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Side-by-side
Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Discover it Cash Back
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover 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.
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Discover it Cash Back |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 12 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Discover |
| Card category | travel | cashback |
| Best earning category (Hilton_hotels) | 7x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Card
$0/yr ·
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Card or Discover it Cash Back?
- The Discover it Cash Back has a public bonus (Cashback Match (first year, unlimited), worth roughly $200), 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 Discover it Cash Back?
- The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Discover it Cash Back's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Discover it Cash Back'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 Discover it Cash Back?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Discover) 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 Discover it Cash Back first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Card: no published min spend. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.