Perks of the Hilton Honors American Express Card

Is it the Right Travel Reward Credit Card for You to Start Travel Hacking? 

Ever wonder what is a good choice for a starter travel reward credit card? In a world with so many options for travel credit cards, it can become overwhelming. For me, the American Express Hilton Honors Credit Card was the gateway to the world of travel hacking. 

Let's dive into why the Amex Hilton Honors card serves as an excellent starting point for venturing into travel hacking.  Whether you're a novice to using travel reward points or seeking to accumulate points specifically with Hilton, this card is a good starting point. American Express offers 3 Hilton credit cards. The Hilton Honors American Express card,  Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. It is important to sign up for the lowest level card first and work your way up in the co-brand group.  Check out our post on the importance of starting with the lowest-level card in a co-brand group here. This card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors silver status.

The Key Features of the Amex Hilton Honors Credit Card

1. Generous Welcome Offer:

Upon approval, cardholders often enjoy a substantial welcome bonus after meeting the required spending threshold within the initial months. This influx of points kick-starts your journey with Hilton Honors on a high note. The current offer for new cardholders for this card is a 70,000 sign-up bonus plus a free night award after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. Make sure to check the offer at the time you are applying for this card. 

2. Earn Hilton Honors Points:

Every swipe with the Amex Hilton Honors Credit Card earns you Hilton Honors points for every dollar spent on everyday purchases. Earn bonus points on eligible categories like Hilton Hotel stays, restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. These points can later be redeemed for free nights, upgrades, and more within the extensive Hilton portfolio. You also earn 5 x Hilton Honors bonus points for U.S. restaurants, U.S. grocery stores, and U.S. gas stations. Hilton Resorts earns 7 x points. 

3. Elite Status Benefits:

Cardholders automatically receive silver status within the Hilton Honors program, unlocking a spectrum of exclusive benefits such as room upgrades, late check-outs, and complimentary breakfasts. The higher your spending and loyalty, the greater the rewards and status level. To learn more about the different Hilton Honors status levels check out our post.  Loyal Hilton customers who work their way up to the Hilton Amex Aspire card, start to earn premium benefits. The American Express Hilton Honors card also has no foreign transaction fees. You can earn complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status if you have more than $20,000 in annual spending on this card. However, if you are looking for Hilton Gold or Diamond status, I would suggest using the Hilton Honors card until you meet the minimum spend for the sign-up bonus, and then moving onto the Hilton Surpass card. The reason is, that by spending $15,000 in annual spending on your Surpass card you get a free night certificate. 

So if you are brand new to the Hilton Co-branded cards:

1. Sign up for the American Express Hilton Honors card- earn a free night certificate and 70,000 points after spending $2,000 on the card. 

2. Your Person 2 signs up for the American Express Hilton Honors card- earn a free night certificate and 70,000 points after spending $2,000 on the card (can work on the 2 cards in steps 1 and 2 concurrently, since the minimum spend is not so large). 

3. Sign up for the American Express Hilton Surpass card- the current offer is 130,000 Hilton honors points after spending $3,000 in 6 months. If you have a large monthly spend, use this card until you have the $15,000 in annual spending to earn the free night certificate. If you do not have a large monthly spend, move on to s move on to step 4 after meeting the minimum spending requirements for the signup bonus.

4. Your person 2 signs up for the American Express Surpass card and repeats step 3. 

If you follow steps 1-3 you will need to spend less than $20,000 for complimentary Gold status on the basic Hilton cards, and you will have 270,000 Hilton honors points just from sign-up bonuses and 3 free night certificates. That is the power of chasing cards for the sign up bonus and using a partner to have a Person 2. 

Is it Right for You?

Before diving into the world of Hilton Honors with this credit card, it's essential to assess whether it aligns with your travel habits and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:

• Frequent travelers to Hilton Properties: If you often find yourself booking accommodations within the Hilton portfolio, this card's rewards can amplify your experience and savings.

• The resort fee is waived for trips booked with Hilton points at Hilton Hotels. 

• Travel Lifestyle: The card caters to those who prioritize travel and seek value from their credit card through hotel stays, upgrades, and experiences.

• Responsible Spending: To maximize the benefits, ensure that you can manage your spending responsibly and pay off your balance monthly to avoid accruing interest charges. Travel hacking is not an excuse to live outside of your budget. Ensure you do not overspend to accrue points. Keep track of your credit score. 

• This card has no annual fee.

• Hilton offers the fifth night free for stays booked with points. 

• Once you sign up for a premium card with Hilton (Surpass or Aspire), you will get select American Express benefits for Hilton Loyalists. Examples based on benefit level are an annual free night award and elite Hilton status. Free night certificates can be very useful for travel hacking. Elite Hilton status also comes with perks such as a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast, essentially a free breakfast if it is not already offered at the hotel chain. 

To learn more about my adventures with starting with Amex Hilton cards check out my post about our Lake Placid free trip. I have had many wonderful vacations using points earned on my Hilton credit cards, such as our completely free trip to Jamaica, our trip to Trinidad with extended family, and our annual trips to New York City during the holidays using our annual free night reward. Diamond status can be helpful on some trips to try and earn a room upgrade, lounge access, and/or complimentary breakfast. Hilton was a great starter for me in to the world of travel hacking. Even though I have broadened my scope of travel rewards, I still use Hilton properties almost every year. Hilton brands have a broad scope from budget hotels to luxury brands. There is a Hilton Hotel for everyone. 

Our Travel Hacking Strategies:

1. Start with the lowest level in a cobrand grouping. This card would be the lowest-level Hilton Honors card. To learn more on why it is important to start with the lowest level check out our post here. 

2. Never as an authorized user to your account. It is wise to have a partner or Person 2, but always create a separate credit card account for them. To learn more about using a person 2 check out our post. 

3. Use travel reward credit cards for all of your monthly expenses. Check out our post here on how to strategize your strategies. 

4. When working on a sign-up bonus, ensure you have enough expenses to meet the minimum spending. Check out our How to Start Travel Hacking post. 

5. Use bonus categories to maximize your travel credit card reward strategies. Check out our post here.