The entry-level Hilton Honors American Specific Card generally is a surprisingly welcome boost to anybody’s pockets, whether or not you are a seasoned traveler or an entire beginner.
Even when you do not often keep at Hilton properties, this no-annual-fee card (see charges and charges) may also help you rack up bonus factors in your on a regular basis purchases. Then, you may unlock award nights at 1000’s of properties worldwide.
Listed here are 5 causes you need to contemplate making use of for this card proper now.
Worthwhile welcome supply
That is a simple welcome bonus to hit; just about anybody can spend $2,000 in six months.
The present bonus could possibly be thought of the all time supply on this card. The bonus factors are price $420 (in line with TPG’s March 2025 valuations) and the free night time award provides outsize worth.
As a reminder, American Specific restricts candidates from incomes a welcome supply on a card greater than as soon as per lifetime. So, this card could possibly be a terrific various for individuals who’ve beforehand held different Hilton Honors playing cards and thus aren’t eligible for one more welcome supply on these playing cards.
Happily, Amex will let you realize when you’re ineligible for a welcome supply throughout your software, so you will not obtain a tough inquiry in your credit score report.
Associated: The perfect bank card welcome gives this month
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No annual payment
The Hilton Honors Amex is the baseline card within the Hilton bank card portfolio.
Whereas the cardboard is not filled with many ongoing perks, it is nonetheless an incredible possibility when you’re searching for one thing that does not cost an upfront payment.
Associated: TPG’s 10 commandments of bank card rewards
Free elite standing
How usually does a card with no annual payment include complimentary elite standing? The Hilton Honors Amex confers Hilton Silver standing. (Phrases apply.)
Though Silver will not get you too many perks, it unlocks a key profit that is essential for award vacationers: You may get your fifth night time free on award stays (for stays of as much as 20 nights). The financial savings add up when you’re staying at costly properties.
Different perks of Silver elite standing embody a 20% factors bonus on stays and two complimentary bottles of water per keep at most properties.
And when you spend $20,000 or extra on eligible purchases together with your Hilton Honors Amex in a calendar 12 months, you will obtain Gold elite standing by way of the tip of the subsequent calendar 12 months. Gold grants you additional perks like every day food-and-beverage credit and most well-liked room upgrades upon availability. (Phrases apply.)
Associated: Hilton Honors elite standing: What it’s and the way to earn it
Enhances different Amex playing cards
Different Hilton Honors playing cards
If you happen to already carry one other Hilton Honors card in your pockets (or have prior to now), why not add this no-annual-fee card for the welcome supply alone? All of us need the chance to get extra bonus factors, and the Hilton Honors Amex gives simply that.
Associated: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex
Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum
The Hilton Honors Amex is not only for learners. In actual fact, I would argue that it is a good match for individuals who already carry premium rewards playing cards — specifically, The Platinum Card® from American Specific and The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific.
Each the buyer and enterprise Amex Platinum playing cards supply complimentary Hilton Honors Gold standing to cardmembers (enrollment is required; phrases apply).
So, whereas the complimentary Silver elite standing from the Hilton card is not wanted, it really gives incomes charges that complement these two Amex playing cards properly.
If you happen to use your Hilton Amex to pay for stays at Hilton properties and have Hilton Gold standing by way of both Amex Platinum card, this is what number of factors you will earn:
- Base earnings: 10 factors per greenback
- Gold standing bonus: 8 factors per greenback
- Card bonus: 7 factors per greenback
In different phrases, you will take dwelling 25 factors for each greenback you spend at Hilton properties, a return of 15% based mostly on TPG’s March 2025 valuations. And even this does not keep in mind any promotions which may be in impact on the time of your keep.
Past that, the Hilton Honors Amex gives a pleasant array of on a regular basis bonus classes that pair properly with the Amex Platinum and Amex Enterprise Platinum:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on eating at U.S. eating places, together with takeout and supply
- 5 factors per greenback spent on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
- 5 factors per greenback spent on gasoline at U.S. gasoline stations
- 3 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases
And when you ever must prime off your Hilton Honors factors steadiness, do not forget that Hilton is a switch accomplice of American Specific. For each 1 Membership Rewards level you switch, you will get 2 Hilton Honors factors.
Associated: Information to Marriott and Hilton elite standing with the Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum
Focused improve gives
Anecdotally, American Specific is thought for being beneficiant in concentrating on Hilton Honors members for improve gives.
Sooner or later, you could be supplied bonus factors for upgrading your Hilton Honors Amex to the Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass® Card, which carries a $150 annual payment (see charges and charges) or the Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card, which carries a $550 annual payment.
There is not any assure right here, however prior to now, we have seen improve gives of as much as 150,000 bonus factors.
Which means you might probably improve your card, snag an incredible haul of bonus factors and improve your advantages — all with out filling out an entire new card software (and receiving a tough pull in your credit score report).
The data for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Backside line
It isn’t usually that we advocate making use of for a no-annual-fee card over its counterparts that do have annual charges. Nevertheless, there are various legitimate the reason why the Hilton Honors Amex is an efficient deal.
Now for the tougher choice: The place will you journey together with your new stash of factors?
To study extra, take a look at our full assessment of the Hilton Honors Amex.
Apply right here: Hilton Honors Amex
For charges and charges of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Hilton Honors Surpass, click on right here.
