This one is my cross-border secret weapon. It’s a US card, so you need a US credit history and US address to get it. Check Amex’s eligibility rules before applying.
Quick facts
| Annual fee | No annual fee (US card, USD) |
| Welcome offer | 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points + a Free Night Reward after US$2,000 spend in the first 6 months (limited-time offer, ends 1/13/2027) |
| Earn rates | 7X at Hilton hotels & resorts; 5X at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations; 3X on other eligible purchases |
| Status | Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver; Gold after US$20,000 spend in a calendar year |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Source: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/card/hilton-honors/. Verified on official Amex pages on October 21, 2026. Offers change often, so always check the issuer’s page before applying.
What I like
- No annual fee, so it builds US credit history for free
- No foreign transaction fees
- Points go a long way at Hilton properties abroad
What to watch
- Needs a US address and banking set-up
- Points are Hilton-only (no airline transfers)
- US referral rules may differ from Canada’s, so read the terms
My take
Good fit if the fee and spend line up with your real life. If it does, I’d be grateful if you used my link below.
Heads up: some links on this page are my personal referral links. If you are approved through one, I may earn points at no cost to you. Full disclosure.