Citi Double Cash vs Amex Hilton Honors
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors wins 3-1. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Citi Double Cash is still the right call if set-it-and-forget-it 2% on everything.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Double Cash | Amex Hilton Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 7% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 3% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | = 670 | = 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.1/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Double Cash
- 1% cash back when you buy + 1% when you pay
- No annual fee
- No category restrictions or rotating bonuses
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months
- Convert cash back to ThankYou Points (transferable to airline partners)
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
›Citi Double Cash vs Amex Hilton Honors: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (3 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 Citi Double Cash 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?
Citi Double Cash: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in first 6 months. Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months.