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A Complete Guide to Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Benefits

Review Updated
Elizabeth Aldrich
By: Elizabeth Aldrich

Our Credit Cards Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Offer Status

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Ascent and card details may be out of date.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with enough perks to make it one of the best credit cards for people who like Hilton. But you have to know how to maximize this credit card to make it worthwhile. From free nights to elite status and insurance, here are some of the top Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card benefits.

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.99% to 29.99%, variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 14 points per $1 at Hilton properties, 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with the airline, rental cars booked through certain agencies, and dining in eligible U.S. restaurants, 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

3X - 14x points

Annual Fee

$550

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $6,000 in the first six months of card opening

150,000 Hilton Honors points

  • This card comes with a high annual fee, but if you travel frequently and love to stay with Hilton, the benefits of the card can easily outweigh the fee.

    • Big hotel rewards
    • Generous travel credits
    • Automatic Diamond status
    • Annual free night award
    • Airport lounge access
    • Credits can be hard to use
    • Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points by spending $6,000 in the first six months of card opening.
    • Earn 14 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties.
    • Earn 7 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airline, rental cars booked through certain agencies, and dining in eligible U.S. restaurants.
    • Earn 3 points per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
    • Earn up to $600 in statement credits.
    • Complimentary airport lounge access
    • Complimentary Diamond status

The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Ascent. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best for cash back on rotating categories
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. Circle with letter I in it. N/A 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best for cash back on travel purchases
Up to $300 cash back Circle with letter I in it. Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases. 1.5% - 5% cash back Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months

Purchases: 0% Intro APR on Purchases, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers, 15 months

Regular: 20.49% - 29.24% Variable

Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Best for travel and points transfers
75,000 bonus points Circle with letter I in it. Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠. 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases Circle with letter I in it. Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. N/A

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular: 21.49%-28.49% Variable

Amex Hilton Honors Aspire benefits

This card's benefits easily make up for its annual fee (as long as you're a Hilton-loyal traveler). You'll get a lucrative welcome offer, high-powered rewards, elite status, and more.

Welcome bonus

New cardmembers get the chance to earn 150,000 Hilton points if they spend $4,000 in the first three months. This massive welcome bonus can get you several free nights in a major city center. If you'd like to use the points to stay at one of Hilton's high-end resorts, you can squeeze a night or two out of this bonus. Keep in mind: If you have or have had this card before, you won't be eligible for this welcome bonus. Terms apply.

Rewards

One of the most attractive Hilton Aspire benefits is the high rewards rate. You'll get 14 points per $1 at Hilton hotels, 7 points per $1 on select travel, and 7 points per $1 at U.S. restaurants.

The travel category is narrow. It includes flights booked with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. It also includes rental cars booked with eligible rental car companies. That said, if you spend a lot at Hilton and on dining, your points will add up fast. Terms apply.

Complimentary elite status

As a cardholder, you'll automatically get Hilton Honors Diamond status. The point value of this benefit can be well into the thousands if you stay at a Hilton hotel regularly. With Diamond status, you'll earn double points on Hilton stays -- so you can earn free nights twice as fast. You also get suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and milestone bonuses. Executive lounge access, a 48-hour room guarantee, and the ability to gift elite status are other perks. Terms apply.

Weekend night rewards

You'll get one free weekend-night reward every year you renew your card membership. Many other cards restrict annual free nights to a limited number of properties. The Hilton Aspire benefits let you use your annual free night at almost any Hilton hotel. You aren't required to meet any spending threshold to earn your free weekend night either. If you do spend $60,000 in a calendar year, you'll get a second weekend night reward. Terms apply.

Resort statement credit

The Hilton Aspire benefits also include an annual resort statement credit of $250. Use this resort credit for eligible purchases made at any Hilton resort property. This can help you recoup more than half the card's annual fee if you stay at Hilton resort properties on a yearly basis. Terms apply.

Hilton on-property credit

A $100 Hilton property credit is another one of the Hilton Aspire benefits, but there are restrictions. It's only valid at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels and Resorts, and you have to stay at least two nights. You can't use the $100 credit for your room cost. However, you can use it for Hilton purchases, such as food, beverage, and spa purchases. If you don't stay at those properties, you won't get to use this credit. Terms apply.

Return protection

You'll also get return protection* on your Hilton Aspire purchases. This comes in handy when you want to return an item within 90 days and the merchant won't accept it. With your Hilton Aspire benefits, you can get up to $300 per item and up to $1,000 per calendar year in return protection. Terms apply.

Amex Hilton Honors Aspire travel benefits

In addition to Hilton-centric rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with general travel benefits. These make travel more comfortable and affordable.

Airline fee credit

Every year, you'll get a $250 airline fee credit. You can use this to cover checked luggage fees, ticket change fees, airport lounge passes, in-flight food and beverages, and pet fees. However, you have to select one airline each year. This is restrictive for folks who tend to opt for the cheapest flights regardless of airline. Even if you are loyal to one airline, airline credit cards might offer you better benefits. Terms apply.

Airport lounge access

The Hilton Aspire's benefits include a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. This membership gets you (and two guests) into over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide -- including Amex's exclusive Centurion Lounges. Airport lounges usually have free food and beverages, charging stations, and lounging areas. Some even have showers, nap rooms, and complimentary alcohol. This Hilton Aspire benefit will save you money and make you hope for a long layover. Terms apply.

Car rental insurance

When you put a rental car on your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you'll get secondary car rental insurance**. Secondary insurance is less beneficial than primary insurance but is still useful. You have to file a claim with your personal insurance first. After that, secondary insurance covers eligible damages not covered by your primary insurance. Other travel credit cards offer more insurance, but this is nice protection to have on hand. Terms apply.

Baggage insurance

If you've ever had an airline lose your luggage, you know replacing your stuff gets expensive. You may also know that airlines don't often cover the full value of your lost or damaged items. That's where your Hilton Aspire benefits come in handy. As long as you booked your flight with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you can file a claim for reimbursement. This will cover eligible loss or damage not reimbursed by the airline. You'll get up to $3,000 per person per trip -- $2,000 maximum for checked baggage. Terms apply***.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

Select American Express cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card give you access to this 24/7 hotline****. This might seem like the least valuable of the Hilton Aspire benefits. However, it can be a priceless resource, especially when facing unexpected travel hiccups. This hotline can assist you with just about anything. It can help with medical, legal, and financial issues. It can also help track down missing luggage or lost passports. Finally, you get no-cost emergency medical transportation assistance through this hotline.

If you don't travel enough to justify the annual fee on this card, look for travel cards without an annual fee. If you travel often but aren't loyal to Hilton, look at more versatile rewards programs. For example, American Express rewards points offer a wider variety of redemption options. When added up, though, these rewards make this card well worth it for many Hilton lovers. Terms apply.

Our Credit Cards Expert