The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $550
• APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Rewards: 14X points at Hilton, 7X on flights/car rentals/restaurants, 3X on everything else
• Bonus: 175,000 bonus points after $6,000 spend in 6 months
• Best For: Hilton elite travelers seeking Diamond status and maximum benefits
• Credit Needed: Excellent (720+)

Overview

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the ultimate credit card for dedicated Hilton travelers who demand the highest level of elite status and premium benefits. With automatic Hilton Diamond status, $600 in annual statement credits, a complimentary free night certificate, and Priority Pass Select airport lounge access, this card transforms every Hilton stay into a luxury experience.

Built for frequent Hilton guests who value premium treatment and comprehensive benefits, the Aspire card delivers exceptional earning power with 14X points at Hilton properties and 7X on flights, car rentals, and restaurants. While the $550 annual fee is substantial, the combination of Diamond status benefits, annual credits, and a free night certificate can easily provide $1,500+ in annual value for active Hilton travelers.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Balance Transfer APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Cash Advance APR: Variable (typically 19.74%–28.74%)
• Penalty APR: None

Note: This premium card is designed for travelers who pay in full monthly.

Benefits Overview

Premium Hotel Benefits

• Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond Status: Enjoy top-tier elite benefits at 7,600+ properties worldwide
• Free Weekend Night Reward: Annually after card renewal (no spending requirement)
• $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Annual statement credit for eligible purchases at participating Hilton resorts
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Annual statement credit for eligible airline incidental fees
• Priority Pass™ Select: Unlimited complimentary airport lounge visits (plus 2 guests)
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use internationally without additional charges

Hilton Diamond Status Benefits

• Complimentary Breakfast: For cardholder and up to 2 guests at participating properties
• Executive Lounge Access: Access to executive lounges when available
• Premium Room Upgrades: Including suites when available at check-in
• Milestone Bonuses: Earn bonus points for every 20 nights stayed (10,000 points per milestone)
• 5th Night Free: On rewards stays (4-night minimum)
• Bonus Points: Earn 100% bonus on base points earned during stays
• Late Checkout: Subject to availability (typically 4 p.m.)
• Digital Check-In with Room Selection: Choose your preferred room
• Confirmed 48-Hour Guarantee: Room guaranteed 48 hours before arrival

Travel Benefits

• Trip Delay Insurance: Coverage for qualified delays
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: Comprehensive protection for qualified trip disruptions
• Baggage Insurance Plan: Protection for lost or damaged luggage
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Primary coverage worldwide (superior to secondary)
• Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $500,000 coverage
• Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 emergency assistance while traveling

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage on eligible purchases for up to 90 days
• Extended Warranty Protection: Adds an additional year to warranties
• Return Protection: Get refunded for purchases that merchants won't take back
• Fraud Protection: Zero liability for unauthorized charges
• Free Additional Cards: Add authorized users at no cost
• Concierge Service: 24/7 personal concierge for travel planning and reservations

Lifestyle Benefits

• Amex Experiences: Access to exclusive events, concerts, and experiences
• Global Dining Collection: Reservations at exclusive restaurants worldwide
• ShopRunner: Free 2-day shipping at select online retailers

Rewards & Points

• 14X Hilton Honors points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
• 7X points on eligible purchases for flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com
• 7X points on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies
• 7X points at U.S. restaurants
• 3X points on all other eligible purchases

Redemption Options:

• Book free nights at 7,600+ Hilton properties worldwide (starting at 5,000 points per night)
• Premium suite upgrades using points
• Book Hilton experiences and exclusive events
• Use points for Amazon purchases at checkout
• Redeem for airline tickets and upgrades (poor value—not recommended)
• Donate points to charitable causes

Points never expire as long as you have activity in your Hilton Honors account every 24 months.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 175,000 bonus Hilton Honors points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Value: 175,000 Hilton points is typically worth $875–$1,225 in free hotel nights, enough for 3–6 nights at quality Hilton properties or 1–2 nights at luxury resorts. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $550
• Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
• Balance Transfer Fee: 3% of transferred amount (minimum $5)
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of cash advance amount (minimum $10)
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Frequent Hilton guests who stay 10+ nights per year at Hilton properties
• Diamond status seekers who value suite upgrades and executive lounge access
• Business travelers who benefit from complimentary breakfast and late checkout
• Resort travelers who maximize the $400 Hilton resort credit annually
• Airport lounge enthusiasts wanting unlimited Priority Pass access
• Families who benefit from breakfast for 2 guests and lounge access
• Frequent flyers who use the $200 airline fee credit for baggage/upgrades
• International travelers benefiting from no foreign transaction fees
• Premium cabin diners maximizing 7X on restaurants and flights

