Why we love the American Express Hilton Business Card
We opened the American Express Hilton Business card earlier this year and we absolutely love it, especially in light of the current sign-up bonus (which expires 7/19/23!): 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + a Free Night Reward after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months. Over the past few years, we've been able to use our free night certificate at Hilton properties where the cash price was $500-$1,000 per night. Our favorite was the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
Courtney and I enjoying our $50 food & beverage credit that came with our Hilton Diamond status, at the rooftop bar of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Of course, it wasn’t even enough to cover two cocktails. But look at that view!
Why we like the card:
Elite Status and its Perks: Just by having the card open, you receive automatic Gold status within the Hilton Honors program. Unlike most other hotel programs, Hilton low-tier status actually comes with decent perks, providing you with benefits like room upgrades (*not suites though), complimentary breakfasts, late check-outs, and more. If you do want the eligibility of Hilton’s highest status level, and the suite upgrades that come with it, you will need to spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year to attain Hilton Honors Diamond status.
Category Bonuses: Since we value Hilton points at only 0.5 cents per point, the only places that we consider putting spend on our Hilton Business card, after reaching the sign-up bonus, is at Hilton hotels and resorts (12x points per dollar or 6% back), U.S. gas stations, U.S. restaurants, U.S. shipping purchases, wireless telephone services from U.S. providers, and U.S. purchases for advertising in select media (6x points per dollar or 3% back). We would not consider putting everyday spend on the card (3x points per dollar or 1.5% back), since we have other cards like the Capital One Venture X or the American Express Blue Business Plus, which earn 2x points per dollar and at least 3.5% back (closer to 4% back for the Blue Business Plus).
Free Night Awards: You can earn up two free night awards through spend on the card. Earn one Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after spending $15,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Earn a second Free Night Reward after spending $60,000 in the same calendar year. These awards are eligible at any Hilton property that has standard award availability on the night you wish to stay.
Priority Pass Lounge Access: With your Hilton Business Card, you can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, with access to over 1,200 airport lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. Unlike with more premium (i.e. higher annual fee) travel credit cards, you don’t get unlimited access, instead, you receive 10 complimentary lounge visits each year. However, if you are an infrequent traveler, this is a great way to get a taste of the lounge life without fully committing to a high-annual fee card.
We don’t have “frugal” in our name for no reason. We take ADVANTAGE of free food, drinks, and a calmer place to be pre-flight!
What if I don’t own a business?
If you do ANYTHING to make a few bucks outside of your normal day-job, you can apply as a “Sole Proprietorship”. Sell things on Etsy, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace? Tutor a student? Rent out the other side of your duplex? Even sell items in a yard sale? Then, you are likely eligible! Many credit card issuers offer their business credit cards for individuals who have side businesses or generate income through freelance work or other self-employed activities.
Note: Even if you don’t yet have secondary income for your side hustle, it’s still possible to be approved for a business credit card. Simply enter $0 for income.
Summary
We believe the American Express Hilton Business card is a great supplemental credit card to add to your portfolio. Should it get your everyday spend? No. Should you use a 5/24 slot for it (Chase’s rule that they will not approve you for a credit card if you have opened more than 5 credit cards in the last 2 years)? No. However, is it worth opening for the current sign-up bonus, if your travel goals potentially overlap with utilizing a Hilton stay? Then, it’s a great card to consider!
