Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Bilt Blue
Both are travel travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Bilt Blue from Bilt / Cardless at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
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.
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Bilt Blue |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | $100 Bilt Cash |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $100 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bilt / Cardless |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Hilton_hotels) | 7x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | bilt |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Bilt Blue
The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless. Flat 1x earn (no bonus categories — those live on Obsidian and Palladium). Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor + full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day still doubles everyday earn on the 1st.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Card or Bilt Blue?
- The Bilt Blue has a public bonus ($100 Bilt Cash, worth roughly $100), while the Hilton Honors American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Hilton Honors American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Bilt Blue?
- The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Bilt Blue's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Bilt Blue's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Card and Bilt Blue?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bilt / Cardless) 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 Card or the Bilt Blue first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Card: no published min spend. Bilt Blue: $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.
