The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an appealing credit card for anyone loyal to Hilton hotels. With its array of benefits and rewards program, this credit card is worth your consideration.
In this article, we will delve into the various features of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, including its perks, drawbacks, and how to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points. Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
If you love staying at Hilton hotels and are willing to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great choice for you. The current annual fee is $95, but the benefits can outweigh the cost if you are loyal to the Hilton brand.
You’ll also get the added bonus of a welcome offer of 80,000 Hilton Honors points after you’ve spent $1,000 in the first three months of having the card.
Card Basics
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers numerous benefits, such as complimentary Silver elite status, which equates to the fifth tier of Hilton’s loyalty program. This provides you with free Wi-Fi, late checkout, and an opportunity to earn additional Hilton Honors points.
This credit card also offers a path to Gold elite status if you make over $20,000 worth of eligible purchases within a calendar year. As a Gold member, you’ll have the same benefits as Silver members, with added bonuses such as free breakfast at select hotels, a boost in Hilton points earnings, and a room upgrade.
Moreover, the Hilton Honors American Express Card provides trip protections such as car rental loss and damage insurance, trip interruption insurance, and Global Assist Hotline.
Drawbacks to the Hilton Honors American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers limited travel booking options and does not offer a 0% introductory APR offer. These drawbacks are not ideal for frequent travelers who prioritize flexibility and cost savings.
As a result, this card is most suitable for those who stay at Hilton hotels often and want to enjoy its benefits.
Earning and Redeeming Hilton Honors Points
Maximizing your earning and redeeming potential depends on how you use your Hilton Honors credit card. Imagine your satisfaction of earning 80k Hilton Honors points within year one of getting the Hilton Honors American Express Cardthat’s worth around $400 regarding a recent calculation by The FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model.
In year two, you may accumulate 30,000 points, which amounts to $150. The best way to maximize your points potential is to use your Hilton Honors American Express Card for purchases made at Hilton properties, including paying for your room rate, dining, and incidental charges.
You can also take advantage of substitute bonus categories, like supermarkets, gas stations, or restaurants, to earn points fast. Additionally, there are special promotions where cardmembers can earn bonus points on eligible purchases.
When it comes to redeeming points, the most common option is exchanging them for free hotel stays at Hilton properties. Another option is through transfer partners, where you can use your Hilton Honors points to reserve flights, rent a car, or book a vacation package with a partner company.
Maximizing Your Redeemptions
Knowing how to redeem your Hilton Honors points is crucial to extract the most value out of your rewards program. Hilton Honors points offer a range of redemption options to the cardmembers.
Based on current redemption options, it is generally best to use your points to reserve hotel stays at Hilton’s partner properties for the highest value. Another redeeming option includes using the Hilton Honors Transfer Program, allowing cardmembers to transfer their Hilton Honors points to its industry partners.
This opens the door to many other redemption options, including rental cars and flights. Always research your options for the optimal redemption value.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is a great option for frequent guests. While it does come with some limitations, it is one of the best credit cards available for Earning and Redeeming Hilton Honors points.
If you are a loyal Hilton guest and are looking for a strong rewards credit card, you should consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
3) FAQs about the Hilton Honors American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a popular credit card for guests who frequent Hilton hotels regularly. Here are some frequently asked questions about the card.
Is the Hilton Honors Amex a good card? If you’re a loyal Hilton guest and enjoy rewards programs, then the Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good card for you.
The card has a solid welcome offer of 80,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $1,000 in the first three months of having the card. Moreover, it offers several valuable benefits like complimentary Silver elite status, with a path to earn Gold elite status.
While there are some limitations, it is a great choice for any frequent traveler who pan to earn and redeem Hilton Honors points. What credit score do I need for a Hilton Honors card?
Amex does not disclose a specific credit score requirement for the Hilton Honors American Express Card. However, its highest rewards tiers are reserved for the cardmembers with excellent credit scores, which are generally considered to be 720 and above.
Moreover, your credit score will undoubtedly influence whether or not your application is approved. How many Hilton Honors points do you need for a free hotel stay?
The number of Hilton Honors points needed for a free hotel stay varies depending on the hotel and type of room you’re booking. Hilton has nine hotel categories ranging from 5,000 points per night for Category 1 hotels to 95,000 points per night for Category 9 hotels.
It is possible to redeem for a free night at most Hilton properties with as few as 5,000 to 10,000 points. How does the Hilton Honors Amex compare to other Hilton Honors cards?
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an excellent credit card for those who frequent Hilton hotels. If you are looking for other credit cards to compare it to, there are several from which to choose.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, for instance, has higher rewards and an annual fee of $95. This card offers complimentary Gold elite status and ten free Priority Pass airport lounge passes.
Meanwhile, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card provides a generous welcome offer of 150,000 Hilton Honors points, Diamond elite status, and $250 in resort credits. Moreover, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has a higher annual fee of $450.
What’s the difference between Hilton Honors base points and bonus points? Base points are earned from hotel stays, dining, and incidental purchases charged to your Hilton Honors American Express Card regularly.
However, the bonus points are earned through Hilton Honors promotional events and through special offers, such as booking an eligible stay with a Hilton partner. Some bonus points may have an expiration date, while Hilton Honors base points do not expire as long as there are account activities in your account within a 12-month period.
4) Other cards to consider
If you’re looking for other credit card options, then the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is an excellent choice. This card provides the cardholder with Ultimate Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or merchandise.
The card has a lower annual fee ($95) and has a flexible redemption program. Additionally, the card provides a 60,000-point welcome offer after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening the account.
Another credit card option to consider is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, which has similar benefits to the Hilton Honors American Express Card, but with higher earning potential. The card has an annual fee of $95 but offers a higher rewards rate on everyday spending, including 12x points on eligible Hilton purchases, 6x points at U.S. grocery stores, and U.S. gas stations, and 3x points on all other eligible purchases.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card also provides Priority Pass Select Lounge access and Elite Night credit for elite status.
Final Thoughts
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offered an impressive rewards program for frequent Hilton guests, with a range of earning and attractive redemption options. The card provides a generous welcome offer, complimentary Silver elite status, and a path to Gold elite status, making it a compelling option.
While there are some drawbacks, loyal Hilton guests should consider this credit card as a viable option. If you’re looking for more choices, other marvelous card options such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card are worth considering for their respective benefits.
Overall, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is an ideal choice for anyone loyal to the Hilton brand who wants to maximize their rewards points potential. The card offers a range of benefits, including complimentary Silver elite status, a path to Gold elite status, and trip protections.
The earning potential of Hilton Honors points is high, and there are many ways to redeem them for maximum value. However, the card may not be suitable for frequent travelers who prioritize flexibility and cost savings.
If you plan on staying frequently at Hilton properties, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is an excellent choice. Additionally, other credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offer different benefits to meet your specific needs.
Ultimately, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice if you’re looking to earn rewards points and take advantage of Hilton-specific perks.