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The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is worth considering if you’re a Hilton loyalist and are eligible for a small-business credit card. It comes with an excellent welcome bonus offer, great earning categories, and valuable benefits, with a very manageable annual fee.
Review: Is the Hilton Business Credit Card the best card for you?
There are only a handful of hotel credit cards on the market that are geared toward small-business owners, but if you’re looking to earn Hilton points, you’re in luck.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is an excellent choice — and it comes with a substantial welcome bonus offer: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. Cardholders also receive automatic Hilton Gold elite status, and compelling benefits like airport lounge access.
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is one of four co-branded Hilton credit cards issued by Amex, and the other three — Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — are also solid picks.
But if you can qualify for a small-business credit card, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card offers a hard-to-beat combo of a moderate The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card annual fee and top-notch earning and perks.
In fact, it’s got the broadest range of bonus spending categories of any Hilton card, and comes with up to two free night certificates each year if you meet spending thresholds.
Keep in mind you don’t necessarily need a Hilton-branded credit card to earn Hilton points. Hilton Honors is an American Express Membership Rewards partner, which means you can transfer Amex points to Hilton at a 1:2 ratio from cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, or The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
How to earn points with the Hilton Honors Business card
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a heavy hitter when it comes to earning points, offering bonus rewards in a broad range of categories — not just at Hilton hotels.
Cardholders earn points at the following rates:
12x points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio 6x points on select business purchases: U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S purchases for shipping6x points on select travel purchases: U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and car rentals booked with select car rental companies
Keep in mind the 12x points at eligible Hilton hotels are in addition to the points you’d normally earn from staying with Hilton (10x points at most Hilton brands except Home2Suites and Tru by Hilton, which earn 5x). And because the card comes with automatic Hilton Gold elite status, you’ll earn 80% bonus points on paid stays (18 points per dollar at most Hilton properties).
All told, between the points you’ll earn from the card, regular points earning at Hilton hotels, and the Hilton Gold elite bonus, you’ll earn 30 points per dollar when you use the card to pay for most Hilton hotel stays.
How to use Hilton points
You’ve got a number of options for redeeming Hilton points, but you’ll usually get the most value by using points for award nights at Hilton hotels.
Hilton hotel brands
Conrad Hotels & ResortsCanopy by HiltonCurio Collection by HiltonDoubleTree by HiltonEmbassy Suites by HiltonHampton Inn by HiltonHilton HotelsHilton Garden InnHilton Grand VacationsHome2 Suites by Hilton Homewood Suites by HiltonLXRMotto by HiltonSignia by HiltonTapestry Collection by HiltonTempo by HiltonTru by Hilton Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts
Hilton doesn’t have an official award chart, and the number of points required varies at individual hotels based on demand and season. The cheapest Hilton hotels start at 5,000 points per night and (with a few exceptions) top out at 95,000 points per night.
Hilton Honors points are worth, on average, 0.5 cents each according to Insider’s points and miles valuations. The precise value you’ll get depends on the hotel you book, time of year, and other factors.
You can stretch your points for more nights by combining points and money for award stays, or by taking advantage of Hilton’s fifth-night free benefit for elite members. This perk allows you to book five consecutive standard award nights and effectively get a 20% discount on the points required.
Because The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (and all other Hilton co-brand cards) offer automatic elite status, you won’t have to worry about meeting stay requirements to earn elite status to unlock the fifth-night free benefit.
Other ways to use Hilton points include cashing them in for Amazon purchases, redeeming them for experiences, or trading them in for airline miles, Lyft rides, merchandise, and charity donations. You’ll typically receive a lower value for your points when you redeem this way.
Benefits and features
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with a wide range of perks that can make your travels more comfortable and help you save money.
Free night award certificates
When you spend $15,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year with the card, you can receive a free night certificate, and another if you spend a total of $60,000 with your card in a calendar year. These certificates are valid at almost any Hilton hotel, with exceptions listed here.
Hilton free nights awarded for meeting spending thresholds used to only be valid Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights, but Hilton has now made them more flexible by allowing members to redeem them any day of the week.
Automatic Hilton Gold elite status
Cardholders receive Hilton Gold status as long as their card is open and in good standing. Hilton’s mid-level elite tier comes with surprisingly good benefits, including:
Free continental breakfast (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit at US hotels)Room upgrades when availableFifth night free on award stays of five nights or more80% points bonus on paid staysFree bottled water Elite rollover nights
If you spend $40,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year with The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you’ll get upgraded to Hilton Diamond elite status through the end of the following calendar year. Hilton Diamond status is even more valuable — it comes with all the benefits of Hilton Gold status, plus a 100% points bonus on paid stays, better upgrades, executive lounge access, and premium Wi-Fi.
Priority Pass airport lounge access
When you have The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you can enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership**, with 10 free visits included per year. While other, more premium credit cards offer a membership with unlimited visits, you’ll usually have to pay a much higher annual fee — so this is a good option if you only travel a few times a year.
Car rental insurance
When you pay for your car rental with The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental counter, you can get secondary coverage for damage to or theft of the vehicle. Some countries and vehicle types are excluded, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before you rent and note that liability insurance isn’t included.
Secondary car rental insurance will only cover amounts left over after your primary (personal) car insurance pays out. Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, offer primary car rental insurance, which doesn’t require you to file a claim with your personal policy to get reimbursed.
