Why I chose the Hilton Aspire as my first cobranded hotel card — and how I'll use the welcome bonus
I’m a big proponent of creating a spending strategy when applying for a new credit card. That way, I never miss out on a welcome bonus and don’t overspend trying to achieve one.
I’m also a fan of planning ahead, especially when it comes to how I’ll use my credit card rewards, whether they take the form of points, miles or cash back.
As such, when I decided to apply for my latest card, I opted for a cobranded hotel card that would best suit my needs as someone who isn’t particularly striving for hotel elite status within a major hotel loyalty program but wants to establish a stash of hotel points for future use.
After deliberating for several weeks, I applied for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Here’s why I chose it over several other great options and how I plan to use the hearty welcome bonus once I’ve earned it.
Related: How to maximize the Hilton Amex Aspire Card
Why I chose the Hilton Aspire as my first cobranded hotel card
As a premium card, the Hilton Aspire's annual fee is steep; this card will set you back $550 per cardmember year (see rates and fees). While there are other Hilton cobranded cards that offer lower annual fees, I felt that the perks, card benefits and elevated welcome bonus on the Hilton Aspire at the time outweighed its hefty annual fee.
I chose the Hilton Aspire as my newest card for two main reasons:
- Elevated welcome bonus: When I was looking for my next card, the Hilton Aspire featured an elevated welcome bonus that made it that much more enticing.
- Free night reward: In preparation for a family cruise, I've been researching Hilton properties to stay at the night before the cruise is set to depart. The annual free night reward that comes with the Hilton Aspire — on top of the welcome bonus that'll help cover the cost of additional rooms I need to book — was another big reason I ultimately went with this card.
Plus, there are a couple of other perks that come with being a Hilton Aspire cardholder, including earning 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent directly with Hilton hotels and resorts, complimentary Diamond status — which comes with valuable perks of its own — and up to $200 in statement credits semiannually (up to $400 back per year) on eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton resorts.
Related: Hilton Amex Aspire vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Battle of the top-tier hotel cards
Earning the welcome bonus on the Hilton Aspire card
I applied for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card when it offered a limited-time welcome bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 within the first six months of opening an account (which is the current offer).
At the time of publishing, I’m less than $2,000 away from hitting that minimum spend threshold needed to get the stash of bonus points. I did this by pivoting all of my everyday spending to my Hilton Aspire card. This includes flights, hotel reservations, grocery and dining expenses, fuel purchases and other miscellaneous expenses like online shopping and the occasional coffee shop stop.
How I’ll redeem the welcome bonus on my Hilton Aspire card
Once I decided to apply for the Hilton Aspire card, I mapped out my upcoming expenses to ensure I met the spending requirement within the six-month period. I also designated how I’ll use the welcome bonus once that stash of Hilton Honors points posts to my account.
My family is taking a 2024 to 2025 New Year’s Eve cruise that will include my grandparents, several cousins, aunts, uncles and other family members. Because we’ll be departing from Miami — and most of us live in the northeastern U.S. — we’ll be flying down to the Sunshine State one day before the ship sets sail.
I’ll need to book an overnight hotel stay for myself and another room for family members who will be flying down to Miami from New York.
Since the Hilton Aspire card comes with one free reward night at almost any Hilton property when you open your account and on each cardmember anniversary year, I plan to use the reward night to book one of the three rooms and use points from the hefty welcome bonus — in addition to points I’ve earned from my regular spending — to cover two additional rooms.
As of August 2024, dates for some Hilton properties near Miami International Airport (MIA) start at 60,000 points per night.
Related: Buy Hilton Honors points with 100% bonus to make your stay cheaper
Bottom line
I'll be able to get a ton of value from the Hilton Aspire, which is why it'll remain in my wallet — and as part of my points-earning strategy — for years. If you want a Hilton card but aren't ready to commit to the hefty $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) that comes with the Aspire card, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Business owners will also find value in the cobranded Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
If you're deciding what your next card should be, try starting with a game plan in mind to decide which card will best serve your needs — whether that’s trying to build up a reserve of transferable credit card points, airline miles or cash back or as part of planning for upcoming trips.
Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Do you want Gold or Diamond status?
Once you’ve chosen a card, consider asking around for a referral link from friends or colleagues or check out the CardMatch tool. There, you could be targeted for elevated welcome bonuses on some of the most popular cards on the market.
My current spending on the Hilton Aspire has netted me over 30,000 points and counting; by the time I meet the welcome bonus spend minimum, I’ll have more than 200,000 Hilton Honors points to work with for future travel plans.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors Aspire, click here
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.