Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Last Updated: 09/08/2026

Rating
3.7 / 5
Sign Up Bonus
150,000 Honors Points
Annual Fee
$550
Credit Score
Good

Summary

09/07/2026: Welcome offer has been lowered to 150K Points

03/12/2026: New welcome offer is 175K Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Offer is set to end 04/15/2026

Sign-Up Bonus
3
Spending Multipliers
4.5
Credits & Features
3
Fees
2
Application
5
Issuer
4.5

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a premium hotel credit card built for loyal guests of Hilton who want automatic elite status and luxury travel perks. Although the annual fee is not waived in the first year, frequent Hilton travelers can offset much of the cost through valuable, albeit highly Hilton-focused, credits—including up to $200 in semi-annual Hilton resort credits, $50 quarterly flight credits, a $209 CLEAR® Plus credit, and a $100 on-property credit at participating hotels—along with a free night reward and complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status. Cardholders also benefit from no foreign transaction fees, free authorized users, cell phone protection (up to $800 per claim), return and purchase protections, extended warranty coverage, National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, and strong travel insurance protections such as trip delay and trip cancellation coverage. However, many credits are issued incrementally, bonus 7x earnings on dining are limited to U.S. restaurants, and Hilton points are typically valued around 0.5 cents each, making this card best suited for high-frequency Hilton guests who consistently stay at Hilton properties and can fully maximize its elite benefits and statement credits rather than occasional hotel travelers.

Pros

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Lots of credits to offset the annual fee
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No fee for additional cardholders
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No foreign transaction fee
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Cell phone protection up to $800 per claim
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Return protection up to $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year
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Purchase protection up to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year
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Extended warranty up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year

Cons

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Welcome offer may not be available to all applicants
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Annual fee not waived in the first year
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Credits may not offset annual fee as they are closely coupled to Hilton
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Lots of credits are paid incrementally throughout the year
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7x spend on dining is limited to US based restaurants only
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Points are worth about 0.5 cents per point

Issuer

American Express, founded in 1850, has evolved from a freight forwarding company to the largest global payment network. Known for its charge card introduced in the 1950s, American Express operates as one of the largest banks in the US, extending its products and services to over 200 countries and owning the 4th largest card network globally, making it one of the largest bank in the US. Beyond its renowned card offerings, American Express provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including savings, checking, personal loans, as well as business and travel services. Although primarily targeting affluent individuals and businesses, recent efforts focus on attracting Millennials and Gen Z customers. With a strong emphasis on technology and a user-friendly website, the company ensures accessibility to its diverse offerings. Despite its financial stability, with over $298 billion in assets and $80 billion in annual revenue in 2025, some businesses may decline American Express cards due to high interchange fees. Additionally, the company's strategic partnerships, including co-branded cards with Delta, Hilton, and Marriott, contribute to its revenue streams. However, American Express is committed to ESG initiatives, philanthropy, and regulatory compliance, offering FDIC-insured deposits and upholding a mission to provide the world's best customer experience while supporting equitable and resilient communities globally.

Spending Multipliers

14x

Points on Hilton hotels & resorts

7x

Points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel

7x

Points on car rental booked directly with car rental companies

7x

Points on US dining

3x

Points on all other purchases

Credits & Features

$200 semi-annual Hilton resort credit
$50 quarterly credit for flights
$219 CLEAR Plus credit
$100 Hilton on-property credit at participating properties
Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status
Free night reward
Global dinning access by Resy
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status
Car rental loss and damage insurance
Baggage insurance
Trip delay insurance up to $500 per trip
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per 12 months

Application

  • Welcome offer can only be received once in a lifetime
  • Opening this might card effects your welcome offer eligibility on other cards in the same family
  • Number of hard pull are usually irrelevant for American Express
  • Consider having at least a credit history for 6 months and avoid applying to different cards in the same card family for at least 90 days
  • American Express limits customers to 5 credit cards

Fees

  • $550 Annual Fee
  • No Foreign Transaction Fee
  • Up to $40 late fee
  • Up to $40 return payment fee
  • 19.49% - 28.49% Variable APR
  • 28.74% APR for Cash Advance
  • $10 or 5% of each cash advance amount (whichever is greater)
See Full and Updated Rate & Fee Schedule During Application Process