Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Daily Drop.

Best Credit Cards for Earning Hilton Points

Hilton offers a few different options for eager cardholders of its loyalty program. One of our favorite cards overall also happens to be a Hilton card—the Surpass! All of these cards have valuable perks and benefits for those who stay at Hilton regularly. Any card that you see on this list that isn’t a Hilton card allows you to transfer its points to the Hilton program for continued travel benefits!

Personal Cards

🏆 Best for Hilton Gold Status

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

130,000Bonus Points

Enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 and earn 130,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26.

The Hilton Honors Surpass card is a premium hotel rewards credit card that provides Hilton enthusiasts with generous rewards, including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, elevated points earning potential, and a free night reward upon reaching a spending threshold. With a moderate annual fee, this card is an excellent choice for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to enjoy enhanced benefits and substantial rewards.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best Entry-level Hilton Card

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

100,000Bonus Points

Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a $100 Statement Credit after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26.

The Hilton Honors Amex card is a travel rewards credit card that offers Hilton enthusiasts the opportunity to earn points on everyday spending and enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, making it a valuable choice for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties. With no annual fee, this card provides a cost-effective way to enhance your Hilton hotel experience and earn rewards.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for Hilton Loyalists

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Annual Fee: $550

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

175,000Bonus Points

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/26.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides premium travel benefits and perks, including elite status, substantial annual credits, and elevated points earning potential, catering to frequent travelers and Hilton hotel enthusiasts.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Business Cards

‍🏆 Best Hilton Business Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $195

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

130,000Bonus Points

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Limited Time Offer: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months of card Membership. Offer ends 7/29/2026.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a travel rewards credit card tailored for business travelers, offering Hilton Honors Gold status, generous Hilton Honors points earning potential, and an annual free weekend night reward upon reaching a spending threshold. With a reasonable annual fee, this card is an excellent choice for businesses that frequently utilize Hilton properties and want to enhance their travel experience with valuable rewards and perks.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Which Card is Right for You?

Hilton credit cards are great if you frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to take advantage of earning rewards with every stay. Whether you’re a casual traveler or a luxury fan, these cards offer perks like free nights, elite status, and more. Choose a card that aligns with your travel frequency and preferred hotel benefits.

Other Ways to Earn

Hilton credit cards let you earn points on a variety of everyday categories beyond hotel stays, like groceries, gas, and dining. Many cards also offer pretty sweet welcome bonuses to get you started. You can boost your points by staying at Hilton properties or taking advantage of partnerships with airlines and other travel services.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Earn extra points on Hilton stays and everyday spending categories

Enjoy complimentary elite status with benefits like free breakfast

Free night rewards on certain cards

Access to exclusive Hilton promotions and discounts

Cons

Limited to Hilton properties

Redemption rates vary depending on the property and season

Perks like upgrades are subject to availability and not guaranteed

FAQs

How do I earn free nights at Hilton Hotels?

Hilton credit cards often provide free night certificates either as part of a welcome offer or as an annual benefit after meeting certain spending requirements.

Do Hilton points expire?

Yes, Hilton points expire after 24 months of inactivity, but keeping your account active with any earning or redemption activity will reset the clock.

What elite status do I get with a Hilton credit card?

Most Hilton credit cards offer at least Silver or Gold status, which comes with benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades, and more.

Can I transfer Hilton points to airlines?

Hilton has airline transfer partners, but the transfer ratios are typically less favorable, so it’s usually better to use your points for hotel stays.

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

Hilton free night awards typically start at 5,000 points, though most properties require more points based on their category and location. Always double-check before booking to make sure you're getting the best deal for your points.

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Writer

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

Updated:Jan 30, 2025