Amex Hilton Honors vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors wins 4-1. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Capital One Spark Cash Plus is still the right call if high-spend small business — 2% flat with $1,200 welcome..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Hilton Honors | Capital One Spark Cash Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 7% (travel) | · 2% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 2% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.1/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Hilton Honors
- 7x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels
- 5x at US restaurants + gas stations
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
- Unlimited 2% cashback on every purchase
- 5% on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel
- No preset spending limit
- Annual fee refund of $150 if you spend $150K/year
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›Amex Hilton Honors vs Capital One Spark Cash Plus: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Hilton Honors for its best categories, Capital One Spark Cash Plus for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Capital One Spark Cash Plus: $1,200 cash bonus after $30,000 spend in first 3 months.