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Hilton Honors American Express Card Overview

The American Express card from the brand is an entry level offering. There are other travel cards that offer more points flexibility, but the 7 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases is a solid option for new travelers. The card rating is 12.

*Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

There are a lot of opportunities to earn and redeem points in the program.

If you are a beginner looking for a card that comes with perks, you may want to look at the American Express card.

It comes with a nice welcome offer, generous category bonuses and travel and purchase protections, making it a great option for travelers looking to get started.

If the card is right for your wallet, here is everything you need to know.

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Who is this card for?

The Embassy Suites, Napa Valley. (Photo courtesy of Hilton)

If you haven't racked up enough stays to achieve elite status, you can use this card to get you there. If you are not ready to take on a card with an annual fee but still want some perks and benefits, consider starting with this card.

Loyal customers of the company can stay at participating properties all year long. The entry point into the family of credit cards is offered by theHiltonHonors Amex.

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It's related to choosing the best credit card for you.

Welcome offer

The Conrad Bora Bora is an aspirational property for many travelers. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

If you spend $1,000 in the first three months of your membership on the American Express card, you'll earn 100,000 bonus points, which you can use to get the 100,000th bonus point. Up to $100 in statement credits can be earned on eligible purchases made on the card at any of the hotels in the first year of membership. The offer ends in October of 2022.

The 100,000 bonus points worth up to $700 are estimated by the latest valuations by the private equity firm. A no-annual-fee card with less lucrative welcome bonuses is an outstanding offer.

The free night award is valid for a year from the date of issuance, so it is perhaps the best part of this new offer. It can be used at thousands of hotels around the world.

You can get some outstanding value from this welcome offer, for example, if you use it strategically, and you can get a cash price of $1,000 per night.

Main perks and benefits

The Conrad Tulum. (Photo courtesy of Hilton)

The elevated welcome bonus is one of the notable benefits of the hotel rewards program. This card has a lot to offer.

Elite status

The card comes with automatic member discounts, a 20% points bonus, no resort fees on award stays, and a fifth night free on award stays, as well as free bottled water. If you spend $20,000 on the card in a year, you can upgrade to the highest level of honor.

Entertainment

Cardmember-only events, Broadway shows, concert tours, sporting events and more are included in the American Express Experiences program.

Free shipping

You can get two-day shipping on eligible items at a network of more than 100 online stores if you sign up at shoprunner.com/american express. For certain benefits, you must enroll.

Extended warranty

The extended warranty adds up to one year on an original manufacturer's warranty that is less than five years. Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. There are terms and conditions that apply. The benefits guide can be found at american express.com. It was written by the AMEX Assurance Company.

Purchase protection

If you paid for items with a card, they will be covered by purchase protection. The benefit can be used for up to 90 days after the date of purchase and can be used up to a maximum of $50,000 per year. Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. There are terms and conditions that apply. The benefits guide can be found at american express.com. It was written by the AMEX Assurance Company.

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Damage and theft are not covered by the card you use to reserve and pay for the CarRentals. This benefit is not included in your auto insurance. Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. There are terms and conditions that apply. The benefits guide can be found at american express.com. It was written by the AMEX Assurance Company. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. offers car rental loss or damage coverage

Dedicated help

When travelling more than 100 miles from home, the Global Assist hotline can help.

How to earn points

You'll get the best returns with Hilton purchases on your card. (Photo by Kyle Olsen/The Points Guy)

You can earn 7HiltonHonors points per dollar on eligibleHilton portfolio purchases, which include hotel stays, on-site restaurants and spas. 5 points can be earned at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. You will get 3 points for every dollar you spend on eligible purchases.

When you factor in the 12 points per dollar you get on most of the hotels, it adds up to a 11.4% return.

If you don't have another card that earns rewards on those purchases or if you are looking to hit a specific hotel, it's not insignificant.

If you're looking for higher earning opportunities, you won't get that with this card.

The best ways to get points with the program.

How to redeem points

Even though the chain doesn't publish award charts, you'll get the best value for your points when using them for hotel and resort stays. The program's Points Explorer tool is helpful to get a feel for typical award rates, so be ready to book when you find an award that suits you.

Use your points to stay at the beautiful Conrad Bora Bora. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

You can also transfer your points to other airlines. Since the transfer ratio is usually terrible, using them for this purpose isn't a good idea. Depending on the carrier, you can only get between 1,000 and 1,500 airline miles for transferring points in a certain amount.

What should we do? If you want the best value for your rewards, stick to hotel room redemptions.

I can't wait to redeem myHiltonHonors points.

Which cards compete with the Hilton Honors Amex?

What is most important to you in a credit card can make or break a card.

If you want to spread the hotel love among different brands, the Capital One VentureOne rewards credit card is a great alternative, as you can redeem your miles at a flat rate of 1 cent each. If you want a few more benefits and perks, but don't mind paying an annual fee, then you may want to upgrade to the American Express surpass card.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards credit card

The Capital One VentureOne rewards credit card is a great card for beginners. You can redeem your miles for travel purchases on your statement with no annual fee. You can transfer your Capital One miles to Capital One travel partners that include hotel chains such as ALL Accor Live Limitless and Choice Privileges.

(Photo by Eric Heglas/The Points Guy)

You won't have to keep up with multiple categories if you earn 1.25 miles per dollar with this card. You can get a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles after you spend $500 or more in the first three months of your account opening. Capital One miles can be worth $370 if you use them for high value awards.

Many travelers might benefit from not being tied to a single hotel chain with this card.

The best credit cards that don't charge an annual fee.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

(Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)

If you're comfortable paying an annual fee and want to stay with the company, the American Express Surpass Card is a good choice, as it has just a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year. You can earn 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases, 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, and 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases with this card.

The welcome offer is very high. In the first three months of card membership, you'll earn 130,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 on the card. The no-annual-fee Hilton Amex can give even more value.

You can earn a second free night award after spending $15,000 on the card in a year, but it comes with other perks as well. 10 free Priority Pass lounge passes every year, car rental loss and damage insurance, access to the Global Assist hotline, and no foreign transaction fees are some of the perks. For certain benefits, you must enroll.

The same benefits as Silver status, along with an elevated points bonus (80% compared to 20%), space- available room upgrades and free breakfast with some Hilton brands, are offered by the card. If you spend $40,000 on the card in a year, you can earn a diamond status by the end of the year.

Get free breakfast with Hilton Honors Gold status. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)

Bottom line

If you want to earn more points per dollar spent, you don't have to pay an annual fee, and you also don't mind paying an annual fee, then this no-annual-fee option is for you. For certain benefits, you must enroll.

If you want to maximize the benefits of the loyalty program without paying an annual fee, the American Express Card is a good starting card.

If you spend $1,000 on the card in the first three months, you'll get 100,000 bonus points. Up to $100 in statement credits can be earned on eligible purchases made on the card at any of the hotels in the first year of membership.

The additional reporting was done by the woman.

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