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What you need to know before opting for Hilton Honors credit cards

The teaming up of Hilton with American Express has proven to be quite beneficial for those who prefer travel hacking. The newly launched Hilton credit card products promise consumers the best benefits on travel and hotel stay.

If you are looking for the perfect solution to travel more for less, the Hilton Honors credit cards are a lucrative bet.

What you need to know before opting for Hilton Honors credit cards
The line-up is also constantly revamped to bring in the best — from a dramatic increase in welcome bonuses to an increase in the number of tie ups with resorts and brands.

The top Hilton Honors credit cards
The kind of Hilton Honors credit card you pick depends upon the features that will bring the most value for your requirements. Each type of card serves a particular category better. Thus, it is important to thoroughly assess all options and ensure that you pick the right one for you. Here are the top Hilton Honors credit cards and how they can help you save big bucks.

Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card – The Hilton Honors Ascend Card from American Express is best if you are looking for an exciting welcome bonus. In the first three months of opening the account, spending a total of $2000 on eligible purchases can bring in an earning of a total of 125,000 bonus points. While there are other credit cards such as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card that offer higher welcome points, which run up to more than 150,000, they do require you to spend $4000 to avail the same during the first three months. The Ascend card brings to you a good number of points without having to spend such a high amount. This makes for a great choice if you specifically want to earn value-added bonus upon sign-up. You will have to pay up an annual fee of $95 to keep this card active.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card – Are you looking to get some free night stays at hotels? The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card will work well for you. This card comes with an annual free weekend-night reward. The offering is sent out through the redemption code that is emailed to you some months after you sign up for the card. It is then renewed every year. Apart from this alluring feature, the card also includes a statement credit of about $250 annually. This credit can be used to reduce or even cover the cost of staying at a Hilton resort from the day the card is received. However, it can only be redeemed at select Hilton hotels.

To top up the savings, making a purchase of up to $60,000 each calendar year will get you an additional free weekend night on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card. Free weekend night rewards can be availed after spending at different milestones using this card. After spending $15,000 during one calendar year, a free weekend night reward can be enjoyed. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with an annual cost of $450.

Hilton Honors Card – The annual credit card fee is something you may want to eliminate from your already mounting expenses, and the Hilton Honors card lets you do that. There is no annual fee levied on this card. It is an entry level offering and comes with a sizeable number of benefits. It is an ideal choice if you would rather choose a fewer points for less hotel rewards than pay an annual fee. Travelers can earn a complimentary Silver status through this basic Hilton Honors card from American Express.

Experience the best of perks while staying at the Hilton – If you are someone who loves extra pampering and add-on perks when putting up at hotels, the Hilton Honors American Aspire card is the perfect choice. With this card, the holder automatically becomes eligible for the Hilton Honors Diamond elite status. The benefits can be availed as long as the card is active. The diamond elite status brings several benefits at select hotels, including late checkout, upgrading of the room stay, access to the executive lounge, and complimentary meals.

The Hilton Honors American Aspire card is the only one that comes with the Diamond status as the Hilton Honors Ascend card offers the Gold status.

Reasons to opt for Hilton Elite Status
The Hilton Honors credit cards come with several benefits, and the Hilton Elite Status adds another compelling perk. If you are someone who frequents Hilton hotels, this status will provide you with genuine value. Here is a better understanding of the several value perks on offer:

  • Upgrades on rooms – At every Hilton property, Hilton Gold or Diamond members enjoy a guaranteed upgrade on their rooms. However, this is subject to availability.
  • Free fifth night stay – The Hilton Honors program powered by the Silver status qualifies one for an added fifth night stay. This extra stay can be enjoyed for free and adds to your savings. Well, you conveniently save up anywhere from 5,000 to 95,000 points on your stay.
  • Breakfast meals – At almost every Hilton property, Gold and Diamond card members enjoy a free continental breakfast meal.
  • Access to the executive lounge – Hilton Diamond members enjoy a free exclusive access to the executive lounge. Here one can enjoy some of the best amenities that includes exclusive service with free breakfast, drinks, and other meals.
  • No resort fees – There are some Hilton brands that charge a daily resort fee for everyday that is spent at the property. These fees can amount to quite some dollars and in turn lead to a bigger final bill. Thankfully, the Honors card will spare you from the escalating resort fees while you’ll still be able to enjoy the amenities.
  • Earn more on base points – The status level will determine the boost on your base points. You can easily enjoy anywhere from 20 to 100 percent on your rate of point earnings. This ultimately means that there is a quick add-on to your reward points, which in turn improves the number of perks.
  • Room guarantee within 48 hours – All Hilton card holders with the Diamond Elite status can rest assured to get a room, as the brand guarantees an availability of rooms 48 hours in advance.

The Hilton Honors credit cards undoubtedly offer an unbelievable number of points, and this can easily blow you away. However, it must be noted that points offered by other hotels may be more valuable than those offered by Hilton through the Honors bonus points. This means that though their penny value may be less, the credit cards must not be disregarded. It is essential to redeem the points wisely to derive the most value from the Hilton Honors credit cards.

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