Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
February 7, 2025: The fastest way to earn Hilton Honors bonus points or free night certificates is through a new cardmember welcome offer. Here are the best available new cardmember welcome bonuses on Hilton Honors credit cards.
Best Hilton credit card welcome offers in February 2024
Hilton Honors American Express Card: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply.
(Annual fee: annual_fees. See Rates and Fees)
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply.
(Annual fee: annual_fees. See Rates and Fees)- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Learn how to apply.
(Annual fee: $550. See rates and fees. Terms apply.) 
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: bonus_miles_full Learn how to apply.
(Annual fee: annual_fees. See Rates and Fees)
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by cardsandpoints.com.
Our take: Probably wait for a better Hilton bonus.
The regular Hilton card bonuses don’t excite us much. We’ve been tracking the bonuses on the Hilton Honors credit cards for a few years now and there’s a good chance that limited-time offers will be back in a few months. (At least if Amex and Hilton follow their historical patterns.)
For most people, you might want to wait for a better bonus. Hilton and Amex offer better bonuses across the entire card lineup a few times a year and you’re likely better off waiting.
However, if you stay at Hilton often—like every week for work—then it might be worthwhile to go ahead and apply for the current offers. If you can use Hilton points for hotel stays, you’ll earn the most rewards using a Hilton card and you’re likely going to miss out on a large number of points by waiting to get a card.
Just don’t be too impressed by the large number of points you are earning. Hilton points are the lowest-value points of any of the major hotel currencies, so you can earn a large absolute number of points but you’ll get substantially less value per point when you redeem them than Hyatt points, or even Marriott points. As a quick rule of thumb, think of Hilton points as being worth about 0.004 (four tenths of a cent) toward Hilton hotel stays.
More about each of the Hilton credit cards
Earning miles with a Hilton credit card welcome offer isn’t the only reason to get a Hilton credit card. If you stay at Hilton Hotels and Resorts even occasionally, these cards can be the key to unlocking valuable perks and earning a massive number of Hilton Honors points.
Here’s a bit more about each card. For an in-depth comparison of all of the Hilton credit cards, check out our complete guide to Hilton credit cards.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: A card with no annual fee that earns Hilton points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the only Hilton credit card that is offered with no annual fee. (See Rates and Fees) Having the card and charging at least one purchase every 24 months is an easy way to keep your Hilton points from expiring.
Compared to the other Hilton cards, the basic Hilton Amex’s earnings on Hilton stays are pretty mediocre. Although it earns 5x points in several bonus categories, it isn’t a great card to use for general spending—the value you can expect from the points you earn on most purchases will be less than you could earn on a 2% cash back credit card.
When to pick this card: This card is a reasonable option if you’ve amassed a large cache of Hilton points and you want a way to keep them from expiring. If you’re serious about being loyal to Hilton, one of the other Hilton cards might be a better pick.
Hilton Honors American Express Card at a glance
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
(See Rates and Fees)
The Hilton Honors American Express Card typically offers an excellent welcome offer for a card with no annual fee, but if you regularly stay at Hilton, one of the other Hilton cards might be a better choice.
Welcome offer
Best welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Learn how to apply.
This bonus is earned as Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Rewards
- 7x on Hilton hotels and resorts
for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. - 5x on dining
at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. - 5x on groceries
at U.S. supermarkets. - 5x on gas
at U.S. gas stations. - 3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned as Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Benefits
Hilton hotel benefits
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status.
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status if you spend $20,000 in a calendar year.
Consumer insurance benefits
Travel insurance benefits
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance.
- Global Assist® Hotline.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- ShopRunner.
Enrollment required. Effective March 31, 2025, ShopRunner will no longer be a card benefit. - Amex Offers.
Enrollment required.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Statement credits for Hilton purchases
The signature feature of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is its statement credits for Hilton stays. You can earn up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for Hilton stays you charge to the card. (Terms apply.)
