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  3. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
American ExpressHilton HonorsEditorially reviewed

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The premium Hilton Honors co-branded card from American Express, offering top-tier Hilton Honors points earning, complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, resort and airline statement credits, and Priority Pass lounge access.

LuxuryPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: excellent

Annual Fee

$550

Top Earning Rate

14x pts hilton hotels & resorts purchases

Foreign Tx Fee

None

Rating

N/A

Current Welcome Offer

150,000 points

$900 estimated value

Spend $4,000 in 90 days

issuer page
Apply NowCompare This CardBrowse all cards

Card Offers

public

150,000 points

$900 estimated value

Spend $4,000 in 90 days

issuer page

Earning Rates

Hilton Hotels & Resorts purchases
14xpoints

Purchases made directly at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio

Car rentals booked directly with rental companies
7xpoints

Car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies

Flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
7xpoints

Flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com

U.S. restaurants
7xpoints

Purchases at restaurants located in the United States

All other eligible purchases
3xpoints

All other purchases that qualify for Hilton Honors points

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, the program's top elite tier, is included simply for holding the card
  • Up to $600 in annual statement credits across Hilton Resorts ($400) and flights ($200) can substantially offset the $550 annual fee
  • 14 points per dollar at Hilton properties is among the highest earning rates available on any co-branded hotel card
  • Annual Free Night Reward certificate adds meaningful value for cardholders who take at least one Hilton stay per year
  • Priority Pass Select membership provides access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide

Cons

  • The $550 annual fee is high and not waived the first year, requiring immediate value extraction
  • The $400 Hilton Resort credit is split semi-annually and restricted to Resort properties, limiting flexibility
  • Earning rates outside Hilton and travel categories drop sharply to 3 points per dollar, making the card less competitive for everyday spending
  • Hilton Honors points generally have a lower per-point value than transferable points currencies, reducing redemption flexibility
  • Car rental insurance is secondary, not primary, meaning personal auto insurance must be exhausted first

Key Takeaways

  • Complimentary Diamond status is the card's most powerful perk, unlocking Hilton's highest-tier elite benefits automatically
  • The combined $600 in annual statement credits (resort + flight) and one Free Night Reward can make the $550 fee net-positive for active Hilton travelers
  • The $400 resort credit is divided into two $200 semi-annual windows and does not roll over, so timing purchases matters
  • Earning power is strongest within the Hilton ecosystem and on flights, car rentals, and U.S. dining; everyday spending earns only 3x
  • Priority Pass Select lounge access and no foreign transaction fees round out a strong international travel package

Fees

Fee TypeAmount
Annual Fee$550
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
20.99% - 29.99%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

10 benefits (7 strong or better)

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Statement Credits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

Up to $100 On-Property Credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Hotels

Many cardholders overlook that a two-night stay at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad property booked with the card generates up to $100 in on-property credits per stay. For luxury travelers who visit these brands even once a year, this adds meaningful incremental value beyond the headline credits.

Trip Delay Insurance Up to $500

The card includes primary trip delay insurance that reimburses reasonable expenses like meals and lodging when an eligible flight is delayed more than 6 hours. This benefit is easy to overlook on a hotel co-branded card but can provide real financial protection during travel disruptions.

Baggage Insurance Plan with Strong Carry-On Coverage

Carry-on bags are covered up to $3,000 per person when the fare is paid with the card, which is notably higher than many competing cards. Travelers with valuable carry-on items benefit from this protection without needing to purchase separate coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the annual fee for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card?
The annual fee is $550. Unlike some premium cards, the fee is not waived for the first year, so it is charged upon account opening.
What welcome offer is currently available on the Aspire Card?
New cardholders can earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of card membership. This bonus is estimated to be worth approximately $900.
What Hilton elite status does the Aspire Card provide?
The card automatically grants complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, the highest tier in the Hilton Honors program. Diamond status includes perks like complimentary breakfast or credit, room upgrades, executive lounge access, and 100% bonus points on stays. Status is tied to active card membership and is lost if you cancel the card and do not independently qualify.
How does the $400 Hilton Resort statement credit work?
The $400 annual Hilton Resort credit is split into two semi-annual periods of $200 each, one for the first half of the year and one for the second half. Only eligible purchases at Hilton Resort properties qualify; not all Hilton properties are included. Unused credits from each semi-annual period do not roll over.
How does the $200 flight credit work?
Cardholders receive up to $200 back per year as statement credits on eligible flight purchases. Flights must be booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com to qualify; bookings made through other third-party travel agencies will not trigger the credit.
What is the Hilton On-Property Credit benefit?
Cardholders receive up to $100 in on-property credits per stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts and Conrad Hotels and Resorts. To qualify, you must book a minimum two-night stay using the Aspire Card, and the booking must be made directly rather than through a third party.
Does the Aspire Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States. Note that dynamic currency conversion fees applied by foreign merchants are separate and are not covered by this benefit.
What airport lounge access does the card offer?
The card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Enrollment in Priority Pass is required before you can use this benefit, so it is important to enroll before your first trip.
What credit score is needed to apply for the Aspire Card?
American Express targets applicants with excellent credit for this card. A strong credit history and high credit score are generally expected to be approved.
What is the Free Night Reward benefit and how does it work?
Each card anniversary year, cardholders receive one Free Night Reward certificate valid at properties across the Hilton portfolio. The certificate has an expiration date and must be used within one year of issuance, so it is important to plan accordingly to avoid losing its value.

About This Card

The Aspire Card is best for frequent Hilton loyalists who regularly stay at Hilton Resorts and Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties and can realistically use the annual statement credits and Free Night Reward to justify the $550 fee.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the top-tier co-branded Hilton credit card issued by American Express. Cardmembers earn elevated Hilton Honors points on Hilton purchases, flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, car rentals, U.S. restaurants, and all other eligible purchases. The card includes complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond elite status, up to $400 in Hilton Resort Statement Credits annually, up to $200 in Flight Credits annually, up to $100 in On-Property Credits per stay at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties, a Free Night Reward each year, Priority Pass Select lounge membership, and no foreign transaction fees. The $550 annual fee is not waived the first year.

The Aspire Card stands out by bundling automatic top-tier Diamond status, up to $600 in targeted annual credits, and a Free Night Reward into a single co-branded card, a combination that is unmatched among Hilton-branded products.

Ready to Decide?

Apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

150,000 points, worth about $900 estimated value, with a $550 annual fee.

Spend $4,000 in 90 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

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Reward Program

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Earns Points

Learn more

Card Categories

TravelHotelLuxuryTravel RewardsHilton

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

Card details are collected by automated crawlers from official issuer pages, then verified by editorial review.

Last updated: Apr 16, 2026

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 7 of 10 benefits rated high confidence
  • 0 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

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