American Express and Hilton have four co-branded credit cards, which can be extremely lucrative. These cards offer valuable benefits for those who stay at Hiltons with any frequency, so if you travel often, it’s worth having (at least) one of these cards in your wallet.
We’ve just seen some new elevated welcome offers rolled out on these cards. I’ll cover them, but let me note that I’m not as excited about these offers as I would have been in the past, given the recent devaluation we saw to Hilton Honors points. That being said, that’s not to say that there isn’t value to be had in getting one of these cards.
Hilton Amex Card elevated welcome offer details
All four of Hilton’s co-branded credit cards in the United States are offering limited time welcome offers, valid for applications through Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Below I’ll cover the details of the offers, starting with the most basic card, all the way up to the most premium card.
Hilton Honors Amex Card: 100,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee (Rates & Fees), and for applications through January 14, 2026, the card has a limited time welcome offer of 100,000 Honors bonus points after spending $2,000 within the first six months.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Amex Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 7x points for eligible spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors™ Silver status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors™ Gold status when you make $20,000 in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Amex Card.
Hilton Honors Surpass Card: 155,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $150 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and for applications through January 14, 2026, the card has a limited time welcome offer of 155,000 Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 within the first six months.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card features the following ongoing benefits:
- 12x points for eligible spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors™ Gold status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors™ Diamond status when you make $40,000 in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year
- Up to $200 in Hilton credits per year — get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio
- A Hilton free night reward when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
- National Emerald Club Executive status (Enrollment required)
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Surpass Card.
Hilton Honors Business Card: 175,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has a $195 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and for applications through January 14, 2026, the card has a limited time welcome offer of 175,000 Honors bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Honors Business Card features the following perks in the long run:
- 12x points for spending on eligible Hilton purchases
- 5x points on other purchases made on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year (3x points thereafter)
- Hilton Honors™ Gold status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors™ Diamond status when you make $40,000 in eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year
- Get up to $240 back each year on eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio, with up to $60 in statement credits per quarter
Read a full review of the Hilton Honors Business Card.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card: 175,000 points
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee (Rates & Fees), and for applications through January 14, 2026, the card has a limited time welcome offer of 175,000 Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first six months.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Hilton Aspire Card features the following ongoing benefits:
- 14x points for spending at Hilton hotels
- Hilton Honors™ Diamond status for as long as you have the card
- Up to $400 in Hilton resort credits annually — get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton resorts
- Up to a $200 flight credit annually — up to a $50 statement credit for flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel once per quarter
- Up to a $209 CLEAR® Plus credit annually — enroll in CLEAR and charge it to your card, and you’ll be reimbursed up to $209 per year
- A Hilton free night reward every year, a second one when you spend $30,000 on the card in a year, and a third one if you spend $60,000 on the card in a year
- National Emerald Club Executive status
Read a full review of the Hilton Aspire Card.
Are you eligible for Hilton Honors Amex cards?
Anecdotally Hilton Honors Amex cards are pretty easy to be approved for:
Which Hilton Honors Amex offer is best?
If you’re trying to decide which of these offers makes the most sense, here are a few considerations:
Bottom line
For applications through January 14, 2026, we’re seeing limited time welcome offers on Hilton’s co-branded Amex cards.
If you’re looking for a no annual fee card, then the Hilton Honors American Express Card is for you. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a card with stronger perks and an even better bonus, I recommend the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is also an option for small businesses.
Do you plan on picking up a Hilton Honors Amex with these bonuses?
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees), The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (Rates & Fees), Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees), and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees).
