United Explorer vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section highlights the key reasons the Hilton Honors American Express Card stands out.

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• With no annual fee (See Rates & Fees), this card offers a cost-effective way to earn Hilton Honors points and enjoy program benefits.
• Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, which includes perks like a 20% bonus on base points and a fifth night free on award stays.
• Because the card has no annual fee to recoup, it delivers value from the first dollar spent without any break-even spending required (publisher-formulated estimate).

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Earns bonus points on spending with Hilton, plus at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• No foreign transaction fees, which is a key perk for international travel.
• A generous welcome offer helps new cardmembers quickly accumulate a large sum of points.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks such as free night rewards or resort credits.
• Points are generally valued lower than those in competing hotel loyalty programs.
• Offers limited travel protections and fewer transfer partners than some other travel cards.

Hilton Honors American Express vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Explorer or Hilton Honors, ultimately depends on your specific travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card is tailored for frequent United Airlines flyers and international travelers looking for valuable airline-specific perks and travel benefits.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: This card is ideal for travelers loyal to the Hilton brand, from occasional guests to frequent visitors, who want to earn hotel rewards on their spending.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Miles earned are your ticket to the skies, primarily redeemable for flights on United and its extensive network of partner airlines. You can also use them for travel perks like seat upgrades, or for booking hotels and car rentals through United's travel portal.

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Hilton Honors American Express Card: Your points are best used for stays within the Hilton family, covering everything from free nights at luxury resorts to room upgrades. Points can also unlock unique on-property rewards and exclusive experiences.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Travel Perks

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• United℠ Explorer Card: This card plugs you directly into the Star Alliance ecosystem. You'll get two one-time passes to the United Club℠ each year, priority boarding, and a free first checked bag for you and a companion on the same reservation. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel. Bookings can be managed through United's dedicated portal.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: The ecosystem here is the vast Hilton portfolio of hotels. The card grants you complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, which comes with its own set of on-property perks. Enrollment may be required for select benefits. Terms apply. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, it focuses on enhancing your stay once you've arrived. Be aware that this card has a foreign transaction fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To cut through the noise and make a data-driven decision, a tool like Kudos can be invaluable for comparing top-rated cards.

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• Test Drive Cards: The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate potential earnings from any credit card using your real spending data, so you can see your potential earnings before applying.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report, removing some of the uncertainty from the application process.
• Kudos Boost Rewards: Earn extra rewards when shopping at your favorite stores, which stack on top of your existing credit card rewards.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of getting a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Personalized Recommendations: Receive personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending history.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers, as the free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and a companion can easily offset the annual fee after just one round-trip flight. It also appeals to travelers who want to speed through airport security with a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and those who travel internationally, thanks to no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is ideal for individuals with good to excellent credit seeking valuable travel perks like priority boarding and lounge passes without a high upfront cost.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?

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The Hilton Honors American Express® Card is a great fit for travelers who enjoy staying with Hilton a few times a year but want to avoid an annual fee. It also appeals to savvy spenders who can maximize the 5X points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations (Terms apply). According to a detailed card review, it's an accessible option for those with good credit looking to earn hotel rewards, serving as a perfect entry point into the Hilton Honors program.

Alternatives to Consider

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The United Explorer vs Hilton Honors comparison highlights two strong, but specific, travel strategies. If you're neither a frequent United flyer nor a Hilton loyalist, here are a few other top-tier travel cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Know the issuer’s rules: Be aware of any application guidelines from issuers like Chase or American Express.
• Have a plan for your points: Research how you will use the card’s benefits and rewards before you apply.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Understand issuer-specific policies: Be aware of rules that might affect your approval, such as how many cards you've recently opened.
• Don't settle for the first offer you see: Welcome offers can vary, so it's worth checking different sources to find the most valuable bonus.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I transfer points between my United and Hilton accounts?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer United MileagePlus miles to Hilton Honors points, or vice versa. These are separate loyalty programs with distinct airline and hotel partners.

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Which card is better for someone who isn't a frequent traveler?

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While both cards are designed for travelers, you should evaluate their earning rates on everyday categories like dining and groceries to see which aligns better with your regular spending. Also consider any statement credits or benefits that offer value outside of travel.

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What happens to my miles or points if I close my credit card account?

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Your United miles are held in your MileagePlus account and your Hilton points are in your Honors account, so they are typically safe if you close the card. However, you would lose all card-specific benefits and the ability to earn rewards through card spending.

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