The Hilton Honors card is issued by American Express and earns points on every purchase that you can redeem for Hilton hotel stays, free nights, and other travel rewards
American Express offers several Hilton Honors credit cards at different annual fee levels. The entry-level card has no annual fee, while premium versions charge $150 or $450 per year and come with additional perks like free night certificates and elite status benefits. All versions earn base points on purchases and bonus points on hotel and dining spending.
The card you choose depends on how much you travel, whether you stay at Hilton properties regularly, and whether the annual fee benefits offset the cost. A cardholder who stays at Hilton hotels frequently and uses the card for everyday spending will recoup the annual fee through points and certificates. Someone who travels rarely or prefers other hotel chains may find the no-annual-fee version more practical.
Key Takeaways
- American Express issues three Hilton Honors cards: no annual fee, $150 annual fee, and $450 annual fee, each with different earning rates and perks.
- All cards earn base points on purchases and bonus points on hotel and dining categories, with rates that vary by card tier.
- Premium cards include annual free night certificates that can offset the annual fee if you book stays at the right properties.
- You can request a card through American Express's website or by phone, and approval decisions typically come within minutes to a few days.
- Existing American Express cardholders may be able to upgrade or downgrade between Hilton cards without a new hard inquiry.
Earning rates and annual benefits differ by card tier
The no-annual-fee Hilton Honors card earns 3 points per dollar on Hilton hotel stays and dining at restaurants, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. It includes a welcome bonus (the specific amount changes periodically) and no annual free night certificate.
The $150 annual fee card earns the same base rates but adds a free night certificate each year that can be used at most Hilton properties up to a certain category level. The $450 annual fee card earns 4 points per dollar on Hilton stays and dining, includes a higher-category free night certificate, and provides automatic elite status with Hilton Honors. Both premium cards also offer statement credits for incidental travel expenses.
To decide which card makes sense, calculate whether the free night certificate value exceeds the annual fee. A free night at a mid-range Hilton property typically costs 40,000 to 60,000 points or $100 to $200 in cash rates. If you stay at Hilton hotels at least once per year, the $150 card often pays for itself. The $450 card is most valuable for frequent travelers who use the elite status and higher-category free night.
How to request a Hilton Honors card from American Express
Visit American Express's website and navigate to the Hilton Honors card product pages. You can compare the three versions side by side, review the current welcome bonus offer for each, and select the one that matches your travel patterns. Click the button to request the card.
American Express will ask for your name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and income information. The company performs a hard inquiry on your credit report, which may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. You can also request a card by phone at the number on the back of an existing American Express card or by calling the general American Express customer service line.
Approval decisions usually come within minutes if you are an existing American Express customer with a strong credit history. If the decision is pending, American Express typically notifies you within a few business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days, though you can often use the card number for online purchases when ready.
Product changes and upgrades between Hilton cards
If you already hold one Hilton Honors card, you may be able to switch to a different tier without submitting a new process. American Express calls this a "product change," and it typically does not trigger a new hard inquiry on your credit report. You can upgrade from the no-annual-fee card to a premium version, or downgrade from a premium card to the no-annual-fee version.
Product changes usually process within one to two business days. Your account number and credit line remain the same, so your credit history with that card continues uninterrupted. However, if you downgrade from a premium card, you lose access to the annual free night certificate and elite status benefits when ready, even if you have not yet used them in the current year.
If you want to hold multiple Hilton Honors cards at the same time, you will need to request a new card rather than doing a product change. American Express allows this, but each new card request triggers a hard inquiry.
Welcome bonuses and how points work
Each Hilton Honors card comes with a welcome bonus that requires you to spend a certain amount within a set timeframe (usually three to six months). The bonus is typically stated in points rather than dollars. Current offers vary, so check the American Express website for the specific bonus attached to each card version at the time you request.
Points earned through spending and welcome bonuses can be redeemed for Hilton hotel stays, airline miles through Hilton's transfer partners, gift cards, or other rewards. Hilton uses a points-based pricing system for rooms, so the number of points required for a night varies by property, season, and demand. A budget property might cost 10,000 points per night, while a luxury resort could cost 50,000 or more.
Points do not expire as long as your Hilton Honors account remains active, which means you can accumulate them over time. However, if your Hilton account goes inactive for 12 months, Hilton may close it and forfeit your points. Keeping the credit card active or staying at a Hilton property at least once per year prevents this.
Credit requirements and who can request a card
American Express typically requests Hilton Honors cards from people with good to excellent credit, though the company does not publish a specific minimum credit score. Most approvals go to applicants with a score of 670 or higher, though some people with lower scores have been approved. Your income, existing credit accounts, and payment history matter as much as the score itself.
You must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident with a valid Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to request a card. American Express will verify your identity and may ask for additional documentation if your process raises questions.
If you have been denied for an American Express card in the past, you can request reconsideration by calling the company's reconsideration line. Providing additional information about your income or explaining a recent improvement in your credit situation sometimes results in approval on a second attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I request a Hilton Honors card if I have never had an American Express card before?
Yes. American Express requests Hilton Honors cards to new customers as well as existing cardholders. Your approval odds may be slightly lower as a first-time applicant, but American Express does not require prior history with the company. Your credit score and income are the primary factors in the decision.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your Hilton Honors account and do not disappear when you close the credit card. However, if your Hilton account becomes inactive for 12 months, Hilton may close it and forfeit the points. Keeping your Hilton account active through stays or credit card spending prevents this.
Can I request multiple Hilton Honors cards at the same time?
American Express typically allows you to hold multiple Hilton Honors cards simultaneously, but each new request triggers a hard inquiry. Spacing requests several months apart reduces the impact on your credit score and lowers the risk of denial due to too many recent inquiries.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free night?
It depends on your spending and the property you want to book. A welcome bonus often provides 50,000 to 150,000 points, which covers a free night at many mid-range properties. If you spend $1,500 per month on the card and earn 3 points per dollar, you earn 4,500 points monthly, or 54,000 points per year. Budget properties start at 10,000 points per night, while premium properties require 50,000 or more.
Is there a difference between requesting a card online versus by phone?
The approval process and terms are identical whether you request online or by phone. Requesting by phone allows you to ask questions before submitting, but online requests are faster and you receive a decision when ready in most cases. Choose whichever method is more convenient for you.