Best Hilton Credit Card

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Candis is a solo traveler, and she would not have been able to afford to go to as many places and do as much as she’s done without using points to her advantage. She has been able to get free hotel stays with Marriot Bonvoy and has even gotten an entire roundtrip flight to Colombia for free with the use of her credit card rewards. Candis wants to help her readers understand exactly how you can use your points by sharing her own experiences.

The Bottom Line Up Front

Overall, you can’t go wrong with a Hilton credit card. Even if you don’t stay at Hilton hotels often, it’s still beneficial because the points per dollar are amazing. The Surpass card, which is my top pick, offers 6X the points per dollar for groceries, restaurants, and gas stations. You can collect points so quickly!

And what’s even better is that you don’t have to use your points for hotel stays. Therefore, the card points come in handy for a variety of things.

My Top Picks at a Glance

There are two Hilton credit cards that I really like: the Surpass card and the Aspire card.

Hilton Honors Surpass: In my opinion, the Surpass card offers the best middle ground. It offers amazing perks, but it doesn’t have a steep annual fee. Surpass is much better than the regular Hilton Honors card, and I feel like if you’re going to apply, it’s best to go for the one that’ll give you the most benefits. Plus, the annual fee is only $95.

Hilton Honors Aspire Card: The Aspire card is top of the line. When it comes to perks, this card has it all. From the free weekend night certificate to the Priority Pass membership, this card really does have it all. The only drawback is the annual fee of $450. But if you can swing it, and you plan on using all of the perks, I think it’s definitely worth it.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Hilton Credit Card

If you’re considering getting a Hilton credit card, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Become a Hilton Honors Member

When you apply for a Hilton credit card, the questionnaire will ask if you’re a Hilton Honors member. So, it’s a good idea to sign up for a membership first, then apply. That way, you can leverage your Honors points to get the most out of your Hilton credit card.

Pick the Right Card For You

There are four main Hilton credit cards, and each one has its own perks. So, it’s important to pick the right card for your needs. If you’re a casual traveler, the Hilton Honors American Express Card might be a good choice. But if you’re a frequent traveler, you might want to consider the Hilton Honors Surpass Card.

Think About Your Spending Habits

When you’re considering a Hilton credit card, it’s also important to think about your spending habits. If you spend a lot on gas and groceries, for example, the Hilton Honors American Express Card might not be the best choice, since it only offers 3X points in those categories. But if you spend a lot on travel, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card could be a good option, since it offers 12X points on Hilton Hotels and Resorts stays.

Consider Your Travel Goals

Last but not least, when you’re considering a Hilton credit card, it’s important to think about your travel goals. If you’re looking for a free weekend night stay, for example, the Hilton Honors American Express Card and the Hilton Honors Surpass Card both offer that perk. But if you’re looking for lounge access or complimentary breakfast, you might want to consider the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.

Consider the Annual Fee

When you’re considering a Hilton credit card, it’s important to think about the annual fee. The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, while the Hilton Honors Surpass Card has a $75 annual fee. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card has a $450 annual fee, but it also comes with a lot of perks, like a free weekend night stay and Hilton Honors Diamond status.

My Selection Criteria

Points Per Dollar

One of the primary attributes that I considered for the cards in the article is the points per dollar. What I love about these cards is that they offer incredible point amounts. Some credit cards offer very little, but these Hilton credit cards offer a lot. As a result, it’s so easy to rack up points toward free hotel nights and anything else you’d like!

The Sign-Up Bonus

Another attribute that I considered for the cards in the article is the sign-up bonus. With these Hilton cards, you can earn enough points for a free night just by signing up and using your card. These bonuses are so lucrative and make it simple to earn free stays at Hilton hotels.

The Annual Fee

I also considered the annual fee for each of the cards in this article. While some of the cards have annual fees, they are all very reasonable. And, when you consider the benefits that you get with each card, the annual fee is definitely worth it. The Aspire card is the only one with a hefty annual fee, but it offers some amazing perks. In my opinion, the perks offered are worth the annual fee.

Perks

Of course, I considered the perks of these cards. There’s no sense in applying for a credit card that doesn’t offer much. What I like most is that most of Hilton’s credit cards put you at a higher Hilton Honors status. That in itself is a big deal because it gives you access to a number of benefits that would take you a long time to attain if you collected points the traditional way.

