Hilton Honors Aspire

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium hotel rewards credit card designed for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties and seek to maximize their benefits within the Hilton Honors program. With a $550 annual fee, the card offers a comprehensive suite of perks, including elevated earning rates on Hilton stays and select everyday purchases, automatic top-tier elite status, and substantial annual credits.

Key Features:

• Rewards Structure:

• 14X Points at Hilton Properties: Earn 14 points per $1 spent directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. 

• 7X Points on Select Categories: Earn 7 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select companies, and at U.S. restaurants. 

• 3X Points on Other Eligible Purchases: Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. 

• Annual Fee: $550. 

• Welcome Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends April 29, 2025. Terms apply. 

Additional Benefits:

• Annual Free Night Reward: Receive one Free Night Reward every year after your account renewal month, redeemable at nearly any Hilton property worldwide. Certain hotels may have resort fees.

• Up to $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Receive up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually (January through June; and July through December) for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts, totaling up to $400 back annually. 

• Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit: Receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com using your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. Enrollment required; terms apply. 

• $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at participating Waldorf Astoria® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a two-night minimum stay with your card at hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors with the proper booking reference. 

• Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status: Enjoy automatic Diamond status, which includes benefits like a 100% bonus on base points earned during Hilton stays, executive-floor lounge access, free breakfast, and room upgrades when available. 

• Priority Pass Select Membership: Enroll to access over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select, enhancing your travel experience. Enrollment required; terms apply.

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make purchases abroad without incurring additional fees.

Pros:

• Generous Rewards on Hilton Stays: Earning 14X points per dollar spent at Hilton properties accelerates point accumulation for future stays. 

• Valuable Annual Credits: The up to $400 Hilton Resort Credit and up to $200 Airline Fee Credit can effectively offset the card’s annual fee for frequent travelers. 

• Automatic Diamond Status: Enjoying top-tier Diamond status without meeting stay requirements enhances the Hilton experience with perks like lounge access, complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades.

Cons:

• High Annual Fee: The $550 fee may be a consideration for some, though it can be offset by utilizing the card’s benefits.

• Quarterly Credit Allocation: The up to $200 Airline Fee Credit is divided into up to $50 per quarter, requiring consistent quarterly spending to maximize this benefit. 

• Limited Bonus Categories: While the card offers elevated points on Hilton stays and select travel and dining categories, other purchases earn a modest 3X points. 

Considerations:

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is well-suited for individuals who frequently stay at Hilton properties and can leverage the card’s extensive benefits to offset the high annual fee. However, those who do not anticipate utilizing the card’s Hilton-specific perks or the annual credits may find greater value in other travel rewards cards with lower annual fees.