American Express and Hilton have bumped up the sign-up bonuses on all four of their co-branded credit cards, and the offers run through January 13, 2027 — a long window, but these are described as among the strongest deals ever seen on the cards.
The headline attraction is the free night award bundled into three of the four offers. This isn't the usual modest certificate: it can be redeemed at any Hilton property costing up to 250,000 points per night, which is the top of Hilton's standard award pricing. In practice that means top-end Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels, and even Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties that bookable through Hilton. The certificate is valid for 12 months from issue.
Here's the line-up. The no-annual-fee Hilton Honors Amex Card gives 70,000 points plus the free night after spending $2,000 in six months. The Surpass Card ($150 fee) offers 130,000 points plus the night for $3,000 of spend. The Business Card ($195 fee) pays 150,000 points plus the night for $8,000 of spend. And the premium Aspire Card ($550 fee) comes with 200,000 points for $6,000 of spend — its best-ever points offer — and although the free night isn't advertised as part of the bonus, the card hands out a free night every year anyway, including your first, so effectively you get that too.
The ongoing perks matter as much as the bonuses. The entry-level card earns 7x at Hilton and throws in Silver status, upgrading to Gold if you spend $20,000 a year — plus no foreign transaction fees, rare on a free Amex. The Surpass includes Gold status outright, up to $200 a year in Hilton statement credits, Diamond status at $40,000 of spend, and an extra free night if you hit $15,000. The Aspire is the heavy-hitter: Diamond status from day one (breakfast and lounge access included), up to $400 in annual resort credits, a $200 airline credit, a CLEAR+ credit, and up to three free nights a year at high spend levels.
On eligibility: each card is a separate product, so you can earn a welcome bonus on all four over time. Amex is generally generous with approvals for good credit, and the Business Card notably doesn't count toward Chase's 5/24 rule.
Which one makes sense? If you stay at Hiltons even a couple of nights a year, the free-entry card is an easy keep. The Surpass is arguably the sweet spot for most leisure travellers — the bonus alone is worth roughly $650 at a 0.5-cents-per-point valuation, before counting the night certificate. The Aspire pays for itself if you visit Hilton resorts twice a year or more, given the credits alone approach the fee. And small businesses should look straight at the Business Card.
The practical takeaway for holiday planners: the free night certificates are the real prize here, since a single redemption at a 250,000-point Waldorf could be worth several hundred dollars on its own. With nearly two years to apply, there's no rush — but offers like this tend to disappear without warning.
