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3. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card review: Lots of luxury, but not for everyone

0 reviews from Intuit Credit Karma members

 

Rating: out of 5.

Annual Fee: $550

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $15,994, with $1,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 730, with 816 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

Member stats

Updated daily

22.9%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

44 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$118,849

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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An eye-popping welcome bonus

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More points for Hilton stays

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Travel credits worth hundreds of dollars

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Points aren’t worth much

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Steep $450 annual fee

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Hoops to jump through for travel credits

6 things to know about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

1. Hilton will make your hotel stay more comfortable

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes complimentary Diamond status, which pays off when you stay at Hilton hotels.

With Diamond status, Hilton will pamper you with space-available room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, access to executive lounges and other amenities.

For regular travelers, this automatic status may be the most valuable feature of the card.

2. Hilton’s welcome bonus isn’t worth as much as it seems

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases during the first three months after your account is approved. That’s more points than many travel cards offer from their sign-up bonuses.

But the estimated value of the welcome bonus will bring you back down to earth. Because Hilton Honors points are worth relatively little, according to Credit Karma’s point valuations as of summer 2022, the estimated $720 welcome bonus is actually worth less than bonuses offered by some other hotel credit cards.

3. Hilton is still generous with its points

You could score a boatload of points when you use your card to stay at a Hilton hotel.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card gives you 14 points for every $1 you spend in eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts. But the complimentary Diamond status also allows you to earn another 20 points for every $1 you spend on hotel stays at Hilton.

Yes, you read that right. You can earn a total 34 points for every $1 you spend on hotel stays at Hilton.

You’ll also receive seven points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through the American Express travel portal, rental cars booked directly through select companies, and at U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn you three points per $1.

Although the value of each individual point is low, the sheer number you can earn for Hilton stays could help you build up your balance fast.

4. The weekend-night rewards come with restrictions

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card features one nightly reward each year just for being a cardholder. If you spend at least $60,000 on purchases in a calendar year, you can earn a second nightly reward from Hilton.

It’s worth pointing out that Hilton blocks certain properties from accepting these rewards.

5. The travel credits can be difficult to qualify for

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a handful of travel credits, but it can be difficult to take full advantage of these promotions.

You could receive as much as …

• $250 each year to spend at Hilton resorts. But the credit won’t apply at just any Hilton hotel. It has to qualify as one of its eligible resorts.
• $100 property credit that can only be used on incidental charges (costs like spas and restaurants, but not the room itself) during stays of at least two nights at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts booked through Hilton. You can use this perk during each stay at one of these hotels, but it won’t apply to other Hilton brands.
• $250 each year to pay for incidental charges (like baggage fees or ordering food and drinks onboard) on an airline of your choice. But you’re limited to using it on just that one particular airline, and it won’t cover the cost of your airline ticket or an upgrade to a better seat.

6. The annual fee might be too much for all but the most loyal customers

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with a sizable $450 annual fee.

To put that in perspective, the amount of money you pay for the annual fee could be enough to book two or three nights at certain Hilton hotels.

Understanding your points and redemption options

Hilton Honors™ points are worth far less than the industry standard. According to Credit Karma’s point valuations, Hilton Honors points are worth only 0.48 cents each when booked for hotel stays.

But that doesn’t mean they’re completely worthless. Considering how many points you could earn from the welcome bonus and Hilton stays, your points could still help you save money on a future hotel stay.

You can redeem points for Hilton stays, flights, cruises, train rides, car rentals, music concerts, sporting events, culinary experiences and donations to a charity of your choice.

Who this card is good for

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is best for luxury travelers who book regular stays at Hilton hotels. The hotel award nights you could earn are a nice perk, but the real benefit of this card is the luxury experience you can get from Hilton. Thanks to the complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, you can pamper yourself with free room upgrades, and access to executive lounges. The travel credits won’t hurt, either.

Unless you stay at Hilton on a regular basis, though, you might have a difficult time getting enough rewards from the card to justify the $450 annual fee. Although it offers plenty of potential value, not everyone will be able to tap into all of it.

Not sure this card is right for you? Consider these alternatives.

If the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card doesn’t sound like a match for you, take a look at one of these other hotel credit cards instead.

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is good for travelers who are loyal to Hilton but stay at hotels less often. Read our take on the best Hilton credit cards for more info.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: This card offers benefits for business travelers who stay at Hilton. Take a look at the best business credit cards for travel for more.
• Platinum Card® from American Express: This card is a good option for luxury travelers who want more than hotel rewards.