Points · American Express · $195 annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
American Express Hilton Honors Business is a $195-a-year points card from American Express. Its best everyday rates are 6x on airfare, 6x on car rentals, and 6x on dining; everything else earns 3x. There is also 12x on Hilton Hotels & Resorts, a single-merchant rate. Rewards are Hilton Honors points that only spend inside that program, so we value them at roughly a third of a cent each.
On our reference budget of $73,200 a year it earns $984, which clears the $195 fee with $789 to spare before any credits or perks. The welcome bonus, 130,000 points after $8,000 in 6 months, is the strongest reason to open it in a given year.
Keep business spending on it for the separate statement alone; the rewards are the extra. Check the issuer's other business card before deciding, since the categories differ more than the fees do.
6X points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or with Amex Travel
6X points per dollar on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
6X points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants
6X points per dollar on purchases at U.S. gas stations
12X points per dollar for purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
6X points per dollar on U.S. purchases for shipping
6X points per dollar on wireless telephone services purchases directly from U.S. service providers
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you make purchases with your new Card totaling $6,000 or more in the first 6 months of Card Membership starting from the date your account was opened.
Travel more comfortably knowing you can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage when you purchase the Entire Fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) on an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.
As a Card Member, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
Enjoy even more perks as a Hilton Honors Gold member, like an 80% Bonus on Base Points you earn on every stay, space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
With Extended Warranty you can shop with less worry knowing the terms of the Original Manufacturer's Warranty can be extended up to one additional year. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions.
Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card account in a calendar year.
Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Whether you just want to relax or get work done, you'll have 10 complimentary visits to a selection of over 1,200 airport lounges each year once enrolled in Priority Pass Select Membership.
When an American Express Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
10 Complimentary Priority Pass Visits - Whether you just want to relax or get work done, you’ll have 10 complimentary visits to a selection of over 1,200 airport lounges each year once enrolled in Priority Pass™ Select Membership.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors BusinessThis card · 6x on airfare | $195 | $984 | +$789 | 184th of 752 |
| Business GoldAmerican Express's most-held other card · 4x on advertisements | $375 | $1,848 | +$1,473 | 7th of 752 |
| Edward Jones® Everyday Solutions Business World Elite Mastercard®The strongest no-fee card on this budget · 2x on everything | None | $1,704 | +$1,704 | 1st of 752 |
| Huntington Voice BusinessHighest net return on this budget · 4% on auto maintenance | None | $1,560 | +$1,560 | 2nd of 752 |
Reference budget: office supplies $6,000, internet, phone, and cable $3,600, shipping $6,000, advertising $12,000, software and tech $6,000, gas and ev charging $4,800, dining and restaurants $4,800, travel and transit $6,000, everything else $24,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
