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Side-by-side

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

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

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureHilton Honors American Express Business CardUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$195$0
Sign-up bonus130,000 points$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)$650$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 6 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressUpgrade
Card categoryhotelcash-back
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
    Read the full review
    Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
    $195/yr · 130,000 points
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    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: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has the bigger bonus, 130,000 points, worth roughly $650, versus $200 statement bonus (~$200) on the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa.
    Is the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Upgrade) 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa 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. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 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.