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If you stay at Hilton hotels often, it makes a lot of sense to carry a Hilton credit card to boost your points-earning potential and enjoy benefits such as elite status and award stays every year. You can also get good value from non-Hilton cards that earn points and offer perks you can enjoy on stays. Amex is an Insider partner.
Here's a detailed overview of the best credit cards for travelers who stay with Hilton, and which Hilton Honors credit card might be the best for you.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Compare the Best Hilton Credit Cards
Best Hilton Credit Cards of 2023
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card - Product Name Only : Best for everyday earning and staysHilton Honors American Express Card - Product Name Only : Best for occasional Hilton travelersHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - Product Name Only : Best for luxury benefitsThe Hilton Honors American Express Business Card - Product Name Only : Best for business travelers who prefer HiltonThe Platinum Card® from American Express - Product Name Only : Best for non-loyalists who want Hilton elite statusAmerican Express® Gold Card - Product Name Only : Best for flexibility and redeeming points
Hilton Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Hilton credit card?
The best Hilton credit card with the most valuable benefits is the
If you travel regularly or stay at a fancy Hilton hotel once per year, these benefits could easily offset its
Can I use my Hilton points at Hilton Garden Inn?
You can use your Hilton points for stays at any Hilton brand, including Hilton Garden Inn. At over a century old, Hilton is one of the largest hotel chains, and now comprises 19 brands with over 7,000 properties in 123 countries and territories. Familiar labels like luxurious Waldorf Astoria, budget-friendly DoubleTree, and unique Curio Collection properties are all under Hilton's umbrella.
Is my Hilton Honors login the same as the Hilton credit card login?
Your Hilton credit card account and your Hilton Honors loyalty program account are completely different. When you earn rewards with your Hilton credit card, they will automatically deposit into your Hilton Honors account. To log into your Hilton credit card account, you'll sign in to your American Express account. You will not go through the Hilton website. Your credentials will likely be completely different.
Is Hilton Honors Wi-Fi free with Hilton credit cards?
Hilton offers free standard Wi-Fi to regular members or those with Silver or Gold elite status, but only Diamond elite members receive free high-speed premium Wi-Fi. The only card that automatically gets you Diamond status is the
Do Hilton Honors credit card offers ever increase?
Occasionally, Amex will run limited-time elevated offers on its Hilton Honors credit cards. These tend to appear a couple of times a year, but there's no guarantee of increased offers in the future. Right now, three Hilton credit cards are offering increased bonuses, and they're among the highest we've ever seen on these cards.
It's always best to apply for credit cards when welcome bonus offers are at their highest. You can read our guide to the best current credit card sign-up bonuses for an idea of what's available right now.
Methodology: How we chose the best Hilton credit cards
Insider's experts looked at both co-branded Hilton credit cards from Amex, and general travel credit cards that earn rewards or have perks you can use at Hilton hotels.
We chose cards to suit different types of consumers, from families and road-trippers to business travelers and frequent flyers who love to travel in style. We also considered factors like annual fees, welcome bonus offers, ongoing benefits like elite status and statement credits, and earning rates for everyday spending.
Our picks for the best Hilton Honors credit cards range from a basic no-annual-fee card to a top-tier premium credit card with luxury benefits, with something for everyone in between. For a closer look at our methodology, here's how we rate credit cards at Insider.
Best for Everyday Earning and Stays
The
Insider estimates that Hilton points are worth 0.5 cents each, on average. So the points from the bonus are worth around
This card earns 12 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases and 6 points per eligible dollar spent in a variety of categories, including U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else. That means you can rack up thousands of points simply by using your card for everyday purchases.
If you spend $15,000 or more on purchases with your card in a calendar year, you'll score a free night reward that you can use at almost any Hilton property worldwide. Cardholders automatically get Hilton Honors Gold status — which comes with perks like room upgrades, bonus earning on stays, and free breakfast (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit in the US) — but can bump up to Diamond status with $40,000 in card spending in a calendar year.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review
Best for Occasional Hilton Travelers
While you don't normally get tons of extra perks from a no-annual-fee travel credit card, the
Again, Insider estimates that Hilton points are worth 0.5 cents each — making this points bonus worth
The
Like other Hilton co-branded cards, it earns 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else. Cardholders receive entry-level Silver elite status but can spend their way up to Gold with $20,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year.
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review
Best for Luxury Benefits
The
Cardholders receive up to $250 in statement credits each account year for purchases made at participating Hilton Resorts, and up to another $250 in airline fee credits each calendar year for things like checked bags and seat assignments on your selected airline.
When you book a qualifying two-night stay at participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties, you'll get up to a $100 credit for eligible charges. Cardholders enjoy automatic top-tier Diamond status, with benefits like the best chance at room upgrades, club lounge access, complimentary breakfast, and double the points a regular member earns on stays.
Hilton Aspire card members get a free night reward when they open the account and reach their account anniversary and renew (it's not part of the bonus), and can earn an additional one after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. They can also enroll in Priority Pass membership for access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.
The earning is pretty extraordinary, too — 14 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases, 7 points per dollar at eligible U.S. restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, and on eligible car rentals, and 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card Review
Best for Business Travelers Who Prefer Hilton
If you're a small-business owner and prefer a rewards business credit card that can help you maximize expenses both at home and on the road,
It's also an exceptional earner, offering 12 Hilton points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases, and 6 points per eligible dollar spent at U.S. restaurants and U.S. gas stations, and on U.S. wireless services and shipping, flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and eligible car rentals. It earns 3 points per eligible dollar spent on everything else, which is decent for a card with just a
When you spend $15,000 on purchases with the card in a calendar year, you'll earn a free night reward — and if you spend a total of $60,000 in the same year, you'll get a second night reward.
Amex Hilton Honors Business Card Review
Best for Non-loyalists Who Want Hilton Elite Status
While the
Hilton Gold status gets you a fair shot at room upgrades, 18 points per eligible dollar on stays instead of the normal 10, welcome amenities, and even complimentary continental breakfast at most properties.
With the Platinum card, you'll earn Amex Membership Rewards points which transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, so you're effectively earning double Hilton points on everyday spending. The card costs
It currently offers a welcome bonus of
American Express Platinum Card Review
Best for Flexibility and Redeeming Points
You won't enjoy Hilton Honors elite status with the
Along with a welcome bonus offer of
Remember that 1 American Express Membership Rewards point converts to 2 Hilton points, so you're essentially doubling those earning rates if you plan to transfer your points to Hilton Honors. You'll also have the flexibility to transfer your points to other American Express Membership Rewards partners, like Delta, JetBlue, and Marriott.