Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card Worth Its Annual Fee?

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, is it worth it? In an extremely abbreviated version of this post, the answer would simply be, “Yes.” But for those interested in some more insights and a brief analysis, here’s why.

Low annual fee

Clocking in at only $195, the annual fee on this card is the lowest of the Hilton cards that carry an annual fee. Considering there are so many business cards in the market with higher annual fees, this card strikes a good balance of benefits to more than break even.

Earning

This card will earn you 12 points per dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Terms apply.

You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on the first $100,000 in other purchases in a calendar year, and 3 points per dollar spent thereafter. Terms apply.

» Learn More: Hilton Honors AmEx Business Card: Big rewards, free lounge visits

Generous welcome offer

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes with a very generous welcome offer: 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.

For reference, you’d be able to stay three nights at the Hilton Chicago for 126,000 points. Considering you will be earning a minimum of 3x the points on the minimum spend in order to earn the welcome bonus offer, you would have sufficient points in your account to book this three-day getaway. Combined with the bonus category earning on the card, this large welcome offer is a great way to beef up your Hilton Honors balance. Terms apply.

Free night reward

Each year you spend $15,000 in, you will receive a Free Night Reward for you to use at virtually any Hilton property worldwide. For example, if you were to use this certificate at the Conrad in New York City the Sunday before Memorial Day, that room could go for around $450, plus tax. This single Free Night Reward can save you hundreds of dollars. If your business expenses are high enough to spend an additional $45,000 a year, then you will receive a second Free Night Reward to add to your savings. Terms apply.

» Learn More: Best hotel credit cards for free nights

Hilton Honors status

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card will grant you complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status and you’ll get to keep the status for as long as you keep the card. Gold Status with Hilton enables you to get complimentary breakfast at all of their hotels for you and an additional guest. This might not seem like an incredible benefit, but if it were to save you an estimated $10 breakfast per person, and you were to stay at a Hilton ten nights a year, you could potentially save yourself $200. Terms apply.

Late checkout, a free second guest and complimentary upgrades are part of the benefits of holding Hilton Honors Gold status, which can also represent additional savings. NerdWallet calculated the value of the benefits offered by the major hotel elite status tiers and found that the benefits offered by Hilton Gold status are worth $960.

Extras

You will be extended a Priority Pass membership good for 10 visits to any of the lounges in the Priority Pass network every year. This membership is given to you, but you will have to register in order to start enjoying the benefits of relaxing in a lounge while sipping on a cocktail and munching on snacks as you await your flight. The normal entry fee to these lounges is $32 per visit, so using all 10 a year represents a $320 savings. Terms apply.

Starting Oct. 1, 2023, the cost of lounge visits beyond free allowances provided via Priority Pass Select credit card benefits will increase to $35 per person, per visit. Terms apply.

» Learn More: 5 Priority Pass lounges that are worth a visit

With no foreign transaction fees, you can continue to use your card overseas without incurring extra charges to convert from local currency to U.S. dollars. Standard foreign transaction fees are around 3% of the charges you put on your card. Although this is something that usually gets overlooked, it can potentially save you significant money, as you need only spend $2,700 in foreign currency a year for it to represent enough savings to break even on that $195 annual fee. Terms apply.

Is this card worth it?

Yes. Combining the free night, bonus point earnings, elite status benefits, airport lounge visits and no foreign transaction fees would net you well over $1,000 in savings every year. When you compare the savings to the $195 per year annual fee, you’re sure to come out ahead. Terms apply.