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.
Valuable welcome offer
Currently, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card allows new cardmembers to earn 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
According to TPG's April 2026 valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth 0.4 cents each, making the welcome offer worth $700.
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, through American Express Travel or the Amex Travel App™, 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 1.2% return according to our 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, through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
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+ 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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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.