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Quick Answer

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.

Card Comparison

Citi Custom Cash vs Hilton Honors American Express Card

Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.

Citi Custom Cash card art
Citi ThankYou Points
Citi Custom Cash
Citi
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Hilton Honors American Express Card card art
Hilton Honors
Hilton Honors American Express Card
American Express
More Info

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.

Annual Fee
No annual fee
No annual fee
Foreign Fees
None
None
Signup Bonus
$200 credit
Spend $1,500 in 6 months
was $200
100,000 points + $100 credit
Spend $2,000 in 6 months
was 70k pts
Top Earn Rates
  • 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
Reward Type
cashback
miles
Pts Value
~1.90¢/pt points · industry est.
~0.50¢/pt points · industry est.
Key Credits
None
None
Card Perks
None listed
  • Hilton Honors Silver Status
Transfer Partners
  • AAdvantage
  • AAdvantage
  • Accor Live Limitless
  • Accor Live Limitless
  • Avianca LifeMiles
  • +33 more
No transfer partners

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.