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When I first started traveling, I used to live out of hostels. They were cheap and I was on a tight budget. Plus, as an introvert, they were perfect for meeting fellow backpackers and taking me out of my comfort zone.
I still love a hostel environment, but these days, running a business on the road means I often need more space and privacy. And I like sticking to the same brand because you can get free breakfast, upgrades and rooms.
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or an occasional traveler, having at least one hotel credit card is a game-changer. With big bonuses, free nights and extra perks, this is one of the best ways to save on accommodation and improve your hotel experience.
That’s why today I want to highlight the best hotel cards from one of my favorite hotel brands: the Hilton Honors American Express CardThis entry-level card is great for people who want a low-fee card with good benefits.
What is the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
Hilton Honors American Express Card Have a hotel rewards credit card. With this card, you’ll earn 5x points at US restaurants, US supermarkets, and US gas stations. You’ll also get 3x points on all other purchases. Its annual fee is $0 (View Rates and Fees), this is great for beginners who don’t want to get a card with an annual fee right away.
Here’s what the card offers:
- Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
- 7x points at Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- 5x points at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations
- 3x points on all other purchases
- complimentary Hilton Honors™ Silver status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Extended Warranty*: The card comes with an extended warranty that adds up to one year to the original manufacturer’s warranty of five years or less.
- Purchase Protection*: Purchase protection covers items that are accidentally damaged, stolen or lost if you’ve paid with your card. This benefit covers purchases for up to 90 days and up to $1,000 per item (up to $50,000 per calendar year).
- Car Rental Insurance**: When you use the card to reserve and pay for a car rental and decline the rental company’s insurance, you’re covered against damage and theft – up to $50,000 . This benefit is secondary coverage to your own auto insurance and does not include liability.
Complimentary Card Benefits: Hilton Honors Silver Status
Being a member of Hilton Honors, Hilton’s loyalty program, offers a lot of perks and benefits (depending on the specific status, of course). To encourage travelers to always book with Hilton, Hilton Honors offers free stays, room upgrades and other benefits that make frequent stays worthwhile. Joining the program is free, and Basic members enjoy waived resort fees on award stays as well as free Wi-Fi.
Without the card, you’ll earn higher status by spending a specific number of nights at a Hilton property each year. However, with the Hilton Honors Amex Card, you’ll get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status (usually you have to stay at least 10 nights at a Hilton property within a year to earn this level of status).
Silver status includes:
- Earn 20% more points: Earn 20% more points on eligible stays compared to base members
- Fifth night free on award stays: When you book four nights on points, you’ll get the fifth night free (up to 20 night stays)
- Spa Discount: When staying at an all-inclusive Hilton property, you’ll receive a 15% discount at the spa
- Elite Rollover Nights: Carry over any extra nights from the current year to earn higher elite status the following year
- Two complimentary bottles of water per stay: Receive free bottles of water upon check-in (where available)
While the Silver is Hilton’s entry-level exclusive, it offers good value, especially for infrequent travelers. I especially like the fifth night free benefit, which can be used an unlimited number of times annually (though it’s limited to four free nights at a time, but who can stay at a hotel for 20 consecutive nights? ).
Using Your Hilton Honors Points
Unlike World of Hyatt, Hilton Honors does not publish an awards chart. This means there is no set number of points required to book a room for the night. Instead, room rates vary dynamically based on supply and demand. This means a stay can range between 5,000-150,000 points per night (150k is for Hilton resorts). maldives) – sometimes even more!
That said, you’ll find that most stays hover around the 30,000-60,000 mark per night.
Unfortunately, the lack of rewards charts also means it’s a little more challenging to figure out how to get the best value from your points. You can always search manually based on the locations and properties you’re interested in, or use Hilton’s proprietary Point Explorer Tool To help you find accommodations bookable with points. You can filter by how many points you have, the destination, and what type of property you want to book (like a resort or boutique hotel).
However, I recommend using tools like avez To help you find the best deals and get the most from your points. Away helps you compare cash value to points value to determine where you are getting the most from your points. I’ve found some great deals using it!
Benefits of Hilton Honors Card
- no annual fee
- complimentary elite status
- Fifth night free on award stays
- Rates for earning points have increased at Hilton properties as well as at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
Cons of Hilton Honors Card
- status features are very basic
- No bonus points earned on general travel purchases
Who is this card for?
This card is best for fans of the Hilton brand who want to earn free stays by using a card that has no annual fee. If you’re satisfied with entry-level pricing and a good earning rate on your spending, this card could be a solid choice.
But, if you’re looking for more flexibility in your rewards or want to unlock better Hilton perks (like free food/drink credits or hotel lounge access), I’d suggest a mid-tier or premium hilton card or even more Versatile Travel Rewards CardIt’s all about matching the card to the way you travel!
overall, Hilton Honors American Express Card This is a great option for those who want to step into the world of hotel loyalty programs. With no annual fee, benefits like automatic Silver status, and solid earning potential on Hilton stays, it’s an easy way to start building points without the extra cost!
Stop paying full price for travel!
Download my free guide to points and miles and learn how to use points and miles for free travel! That’s how all professionals travel so much! In this guide, I will show you:
- How to choose a credit card
- How to earn up to 10x miles on your spending
- How to redeem your points
- And lots of other money saving tips!
Book Your Travel: Logistical Tips and Tricks
book your flight
Find the cheapest flight using skyscannerThis is my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines from all over the world so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book your accommodation
You can book your hostel HostelworldIf you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use booking.com Because it consistently offers the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t forget travel insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellation. This is comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never travel without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that provide the best service and value are:
Want to travel for free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodations – at no extra cost. check out My guide to choosing the right card and my current favorites To get started and see the latest best deals.
Do you need help finding activities for your trip?
find your guidance There is a huge online marketplace where you can find great walking tours, fun tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to book your Trip?
check out my resource page Use the best companies when you travel. I make a list of everything I use when I travel. They are the best in their class and you can’t make any mistake by using them in your travels.
*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are included, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. Is offered through.
