The Hilton Honors American Express Card is Hilton's no-annual-fee card. It earns 7X points at Hilton and 5X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, and comes with Hilton Honors Silver status. It's the right card if you want Hilton points on everyday spending without paying a fee, and the wrong one if you want the higher Hilton earning of the paid cards or the Aspire's Diamond status.
Every rate, offer and benefit in this review comes from American Express's page for the card, read on September 30, 2026. Amex changes these, so check the page the day you apply.
The welcome offer
Amex's page shows 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. The offer ends January 13, 2027. Outside the welcome offer, Amex's page says the card "does not currently have a Free Night Reward benefit" and points to the Surpass and Aspire for one.
Our roundup of the Hilton Amex offers ending in January 2027 covers the other Hilton cards' offers.
What 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 other eligible purchases
For a no-fee card, the everyday categories are the strength. Dining, groceries and gas all earn 5X, so the card works as a daily card for someone who wants to build a Hilton balance. Note that all three categories are U.S. only.
Our Hilton Honors program guide covers how to earn and redeem the points.
Hilton Honors status
The card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status. Amex's page describes Silver as including a 20% bonus on all Base Points.
If you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year, you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
Other benefits
The card has no foreign transaction fees from American Express. It includes car rental loss and damage insurance when you reserve and pay for the entire rental with the card and decline the rental company's collision damage waiver; Amex notes this is secondary coverage and doesn't include liability coverage.
Purchase protection covers eligible purchases for up to 90 days from the purchase date, up to $1,000 per covered purchase and $50,000 per calendar year. The Global Assist Hotline offers emergency assistance when you're more than 100 miles from home. You can add cards for someone who makes purchases for you, like your child (13+), spouse or employee, and you get Amex Offers and access to Amex presale and reserved tickets.
Hilton Honors card vs. Surpass vs. Aspire
Amex's page lists the three personal Hilton cards side by side. The Hilton Honors card, with no annual fee, earns 7X on eligible Hilton purchases and 5X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, with complimentary Silver status.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, at $150, earns 12X on eligible Hilton purchases, 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, and 4X on U.S. online retail purchases. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, at $550, earns 14X on eligible Hilton purchases and 7X at U.S. restaurants and on select travel purchases, with complimentary Diamond status.
Our Surpass review and Aspire review cover what each paid card adds. If you run a business, our Hilton Honors Business card review covers that card.
Who should get it
It fits you if you stay at Hilton occasionally, want to earn Hilton points on dining, groceries and gas, and don't want an annual fee. Silver status comes with the card, and the welcome offer is a way to start a Hilton balance.
Look at the Surpass or Aspire instead if you stay at Hilton often enough that higher earning at Hilton, or the Aspire's Diamond status, would matter to you. Compare what each adds against its fee.
Keep in mind that the APR is 19.74% to 28.74% variable on purchases.
If the no-fee card fits how you spend, you can apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card here.
Sources
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