Best Hilton Credit Cards Of May 2024

Just because you stay at Hilton hotels the most often or prefer Hilton over other chains doesn’t mean a Hilton card is the best option for you. Other great credit cards for hotels earn flexible rewards that can be redeemed toward Hilton or other hotel bookings or potentially transferred into Hilton Honors to combine with your existing balance. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply)

Forbes Advisor closely looked at the Hilton credit cards available to rate and rank them for your best options. Factors considered include:

• Annual fees
• Hilton status offerings and benefits
• Earning rates
• Welcome bonuses
• Travel credits, discounts and incentives
• Other card benefits

Forbes Advisor rates cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case (the card rating you see on a specific “Best” list). The rating for each card changes on different “Best” lists according to how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend and, therefore, how much they may earn or if they’ll qualify for additional spending benefits. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

Read more: How Forbes Advisor rates credit cards

A Hilton credit card is a co-branded credit card issued by Hilton and American Express, the credit card issuer that Hilton partners with. Hilton credit cards offer the ability to earn Hilton Honors points on purchases with additional benefits that people who stay at Hilton hotels may enjoy like complimentary Hilton Honors elite status.

Pros

• Complimentary elite status. Every Hilton credit card offers elite status as a benefit. It’s even possible to get top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status through the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* without staying a single night at a Hilton hotel.
• Earn Hilton Honors points. All the Hilton cards allow you to earn Hilton Honors points on every purchase which can be redeemed for free nights at Hilton hotels.
• Extra travel benefits. All Hilton cards provide secondary car rental damage and loss insurance¹ and the Global Assist® Hotline³ while eschewing foreign transaction fees.

Cons

• Limited flexibility. While you can transfer Hilton Honors points to a variety of airline partners, the conversion rates are poor. You also can’t transfer your points to other hotel chains.
• Not all cards provide automatic free nights. The mid-tier Hilton consumer and business cards require hitting a spending threshold to earn the annual free night certificate which differs from cards offered by other hotel brands. The lowest-tier card does not offer a free night at any spending increment.

If you’re considering getting a Hilton credit card, you should consider the following questions:

• How often do I stay at Hilton hotels each year?
• Do I already earn a level of Hilton Honors status naturally?
• What categories do I typically spend money in for everyday purchases?
• Will I use the other benefits of the Hilton credit cards?

For some, it may be clear that one of these four Hilton cards is the best option, but for others it may not be as obvious. Depending on your loyalty to Hilton and other circumstances, it may be worthwhile to consider a more flexible rewards card so you’re not locked into earning just Hilton Honors points.

A Hilton credit card is particularly beneficial for several types of consumers:

1. Frequent travelers. Those who travel often and prefer staying at Hilton properties will find significant value in a Hilton credit card. The card can amplify their travel experience through rewards like points on hotel stays, which can be redeemed for free nights, free night certificates and complimentary elite status.
2. Hilton brand loyalists. If you consistently choose Hilton hotels for your travel, but don’t earn enough to level up, it’s easy to access even the highest level of Hilton elite status with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express*, which offers perks, like premium Wi-Fi and executive lounge access. Other Hilton cards offer complimentary lower levels of elite status that can still be valuable depending on your needs.
3. Reward points maximizers. Those who enjoy accumulating and redeeming reward points may appreciate a Hilton credit card. The cards offer generous points on hotel stays, and often on everyday purchases.
4. Business travelers. Professionals who travel for work can benefit from the card by accumulating points through business travel expenses, which can be used for personal travel or hotel stays.
5. Travelers seeking extra perks. The cards also include additional travel benefits like airport lounge access, travel insurance⁴ and no foreign transaction fees, appealing to those who value these travel conveniences.
6. Event planners. If you frequently book hotel rooms for events or large groups, a Hilton credit card can be a lucrative option for earning points on these big-ticket expenses.

Whether or not a Hilton credit card is worth it will depend on your circumstances. Generally, if you stay at Hilton hotels at least once or twice yearly, you may benefit from a Hilton credit card.

All the Hilton credit cards have their strengths and weaknesses, which can make it difficult to decide which one to apply for. However, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* is a clear winner for frequent travelers committed to the Hilton brand. Your loyalty will be rewarded with a complete suite of benefits for a comfortable, upgraded stay and extra perks for air travel, too—not to mention the thousands of points you could earn.

To view rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
¹Eligibility 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.
²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
³Eligibility 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.
⁴Eligibility 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.

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