Is the Hilton Aspire Amex card worth the annual fee?
Editor's Note
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a hefty $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). However, it is well worth it thanks to its offering of Hilton Honors elite status, statement credits and impressive earning rates.
The most valuable benefit of the Aspire is complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, which provides bonus points on hotel stays, free breakfast, room upgrades and executive lounge access.
Let's examine the specifics of the Hilton Aspire Amex and what makes it worth the annual fee.
Impressive welcome offer
Currently, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is offering 150,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership.
According to TPG's June 2025 valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth 0.5 cents each, making the welcome offer worth $750.
Related: Choosing the best Hilton credit card
Strong earning rates
As Hilton loyalists, Hilton Amex Aspire cardmembers are sure to see their Hilton Honors point balances skyrocket with impressive earning rates.
The card offers 14 points per dollar on purchases made with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Charges include hotel stays and incidentals charged to the room bill.
Cardmembers also earn 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked with specific car rental companies and purchases at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery).
And all other purchases earn 3 points per dollar spent.
As a card meant for Hilton loyalists, it offers a great earning rate when staying at Hilton properties. However, the card falls short for everyday purchases, netting just a 1.5% return according to our February 2025 valuations. A traditional cash-back card will get you better value on everyday purchases.
Related: The best credit cards for everyday spending
Elite status
The biggest factor in whether the Hilton Amex Aspire is worth it is elite status. Cardmembers receive complimentary Diamond status with Hilton, which comes with a host of perks.
Diamond elite status offers 100% bonus points on all Hilton stays, so an extra 10 points per dollar, a remarkable return on a benefit provided to cardmembers.
Diamond elite members also receive complimentary upgrades on rooms, including suites, based on availability, along with breakfast or a food and beverage credit. And they also enjoy executive lounge access at applicable properties.
Based on the comprehensive benefits of Hilton Diamond elite status alone, the $550 annual fee may be worth paying for benefits that'll elevate your hotel stay experience.
Related: How to maximize the Hilton Amex Aspire
Statement credits
Cardmembers receive up to $400 in statement credits each calendar year for eligible purchases at eligible Hilton resorts. This credit is split into two $200 statement credits: January to June and July to December. The statement credit will be applied toward dining, activities, spa treatments and, even more useful, room rates and taxes.
Cardmembers also receive up to $200 in annual airline purchase statement credits, split into $50 each calendar quarter, for airfare purchased directly from an airline or through AmexTravel.com.
Additionally, cardmembers receive up to $100 Hilton property credit when booking at least a two-night paid stay at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com or by calling 855-292-5757.
Along with travel credits, the Aspire also provides a statement credit of up to $209 a year toward a Clear Plus® membership (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal). Clear is an expedited security program available at more than 50 U.S. airports, stadiums and large venues. If TSA PreCheck lines are long or closed, Clear members can use dedicated security lanes with their kiosks to clear airport security.
Related: 6 reasons to get the Hilton Amex Aspire
Other benefits
Hilton Amex Aspire cardmembers can receive up to three free night awards each year.
The first free night reward is given after opening an account and on the cardmember anniversary each year, with the ability to earn a second-night and third-night reward when spending $30,000 and $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, respectively.
TPG contributing editor Matt Moffitt often uses his free night rewards to stay at luxury properties when he visits New York City, a market with traditionally very high cash prices.
The Aspire provides complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after enrollment in the Emerald Club program (terms apply) and travel protections, including trip delay, cancellation and interruption insurance.*
Cardmembers also receive cellphone protection,* with a maximum reimbursement of $800 per claim for the repair or theft of a device when the wireless bill for the specific cellphone line is paid using the Aspire card. There's a limit of two approved claims every 12 months, with a $50 deductible each time.
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Bottom line
The Aspire deserves a place in your wallet if you're a Hilton loyalist who frequently stays at Hilton portfolio properties. You'll receive elite-status benefits, a high earning rate with Hilton and useful statement credits.
However, for those who stay at Hilton properties less frequently, the mid-tier Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or a general travel rewards credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) would be a better fit.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
For rates and fees of the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire, click here.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees