Off late, Amex hasn’t given me much to rejoice. Over the last couple of years, Amex has been slowly but surely adding monthly, quarterly or annual credits to many of their premium credit cards. On the other hand, Amex has been offering some eye popping welcome bonuses. Depending on your style of travel, you need decide whether these cards are keepers in the long term. Most recently, Amex ‘revamped’ the Hilton Business card. As expected, Amex added new benefits and of course, increased the annual fee. So how does the new Hilton Business Card stack up? Let’s have a look.
Hilton Business Card Review
Welcome Bonus
The Hilton Business Card will now carry an annual fee of $195. With this limited time offer, you can earn 175,000 Hilton Honors points. You’ll earn these points once you spend $8,000 or more in the first 6 months of card membership. This offer expires on June 5, 2024.
Click Here for the 175,000 points welcome bonus
Earning Hilton Honors points
Here’s where Amex has made a significant change. Amex has now removed bonus categories and introduced a flat earning structure on all purchases.
- You’ll earn 12x Hilton Honors points for each dollar spent on hotels in the Hilton portfolio
- 5x Hilton Honors points on all other purchases (capped at $100,000 in purchases per calendar year)
If you plan to use the card for everyday business purchases anyway, then this simplified structure may still work out for you.
Elite Benefits
Similar to the Hilton Surpass card, you’ll enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. You’ll enjoy the following benefits:
- Complimentary WiFi
- 80% Bonus points earning on stays
- 5th night free on award stays using points
- Free breakfast at all properties in the Hilton portfolio outside the US (breakfast credits in the US)
- Space available room upgrades
If you spend $40,000 in a calendar year, you will be upgraded to top tier Diamond status. However, if you plan to get Hilton Diamond status, you can simply opt for the Hilton Aspire card. You get Hilton Honors Diamond status simply for carrying the card in your wallet. Moreover, the Hilton Aspire card is currently running a limited time welcome bonus offer os 175,000 Hilton Honors points and one free night certificate.
| Credit Card | Welcome Bonus Offer | Application Link | Complimentary Elite Status |
| Hilton Honors Card | 100,000 points | Apply Now | Silver |
| Hilton Surpass Card | 155,000 points | Apply Now | Gold |
| Hilton Aspire Card | 175,000 points + 1 free night certificate | Apply Now | Diamond |
| Hilton Business Card | 175,000 points | Apply Now | Gold |
$240 Hilton Credit
Similar to credit on the Hilton Surpass card, you’ll earn $60 in credits each quarter when you spend at a property in the Hilton portfolio. Unlike the resort credit on the Hilton Aspire card, this credit is much easier to use as it works for any purchase with Hilton. You’ll earn the following credits each calendar year:
- $60 from Jan 1 to March 31
- $60 from Apr 1 to Jun 30
- $60 from Jul 1 Sep 30
- $60 from Oct 1 to Dec 31
Car Rental Elite Status
If you rent cars often, then this benefit may be very useful for you. You’ll now earn complimentary Emerald Club Executive Status with National Car Rental, giving you access to better cars in their fleet. You need to enroll in order to activate this benefit.
Other Benefits
You’ll also enjoy some of Amex’s valuable benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty, car rental and damage insurance and baggage insurance simply for keeping your account active and by paying for qualifying purchases. While these may seem trivial, they can go a long way in saving you money when things go awry.
The Pundit’s Mantra
Overall, this card still makes sense for people who like to enjoy a flat and simple points earning structure for Hilton points. If you stay at a Hilton property every now and then, the $240 credit can be a great benefit. In my opinion, complimentary Hilton Gold status still provides great value as you get complimentary breakfast at all properties outside the US. Moreover, you also earn a free night when you book a 4 night stay with Hilton.
Since I primarily book stays with Hilton, I’ve been carrying the Hilton Aspire card in my wallet ever since it was launched. However, the Hilton Business card can be valuable for everyday business purchases, complimentary Gold status and a hefty welcome bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors points.
Which is your favorite Hilton credit card? Tell us in the comments section.
Apply Now for the 175,000 points welcome bonus offer
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Do you think it in good taste to push a card that just eviscerated the value proposition while doubling the fee?
The article starts with the very first couple of lines being critical about the credits and increase in annual fees.