If you prefer earning Hilton points for your credit card spending but don't want to pay an annual fee, you could open the Hilton Honors American Express Card. It has no annual fee (see rates and fees) and earns: 7X points at Hilton hotels.

All official Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards are issued exclusively through American Express. In 2026, the lineup typically includes the Hilton Honors Card (no annual fee), the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card, and the high-end Hilton Honors Aspire Card. Because these cards are through Amex, they offer unique benefits such as automatic elite status—ranging from Silver to Diamond—and the ability to earn accelerated points on Hilton stays and everyday purchases like groceries or dining. It is a common misconception that there is a Visa or Mastercard version; while Citibank once issued Hilton cards years ago, American Express became the sole issuer in 2018. If you are an international traveler, it is important to remember that while American Express is widely accepted at Hilton properties globally, it may have lower acceptance at smaller local vendors compared to Visa or Mastercard, so carrying a backup card is wise. The partnership also allows for seamless "points pooling" and frequent "Free Night Reward" certificates which can be managed directly through the Amex mobile app.