The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is considered to be one of the best hotel credit cards currently on the market, despite its $550 annual fee. The perks that come with the card easily offset this significant cost and offer great value to cardholders.
One of the greatest perks of the Aspire card is the complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status for the primary cardholder. Unlike other Hilton credit cards, which require reaching a certain spend threshold to earn elite status, the Aspire card provides Diamond status as long as the card account is open. Diamond status comes with a range of benefits including 100% bonus points, executive-floor lounge access, free breakfast, and room upgrades. This status is typically earned after 30 stays or 60 nights or by earning 120,000 base points in a calendar year.
Another valuable benefit of the Aspire card is the ability to earn up to three reward nights each year. Cardholders receive one night at almost any Hilton property worldwide after opening their account and again each year on their cardmember anniversary. They also receive a second and third night when they spend $30,000 and $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, respectively. This benefit has no exclusions, so even infrequent travelers can take advantage of it and save hundreds of dollars a year.
The Aspire card also offers a $200 airline fee credit each calendar year, which can be used to offset travel costs. This credit is up to $50 each calendar quarter and can be used for eligible purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com. Additionally, cardholders receive a $400 Hilton resort statement credit each cardmember year, which can be used towards room rates, taxes, and other charges at eligible Hilton resorts. These two credits alone effectively offset the card’s $550 annual fee.
Cardholders can also benefit from up to $100 Hilton on-property credit each time they book at least a two-night paid stay at a participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts or Conrad Hotels & Resorts property. This credit is for incidentals during the stay and can be a valuable perk for those staying at eligible properties.
In terms of earning rates, the Aspire card offers an impressive 14 points per dollar on paid stays within the Hilton portfolio. With the complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, cardholders earn a total of 34 points per dollar on most Hilton stays, which equates to a 20.4% return on spending. The card also earns 7 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or at amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants. All other spend with the card earns 3 points per dollar.
Overall, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a range of valuable perks and benefits that easily offset its annual fee. With top-tier elite status, up to three reward nights each year, airline fee credits, resort credits, on-property credits, and impressive earning rates, the Aspire card sets a new precedent for hotel cobranded credit cards. Whether you are a frequent Hilton guest or not, this card offers great value and should be considered for those looking to maximize their hotel rewards and benefits.