Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Hilton Honors
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors wins 3-2. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Chase Sapphire Reserve is still the right call if annual travelers — the upgrade path from sapphire preferred..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Amex Hilton Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $550 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 10% (travel) | · 7% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 740 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.1/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 10x on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel
- 5x on flights booked via Chase Travel
- 3x on all other dining + travel
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounge access
- 50% bonus when redeeming for travel via Chase portal
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
FAQ
›Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Hilton Honors: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve for its best categories, Amex Hilton Honors for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months. Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months.