How to maximize the statement credits on Hilton's cobranded credit cards
Editor's Note
Statement credits are one of the easiest ways to offset an annual fee — and Hilton Honors American Express cardmembers have more ways to trigger them than you might think. From meals at Hilton restaurants to airline seat upgrades, you may have more options to cash in your statement credits than the official terms imply.
Amex currently issues four Hilton credit cards (three consumer products and one business product), three of which have statement credits to help justify their annual fees.
At first glance, these credits can seem restrictive, but as you'll see below, there are creative (and proven) ways to maximize them.
Surpass and Business Hilton statement credits
The mid-tier Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card both offer quarterly statement credits for Hilton purchases.
The Surpass offers up to $50 per quarter (up to $200 per calendar year in statement credit), while the Business card provides up to $60 per quarter (up to $240 per calendar year in statement credit) for purchases made directly with Hilton properties.
Interestingly, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which is not a cobranded Hilton card, also provides up to $50 in quarterly Hilton statement credits (for a total of up to $200 each calendar year). You must have a Hilton for Business membership — free to join — to receive the statement credit on this card. Enrollment required.
Official uses for this statement credit
The terms and conditions suggest that only eligible room rates and charges billed to your room will trigger the statement credit.
That means you should reliably earn your statement credit for:
- Bookings made directly through the Hilton website or app (but not through third-party channels such as online travel agencies or Chase Travel℠)
- Incidental charges billed to your room, including dining, room service and spa treatments
Anecdotal uses for this statement credit
However, many cardmembers have successfully triggered their statement credits on nonstay purchases, such as:
- Dining purchases at a restaurant in a Hilton property
- Gift store purchases at a Hilton property
- Purchasing Hilton gift cards online
Of course, results may vary depending on how the merchant codes the transaction, but these data points suggest there's flexibility even if you're not staying overnight.
For example, TPG Principal Spokesperson Clint Henderson once stopped by the Hampton Inn by Hilton Montreal Downtown for a quick meal — and his purchase triggered his statement credit two days later.
In my own experience, I used my Hilton Business card in 2024 to buy Hilton gift cards online each quarter, and each time the statement credit posted. However, gift cards have been "out of stock" (or the site has had issues) since early 2025, and many travelers report trouble redeeming them. So, if they become available again, I wouldn't recommend buying them.
If you still have Hilton gift cards, here's how to use them. I successfully redeemed mine at a Hilton property in Brazil in March; the process was relatively frictionless but took about 20 minutes.
Aspire flight statement credit
My favorite hotel card, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, offers a quarterly credit of up to $50 on eligible flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com (up to a total of $200 in statement credits each calendar year).
Official uses for this statement credit
Airline tickets booked directly with carriers or through Amex Travel should trigger this benefit.
However, you might want to use a different card for airfare purchases, since other travel cards offer stronger protections for delays, cancellations and lost baggage.
For example, I book flights with my Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) because it provides some of the best travel protections available.
Anecdotal uses for this statement credit
We've received data points that the following purchases have also triggered the Aspire's up-to-$50 quarterly airline statement credit:
- Award taxes and fees
- Seat upgrades
- United TravelBank Cash reloads (my personal go-to)
Nick Ewen, TPG's senior editorial director, received his statement credit (after a week) for a seat upgrade to Delta Air Lines Comfort+.
As always, results depend on how the airline codes your purchase.
Aspire Clear Plus credit
The Aspire card also provides up to $209 in Clear Plus statement credits each calendar year (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal)
This one's straightforward: You can use it for yourself or someone else, and the statement credit should trigger regardless of whose name is on the membership.
That said, Clear Plus has become less seamless over time, with longer lines and redundant ID checks, but since it's effectively no cost with this card, it's still worth keeping active.
Aspire resort statement credit
Finally, you have an up-to-$200 biannual Hilton resort statement credit to use every six months (up to a total of $400 in statement credits each calendar year). This credit can only be used at almost 360 Hilton resorts worldwide, including all-inclusive, beach, golf, luxury and spa resorts.
My 2024 stay
I used this statement credit to partially cover a two-night stay at the Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 2024.
My 2025 stay
Then, in December 2024, I booked a flexible rate at a Hilton resort in Porto, Portugal, for June 2025. By emailing the property to charge a $200 deposit in December 2024, I triggered my second-half 2024 statement credit in advance.
Then, during my June stay, I used the first-half 2025 statement credit for another $200 in charges — effectively stacking $400 in statement credits for one trip.
My 2026 stay
Next, I plan to use my second-half 2025 statement credit for a deposit on a Hilton stay in Morocco in spring 2026 and apply the first-half 2026 credit to the final payment — again receiving $400 in total value.
Bottom line
Despite what the fine print suggests, Hilton Amex statement credits tend to be more flexible than they look.
Hilton Honors Surpass and Hilton Honors Business cardmembers may not need to stay overnight — dining or shopping at Hilton properties could qualify.
For Hilton Honors Aspire cardmembers, the easiest way to use the flight statement credit is by reloading your United TravelBank balance, though award fees or seat upgrades may also work. As for the resort statement credit, plan ahead as advance deposits can help you trigger it strategically.
Since results depend on how purchases are coded, start small. Then, once you see that credit post, you'll be one step closer to mastering every perk your Hilton Amex has to offer.
Related: Hilton free night certificates: How to earn them and maximize their value
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.