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Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card comes from American Express at $195/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/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 ($650 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Gold Card's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card first; revisit the Mastercard Gold Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$195$1199
Sign-up bonus130,000 pointsNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$650$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categoryhoteltravel
Best earning category (Hilton)12x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 12x at Hilton
  • Free night cert after $15k spend
  • Second free night after $60k
  • Hilton Gold status
  • $300 airline credit
  • $200 dining credit
  • $120 Global Entry credit
  • 2cpp cash back or airfare
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 130,000 points
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer

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: Mastercard Gold Card

The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Mastercard Gold Card?
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has the bigger bonus, 130,000 points, worth roughly $650, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Gold Card.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold 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 Mastercard Gold Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and Mastercard Gold Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays (Luxury Card)) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Mastercard Gold 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. Mastercard Gold Card: $0 in 0 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.