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Hilton Honors American Express Card vs The New United℠ Explorer Card
This comparison aims to help you decide between the Hilton Honors American Express Card and The New United℠ Explorer Card. Both cards offer unique rewards and benefits tailored to different travel preferences, making it essential to evaluate their features based on your spending habits and travel goals.
Card Overviews
Hilton Honors American Express Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Card is designed for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties. With no annual fee, it provides substantial rewards for hotel stays and dining, along with valuable perks like complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status.
The New United℠ Explorer Card
The The New United℠ Explorer Card caters to loyal United Airlines flyers. It offers a range of benefits for air travel, including priority boarding and checked baggage perks, making it a great choice for regular United passengers.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | The New United℠ Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 Intro Annual fee for the First Year, then $150 |
| Welcome Bonus | Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months. | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. |
| Rewards Structure | 7X Points at Hilton hotels, 5X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, 3X on all other purchases. | 2X miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel, 1X on all other purchases. |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | No | No |
| Other Fees | No additional fees listed | Charges may apply after the first year for the annual fee. |
| Additional Benefits | Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, upgrade to Gold status after spending $20,000. | Priority boarding, free first checked bag, two United Club passes annually, up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit. |
Rewards Highlights
The New United℠ Explorer Card
- Debut Offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel.
- 1x mile on all other purchases.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Earn 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Pros and Cons
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Pros:
- No annual fee
- High rewards rate at Hilton properties
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cons:
- Limited to Hilton property rewards
- Less versatile for non-Hilton travelers
The New United℠ Explorer Card
- Pros:
- Substantial welcome bonus
- Valuable travel perks for United flyers
- First checked bag free
- No foreign transaction fees
- Cons:
- Annual fee after the first year
- Rewards primarily useful for United travel
Who Should Consider Which Card?
If you frequently stay at Hilton hotels and dine at U.S. restaurants, the Hilton Honors American Express Card is likely the better choice for you. It offers a no-annual-fee structure and excellent rewards for Hilton-related purchases.
On the other hand, if you are a loyal United Airlines traveler who often flies with them, The New United℠ Explorer Card provides substantial travel benefits that can enhance your flying experience, despite the annual fee after the first year.
Conclusion
Both the Hilton Honors American Express Card and The New United℠ Explorer Card offer unique benefits and rewards. Consider your personal spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals to determine which card aligns best with your needs.