Hilton Honors American Express Card vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Amex
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
Hilton Honors American Express Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Hilton Honors American Express Card leads on first-year math, earning ceiling, and travel insurance, while Discover it Student Cash Back only ties the rest.
Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Card if year-one math is your priority.
Who wins what
3 vs 0 (1 tie)- First-year math Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Tie
Same annual fee.
- Earning ceiling Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns more on its best category (7× vs 5×).
- Travel insurance Hilton Honors American Express Card
Hilton Honors American Express Card carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $400
- —
- First-year net
- +$400
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 7×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Hotels Resorts, Dining, U.S. Supermarkets
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Hilton Honors
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.