The Hilton Honors American Express Card edges out the Citi Custom Cash for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 100,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 7x vs 5x). The Citi Custom Cash is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
Citi Custom Cash vs Hilton Honors American Express Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Top Eligible Category 5x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio 7x
- Dining At U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, Groceries At U.S. supermarkets, Gas At U.S. gas stations 5x
- All Other Purchases 3x
- Hilton Honors Silver Status
- AAdvantage
- AAdvantage
- Accor Live Limitless
- Accor Live Limitless
- Avianca LifeMiles
- +33 more
Common Questions: Citi Custom Cash vs Hilton Honors American Express Card
Is the Citi Custom Cash or Hilton Honors American Express Card better for dining?
Citi Custom Cash has no dining bonus; Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Citi Custom Cash currently offers $2 signup bonus (spend $1,500 in 6 months). Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 100,000 pts signup bonus (spend $2,000 in 6 months). Hilton Honors American Express Card has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Citi Custom Cash and the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Citi Custom Cash is from Citi and Hilton Honors American Express Card is from American Express, so they're governed by separate bank policies.
