All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Smart Investor. AHilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through The Smart Investor.
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
Credit Rating
0% Intro
N/A
Annual Fee
APR
- Elite Status
- Statement Credit
- Lower Point Values
- High Annual Fee
Rewards Plan
Welcome Bonus
0% Intro
PROS
- Elite Status
- Statement Credit
CONS
- Lower Point Values
- High Annual Fee
APR
20.99% - 29.99% variable
Annual Fee
$450
Balance Transfer Fee
N/A
Credit Requirements
Good - Excellent
While the point value may not be as generous as some other rewards programs, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card does offer some excellent value.
Although the card has a hefty annual fee, this can be easily offset by the statement credits, elite status and other perks, providing that you stay at Hilton locations at least a couple of times per year. Additionally, since you can nominate your preferred airline, you can also receive statement credit for your other travel expenses.
However, unless you do stay at Hilton resorts and hotels at least a few times per year to fully benefit from this card and offset the annual fee. If you’re an infrequent visitor or only stay at Hilton locations once in a while, this is not the right card for you.
- Hilton Honors Diamond Status
- Hilton Resort Statement Credit
- Airline Fee Statement Credit
- Hilton on Property Credit
- Reward Nights
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Lower Point Values
- High Annual Fee
- No Introductory APR
Does the card provide car rental insurance?
Unfortunately, this card does not provide car rental insurance even if you pay for your rental with your card.
What are card income requirements?
There are no official card income requirements for this card, but you do need to have good to excellent credit to qualify. While income is considered, it is not the only factor that determines whether your application will be successful.
Can I get pre-approved?
Yes, American Express does allow you to check if you qualify for the Hilton Honors Amex Aspire card without any impact to your credit. There is an apply button on the American Express website with reassurance that there will be no damage to your credit from simply applying.
In this Review
Estimating Your Rewards: A Practical Simulation
The following table is a simulation of rewards that showcases the potential benefits of using the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. It provides an estimated breakdown of the rewards you could earn based on your typical spending habits in various categories.
While this table can help you understand the potential advantages of the card, it is important to keep in mind that the figures presented are only estimates, and your actual rewards may vary depending on your individual spending patterns and other factors.
| |
|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
|
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 30,000 points |
$3,000 – Restaurants
| 21,000 points |
$4,000 – Airline | 28,000 points |
$4,000 – Hotels | 56,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 12,000 points |
Estimated Annual Points | 147,000 Points |
Pros and Cons
Just like any other credit card, the Hilton Aspire Card has some advantages and disadvantages:
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Hilton Honors Diamond Status | Low Points Value |
Hilton Resort Statement Credit | High Annual Fee |
Airline Fee Statement Credit | No Introductory APR |
Hilton on Property Credit | |
Reward Nights | |
Complimentary Priority Pass | |
Baggage Insurance |
- Hilton Honors Diamond Status
Providing your card account remains open, you will automatically qualify for Diamond Hilton Elite Status. This provides a number of benefits including free breakfast, room upgrades, bonus points and more.
- Hilton Resort Statement Credit
You can receive up to $250 per calendar year in statement credit for any incidentals that are charged to your card when you’re staying at participating Hilton resorts.
This includes room rates, taxes, spa treatments, activities, and dining. However, it cannot be applied to non refundable rates or advance purchases.
- Airline Fee Statement Credit
You can select an airline and you will then receive up to $250 of statement credit for airline incidentals each calendar year.
This includes spending by card authorized users. It can be applied to cancellation or change fees, lounge passes or checked bag fees.
- Hilton on Property Credit
When you book a minimum of a two night paid stay at Conrad or Waldorf Astoria property through the Hilton Honors website, you can receive up to a $100 property credit to cover incidentals that you incur during your stay.
- Reward Nights
You can receive one reward night at almost any Hilton location after you open your account. You will also receive another reward night on your cardmember anniversary every year.
There is the option for a second reward night if you hit the spend minimum of $60,000 on your card during the calendar year.
- Lower Point Values
Although there is a generous points rewards rate, it is important to note that Hilton Honors points have a lower value compared to most other reward programs.
For example, Hilton Honors points have a typical value of 0.6 cent each compared to World of Hyatt points which have a value of 1.7 to 2.8 cents each depending on the redemption method.
