If you’re a frequent traveler who loves luxury hotel stays, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a game-changer. With its generous rewards, elite benefits, and exclusive perks, this card is perfect for anyone who stays at Hilton properties often or enjoys collecting points for travel. However, like all premium cards, it comes with a high annual fee, so it’s important to evaluate if the benefits outweigh the costs for your specific travel needs.
In this post, I’ll break down the benefits of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, compare it to other travel rewards cards, and help you decide whether it’s the right card for you. Plus, I’ll highlight exactly who would benefit most from this card and whether the high annual fee is worth it.
Key features of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers some impressive benefits that stand out from the crowd. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:
1. Generous welcome bonus
One of the best features of this card is the welcome bonus. You can earn up to 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account. This is a huge bonus, and it’s perfect if you’re planning a luxurious getaway soon!
2. Rewarding earning rates
You’ll earn 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts. This can add up quickly, especially if you’re a frequent traveler. You also earn 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 3x points on all other purchases. For anyone looking to rack up points fast, this card is a great choice.
3. Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
As a cardholder, you automatically receive Hilton Honors Diamond Status. This gives you access to elite-level perks such as room upgrades (including suites), bonus points on eligible stays, and complimentary breakfast. If you often stay at Hilton properties, this perk alone can justify the card’s high annual fee.
4. Annual free weekend night award
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card gives you one free weekend night award each year, which is valid at almost any Hilton hotel or resort worldwide. This is perfect for a luxurious weekend getaway without having to pay for the room, making it an excellent value if you plan to travel.
5. $250 Hilton resort credit
Each year, you’ll receive a $250 Hilton Resort Credit that can be used for qualifying purchases at Hilton resort properties. This can help offset the cost of things like spa treatments, dining, and activities during your stay, which adds significant value to the card.
6. Airport lounge access
Cardholders get complimentary access to Priority Pass Select lounges at airports worldwide. This is perfect for long layovers and can make your travel experience much more comfortable, especially if you travel frequently.
7. No foreign transaction fees
Like many travel cards, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has no foreign transaction fees, which is essential for international travel. You can make purchases abroad without worrying about additional fees.
How does the Hilton Honors Aspire Card compare to other travel rewards cards?
While the Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers incredible value for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties, it’s not the only card on the market. Let’s see how it stacks up against other popular cards in terms of rewards and benefits.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that offers 3x points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit and 2x points on dining at restaurants. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers higher rewards at Hilton hotels (14x vs. 3x with the Chase Sapphire), making it a better option for those who prefer staying at Hilton. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with a $550 annual fee and offers a more flexible point system (via Chase Ultimate Rewards) that can be used with various airlines and hotel chains, not just Hilton.
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is ideal for those loyal to Hilton and who stay with them often, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is better for those who want more flexibility in their travel points.
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Another top-tier travel rewards card is the Platinum Card® from American Express. With this card, you earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1x point on other purchases. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers better value for Hilton stays (14x points vs. 1x), but the Platinum Card® offers extensive travel credits, airport lounge access, and $200 annual airline fee credit.
The Platinum Card® is ideal for those who travel internationally and want access to a broader range of luxury benefits, but the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is perfect if you’re specifically loyal to Hilton and looking for hotel-related perks.
3. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
If you like Marriott properties, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card might be a strong alternative. It offers 6x points on Marriott purchases and a free night award each year. However, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card provides a higher rewards rate (14x points at Hilton properties) and more travel-specific benefits, like the $250 Hilton Resort Credit.
For loyal Hilton guests, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is the better option for both rewards and perks, especially for those who love staying at Hilton properties globally.
Who should get the Hilton Honors Aspire Card?
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is ideal for frequent travelers who love staying at Hilton hotels and resorts. The card’s 14x points on Hilton stays and Diamond Status are unbeatable for those who regularly stay at Hilton properties. Additionally, the annual free weekend night award and $250 resort credit provide plenty of value, especially for anyone planning a luxurious weekend getaway.
This card is perfect for those who:
- Want luxury hotel perks with Hilton Diamond Status.
- Frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to earn 14x points.
- Want to earn free night awards each year and enjoy $250 Hilton Resort Credits.
- Travel internationally and benefit from no foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Hilton Honors Aspire Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | The Platinum Card® | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $450 | $550 | $695 | $450 |
| Welcome Bonus | 150,000 points (after $4,000) | 50,000 points (after $4,000) | 100,000 points (after $6,000) | 75,000 points (after $3,000) |
| Reward Rate | 14x Hilton, 7x flights, 3x other | 3x travel, 2x dining | 5x flights, 1x other | 6x Marriott, 2x dining |
| Annual Free Night | Yes, 1 free weekend night | No | No | Yes, 1 free night |
| Resort Credit | $250 | No | $200 | No |
| Diamond Status | Yes | No | No | No |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None | None |
Conclusion
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a premium travel rewards card that’s perfect for Hilton fans who want to maximize their stays with the brand. With 14x points at Hilton properties, Diamond Status, and luxury travel perks, this card is an ideal choice for those who stay at Hilton frequently. If you’re loyal to Hilton and want top-notch benefits, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is definitely worth the annual fee. For those who prefer more flexibility or a broader range of rewards, you might want to consider other travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express.