You can find a Hilton hotel in nearly any corner of the world, with thousands of properties spanning two dozen brands from luxurious Waldorf Astorias to approachable Hilton Garden Inns.
If you like staying in Hilton hotels, you may want to get a Hilton Honors credit card for premium benefits and comfort during your stay. And even if you're not a diehard Hilton loyalist, you may be able to enjoy VIP perks through the right travel credit card.
Business Insider's team of personal finance experts reviewed all of the credit cards with benefits for Hilton stays to compile this guide. We evaluated annual fees, elite benefits, earning rates, and rewards to help you find the best fit for your personal travel and spending habits.
Whether you value no annual fees, spend a lot on your credit card each month, seek out premium benefits such as elite status, or own your own business, these are the best credit cards for Hilton benefits that you can get right now.
Best Hilton Credit Cards of 2025
| Best For | Card | Annual Fee |
| Best for no annual fee | Hilton Honors American Express Card | $0 (rates and fees) |
| Best for big spenders | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | $150 (rates and fees) |
| Best for premium benefits | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | $550 |
| Best for business owners | The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card | $195 (rates and fees) |
Best for No Annual Fee
$0
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you're an infrequent traveler and like earning Hilton points but don't want to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is definitely worth considering.
Hilton Honors Amex- Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Gold status through the end of the next calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- No Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Complimentary Hilton elite status: Silver
Annual fee: $0 (rates and fees)
Hilton credit card offer: 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership, worth around $400 toward Hilton stays based on our valuations
Earning rate: 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5 points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases on your card
The Hilton Honors American Express Card deserves a long-term spot in your wallet if you value Hilton elite status but don't want to pay a credit card annual fee.
Hilton Honors Amex cardmembers enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver Status, which confers perks like no resort fees on award stays, free bottled water, your fifth night free on qualifying stays booked with points, and a 20% points bonus on every hotel stay.
And if you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors Amex in a calendar year, you can earn Hilton Honors™ Gold Status through the following year. Terms apply.
Read more in our Hilton Honors American Express card review.
Best for Big Spenders
$150
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
This card is a terrific choice if you stay with Hilton, even occasionally. It balances excellent benefits, including Gold status and 10 airport lounge visits per year, with a modest annual fee. And while it doesn't come with an automatic free night certificate on your account anniversary, you can earn one by spending $15,000 on the card in a year.
Amex Hilton Surpass- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you're enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Complimentary Hilton elite status: Gold
Annual fee: $150 (rates and fees)
Hilton credit card offer: 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership, worth around $650 toward Hilton stays based on our valuations
Earning rate: 12 points per dollar on purchases made directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio, 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3 points per dollar for all other eligible purchases
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is best for earning Hilton credit card benefits through spending.
You'll get complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with potential upgrades, 80% points bonus on hotel stays, and free breakfast or a food and beverage credit, depending on the property.
Ambitious spenders can earn top-tier Diamond status through the following year by spending $40,000 in eligible purchases on the Amex Hilton Surpass in a calendar year. Terms apply.
Cardholders can also earn an annual Hilton free night certificate after spending $15,000 or more on eligible purchases on the Amex Hilton Surpass within a calendar year.
These free night certificates are extremely valuable because they're valid at almost any Hilton hotel worldwide, including aspirational properties like Waldorf Astorias in the Maldives and the Seychelles that often charge more than $1,000 a night.
The Amex Hilton Surpass is worth getting even if you don't spend much money on the card: Cardholders get four quarterly statement credits of up to $50 apiece on eligible Hilton purchases, which fully offsets the card's $150 annual fee if you maximize this benefit each year.
Read more in our Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card review.
Best for Premium Benefits
$550
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% variable
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
Many of the best credit cards come with high annual fees that certainly aren't for everyone, and that's definitely the case with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card . This is Hilton's most expensive (and rewarding) card, and it's geared toward loyal Hilton travelers who can make the most of its many generous benefits.
Hilton Honors AspireComplimentary Hilton elite status: Diamond
Annual fee: $550
Hilton credit card offer: 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership, worth around $750 toward Hilton stays based on our valuations
Earning rate: 14 points per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 7 points per dollar on select travel including flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies; 7 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery; and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card confers the ultimate Hilton credit card benefits package in exchange for a $550 annual fee, starting with automatic top-tier Diamond elite status.
The Hilton Honors Aspire is one of the best hotel credit cards thanks to a slew of statement credits worth hundreds of dollars, including up to $400 annually on eligible Hilton stays, up to $199 toward CLEAR® Plus expedited security membership, and up to $200 each year toward eligible flight purchases.
Cardholders get a free night certificate when they are first approved for the card and a free night certificate each year on their renewal anniversary. You can earn a second annual free night by spending $60,000 in eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors Aspire in a calendar year.
Read more in our Hilton Honors Aspire card review.
Best for Business Owners
$195
N/A
19.99% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
Small business owners who like staying with Hilton can get automatic Hilton Gold status and up to $60 each quarter in statement credits for eligible Hilton purchases.
Hilton Honors Amex Business Card- Welcome Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
- Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
- Get up to $60 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay.
- You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the calendar year if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you’re enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- Terms apply.
Complimentary Hilton elite status: Gold
Annual fee: $195 (rates and fees)
Hilton credit card offer: 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership , worth around $650 toward Hilton stays based on our valuations
Earning rate: 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases; 5 points per dollar on other purchases up to the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 3 points per dollar
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is best for business owners who value Hilton points and perks. You can add up to 99 employee cards at no additional cost with spending limits, real-time alerts, and summary reports. The card also syncs up with QuickBooks and vendor payments through Bill.com for easy account management.
