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a solid entry-level hotel card. It earns 5X in three everyday categories, includes Silver status and charges no foreign transaction fees.
It skips the free nights and credits that come with the paid Hilton cards. If you stay with Hilton several times a year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card will likely return more than its fee.
Whichever card you choose, Kudos recommends the best card in your wallet for each purchase, so your Hilton card earns where it is strongest.
Hilton Honors Card FAQs
Does the Hilton Honors American Express Card have an annual fee?
The card's current annual fee is shown in the card details above.
What credit score do I need for the Hilton Honors Card?
American Express doesn't publish a minimum, but approval typically requires good to excellent credit. Kudos can show your approval odds based on your credit report before you apply.
Does the Hilton Honors Card include a free night?
Not as an ongoing benefit. The current welcome offer includes a one-time Free Night Reward. The Surpass and Aspire include ongoing ways to earn free nights.
How do I get Hilton Gold status with this card?
Spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. You keep Gold status through the end of the following calendar year.
Does the Hilton Honors Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No. The card has no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
How do I redeem Hilton Honors points?
The most common use is booking stays at Hilton properties through your Hilton Honors account or the Hilton app. You can also combine points with cash using Points & Money.
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.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 500,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
.webp)