Ways to Redeem Hilton Points

Hilton Honors points can be redeemed for a number of different things, including free nights at Hilton hotels, airline miles, rental cars, and experiences.

I love that I can transfer my Hilton points into airline miles because it gives me a lot of flexibility. I can transfer my points to various airline partners. And, if I need to, I can always use my points for other travel-related expenses. Not to mention, there are tons of exciting experiences that I can buy with points. When I travel, and even when I’m home, I love doing fun activities. With Hilton points, I can book things like cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.

Let’s not forget the dining and shopping perks. With Hilton points, I can get discounts at a number of different restaurants and retailers. When I’m not traveling, I can still use my Hilton points to save money. I love it!

Product Recommendations

Hilton Honors Card

This card lets you earn points on everyday purchases, which you can redeem for free nights at any Hilton hotel worldwide. Plus, you get automatic Hilton Honors Silver status and no annual fee.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Hilton Honors Card is a great way to earn free nights at Hilton hotels. With this card, you can upgrade to Gold status once you spend $20,000 on purchases in a calendar year, and you can earn an annual free night certificate after spending $15,000 on purchases each year. Plus, there’s no foreign transaction fee, so you can use this card when traveling abroad.

You’ll get 7X the bonus points for Hilton Hotels and Resorts stays, 5X the points for U.S. gas stations and U.S. grocery stores, 3X the points for all other eligible purchases on your card, and 1X the points on everything else you buy. And there’s no limit to the number of points you can earn with this card.

Hilton Honors Surpass Card

If you’re a Hilton Honors member, and you’re looking for a card with more perks, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card is worth considering. With this card, you’ll earn 12X the points for Hilton Hotels and Resorts stays, 6X the points for U.S. gas stations and U.S. grocery stores, and 3X the points for all other eligible purchases on your card. Plus, you’ll get a free weekend night certificate when you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

You’ll also get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status with this card, which gives you access to upgraded rooms, complimentary breakfast, and more. Plus, there’s no annual fee for this card.

Hilton Honors Aspire Card

If you’re looking for the ultimate Hilton Honors experience, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is the way to go. With this card, you’ll earn 14X the points for Hilton Hotels and Resorts stays, 10X the points for U.S. gas stations and U.S. grocery stores, 3X the points for all other eligible purchases on your card, and 1X the points on everything else you buy. Furthermore, you will receive $250 in statement credits each year for Hilton Resort stays, and a free weekend night certificate when you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

You’ll also get automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status with this card, which gives you the best perks of any Hilton Honors card, including upgraded rooms, complimentary breakfast, lounge access, and more. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees.

The Hilton Honors Business Card

If you’re a small business owner, the Hilton Honors Business Card is a great way to earn Hilton Honors points on your business expenses. With this card, you’ll earn 12X the points for Hilton Hotels and Resorts stays, 6X the points for U.S. gas stations and U.S. shipping purchases, and 3X the points for all other eligible purchases on your card. Plus, you’ll get a free weekend night certificate when you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

You’ll also get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status with this card, which gives you access to upgraded rooms and much more. The Hilton Honors credit card also comes with 10 free lounge visits each with each year of Priority Pass.

FAQs

Question: How many Hilton points do I need for a free night?

Answer: You’ll need a minimum of 5,000 Hilton Honors points for a free night at a standard hotel. However, the number of points required depends on the hotel brand that you stay in, the cost of the room, and the time of year.

Question: Can I use my Hilton points for anything other than free nights?

Answer: Yes, you can use your Hilton points for a variety of travel expenses, including airfare, car rentals, and even cruises. You can also use your Hilton points to shop, dine, and more.

Question: Can I have more than one Hilton Honors card?

Answer: Technically, yes. Amex allows five cards to be open at any given time. So, you could have several Hilton credit cards. However, it’s important to note that having multiple cards can impact your credit score.

Question: What is the minimum credit score for a Hilton Honors card?

Answer: There is no minimum credit score required for a Hilton Honors card. Just keep in mind that your credit score will be a factor in whether or not you’re approved for a card.

Question: How do I cancel my Hilton Honors card?

Answer: If you want to cancel your Hilton Honors card, you can do so by calling the number on the back of your card or by logging in to your account online. Once you’ve canceled your card, you’ll no longer be able to use it to make purchases or earn Hilton Honors points.