Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
For travelers who stay at Hilton brands often enough to use the credits. Diamond status, Hilton's highest published tier, comes with the card. Earning runs 14X at Hilton, 7X on eligible flights, select car rentals and U.S. restaurants. The $550 annual fee only makes sense if the resort credits, flight credits and the annual Free Night Reward get used.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Hilton Honors Diamond status with a 100% bonus on base points on stays
- Annual Free Night Reward at card opening and each renewal, with more at $30,000 and $60,000 in yearly spending
- Up to $400 per year in Hilton Resorts statement credits
- Up to $200 per year in flight credits and a CLEAR Plus credit of up to $219 per year
- $100 property credit on eligible two-night stays at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage insurance and cell phone protection
- Annual fee: $550
- Regular purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You stay at Hilton resorts and can use $400 in resort credits plus the Free Night Reward
- You want Diamond status from a card instead of from stay requirements
- Your flights and dining earn 7X while Hilton stays earn 14X
- You should skip it if your Hilton stays are rare; the $550 fee needs the credits used
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Review
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the most complete card Hilton offers. This review adds up the credits, the annual Free Night Reward and Diamond status against the $550 annual fee.
How You Earn
The Aspire earns the highest Hilton rate on the market, and Diamond status doubles base points on stays on top of it.
- Flight earning applies to direct airline and AmexTravel.com bookings
- Car rental earning applies to select companies
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Hilton hotels and resorts | 14X |
| Flights, direct or AmexTravel.com | 7X |
| Select car rentals | 7X |
| U.S. restaurants | 7X |
| Other eligible purchases | 3X |
How You Redeem
The annual Free Night Reward and Hilton point redemptions do the heavy lifting on this card.
- Annual Free Night Reward arrives at opening and each renewal
- Extra Free Night Rewards unlock at $30,000 and $60,000 in yearly spending
- Points book standard room reward nights across the Hilton portfolio
Benefits and Protections
Credits arrive on a schedule: resort credits semiannually, flight credits quarterly, CLEAR Plus yearly.
- Up to $200 semiannual Hilton Resorts credit, $400 per year
- Up to $50 quarterly flight credit, $200 per year
- CLEAR Plus membership credit up to $219 per year
- Cell phone protection, trip cancellation and baggage insurance
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, enrollment required
Who This Card Is For
This card is for the traveler already spending on Hilton resorts and flights every year. Used fully, the credits and the Free Night Reward can return more than the $550 fee. Left unused, the fee stands.
- Frequent Hilton and resort guests
- Travelers who value automatic Diamond status
- Not for travelers with rare or unpredictable Hilton stays
Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $550 | $650 | $95 |
| Welcome Offer | 150,000 pts after $6,000 in 6 months | 150,000 pts plus $250 credit, ends 09/30/2026 | 4 Free Night Awards after $3,000 in 3 months |
| Rewards Rate | 14X Hilton, 7X flights and dining | 6X Marriott, 3X dining and flights | Up to 17X at Marriott hotels |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | Hilton luxury stays | Marriott luxury perks | Marriott free nights |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $550 | $150 | $650 |
| Welcome Offer | 150,000 pts after $6,000 in 6 months | 130,000 pts after $3,000 in 6 months | 150,000 pts plus $250 credit, ends 09/30/2026 |
| Rewards Rate | 14X Hilton, 7X flights and dining | 12X Hilton, 6X everyday categories | 6X Marriott, 3X dining and flights |
| Key Credits | $400 resort, $200 flight, $219 CLEAR | Up to $200 Hilton credit per year | $300 dining, $100 property credit |
| Best For | Hilton luxury travel | Everyday Hilton earning | Marriott luxury travel |
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Reader reports, not issuer data. Not a prediction of your result. Ranges only, reviewed before publishing.