Citi Premier vs Amex Hilton Honors
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. Citi Premier is still the right call if travel + dining + groceries combined — broader 3x than sapphire preferred..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Premier | Amex Hilton Honors |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $95 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 3% (travel) | 7% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 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 | · 700 | 670 |
| Editorial rating | 4.4/5 | · 4.1/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Premier
- 3x ThankYou points on travel (incl. gas)
- 3x on dining
- 3x on supermarkets
- Transferable to 16 airline partners
- $100 annual hotel credit
- No foreign transaction fees
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 Premier vs Amex Hilton Honors: 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 Citi Premier 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 Premier: 60,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 in 3 months. Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months.