A reward card is a credit card with an incentive or ‘rewards’ for use, such as cash back, merchandise points or frequent flier points. Reward cards promote different types of reward schemes – some cards give you more incentives for spending in certain areas such as grocery and dining purchases, or travel. You can earn points for every dollar you charge on your credit card.

Rewards are usually divided into three categories:

The most straightforward and easy to use rewards are cash rewards. However, some cash reward programs only allow you to redeem your rewards as a credit to your account, while others send a check or make a deposit when you choose to redeem your reward. You can also avail them as gift cards from your card issuer’s merchant partners.

Point rewards are given based on the amount of money you spend, for example, one point per dollar. Points can usually be redeemed online to shop for merchandise promoted by the reward program.

Gift cards are also a great way of redeeming your points, as often, merchant partners give up to 10 to 20% off the gift card price. There are different types of points rewards cards such as auto rewards cards and hotel rewards cards.

Miles or travel rewards cards reward you with miles that can be redeemed for airline tickets. Frequent flier programs define the number of miles you need to purchase a flight, and that number depends on the credit card. Miles can be converted between programs, but you may lose some points in the process.

For example, a Hilton Honors credit card helps you earn bonus points on everyday purchases, from groceries to phone bills, and then you can redeem your points for reward nights and more.

The best fit for your needs

There are four types of Hilton Honors credit cards available, so you need to figure out which one is the right fit for your needs and spending habits. Let’s take a look at each  Hilton Honors credit cards  and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.

Each  Hilton Honors credit card  has its unique features; the best option for you depends on the frequency of your stay at a Hilton property, your spending habits, and the type of rewards you can take advantage of.

All these cards help you to increase the rate at which you earn Hilton Honors credit cards  points. Whenever you book a room with Hilton, you earn ten base points per $1. If you pay for the booking with these cards, you add extra points on top of the base points.

The Hilton Honors credit card from American Express and the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card are ideal for users who spend less than $30,000 annually. The former lets you make the best savings per dollar, while the latter is easier to use, as it is on the Visa network.

The Citi Hilton Honors Visa Signature card offers a sign-up bonus of 40,000 Hilton Honors points after you have spent $1,000 within the first four months of opening the account. You will earn 6 points per dollar at Hilton properties, 3 points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations and 2 points per dollar on another spending. With this card, you receive automatic Silver status. If you tally four stays within the first 90 days of membership, you receive Gold status for the rest of the year and the following year.

Like the Citi card, the Hilton Honors American Express card also offers 40,000 bonus points as a sign-up bonus, but you only need to spend $750 in the first four months of card membership. With this no annual fee card, you earn 7 points per dollar at Hilton properties, 5 points per dollar at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on all another spending.

You also get complimentary Silver status with the American Express card, while Gold status can be obtained by spending $20,000 in a calendar year.

The Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card is the ideal credit card for users who spend at least one weekend night at a Hilton property each year. You can get a free weekend night each account anniversary year with the Reserve card. This can translate into hundreds of dollars in savings, depending on the cost of the hotel room you opt for. This is the most expensive Hilton card with a $95 annual fee.

The Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card, with an annual fee of 75$, is the best option for earning the most Hilton Honors points, as well as receiving elite status. For every dollar spent directly at Hilton properties, you make 12 Honors points. At restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, you earn 6 points per dollar and 3 points everywhere else.

What’s more, if you spend at least $40,000 in a year, you will qualify for Diamond Elite status the following year, which is Hilton’s highest membership status. This card is worth your while if you spend enough money each year to justify the cost.

If we compare the potential earnings on these cards, the American Express HHonors card is the clear winner. It offers the same sign-up bonus with $250 less in initial spending, can earn you more points per dollar at Hilton properties, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on regular purchases.

Both cards provide complimentary Silver status. The Citi card gives you the chance to earn Gold status with four Hilton stays in the first 90 days of card membership, as compared to the American Express that demands $20,000 in annual spending. However, the bonus point earnings make the American Express HHonors card a better choice.

As we have seen, most reward cards come with a lot of benefits. Rewards programs can also turn out to be complicated. Credit card issuers can also change their rewards program without warning, so do read the billing statement thoroughly.

Do remember that rewards can expire if you don’t use them within a certain amount of time. Good reward programs don’t let your rewards expire, but will take away your rewards if you miss your credit card payments.

Also, the best reward  Hilton Honors credit card programs are only available to consumers with the best credit scores. If your credit score needs improvement, you may not qualify for any reward Hilton Honors credit cards.