When to pick this card: You’ll get the most from this card if you’re staying with Hilton’s family of brands several times a year and capturing the value of the credits. Spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year will earn you a valuable Hilton Free Night award. Outside of Hilton stays, you’ll get slightly better rewards in the card’s bonus categories than you will from a 2% cash back credit card.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card at a glance
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
(See Rates and Fees)
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is the best Hilton card for you if you stay in Hilton hotels consistently and can get the value from its up to $50 in quarterly Hilton statement credits.
Welcome offer
Best welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Learn how to apply.
This bonus is earned as Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Rewards
- 12x on Hilton hotel and resort purchases.
for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. - 6x on dining
at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. - 6x on groceries
at U.S. supermarkets. - 6 on gas
at U.S. gas stations. - 4x on U.S. online retail purchases.
- 3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned at Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Benefits
Hilton benefits
- Hilton Honors Gold Status.
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year after you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. - $200 Hilton statement credit.
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each quarter (up to $200 per year) for eligible purchases made with Hilton Hotels and Resorts. Terms apply. - Earn a free night award
after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases within a calendar year. Terms apply.
Consumer insurance benefits
Travel insurance benefits
- Car rental loss and damage insurance.
- Global Assist® Hotline.
- Baggage insurance plan.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
Enrollment required. Terms apply. - ShopRunner.
Enrollment required. Terms apply. Effective March 31, 2025, the ShopRunner membership will no longer be a Card benefit. - Amex Offers.
Enrollment required. Terms apply.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Top-tier status and a free night award each year
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card will give you instant top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status and a free night reward with your new card and every year after renewal.
When to pick this card: You’ll get the most from the Aspire card if you’re either spending a lot on Hilton hotels—think road-warrior-level travel, staying in Hilton hotels every week—or if your travels tend toward the luxury end of Hilton’s properties. The card offers a up to $400 per year in Hilton resort credits, plus a $100 on-property credit at participating Waldorf Astoria® and Conrad® hotels. Terms apply.
If you’re going to try to spend $30,000 or $60,000 on the card to pick up a few extra Hilton Free Night Awards, your best bet is to shift your spending toward Hilton stays or the categories where the card offers bonus rewards. The card’s 3x on other eligible purchases isn’t terribly compelling.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card at a glance
Annual fee: $550
Foreign transaction fee: None
(See rates and fees. Terms apply.)
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card will get you the most opportunities to earn Free Night Rewards, which can be used at the vast majority of Hilton Hotels, worldwide. (Terms and capacity controls apply.)
Welcome offer
Best welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Learn how to apply.
This bonus is earned as Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Rewards
- 14x on Hilton hotel and resort purchases.
for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. - 7x on flights
booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com. - 7x on car rentals
booked directly from select companies. - 7x at U.S. restaurants.
- 3x on other eligible purchases.
Rewards are earned at Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Benefits
Hilton benefits
- Hilton Honors Diamond Status.
- Annual Free Night Rewards each year of Card Membership.
Earn an additional Free Night Reward after you spend $30,000 in purchase in your Card in a calendar year.
Earn a second additional Free Night Reward after you spend $60,000 in purchase in your Card in a calendar year. - $400 Hilton Resorts statement credit.
Earn up to $400 in statement credits annually (up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually) for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton Resorts on your card. - $100 on-site credits for Waldorf Astoria Hotels® & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels and Resorts.
Requires a minimum 2-night stay booked through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com or by calling 855-292-5757.
Consumer insurance benefits
- Purchase Protection.
- Extended Warranty.
- Return Protection.
- Cell Phone Protection.
Travel insurance benefits
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance.
- Premium Global Assist® Hotline.
- Baggage insurance plan.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- Up to $200 in flight statement credits annually.
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for flight purchases made directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com using your card. - CLEAR® Plus credit.
Earn up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you enroll and pay for CLEAR Plus which is subject to auto-renewal. - National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
Enrollment required. Terms apply. - ShopRunner.
Enrollment required. Terms apply. Effective March 31, 2025, the ShopRunner membership will no longer be a Card benefit. - Amex Offers.
