What the Hilton Honors Credit Card does
The Hilton Honors credit card is a co-branded card issued by American Express in partnership with Hilton Hotels. When you use it to make purchases, you earn Hilton Honors points instead of cash back. Those points can be redeemed for free hotel nights, room upgrades, and other travel perks at Hilton properties worldwide.
The card comes in multiple versions—each with different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and earning rates. The most common versions are the standard Hilton Honors card, the Hilton Honors Surpass card, and the Hilton Honors Business card. Your choice depends on how often you stay at Hilton hotels and whether the annual fee makes sense for your spending.
Unlike cash-back cards, Hilton points have variable value. A point might be worth 0.5 cents or 1 cent depending on the hotel, the season, and how you book. This means the real value of your rewards depends on where and when you redeem them.
Key Takeaways
- The Hilton Honors card earns points on every purchase, with bonus earning rates at Hilton properties and on specific categories depending on which version you hold.
- You pay an annual fee that ranges from $0 to $450 depending on the card version, and higher-tier cards offer statement credits that can offset part of that fee.
- Sign-up bonuses typically offer 75,000 to 150,000 points after you spend a certain amount in the first few months, which can cover several free nights at many hotels.
- Points never expire as long as your account remains open and you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.
- The card is issued by American Express, so it may not be accepted everywhere that takes Visa or Mastercard.
Annual fees and what you get for them
The standard Hilton Honors card has no annual fee. The Hilton Honors Surpass card charges $150 per year and includes a $100 annual resort credit that you can use at participating Hilton properties, plus elite status benefits. The Hilton Honors Business card also charges $150 annually and offers similar perks for business travelers.
Higher-tier cards like the Aspire version charge $450 per year but include $250 in annual resort credits, complimentary room upgrades, and other concierge services. The math only works if you actually use those credits and stay at Hilton hotels regularly. If you stay fewer than three nights per year at Hilton properties, the annual fee likely costs more than the rewards you'll earn.
American Express typically waives the first-year annual fee when you open the account, though this varies by card version and current promotions. Check the specific offer before you explore.
How earning rates work
On the standard Hilton Honors card, you earn 10 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases. The Surpass card earns 12 points per $1 at Hilton properties and 6 points per $1 on airline tickets and car rentals, with 3 points per $1 on everything else.
These rates are fixed—they don't change based on your spending level or account age. However, Hilton occasionally runs promotions that offer bonus points for specific purchases or categories. You can check your account online to see if any current promotions explore to you.
Points post to your Hilton Honors account within one to three business days of the purchase posting to your credit card. You can track your balance anytime by logging into your Hilton Honors account online or through the Hilton app.
Sign-up bonuses and how to use them
Sign-up bonuses typically range from 75,000 to 150,000 points depending on the card version and the current promotion. To earn the bonus, you must spend a set amount—usually $1,000 to $3,000—within the first three months of opening the account. The bonus posts to your account after the spending requirement is met and your first statement closes.
A 75,000-point bonus can cover a free night at many mid-range Hilton properties, though luxury properties may require 100,000 points or more per night. The actual value depends on the specific hotel and the night you want to book. You can search Hilton's website to see how many points different properties cost before you explore for the card.
Some cards also offer a one-time anniversary bonus—typically 10,000 to 20,000 points—on your card anniversary each year. This bonus is automatic and requires no additional spending.
Redeeming points for hotel stays
To book a free night with points, log into your Hilton Honors account and search for available properties. Hilton uses a dynamic pricing model, meaning the point cost varies by hotel, date, and demand. A standard room at a budget property might cost 10,000 points, while the same night at a luxury resort could cost 150,000 points or more.
You can also use points to pay for part of a stay—called a "points + cash" booking—if you don't have enough points for the full night. This option is useful when you're close to your point goal but not quite there.
Points can also be transferred to airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, though this is usually less valuable than redeeming them directly for hotel nights. Hilton has partnerships with over 40 airlines, but the transfer value depends on the airline and the specific redemption.
How to set up and use the card
When your card arrives in the mail, you'll receive set up instructions in the envelope or via email. You can set up it online through your American Express account, by calling the number on the back of the card, or through the American Express mobile app.
Before you use the card, make sure your Hilton Honors account is linked to it. Log into your Hilton Honors account, go to the "Accounts" section, and add your new card. This link ensures that all purchases post to your Hilton account and you earn points correctly. Without this link, you may not earn points on your purchases.
The card is accepted anywhere American Express is accepted. Keep in mind that some merchants—particularly small businesses and certain international locations—may not take American Express, even if they accept other credit cards.
Managing your account and avoiding common mistakes
Check your Hilton Honors account balance regularly to track your points and watch for any promotional offers. You can set up alerts through the Hilton app to notify you when points are added or when special promotions become available.
Points expire if your account is inactive for 24 months—meaning you haven't earned or redeemed any points in that time. If you don't stay at Hilton hotels often, you can keep your account active by transferring points to an airline partner or by making a small purchase with a linked Hilton credit card. This resets the 24-month clock and keeps your points from expiring.
Pay your credit card bill on time every month to avoid interest charges and late fees. The card carries a variable interest rate that changes with the market, so the exact rate depends on your creditworthiness and current economic conditions. Carrying a balance means you'll pay interest on your purchases, which can quickly outweigh the value of the points you're earning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to get approved?
American Express typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your approval also depends on your income, existing debts, and credit history. If you're denied, you can call American Express to ask why and whether you can reapply after improving your credit profile.
Can I transfer my points to someone else?
You cannot transfer points directly to another person's Hilton account. However, you can use your points to book a hotel room for someone else if you provide their name and contact information at checkout. Some higher-tier elite members can transfer points to family members, but this requires specific elite status levels.
What happens if I close the card?
Your Hilton Honors account and points remain active even after you close the credit card. However, points will expire if your account is inactive for 24 months. To keep your account active without the card, you can stay at a Hilton property, transfer points to an airline partner, or use another Hilton credit card if you have one.
Do I earn points on my annual fee?
No. Annual fees do not earn points. Only purchases made with the card earn points at the stated rates.
Can I use points to cover taxes and resort fees?
Points cover the room rate only. Taxes, resort fees, and other charges must be paid separately with cash or another payment method. This is why the total cost of a "free" night can still be significant at properties with high resort fees.