While this is not the go-to card that I reach for in my wallet, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card easily pays for itself. Year after year, I have been singing this card's praises to fellow employees. Despite the $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), I still find value in the card's benefits, like the annual free night award, Diamond elite status and statement credits.
Although I stay at Hilton properties only a few times a year, here are four reasons why I keep this cobranded credit card, despite the costly annual fee.
Annual free night certificate
My favorite benefit of holding the Aspire card is the annual free night certificate. This certificate allows you to book a standard award room at almost any Hilton property worldwide. Therefore, the value of this perk can easily exceed $1,000 if you choose to redeem your free night award at one of Hilton's top luxury properties.
For example, I stayed at the uberluxurious Conrad Tokyo, where the nightly room rate was more than $1,100. Thanks to my Aspire card, I redeemed my annual free night certificate at this property, allowing me to save significantly on my out-of-pocket costs.
I've also previously used this award voucher at the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel; the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago; and other Hilton properties.
Related: Is the Hilton Aspire Amex card worth the annual fee?
If you hold the Hilton Aspire card, you'll receive one free night certificate upon account opening, and then every cardmember anniversary year. Plus, if you frequently spend on your Hilton cobranded card, you could earn a second free night certificate after spending $30,000 and a third night if you spend $60,000 in a calendar year.
Though I don't spend enough on my card to earn two additional award certificates, earning just one is still a major perk.
Up to $400 in annual Hilton resorts statement credits
One of the more cost-effective features of the Aspire card is the up to $400 in annual Hilton resort statement credits. You get two (up to) $200 biannual statement credits when you make eligible purchases with participating Hilton resort properties.
The only catch? There is a limited selection of Hilton resorts where you can use the credit. However, if you plan accordingly, you can save a nice chunk of change and turn your Hilton resort stay into an all-inclusive experience.
This statement credit can be applied to dining, activities, spa treatments and more.
In the past few years, I have used my statement credits at various locations, including the Hilton Tangier Al Houara in Morocco, Resorts World Las Vegas, Rome Cavalieri, Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.
Redeeming this biannual statement credit has saved hundreds while staying at Hilton properties.
Hilton Honors Diamond status
Simply by holding the Aspire card, you receive Hilton Diamond status. That comes with valuable perks like room upgrades (when available), access to executive lounges at select properties (like the Conrad Seoul), a 100% bonus on base points earned from stays, and a daily food-and-beverage credit at U.S.-based hotels (varies by brand) or continental breakfast abroad.
Though I haven't had a lot of luck getting upgraded to suites during my Hilton stays, I have been assigned bigger rooms on higher floors with better views.
While Diamond will no longer be the official top-tier Hilton status beginning in 2026, it remains highly valuable.
Related: Hilton confirms new Diamond Reserve tier and Confirmable Upgrade Rewards
Airline fee credits
With the Hilton Aspire card, you'll receive up to $200 in annual airline fee credits each calendar year (up to $50 each calendar quarter). Therefore, each quarter, I ensure that I purchase an airline ticket or use my Aspire card to pay for an upgrade or seat assignment. Why?
The Aspire card gives you up to a $50 statement credit every quarter when you use it to pay for airfare or incidental airline fees purchased directly from an airline, through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
This year, I received the quarterly statement credit by purchasing affordable upgrades on American Airlines.
If you want to save even more money, the credit could also be applied to the taxes and fees incurred when booking award redemptions.
Bottom line
Though I don't use it for everyday spending, I'm a big fan of the Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card. Every year, I maximize the statement credits and free night certificates to save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. In 2025 alone, based on my conservative calculations, I've already gotten $1,700 in value out of my Aspire card credits.
Hilton Diamond status is also nothing to sneeze at, and the earning rates on Hilton hotels and airfare purchases are a noteworthy perk.
I don't spend a lot on my Aspire card, but when I do, the points add up quickly. This year, despite putting very little spending on the Aspire card, I've racked up 13,524 Hilton Honors points. Most of those points have come from airline and hotel spending.
This does not even take into account the current welcome offer. New applicants for the Hilton Amex Aspire Card can earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Overall, despite the annual fee, I've been able to get double, if not triple, the return in value from holding this card.
Related reading
- Ultimate guide to the Hilton Honors loyalty program
- How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
- Hilton Honors elite status: What it is and how to earn it
For rates and fees of the Hilton Aspire Card, click here.