Enrollment required. Terms apply.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Not terribly compelling
The The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers up to $240 in annual statement credits for Hilton stays to small business owners. If you’re staying at Hilton hotels at least quarterly, you’re likely to make back what you pay in annual fees with the statement credits alone.
You’ll get the most out of your Hilton business card if you use it exclusively for Hilton purchases and use another card for other spending.
When to pick this card: The recent changes to the Hilton Business Card announced earlier this year removed the ability to earn Free Night Awards with the card and nerfed the awards you earn on non-Hilton purchases. Using a 2% cash back card on your non-Hilton purchases will get you about as much value, and you can do much better with cards that offer bonus rewards on gas, at restaurants, or on travel.
For most people, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers a more compelling value proposition.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card at a glance
Annual fee: annual_fees
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
(See Rates and Fees)
The The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a small business alternative to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. In most cases, the Surpass card is a better choice.
Welcome offer
Best welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Learn how to apply.
This bonus is earned as Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Rewards
- 12x on Hilton hotel and resort purchases.
for eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. - 5x on other purchases
on the first $100,000 of purchases each calendar year, 3x thereafter.
Rewards are earned at Hilton Honors Bonus Points.
Benefits
Hilton benefits
- Hilton Honors Gold Status.
Upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year after you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. - Up to $240 Hilton statement credits.
Earn up to $60 in statement credits each quarter (up to $240 per year) for eligible purchases made with Hilton Hotels and Resorts. Terms apply.
Consumer insurance benefits
Travel insurance benefits
- Car rental loss and damage insurance.
- Global Assist® Hotline.
- Baggage insurance plan.
Partner benefits and statement credits
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
Enrollment required. Terms apply. - Amex Offers.
Enrollment required. Terms apply.
About Hilton Free Night Awards
Many of Hilton’s credit cards offer free night awards, either as part of a limited-time welcome bonus or as an going perk of the card. Here’s what you need to know about Hilton Free Night Awards.
Hilton free night awards have more potential value than any other hotel chain’s free night certificates. While other hotel chains cap the value you can get from your certificates through restrictions on hotel categories or by issuing certificates that can be used for an award stay “up to” a certain number of points, Hilton certificates can be used at almost any hotel within Hilton’s family of brands, worldwide.
As long as a Hilton hotel offers a standard award room with double occupancy, you should be able to book that room using your certificate. You’ll need to call to book—Hilton Free Night Awards cannot be used online—but you can search for award nights for standard rooms online before using your certificate.
Here are a few things to remember about using Hilton free night awards.
- Hilton free night awards expire. Free night rewards expire 12 months from the date they are issued.
- You must book and stay by the expiration date. The stay you book with your Hilton Free Night Award must be completed by the certificate’s expiration date.
- Hilton free night awards can only be used for standard rooms. If a standard room isn’t available, your certificate can not be used for that stay.
- Hilton free night awards are not transferable. The person named on the certificate must be the one who stays.
- About 60 properties are excluded. The vast majority of these properties are Hilton Club and Hilton Grand Vacations Club locations. Hilton has over 7,500 properties within its brand portfolio.
Bottom line: Lots of points, but wait for a better offer
True, you can earn a ton of points with the Hilton credit card welcome offers today, but if you wait for a better offer, you likely to stand to earn even more points.
American Express card disclosures
Hilton credit card rates and fees
- For rates and fees of the card_name please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the card_name please visit this link: See Rates and Fees.
- For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card please visit this link: Rates and fees.
- For rates and fees of the card_name please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
American Express Insurance disclosures
Amex Purchase Protection (standard) benefit disclosure: When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited to up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Premium Purchase Protection (premium) benefit disclosure: Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Extended Warranty benefit disclosure: When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Cell Phone Protection benefit disclosure: Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Amex Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (standard) disclosure: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Amex Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (premium) disclosure: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Amex Global Assist Hotline disclosure: You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Amex Premium Global Assist Hotline disclosure: You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Amex Baggage Insurance Plan (standard) benefit disclosure: Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Amex Trip Delay Insurance (standard) disclosure: Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Amex Trip Delay Insurance (premium) disclosure: Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Amex Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance disclosure: The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
