Is the Hilton Business Amex worth it?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card for small-business owners loyal to Hilton. It offers complimentary Hilton Gold elite status and several other perks for a moderate annual fee of $195 (see rates and fees).

The card’s benefits — recently refreshed in March — along with the welcome offer — can offer some value to cardmembers on their journey as Hilton loyalists. However, this card isn’t for everyone.

Let’s take a closer look at the Hilton Business card to see if it’s a fit for you.

Welcome offer

Right now, the Hilton Amex Business is offering 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

TPG values 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points at $1,050. The highest welcome offer we have seen for this card was 180,000 bonus points, so the current offer is almost on par with it.

Keep in mind that Hilton uses dynamic pricing for hotel redemption bookings, so these bonus points may sound like a lot, but in essence, it might cover just two nights at a top-tier property.

Earning points

The Hilton Business Amex earns a decent 12 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts and 5 points per dollar on all other purchases up to $100,000 per calendar year, then 3 points per dollar on purchases thereafter.

Those are some average earning rates and not the best to maximize your rewards.

The rates equate to a 7.2% return at Hilton properties and a 3% return on other spending up to $100,000, then 1.8% on all purchases afterward, per TPG valuations. Other Hilton cards, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, offer better value in bonus-earning categories.

The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Redeeming points

Your Hilton Honors points can be redeemed for hotel nights, Hilton event discounts, Hilton Honors Experiences, with airline partners and on Amazon purchases. However, we recommend the first for the best value (by far).

Hilton Honors uses a dynamic pricing system, so you might want to use its Points Explorer tool to show you the award redemption price range for a specific property over the next month.

For example, you could book the Hilton London Hyde Park for as little as 37,000 points per night. And thanks to Gold status, elite members receive a fifth night free and only have to pay for four nights, effectively bringing down the cost per night to 29,600 points.

Check out the following guides if you’re looking to maximize your next Hilton redemption:

Card benefits

The Amex Hilton Honors Business includes a few useful benefits for a mid-tier card:

Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status: With Gold status, you’ll enjoy an 80% points bonus on Hilton stays, the fifth night free on award redemptions, elite tier rollover nights, complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credits at all hotels and room upgrades.
Upgrade to Diamond status: You can upgrade to Diamond Elite status when you spend $40,000 with your card in a calendar year. With Diamond status, you’ll get access to superior upgrades, executive lounges and a 48-hour room guarantee.
Up to $60 quarterly Hilton statement credit: You’ll earn up to $240 a year in statement credits, split up to $60 each quarter on eligible Hilton purchases. Purchases can include room reservations at any Hilton property and incidental charges.
Rental car elite status: Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status that provides guaranteed upgrades, no second drive fees and the ability to earn faster free rental days. Terms apply. enrollment is required.
Travel protections: Baggage insurance*, secondary car rental loss and damage insurance**, access to the Global Assist Hotline, and extended warranty* and purchase protection* benefits are available to cardmembers.
Expense management tools: Lastly, you’ll have access to the American Express Business app, QuickBooks integration, Vendor Pay and more.

Enrollment is required for select benefits.

*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
#Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Cardmembers are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

a king-sized bed inside a luxury hotel room, showing the bathroom beyond — MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY

Bottom line

The Hilton Amex Business offers some value when you use the card during Hilton stays, thanks to Gold Elite status and quarterly statement credits for a moderate annual fee. Where the card falls short is the lack of bonus-earning categories tailored to businesses as well as no free night certificates, and a cap on earning 5 points per dollar on everyday purchases.

While there is value to be had, prospective cardmembers will probably be better off with the better-value Hilton Surpass or Hilton Aspire cards or another business card.

Apply here: Hilton Honors Amex Business

For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Business card, click here.