Let me walk you through the Hilton Honors reward program and introduce you to the Hilton Honors American Express cards that will help you earn rewards in the most effective way possible.

The Hilton Honors program is one of the most underrated hotel programs for travelers – and for good reason. It can take a LOT of points to book a night at your local (or bougie) Hilton. As of 2024, Hilton had the 4th largest number of hotel rooms across the globe. We recently stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti, which has a great location. Whether you’re looking for easy family hotels on road trips (Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites) OR bougie resorts like Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort – there are options for you! Here’s why we love Hilton:

Easy to Earn Points – With great credit card welcome offers, it’s easy to earn a huge chunk of valuable points. Additionally, Hilton is a travel partner of American Express.

5th Night Free – When you book an Hilton award night on points, the 5th consecutive night is free.

Bank Transfers from Chase and Bilt – Hilton is a travel partner of American Express, which transfers points at a 1:2 ratio (1,000 American Express Membership Rewards® Points would equal 2,000 Hilton points). Be sure to watch for transfer bonuses between American Express and Hilton!

Annual Free Night Certificate – Some credit cards offer an free night certificate. Hilton is unique in that you can use the reward certificate at ultimately any Hilton property with award availability.

Cardholder Status – Depending on the card, you’ll receive instant status – Hilton Honors Gold or Diamond. Additionally, waived resort fees, late check out, free breakfast (or credit toward breakfast), late checkout, and more!

Which Hilton Personal Card Should You Get?

Of the Hilton Honors American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, I always recommend waiting for a great elevated welcome offer (and especiallyyyyy if there is an offer of a free night certificate, because those certificates are SO VALUABLE. There is also the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. We most recently opened this card – and the annual fee is big – but you get a free night certificate at card opening and every year at renewal.

Let’s Compare:

Hilton Honors American Express Card

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.

5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.

3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

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

6X Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations

4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.

3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

“All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Amber on Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.”

Earn:

14X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on Hilton Purchases

7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at U.S. Restaurants and on Select Travel Purchases

3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on all other Eligible Purchases

Complimentary Diamond Status

$400 Hilton Resort Credit

Let’s Talk Business

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Earn:

12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.

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.

My Take:

People wait all year for elevated offers on these cards!! The prime time to open any of these cards is when there is an elevated offer that offers increased points AND a free night certificate. We personally just opened the Hilton Honors Aspire card, mainly because it comes with a free night certificate upon card opening and an additional free night certificate every year when you renew the card. The annual fee is substantial. The annual free night certificate needs to be used within one year of receiving the certificate.

I truly think you can’t go wrong with any of these personal cards, as long as they come with a free night certificate.

Where Should I Use My Free Night Certificate?

Waldorf Astoria – Park City, Utah

Grand Wailea – Wailea, HI

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Conrad Bora Bora Nui – Bora Bora Nui

Conrad Maldives – Maldives

Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam – Netherlands

Hilton Lake Como – Como, Italy

Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C. – DC, USA

Hilton Marco Island – Marco Island, FL

Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach – Dana Point, CA

Zemi Beach House Anguilla – West Indies, Anguilla

Hotel del Coronado – California, USA

Conrad Tokyo – Tokyo, Japan

Wrap Up

Again, the Hilton Honors American Express cards are often overlooked, but provide so much value across Hilton’s global footprint.

Reach out with any questions. I can’t wait to hear where you go!

xo – Amber