Cardholders get complimentary Gold elite status, with the ability to earn their way to Diamond status after spending $40,000 in eligible purchases on this card within a calendar year. They also get up to $240 in annual statement credits, divided into quarterly credits of up to $60 on eligible hotel stays and incidental fees at Hilton properties.
Read more in our Amex Hilton Honors Business card review.
Is A Hilton Credit Card Worth It?
A Hilton credit card can be worth your while for earning your way to free hotel stays, especially if you take advantage of generous Hilton credit card offers to jumpstart your stash of Hilton Honors points.
Our guide to earning and redeeming Hilton Honors points can help you maximize your Hilton Honors credit card benefits.
Hilton points are worth an average of 0.5 cents apiece, based on Business Insider's points and miles valuations. The exact value varies depending on where and when you redeem your points.
Having and using a Hilton credit card is one of the fastest ways to earn points for award stays, but there are several other ways to get Hilton points.
How to Choose the Right Hilton Credit Card
The right Hilton rewards credit card can enhance your travel experience significantly. But there's no point in paying for benefits you can't use or maximize.
The best Hilton credit card for you should align with your travel and spending habits. If you're always on the road and favor Hilton hotels, the Hilton Honors Aspire is best for you despite its high annual fee. If you don't want to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is great for casual Hilton travelers. If you don't mind paying a moderate annual fee for generous brand benefits, the Amex Hilton Surpass is best for you.
Get Hilton Benefits Without a Hilton Rewards Credit Card
You can enjoy Hilton benefits from many credit cards even if you aren't loyal enough to Hilton to warrant a dedicated hotel credit card.
Complimentary Elite Status with The Platinum Card® from American Express
$695
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.
Amex Platinum Card- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a great alternative if you value Hilton elite benefits but don't want to commit to a Hilton credit card.
It's one of the best cards for travel rewards of all time, and you can offset the $695 annual fee (rates and fees) by maximizing a slew of benefits worth well over $1,000 a year.
This card earns valuable Amex points, which are worth an average of 1.8 cents apiece by Business Insider's valuations. American Express Membership rewards points can be transferred to partners such as Delta Air Lines — and Hilton Honors. Amex points transfer to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio, so 1 Amex point becomes 2 Hilton points.
Amex Platinum Cardholders can also activate complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status each year, as well as Gold status for rival hotel brand Marriott. Terms apply.
Read more in our American Express Platinum Card review.
Pro tip: Business owners should consider this card's professional twin, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which also comes with complimentary Gold status when activated, valuable annual credits, and earns Amex points. Terms apply.
Get Elite-Like Perks: Book Through Your Credit Card Portal
You don't necessarily have to commit to Hilton — or any other major hotel brand — to enjoy exclusive perks. Hotel stays booked through your credit card issuer's travel portal may qualify for VIP benefits such as spa or dining credits, free breakfast, and late check-out.
For example, cardholders who book eligible hotel stays through the American Express Travel Fine Hotels + Resorts program qualify for additional benefits such as up to a $200 statement credit per stay and complimentary nights when applicable.
Some of the best Chase cards and the best Capital One credit cards for booking travel portal hotel stays don't even charge annual fees.
For example, Chase Freedom Flex® cardholders earn 5% cash back that can be redeemed as 5 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on hotels booked through Chase Travel℠.
Meanwhile, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card cardholders can choose whether to earn 5 Capital One miles per dollar on hotels booked through the Capital One travel portal, or to book directly through the hotel and redeem their rewards as statement credits to cover the travel purchase from their credit card statement balance.
Earn Extra Rewards from Hotel Stays to Use Toward Other Travel
The right credit card for Hilton stays can also help you earn rewards from paid hotel bookings to use on other types of travel, such as flights or rental cars. The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card earns 5 Wells Fargo Rewards points per dollar on hotel purchases, which can be used toward award travel booked through Wells Fargo transfer partners.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Hilton Credit Cards
Business Insider's experts evaluated Hilton credit cards available to consumers and business owners today to determine the best options for Hilton loyalists. We also considered credit cards that confer benefits for Hilton stays even though they're not issued in partnership with Hilton.
The criteria we considered include:
Annual fee to benefits ratio — Does the credit card's annual fee make sense for this type of traveler? We compared Hilton Aspire benefits, Hilton Surpass benefits, and Hilton Honors Amex card benefits against each card's annual fees, and found all three cards worthy of inclusion in this list.
Earning rates — Does the credit card earn strong returns on Hilton and non-Hilton purchases alike? Hilton rewards credit card earning rates are especially generous, even on everyday expenses like groceries and gas.
Hilton credit card offers — Are the initial credit card sign up bonuses enticing for new cardholders? Can you book at least one to two nights for free with the points earned from your welcome offer? All of the cards in this guide offer generous introductory bonuses that can kickstart your next vacation in style.
For a closer look at our methodology, here's how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
FAQs
What credit card is best for Hilton?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers the best Hilton credit card benefits you can get from a credit card including several hundred dollars in annual statement credits, an annual free night certificate valid at almost any property worldwide, and complimentary Diamond elite status.
Does Hilton have a credit card?
Yes, there are several Hilton Amex cards to choose from, ranging from the $0-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (rates and fees) offering base-level Silver elite status to the $550-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card with top-tier Diamond elite status.
Is the Hilton Honors credit card worth it?
Yes, Hilton's various credit cards can be worth it if you stay at Hilton hotels at least once a year a year. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with complimentary Silver elite status and doesn't have an annual fee, so it's easy to keep long-term (rates and fees).
Can I get a free night from spending on a Hilton credit card?
Yes, you can earn an annual free night by spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the Amex Hilton Surpass within a calendar year. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with one free night each year, and you can earn a second free night by spending $60,000 in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year. Hilton free night certificates are extremely valuable because they can be used at most Hilton properties worldwide, including resorts worth $1,000 a night or more.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
