Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card review: Premium perks for Hilton loyalists
Editor's Note
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card overview
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium hotel credit card loaded with top-tier benefits. Key perks include complimentary Hilton Diamond elite status, bonus points on Hilton stays and incredibly valuable statement credits. This card is an excellent option for Hilton loyalists. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
It's no surprise that the Hilton Aspire was named the Best Hotel Cobranded Credit Card at the 2024 TPG Awards.
Even with the card's significant $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), the benefits easily outweigh the cost, including an annual free night reward valid at nearly any Hilton property. Your chances for approval are best if you have a credit score in the good to excellent range.
Here's everything you need to know about the Hilton Aspire.
Hilton Aspire pros and cons
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Hilton Aspire welcome offer
New applicants for the Hilton Amex Aspire Card can earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Jan. 14.
According to TPG's October 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $875.
This welcome offer is just 5,000 points short of the highest we have seen on this card, making now a great time to apply if you've been eyeing it.
Remember that Amex only allows you to earn one bonus per card in a lifetime, so it's important to apply for a card when it has its best-ever welcome offer (or close to it).
Per Amex:
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card or previous versions of this Card. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.
Before submitting an application, Amex will alert you if you're not eligible for a welcome bonus.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Hilton Aspire benefits
There are a lot of perks and value packed into this cobranded card:
- Hilton Honors™ Diamond status: As long as your card account is open, you'll receive Hilton Diamond elite status for the primary cardmember. Diamond status can add significant value thanks to the fifth-night-free benefit you'll get when you book a stay with points, bonus points, lounge access at select properties, complimentary breakfast and space-available room upgrades you'll get with it.
- Up to three reward nights: You'll receive one night at almost any Hilton property worldwide after opening your account and on your cardmember anniversary each year. You can earn a second night after spending $30,000 on the card in a calendar year and a third night after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- Up to $400 in Hilton resort statement credits: Each calendar year, you'll receive up to $400 (disbursed as up to $200 biannually) in statement credits for eligible purchases at eligible Hilton resorts. That $400 can be used on dining, activities, spa treatments, room rates and taxes.
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits each calendar year: You'll receive up to $50 in statement credits each calendar quarter for airfare purchases on flights purchased directly from the airline or through AmexTravel.com.
- Up to $100 Hilton on-property credit: When you book at least a two-night paid stay at participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com (or over the phone at 855-292-5757), you'll receive a credit of up to $100 for incidentals during your stay.
- Clear Plus® membership: You'll receive up to $209 in statement credits per year when you sign up for a Clear Plus membership and pay with your Hilton Aspire card (subject to auto-renewal).**
- Rental car elite status: You'll receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status in the Emerald Club program (enrollment required, terms apply).**
- Cellphone protection: Cardmembers can be reimbursed for repairing or replacing a damaged or stolen device for a maximum of $800 per claim when the wireless bill for the specific cellphone line is paid using the Hilton Aspire card. There is a limit of two approved claims within a 12-month period, and each claim has a $50 deductible.†
The card also carries some travel protections, including trip delay insurance† (when your flight is delayed by more than six hours) and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.†
Finally, the Hilton Aspire has no foreign transaction fees.
**Enrollment required.
†Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Related: Current offers on the Hilton Amex cards
Earning points on the Hilton Aspire
This card makes it easy to accumulate a high points balance in your Hilton Honors account, which you'll need if you want to stay at luxury properties using Hilton free night awards while saving on cash prices.
With the Hilton Amex Aspire Card you'll earn:
- 14 points per dollar spent at hotels in the Hilton portfolio (7% return based on our October 2025 valuations)
- 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and on dining at U.S. restaurants (3.5% return)
- 3 points per dollar spent on all other spending with the card (1.5% return)
These aren't groundbreaking rates, but if you're interested in earning points for Hilton stays, this is an excellent choice.
Related: How to choose a hotel credit card
Redeeming points on the Hilton Aspire
Hilton gives you many options when it comes time to use your points. We suggest using them for standard award nights to get the best value, but you can also redeem them for merchandise, gift cards, premium room redemptions and airline transfers (typically at a roughly 10:1 ratio).
Although you can't be entirely sure how many points an award night will cost, thanks to Hilton's dynamic award charts, you can use the Points Explorer to get a rough idea of how many points your desired property will cost.
You can also use your points to subsidize paid stays with the Points & Money option, which could get you up to 1 cent per point off your total room bill when choosing expensive Hilton properties.
TPG director of travel content Eric Rosen has previously used the fifth-night-free benefit to maximize the value of his points for a stay at the remodeled Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal. Standard award nights were available for 120,000 points each at the time of his stay.
Utilizing his fifth-night-free benefit, he paid 480,000 points for his five-night stay there and saved $600 worth of Hilton points, according to our October 2025 valuations.
Related: Ways to redeem points with the Hilton Honors program
Transferring points on the Hilton Aspire
Hilton has more than 25 airline partners to which you can transfer your Hilton Honors points, such as Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and Delta SkyMiles.
However, this is generally not a good redemption as most partners have an extremely lackluster 10:1 ratio.
The only scenario where this could potentially be a good redemption is if you need to top off your airline loyalty balance to purchase an award ticket or need points or miles with an airline program that doesn't have any credit card transfer partners like China Eastern Eastern Miles and Saudia Alfursan.
Related: Should you transfer hotel points to airline partners?
Which cards compete with the Hilton Aspire?
If you want a card that carries a lower annual fee or earns a different type of rewards, one of these options might be a better fit:
- If you want Hilton perks with a lower annual fee: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comes with Hilton benefits like complimentary Gold status for a much lower annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the Hilton Surpass.
- If you want elite benefits with Marriott: The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the top-tier card in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup. It comes with perks like an up to 85,000-point free night award and Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (terms apply). To learn more, check out our full review of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant.
- If you want more versatile rewards: The American Express Platinum Card® earns rewards you can transfer to Hilton or any of its other travel partners. It comes with perks like comprehensive airport lounge access and elite status with both Hilton and Marriott. Enrollment is required. However, it has a higher annual fee than the Hilton Amex Aspire at $895 (see rates and fees). To learn more, check out our full review of the Amex Platinum.
For additional options, check out our list of the best hotel cards.
Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Do you want Gold or Diamond status?
Bottom line
The Hilton Aspire provides incredible value, which has made it a favorite among several TPG staffers, and is a great premium product if you don't already have a top-tier hotel card.
While its $550 annual fee might seem steep, it comes with a valuable welcome offer, an annual free night certificate, automatic elite status and multiple statement credits. If you can use all or most of these benefits, you'll easily justify the Hilton Aspire's annual fee.
However, if you don't stay at Hilton properties often enough to get much value from these benefits, you might be better off with a general travel rewards card.
Apply here: Hilton Amex Aspire Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.