How to Optimize the Rewards of the Hilton Honors Business American Express Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is popular with business travelers for several reasons, including 12x Hilton Honors bonus points per dollar when you stay at Hilton-family properties. Terms apply.

Bonuses at gas stations, shipping companies, cell phone companies, restaurants, and for flights and car rentals can further amplify your earnings. Here’s what you need to know about The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and how to optimize its rewards and benefits.

Get your welcome bonus for new cardholders

Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5. Terms Apply. Hit that minimum spend and the huge points bonus will put you on track for an award stay or other redemption before you know it. Hilton Honors points are redeemable for free nights, VIP experiences, Lyft rides, Amazon.com, partner shopping and rental cars. Reward nights start at 5,000 points, though the best rooms will require multiple times that number of points.

» Learn more: Hilton Honors: The complete guide

Maximize bonus points for spending

Earning 12x Hilton Honors points per dollar for stays at any Hilton-portfolio hotel is an impressive feature of this card. Frequent guests with Hilton brands including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Hampton, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites will get the best value. Terms apply.

You'll also earn 5 Hilton Honors points per dollar on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, and 3 points per dollar thereafter.

According to NerdWallet valuations, Hilton points are worth about 0.5 cent each. To get the most out of these bonuses, make this card your preferred payment method every time you shop in one of these spending categories.

Use free nights and other hotel perks

Because it’s an annual-fee card with the Hilton logo on it, you can be sure Hilton put some extra punch in its benefits. The list is impressive for a card with a $195 annual fee. Terms apply. Here are some of the biggest perks you should take advantage of with this card:

• Hilton Honors™ Gold Status: This card gives you an instant upgrade to Hilton Gold, which comes with a wealth of benefits including discounts, upgrades where available, complimentary internet, free bottled water, late check-out when available and other goodies.

• Priority Pass lounge visits: Most credit cards that give you access to airport lounges require an annual fee of hundreds of dollars per year. This card gives you 10 free passes to Priority Pass lounges around the globe. Enrollment required. This benefit will no longer be available for enrollment after June 30, 2024.

• Free night rewards: Get a free night stay after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. Score a second free night when your spending reaches $60,000 in a calendar year. This benefit will no longer be available after June 30, 2024.

• Fast-track to Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status: Spending $40,000 in a year on the card gets you Diamond status for the current year and following calendar year. The highest-tier elite member level at Hilton gives you even more benefits during Hilton stays.

Terms apply.

The card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, so you can use it for business purchases in the U.S. or abroad without paying any extra fees. To make the most of these perks, activate your Priority Pass membership right away and familiarize yourself with the eligible lounges in the airports you frequent. They’re listed here. Also, get better acquainted with the perks of your new Gold status and start planning how you’ll use your free night award.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award nights with Hilton Honors

Use the business protections

American Express cards generally offer a valuable suite of benefits and protections, and this card is no exception. Get to know the protections that come with your new card so you’ll be prepared to take full advantage should you ever need to. They include:

• Car rental insurance: When you rent a car, the rental company usually offers insurance for around $10 to $20 per day. When you pay for the rental with this card, you’re automatically covered by car rental loss and damage insurance.

• Baggage insurance: If your suitcases or other baggage are lost or damaged while in the care of an airline or other plane, train, ship or bus company, the card will reimburse you up to $1,250 per carry-on and $500 per checked bag. Other limits may apply.

Terms apply.

Leverage money management tools for business owners

Like other top American Express business cards, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with useful expense management tools. You can create and manage employee cards, evaluate annual spending with a year-end summary and make vendor bill payments using a partnership with Bill.com.

These benefits don’t put rewards in your pocket, but they could save you time and money managing your business spending needs, so prepare to take full advantage of these powerful tools.

Does the Hilton Honors Business American Express Card make sense for your business?

With a $195 annual fee, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card isn’t right for everyone. However, if you regularly stay at Hilton hotels and would enjoy the perks included in Gold status, rewards points for free stays and 10 annual visits to airport lounges, the card could make a lot of sense. Terms apply.