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Side-by-side

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs American Express Schwab Investor Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes from American Express at $195/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($540 more in estimated value) than the American Express Schwab Investor Card's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card first; revisit the American Express Schwab Investor Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardAmerican Express Schwab Investor Card
Annual fee$195$0
Sign-up bonus130,000 points10,000 Membership Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$650$110
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$1,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Hilton)12x1x
Transfer partnersNoneamex-mr
Headline benefits
  • 12x at Hilton
  • Free night cert after $15k spend
  • Second free night after $60k
  • Hilton Gold status
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 130,000 points
Read the full review
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points

Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you stay at Hiltons, this is the underrated middle tier, the $60/quarter credit + the $15k-spend Free Night routinely cover the $195 fee, and Gold status is real value at any Hilton property.

Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has the bigger bonus, 130,000 points, worth roughly $650, versus 10,000 Membership Rewards points (~$110) on the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the American Express Schwab Investor Card?
At $195/yr, the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Express Schwab Investor Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or the American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $6,000 spend in 6 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.