Is the Hilton Honors Aspire Amex Worth It?
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Written by
Adam Frankel
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium credit card that has a lofty $550 annual fee. However, cardholders get a free night award each year, good at just about any Hilton property, top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status without any stay requirements, and more. Here’s how to know if the Amex Hilton Aspire Card is worth it for you.
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Quick Verdict
If you want the finest Hilton experience money can buy, the Hilton Aspire Card is calling your name. Anyone willing to fork over that hefty fee can benefit from the rich array of benefits and perks. Notably, the top-tier Diamond status means upgrades to a suite when available, executive lounge access and a 48-hour room guarantee — even if the hotel is otherwise sold out.
The card’s annual free night award can be used at properties costing thousands of dollars, making the Hilton Aspire’s annual fee more like a discount coupon for those who prefer high-end properties. Other niceties include an annual $400 Hilton resort credit good at participating locations, available as two semi-annual $200 statement credits, and a host of other perks like up to $200 per year in credits toward flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel® (up to $50 per quarter) that can go a long way toward justifying the card’s cost.
It does require both some work to maximize the benefits as well as a willingness to pay the price. But if you’re loyal to Hilton and prefer luxury properties, this card is well worth the $550 fee.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card: At a Glance
- Annual fee: $550
- Welcome offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/14/2026.
- Rewards structure: Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants. Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
- Statement credits and perks: Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, up to $400 annual resort credit (up to $200 semi-annually), annual free night award, up to $200 annual flight credit (up to $50 in quarterly credits), up to $209 annual CLEAR® Plus credit, $100 property credit when you stay two nights or more at participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad resorts
- Estimated value: At least $1,400, depending on the benefits you use
Who Should Consider the Hilton Honors Aspire?
The Hilton Aspire Card is ideal for Hilton loyalists (or those who don’t mind becoming one) who want to travel in style and can appreciate the benefits of the card’s Diamond elite status. The ability to get potential upgrades to suites and access to the executive lounge at hotels that have them can greatly enhance anyone’s time under a Hilton roof. Additionally, the card’s up to $400 resort credit as two semi-annual $200 credits can mean a treat-yourself experience at the spa, shop or splurge meal two times a year.
If you can remember to use the $50 quarterly airline credits, enroll in the CLEAR Plus credit and take advantage of the $100 property credit at participating Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels and Resorts, the card’s perks can easily outweigh the annual fee.
Who Should Skip the Hilton Honors Aspire?
The Hilton Aspire Card won’t be the best choice for all travelers. Anyone who doesn’t want to be tied to just Hilton properties when they travel will be better off with a flexible travel credit card that allows redemptions for a wider variety of options. And even those who do have an affinity for Hilton but prefer more value or mid-range lodging would probably be better off with a different Hilton card that has a lower annual fee, such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($150 annual fee) or Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0 annual fee).
In addition, if the Hilton resort properties eligible for the $200 semi-annual credits or the Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties eligible for a $100 credit don’t align with how or where you travel, this card may not be for you. It’s also worth noting that the Hilton Aspire, unlike many others in this price range, does not offer any airport lounge access.
How To Maximize the Hilton Honors Aspire’s Value
Request a Room Upgrade on Every Stay
You may not always get one, but it’s free to ask for an upgrade, and as a Diamond member, if the hotel has one available, you might be in luck. Nothing feels as luxurious as getting upgraded from a standard room to a suite, without an extra outlay on your end.
Make the Most of the Free Night Award
The annual free night award is arguably one of the most valuable perks of the Hilton Aspire, and far more generous than the free night certificates offered by other hotel credit cards. You can redeem it for just about any standard room, at any time of the year (there are a few exceptions, mostly Hilton Vacation Club properties — see the full list of exclusions here). As an example of just how valuable this certificate can be, the price for a standard room at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal on Mexico’s west coast in December 2025 can cost anywhere from $1,300 to over $4,000 per night. Use the certificate to cover one of those nights, and it easily dwarfs the Hilton Aspire Card’s annual fee.
Use the $400 Resort Credit
Although this credit can be tough to fully utilize since it’s doled out in $200 increments, if you can find a property that fits your needs, it’s a great way to upgrade your stay. Treat yourself to the spa, order the seafood tower at dinner or go for it and get that overpriced room service. If you can stay at least twice a year with eligible properties, the combined credits are sure to make your stay feel more luxe.
Don’t Overlook the Airline Credits
Remembering to use the up to $50 airline credit each quarter can be a bit cumbersome, but if you’re traveling enough to consider getting a hotel credit card, you’re likely on a plane at least occasionally. You can use that credit to cover airfare booked directly with an airline or through amextravel.com, so don’t let it go to waste.
Final Verdict on the Amex Hilton Honors Aspire
If your travel style leans towards luxe, the Hilton Aspire Card will unlock opportunities to give you an elevated experience. The included Diamond status can kick your stay into high gear from the moment you arrive, and the card’s credits and additional benefits can cement the experience if you can use them. If you can maximize the annual free night award, that alone can justify the annual fee.
If your travel tastes are more modest or you just can’t stomach the idea of paying a high annual fee for a card and then having to track the benefits to get your money’s worth, another Hilton card will likely be a better fit.
The information related to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Card was collected by CardCritics™ and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardCritics™ does not receive a commission for this product.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Amex Hilton Honors
Aspire Card
Does the Hilton Honors Aspire Card offer airport lounge access?
No, the Hilton Aspire Card comes with many perks, but airport lounge access is not one of them.
What is Hilton’s fifth night free policy?
Hilton Honors members at the Silver tier or higher can get a fifth night free on standard room rewards bookings of four consecutive nights or more. You can only book the nights with points and not a combination of points and money, or combining points with a free night award.
Can I use the Hilton Aspire’s free night award certificate anywhere?
The Hilton Aspire’s annual free night award certificate can be used almost anywhere in the Hilton portfolio on any night that a standard room is available, with a few exceptions.
Is the Hilton Honors Aspire a good card?
Whether or not the Hilton Aspire Card is a good card will depend on the user. The card is a terrific option for Hilton loyalists who want benefits and high rewards rates on every stay and can make use of at least some of the perks. If you’re a budget traveler or you want travel rewards that can be used at more than just one brand, this card will not be a good choice for you.
Where can I use the Hilton Aspire Card’s resort credit?
You can use the up to $400 Hilton resort credit (up to $200 from January to June and up to $200 from July to December) at qualifying resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Here’s a full list of eligible properties.