Baggage insurance plan
If you pay for a covered trip with The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you can be covered for baggage loss or damage, up to $500 per person for checked bags, and $1,250 per person for carry-on luggage.
There are exclusions for high-risk items and some states have different limits, so check the terms and conditions for specific details.
Purchase protection
When you pay for an eligible item with The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, purchase protection can cover theft or damage that occurs within 90 days of purchase, up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account per calendar year.
Extended warranty
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with up to one additional year of extended warranty coverage for eligible new purchases in the US or its territories, on manufacturer’s warranties of five years or less.
Global Assist Hotline
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card also offers access Amex’s Global Assist Hotline to cardholders when they’re traveling 100 or more miles from home.
This service can provide help with issues like translation services, missing luggage, and emergency legal and medical referrals, and lost passports, but you’ll be responsible for any third-party costs.
Fees and costs
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has an annual fee of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, but you can easily make up for it (and then some) by making the most of the card’s benefits.
It’s a good choice to take with you if you’re traveling internationally because it doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. However, like most cards, there are fees for late payments, returned payments, and cash advances.
Comparison: American Express Hilton Business card vs other Hilton cards
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Annual fee
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
$95
Rewards rate
12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels
6 points per dollar spent on select business purchases: U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, and U.S purchases for shipping
6 points per dollar spent on select travel purchases: U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and car rentals booked with select car rental companies
3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels
5 points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels
6 points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus offer
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Travel benefits
Hilton Gold elite status
Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
A second free night award if you spend a total of $60,000 or more in a calendar year
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership** with 10 free visits per year
Hilton Silver elite status
Upgrade to Gold status after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
Hilton Gold elite status
Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership** with 10 free visits per year
Other card benefits
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers**
No foreign transaction fees
Secondary car rental insurance
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers
No foreign transaction fees
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers
No foreign transaction fees
Learn more
Hilton Honors American Express card review
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card review
Amex Hilton Business vs other small-business hotel credit cards
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Annual fee
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Rewards rate
12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels
6 points per dollar spent at U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S purchases for shipping
6 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, and car rentals booked with select car rental companies
3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program
4 points per dollar on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and on U.S. shipping purchases
2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
4x points at Hyatt hotels
2x points on your top three spend categories each quarter (from a list) through 12/31/23, then your top two categories each quarter
2x points on fitness club and gym memberships
1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Welcome bonus offer
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card
World of Hyatt Business Credit Card
Travel benefits
Hilton Gold elite status
Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year
A second free night award if you spend a total of $60,000 or more in a calendar year
Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership** with 10 free visits per year
Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status
Annual free night award*
A second free night award if you spend $60,000 or more in a calendar year*
15 elite night credits each calendar year
Automatic Hyatt Discoverist elite status
Gift Discoverist status to up to five company employees
For a limited time earn 2 Tier-Qualifying Night Credits for each night you stay from 8/23/22 through 12/31/22 if you apply by 10/6/22
5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year
Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits per year
10% redemption rebate after you spend $50,000 in a calendar year
Hyatt Leverage program membership
Other card benefits
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers
No foreign transaction fees
Secondary car rental insurance
Baggage insurance plan
Global Assist Hotline
Purchase protection
Extended warranty
Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers
No foreign transaction fees
Secondary car rental insurance
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Extended warranty
Purchase protection
Travel and emergency assistance services
Roadside dispatch
No foreign transaction fees
Review
Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express card review
World of Hyatt Business card review
*The Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card offers an annual free night award each year after your card renewal month for hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program that cost up to 35,000 points
Hilton Honors American Express Business credit card frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is the Hilton Honors Business card worth it?
Even if you don’t stay with Hilton often, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is worth it for the benefits it offers, which can more than offset the annual fee — especially considering the huge welcome bonus offer in the first year. Other perks like Hilton Gold status and Priority Pass airport lounge access can translate into significant savings as well.
However, if you absolutely don’t want to pay an annual fee, there’s another option. The no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card also offers a substantial welcome bonus offer. Although it isn’t packed with benefits, it’s still a good pick if you’re an infrequent traveler.
What credit score do you need for the Amex Hilton Business card?
Usually, folks who are approved for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card have a good to excellent credit score, which means a FICO score of at least 670.
If your credit isn’t quite there yet, read our guides on increasing your credit score and how using credit cards can help boost your score.
Can you add authorized users to the Hilton Honors Business card?
You can add up to 99 authorized user cards to your account, and you can even set spending limits for your employees if you wish. Any points earned from their spending will be credited to the primary cardholder’s Hilton account and count toward meeting spending thresholds for higher elite status and free night certificates.
Keep in mind you’ll be responsible for any purchases made by your authorized users. Authorized users/employee cards do not receive additional benefits like Hilton Gold status or Priority Pass Select membership.
Who is eligible for the Amex Hilton Honors Business card?
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a small-business card, which means you’ll need to have a business to qualify. That said, you aren’t required to have a formal business structure or LLC — if you do freelance work or have a side gig, you could be eligible for a small-business card. You don’t need an EIN, either — it’s possible to apply as a sole proprietor using your Social Security Number.
If you already have The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, you won’t be able to open another one. Amex also has a one bonus, per person, per lifetime rule, so if you’ve already received the bonus on The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card in the past, you aren’t eligible to receive it again.
It is possible to have more than one type of Hilton card open at a time. So, for example, if you already have the Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you’re still eligible for The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.