Which credit card gives you Hilton Diamond status?

Most hotel chains have their own loyalty programs. They are free to join and enable customers to progress toward free nights and other perks by earning points with each reservation. For example, members in Hilton’s rewards program earn Hilton Honors points. Getting a hotel’s credit card is simply a more exclusive way to earn more of those points at a faster clip.… read full answer

Now, here’s where things get a bit confusing. Some hotels also have different “status” points, which are based on the number of nights you stay per year and dictate what benefits you receive. Such status points aren’t directly redeemable for free nights, like a program’s standard rewards points. But spending more on a hotel’s credit card can help you earn them and thus reach a higher rung on the status ladder faster.

The best Hilton credit card bonus is offered by the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: 130,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus an additional 50,000 points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months. Although this card comes with an annual fee of $95, its initial bonus can cover that cost for several years.… read full answer

Another high Hilton credit card bonus is 150,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months with the Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card. This card is best for people who are very frequent travelers because its $450 annual fee makes it expensive to own.

Lastly, there is the Hilton Honors American Express Card, which has a smaller bonus but easier to earn; you can get 80,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 50,000 points for spending a total of $5,000 in the first 6 months. While this card has the lowest Hilton credit card bonus, it also has the lowest annual fee, at $0.

There are more ways to get a Hilton credit card bonus than just initial spending, though. All Hilton credit cards have bonus categories that offer more rewards per $1 spent than the normal earning rate. For example, the Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card gives extra points on select travel and dining purchases. All the cards give bonus points on charges at Hilton properties, too.

You need a credit score of at least 700 to get the Hilton Honors Surpass card.

People with good credit scores have a better chance of being approved, but having a certain score doesn’t guarantee that your application will be approved.

Credit card companies generally look at the big picture, not just your credit scores. Other aspects they factor include your number of delinquencies, recent hard inquiries, credit utilization ratio, and income.… read full answer