- High Annual Fee
While the card does have some very nice benefits, it has a hefty annual fee (the highest among Hilton cards) which casual Hilton visitors may struggle to offset.
Additionally, there is no fee waiver for the first year, so you will need to pay it from the offset.
- No Introductory APR
Unlike many cards on the market, there is no introductory APR with the Hilton Honors Amex, so the regular rate will apply from day one.
- Complimentary Priority Pass
You will also receive an unlimited Priority Pass which provides lounge access for yourself and up to two guests. If you have additional guests, they can enter the lounge with you for a fee, which is currently $32 per visit.
- Baggage Insurance
If you purchase your common carrier fare with your card, you’ll benefit from up to $3,000 of carry on and checked baggage insurance.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
When you make purchases outside the United States using your card, you won't be charged any foreign transaction fees.
Who Should Consider The Hilton Aspire Card?
As this is a co-branded credit card, the Hilton Honors Amex is best for those who have Hilton as their preferred hotel chain. If you have a few trips planned each year and will stay at Hilton properties, this card could be a good choice for you. With the automatic status, spending bonuses and statement credit, it could easily offset the fairly hefty annual fee.
The card could also be a good choice if you are struggling to achieve higher elite status simply with your Hilton stays. The card provides automatic Diamond status, which is the program’s top tier.
This level of status provides room guarantees, lounge access, premium WiFi, gifts, points bonus and room upgrades, which could provide great value if you’ve been lingering in silver or gold status in previous years.
If you do travel but still want to compare hotel cards, here's an overview:
Card | Rewards | Bonus | Annual Fee | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1X – 4X
4 bonus points per $1 spent for Hyatt stays and experiences including restaurants and spas, 2x for flights purchased directly from the airline, local transit, commuting, restaurants, fitness club, gym memberships and 1 bonus point per $1 spent on all other purchases
| 30,000 points
30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
| $95 | |||||
| 3X – 12X
Earn 12x Points on hotels & resorts at eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6x Points on dining at restaurants worldwide, and for takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 6x Points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 6x Points on gas at U.S. gas stations. Earn 3X Points on all other purchases | 130,000 points
130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership
| $95 | |||||
| 3X – 7X
7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
| 80,000 points
80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points and a Free Night Reward after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership
| $0 (  | 1x – 17X
up to 17X total Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, 3X on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining and 2X Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on all other purchases
| 5 Free Nights
5 Free Nights (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases
| $95 | ||
| 2X – 6X
6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
| 95,000 points
95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
| $650 |
How To Maximize Card Benefits: Tips
The card offers many benefits and rewards, so make sure you take advantage of them. There are some tips that can help you to get the most from it including:
-
Assess Your Preferred Airline Carefully
This card allows you to designate one airline and receive statement credit for incidentals that you incur with that airline. So, while this isn’t an airline co-branded card, it is important to think about which is your preferred airline.
-
Make the Most of Your Hotel Perks
You can also receive statement credit for incidentals that you incur when you stay at participating Hilton locations.
So, when you’re planning your stay, think about making the most of your hotel perks, as you can receive up to $250 of statement credit per year against these charges on your card.
-
Book Your Airfare, Bus or Train Tickets With Your Card
Although this is a hotel co-branded credit card, it is a good idea to book your common carrier tickets with your Hilton Honors Amex, as you will automatically qualify for up to $3,000 of baggage insurance for checked and carry on bags.
FAQs
How do I redeem rewards?
There are a number of options to redeem Hilton Honors points including merchandise, gift cards and room redemptions. You can also transfer your points to airline rewards programs with a typical redemption rate of 10:1.
If you want to use your points for an award stay, you can use the Point Explorer tool to calculate how many points you will need for your desired property.
You can explore all of the available redemption options by logging into your account.
How hard is it to get a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card?
You do need to have good to excellent credit for this card, but American Express does allow you to check if you are likely to qualify without impacting your credit, making the process easier.
When it may not be a good idea?
Since this is a co-branded card, it is only a good idea if you’re a regular visitor with the Hilton group. If you don’t have any brand loyalty to Hilton, there are other travel rewards cards that would offer greater value for you.
