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Chase Freedom Flex vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is ideal for maximizing cash back on rotating quarterly categories, travel booked through Chase, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- Hilton Honors American Express® Card: A great choice for travelers loyal to the Hilton brand, this card excels at earning points on hotel stays and spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
Chase Freedom Flex® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why the Chase Freedom Flex® is one of our favorite no-fee cards.
The card’s rewards structure is a major plus, featuring rotating 5% cash back categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter you activate, alongside fixed bonus rates for travel, dining, and drugstores.
It comes with several valuable protections, including cell phone protection, which is a standout feature for a card with no annual fee.
Because there is no annual fee, you start earning pure cash back from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
Features a dynamic rewards structure that includes both rotating quarterly bonus categories and fixed-rate earnings on popular spending areas.
Comes with valuable perks not always found on no-annual-fee cards, such as cell phone protection and purchase protection.
Provides flexible redemption options, allowing you to take rewards as cash back or combine them with other eligible Chase cards to maximize their value through the Ultimate Rewards® program.
Cons
The card’s rotating bonus categories require manual activation each quarter and have a spending cap, which can be a potential drawback for some users.
It’s not ideal for international travel due to a foreign transaction fee.
Strict eligibility requirements can make the card difficult to obtain, and maximizing point value requires pairing it with another premium Chase card.
Hilton Honors American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Hilton Honors American Express Card stands out.
- It's a great entry point into travel rewards with no annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
- You can rack up points quickly with strong earning rates on Hilton stays and at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- The complimentary Silver status unlocks a fifth-night-free benefit on award stays, which can easily save you tens of thousands of points on a single trip (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
A strong Welcome Offer lets you quickly accumulate a substantial number of points right from the start.
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, which provides benefits like bonus points on stays and the possibility of late checkout.
Use the card abroad without incurring foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international travel.
Cons
It lacks premium perks like free night rewards or resort credits that come with more expensive Hilton cards.
The value of Hilton Honors points is generally lower than points from competing hotel programs, and there are fewer airline transfer partners.
Travel protections and insurance coverage are minimal compared to other travel-focused credit cards.
Hilton Honors American Express vs Chase Freedom Flex®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Freedom Flex® or Hilton Honors American Express, really comes down to your primary spending habits. Each card is designed to reward different types of purchases, making one potentially more valuable than the other depending on where you spend your money.
- Chase Freedom Flex®: This card is built for maximizing value across a variety of purchases, offering high rewards in rotating quarterly categories as well as on travel booked through Chase, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card excels for travelers who frequently stay with Hilton, offering its best rewards on hotel bookings, and also provides strong rewards for everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
Redemption
Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards earned with this card offer great flexibility, as they can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or used to book travel through the Chase portal.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: Points earned are geared towards travelers, with the primary redemption option being for free nights and other rewards at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Travel Perks
- Chase Freedom Flex®: This card’s travel benefits are primarily accessed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where points can be used to book flights, hotels, and car rentals. It is less ideal for international travel, as it carries a foreign transaction fee. Premium perks like airport lounge access are not a feature of this card.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is the Hilton portfolio of hotels and resorts. It's a strong choice for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees. While it doesn't provide airport lounge access, it does grant complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, which comes with its own set of perks like a fifth night free on reward stays. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable, offering a data-driven way to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards based on your personal spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data—all without a hard credit pull.
- Get detailed approval odds: The platform provides an in-depth analysis of your chances of getting approved for a card based on your credit report.
- Access a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, the platform will match it.
- Compare thousands of cards: Explore a database of nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match, knowing that most are not tied to affiliate commissions.
- Stack your rewards: Use Kudos Boost to earn additional rewards on top of what your credit card already offers when you shop at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?
The Chase Freedom Flex® is an excellent choice for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards through rotating quarterly categories. This card particularly benefits those who frequently dine out or make drugstore purchases, offering elevated cash back in these areas. It's also a strategic pick for anyone looking to build a powerful card combination, like the Chase trifecta, without paying an annual fee, as detailed in this cash back card review.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?
The Hilton Honors American Express® Card is a strong contender for the occasional Hilton guest who wants to avoid annual fees. It also appeals to everyday spenders looking to accumulate points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. As our full review explains, it's also a practical choice for travelers with good credit who want to earn hotel rewards without the stringent requirements of a premium card.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Chase Freedom Flex® vs Hilton Honors comparison has left you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent rewards cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
- Review issuer rules: Be aware of application restrictions like Chase's 5/24 rule or Amex's welcome offer eligibility.
- Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without overspending.
Application Strategy
- Time your application with a large purchase to more easily meet the spending requirement.
- Use a dedicated tool to check your approval odds and find the highest available welcome offer.
- Leverage soft credit checks when available to view your offer without impacting your credit score until you accept.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Chase points to Hilton?
Yes, you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hilton Honors, as Hilton is one of Chase's travel partners. However, the transfer ratio is not always 1:1, so it's important to check the current rate before making a transfer.
Which card is better for everyday spending?
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ often comes out ahead for everyday spending due to its rotating 5% cash back categories on up to $1,500 in combined purchases each quarter. Hilton Honors cards are typically more rewarding for spending at Hilton properties and may offer bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets or gas stations.
What are the annual fees for the Chase Freedom Flex and Hilton Honors cards?
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has no annual fee, making it an accessible option for many. Hilton Honors co-branded cards, typically issued by American Express, come with a range of annual fees depending on the specific card and its benefits.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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