The Hilton Honors Business earns 12.0X on hotels, 5.0X on gas, 5.0X on dining, 5.0X on phone, 5.0X on shipping, 5.0X on airlines, 3.0X on all_purchases with a $175 annual fee. Points transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners.
Our Verdict
The Hilton Honors Business is a points rewards card from American Express that carries a $175/yr on the visa network. At its core it earns 1.0X Hilton Honors Points on everyday purchases, making it straightforward for cardholders who want predictable, consistent returns.
Points enthusiasts will find the most flexibility with the Hilton Honors Business. Hilton Honors Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to loyalty partners. Cardholders who maximize transfer partners often extract 1.5–2+ cents per point, well above face value.
The $175/yr fee is the key variable — run the numbers against your actual spending. If the rewards and benefits offset the fee, this card earns its place in your wallet. If not, consider a comparable no-fee alternative.
Apply for the Hilton Honors Business →Rewards Structure
Fee Analysis
The Hilton Honors Business charges $175 per year. To justify this fee, you need to earn at least $175 in rewards and benefits annually.
Statement credits: $60 Hilton Credit ($60/yr). These credits total $60/yr, bringing the effective annual fee down to $115.
Where This Card Earns Bonus Rewards
| Category | MCC Code | Bonus Rate | Example Merchants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels | 7011 Lodging – Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Central Reservation Services (not elsewhere classified) | 12x | 21c Museum Hotels, 25hours Hotels, AC Hotels by Marriott, Alila |
| Dining | 5812 Eating places and Restaurants | 6x | Acapulco Restaurant, Another Broken Egg, Applebee's, Applebee's - Albuquerque |
| Dining | 5813 Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages), Bars, Taverns, Cocktail lounges, Nightclubs and Discotheques | 6x | AMF Bowling Centers, Angry Orchard, Applebee's Bar, Bar Louie |
| Dining | 5814 Fast Food Restaurants | 6x | Arby's, Arby's - Albuquerque, Arby's - Anaheim, Arby's - Anchorage |
| Gas | 5541 Service Stations ( with or without ancillary services) | 6x | 7-Eleven, 7-Eleven - Albuquerque, 7-Eleven - Anaheim, 7-Eleven - Anchorage |
| Gas | 5542 Automated Fuel Dispensers | 6x | BJ's Gas, BJ's Gas Station, Costco Gas, Costco Gas Station |
Click any MCC code or merchant name to see all cards that earn bonus rewards there.
Benefits
Effective Annual Fee
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- 12X top earn rate on bonus categories
- 1:1 transfer to airline and hotel partners
- No foreign transaction fees
Weaknesses
- $175 annual fee
- 1X base rate on non-bonus spending
How to Apply
You can apply for the Hilton Honors Business directly through American Express's website. The application takes about 5 minutes and requires your Social Security number, annual income, and housing payment information. Most applicants receive an instant decision. Note that the $175 annual fee is typically not charged until your first statement closes.
Before applying, check if you are pre-approved on American Express's website — a pre-approval uses a soft pull and does not affect your credit score.