The Ultimate Guide to Compare Hilton Credit Cards

Comparing Hilton credit cards can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. There are several options to choose from, each with its own set of benefits and rewards.

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express offers a $250 airline fee credit, which can be a huge advantage for frequent travelers. This card also comes with a free weekend night reward every year.

If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express might be the way to go. It offers a $100 airline fee credit and a free weekend night reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.

The Hilton Honors Card from American Express is a great choice for those who want to earn Hilton Honors points without an annual fee. It also offers a free weekend night reward after spending $1,000 in a calendar year.

If this caught your attention, see: Hilton Amex Credit Cards

If you're considering applying for a Hilton credit card, you'll be happy to know that there are several benefits to look forward to.

Automatic Hilton Honors Gold Status is one of the perks, which also provides a path to reaching Diamond status.

To get started, you'll need to apply online or through a phone call with the credit card issuer.

With a Hilton credit card, you can earn up to $200 annual Hilton statement credits, broken down into $50 quarterly credits.

These credits can be a game-changer for frequent travelers who use Hilton hotels regularly.

Related reading: Hilton Platinum Card

If you're a fan of Hilton-branded hotels and travel often, signing up for one of its credit cards could be wise.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice for occasional travelers. It's a solid option for those who don't travel frequently.

Frequent travelers who indulge in luxury amenities will likely prefer the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. This card is geared towards those who want to enjoy the finer things in life while on the road.

Having the right credit card can make a big difference in your travel rewards and benefits. One of the key benefits of a particular card is automatic Hilton Honors Gold Status, which can also help you reach Diamond status.

You'll also get up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits, broken down into four quarterly credits of up to $50 each.

High non-bonus category earnings are another perk of this card, making it a great choice for everyday spending.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Positives of Credit Cards

Hilton Honors points can be earned on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts, with a rewards rate of 12X points per dollar spent.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card each pay Hilton Honors points for everyday spending, with bonus points for certain types of purchases.

Here's a breakdown of the number of points earned on every dollar spent with the three Hilton cards compared to three popular general travel cards:

The value of points earned on every dollar spent varies by card and category. For example, Hilton hotels/resorts earn 3.5 cents, 6 cents, or 7 cents per dollar spent with the Hilton cards, while earning 1 cent, 2.5 cents, or 4.5 cents per dollar spent with the American Express Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, and Chase Sapphire Reserve, respectively.

If this caught your attention, see: Chase Bank Credit Card Credit Score

If you're considering upgrading to the Hilton Aspire card, you should know that both the Ascend and No AF versions offer upgrade bonuses to 150,000 points. This means that applying for Aspire directly and taking the upgrade offer could potentially yield 300,000 points. However, AMEX doesn't usually hard pull, so it's not like you're saving a pull by upgrading.

The Hilton Aspire card offers a lot of benefits, including a $250 Hilton resort credit, a $250 travel credit, and a complimentary weekend night. If you stay at Hilton properties regularly, this card might be worth the $450 annual fee.

So, you're trying to decide which Hilton credit card is best for you. Well, let's break it down. If you're a frequent hotel guest, the Hilton Aspire Card is a great option - it offers a complimentary weekend night at any property, plus a $250 Hilton resort credit.

The Hilton Aspire Card also offers a $250 travel credit, which you get twice in the first year. And, with the card's high earning rate at Hilton properties, you'll earn 14x points per dollar spent.

But, if you're looking for a no-annual-fee card, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice - it earns 7x points per dollar spent at Hilton properties.

Here's a quick comparison of the Hilton credit cards:

Ultimately, the best card for you will depend on your individual needs and spending habits.

The drawbacks of certain credit cards can be a real bummer. One of the main downsides is the annual fee, which can add up over time.

You'll also have to meet a spending requirement to earn the free night reward, which can be a challenge for some people.

Low-value points can be another drawback, making it harder to redeem rewards.

Here are the specific drawbacks of this particular card:

If you're not sold on a Hilton-specific travel credit card, consider a flexible travel credit card to give yourself more options.

You can also earn points through American Express credit cards that earn Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to the Hilton Honors program at a 1,000:2,000 ratio.

However, this transfer isn't always the best use of your points.

The Bilt Mastercard is another option with Hilton as a transfer partner, but it only transfers points at a 1:1 ratio.

This might not be as valuable as transferring to one of Bilt's other partners.

Suggestion: Balance Transfer Credit Cards for Fair Credit

When you're considering a Hilton credit card, it's essential to have a solid strategy in place. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express offers a 150,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which can be redeemed for a free night at many Hilton properties.

To maximize your rewards, focus on earning points through everyday spending and taking advantage of Hilton's partnership with various airlines and hotels. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express, for example, earns 12X points on Hilton purchases.

By planning ahead and choosing the right card for your needs, you can enjoy a more rewarding Hilton credit card experience.

If you're considering getting a Hilton Honors credit card, you'll want to think about your travel habits and how often you stay at Hilton-branded hotels.

The Hilton Honors American Express Card is a good choice for infrequent travelers who want to earn Hilton Honors points without an annual fee. The welcome bonus is relatively generous, earning 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

If you stay at Hilton-branded hotels more than a few times a year, you may want to consider upgrading to a premium card like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. With a small annual fee of $150, it offers a bigger welcome bonus, higher rewards, and more perks.

To offset the cost of the Surpass Card's annual fee, you'll need to spend enough to earn a free hotel night or two. If you spend less than that a year, you may be better off with a general rewards credit card.

Related reading: How Long Can Credit Cards Stay on Your Credit Report

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is likely the best choice for frequent travelers who stay at Hilton-branded hotels multiple times a year. With a relatively high annual fee of $550, it offers elite membership status and premium rewards, including a Free Night Reward and up to $100 property credit.

Here's a quick comparison of the three cards:

By considering your travel habits and the benefits of each card, you can make an informed decision about which Hilton Honors credit card is right for you.

Choosing the right credit card can be overwhelming, but let's break it down. To decide between Hilton credit cards, assess how often you travel and what categories you spend the most in.

Consider your spending habits in categories like U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. online retail shopping to determine which card gives you the best return on your spending.

You should also think about whether you'll take advantage of travel perks, such as free night certificates or travel-related credits for Hilton resorts, airlines, or CLEAR.

If you do travel frequently, paying an annual fee might be worth it for the benefits you'll receive. However, if you don't travel often, a no-annual-fee card might be a better option.

All Hilton credit cards offer some level of elite status, but higher annual fees come with higher status levels. Compare the elite status benefits to see which level offers the perks you want most.

Here are some key questions to consider when choosing a Hilton credit card:

Building your own strategy is all about tailoring your spending to maximize rewards. You can use a Hilton credit card for all your purchases and still get a decent rate of return.

One way to optimize your spending is to use a Hilton card for Hilton stays and gas, as this can help you earn points more efficiently. This approach allows you to take advantage of the benefits of a Hilton card while also earning other types of rewards.

Using a general travel card for everything else can help you optimize the value of your points, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards points. By doing so, you can redeem your Hilton Honors points at a value far greater than 0.6 cent each.

For more insights, see: Do Credit Cards Help Your Credit Score