Not Good For

• Casual Hilton guests who stay less than 8 nights per year
• Budget travelers who can't justify the $550 annual fee
• Non-Hilton guests who prefer hotel flexibility
• Those who don't use resort credits regularly (major value lost)
• Infrequent flyers who won't use the $200 airline fee credit
• Solo travelers on a budget who don't maximize Diamond benefits
• Those preferring cash back over hotel-specific points
• Balance carriers (extremely high APR)

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Automatic Hilton Diamond status (highest tier) with suite upgrades and lounge access
• $600 in annual credits ($400 resort + $200 airline) reduces effective fee to $0 (if maximized)
• Free Weekend Night Reward annually (no spending requirement) worth $200–$400
• 14X earning at Hilton properties accelerates free nights extremely quickly
• 7X earning on flights, car rentals, and restaurants is exceptional
• Priority Pass Select with unlimited visits (plus 2 guests) worth $500+
• Complimentary breakfast saves $30–$50 per stay
• Executive lounge access provides additional food/beverage value
• Suite upgrades enhance luxury experience significantly
• Primary car rental insurance (better than secondary coverage)
• 175,000-point welcome bonus is substantial
• Late checkout (4 p.m.) adds convenience and value

Cons

• $550 annual fee is very high and requires maximum utilization
• Hilton points valued at ~0.5¢ each (less than Marriott/Hyatt)
• $400 resort credit only works at participating Hilton resorts
• $200 airline credit limited to incidental fees (not tickets)
• Free Weekend Night is restricted to Friday/Saturday/Sunday
• Diamond benefits vary widely by property (some don't offer lounges/upgrades)
• Points devalue significantly during peak travel seasons
• Hilton portfolio quality varies dramatically by location
• Must stay at Hilton to maximize value (limited flexibility)
• APR is very high if you carry a balance
• Suite upgrades subject to availability (not guaranteed)

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $40,000 per year on typical expenses:

Benefits Value:

• Hilton Diamond status (breakfast, upgrades, lounges): ~$800 value
• Free Weekend Night Reward: ~$300 value
• $400 Hilton resort credit: $400
• $200 airline fee credit: $200
• Priority Pass (unlimited): ~$600 value
• Late checkout: ~$100 value
• Total Benefits: ~$2,400

Net Annual Fee: $550 - $2,400 in benefits = effectively -$1,850 (significant profit if you maximize all benefits)

Total Value: 221,000 Hilton points (worth $1,105–$1,547 in free nights) + $2,400 in benefits = $3,505–$3,947 in total value, minus $550 annual fee = $2,955–$3,397 net value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If...

• You stay at Hilton properties 10+ nights per year
• You value Diamond status benefits (suite upgrades, executive lounge, breakfast)
• You stay at Hilton resorts and can use the $400 annual credit
• You fly regularly and benefit from the $200 airline fee credit
• You want unlimited airport lounge access for yourself and 2 guests
• You spend heavily on flights, car rentals, and restaurants (7X categories)
• You appreciate late checkout and confirmed room guarantees
• You travel internationally and benefit from no foreign fees
• You're building Hilton points for luxury aspirational stays
• You can justify the $550 fee with credits and Diamond benefits

You Should Skip It If...

• You stay at Hilton less than 8 nights per year
• You can't use the $400 resort credit regularly (major value lost)
• You don't fly frequently enough to use the $200 airline credit
• You prefer hotel chain flexibility over Hilton loyalty
• You don't value airport lounge access highly
• You travel on a budget and don't need Diamond-level luxury
• You prefer cash back over hotel-specific points
• You carry balances month-to-month (very high APR)
• You can't justify the $550 annual fee with your travel patterns
• You want more valuable points (Marriott/Hyatt offer better redemption rates)

Apply Now

Apply for The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.