4 causes I hold the Hilton Aspire card (although I not often use it)

Whereas this isn’t the go-to card that I attain for in my pockets, the Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card simply pays for itself. Yr after 12 months, I’ve been singing this card’s praises to fellow workers. Regardless of the $550 annual charge (see charges and charges), I nonetheless discover worth within the card’s advantages, just like the annual free evening award, Diamond elite standing and assertion credit.

Though I keep at Hilton properties just a few occasions a 12 months, listed below are 4 the explanation why I hold this cobranded bank card, regardless of the expensive annual charge.

Annual free evening certificates

My favourite good thing about holding the Aspire card is the annual free evening certificates. This certificates permits you to e-book an ordinary award room at nearly any Hilton property worldwide. Due to this fact, the worth of this perk can simply exceed $1,000 in case you select to redeem your free evening award at considered one of Hilton’s prime luxurious properties.

For instance, I stayed on the uberluxurious Conrad Tokyo, the place the nightly room price was greater than $1,100. Because of my Aspire card, I redeemed my annual free evening certificates at this property, permitting me to save lots of considerably on my out-of-pocket prices.

I’ve additionally beforehand used this award voucher on the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort; the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago; and different Hilton properties.

Associated: Is the Hilton Aspire Amex card well worth the annual charge?

Should you maintain the Hilton Aspire card, you may obtain one free evening certificates upon account opening, after which each cardmember anniversary 12 months. Plus, in case you steadily spend in your Hilton cobranded card, you possibly can earn a second free evening certificates after spending $30,000 and a 3rd evening in case you spend $60,000 in a calendar 12 months.

Although I do not spend sufficient on my card to earn two extra award certificates, incomes only one remains to be a serious perk.

As much as $400 in annual Hilton resorts assertion credit

One of many less expensive options of the Aspire card is the as much as $400 in annual Hilton resort assertion credit. You get two (as much as) $200 biannual assertion credit once you make eligible purchases with taking part Hilton resort properties.

The one catch? There’s a restricted collection of Hilton resorts the place you need to use the credit score. Nonetheless, in case you plan accordingly, it can save you a pleasant chunk of change and switch your Hilton resort keep into an all-inclusive expertise.

This assertion credit score will be utilized to eating, actions, spa remedies and extra.

Up to now few years, I’ve used my assertion credit at varied places, together with the Hilton Tangier Al Houara in Morocco, Resorts World Las Vegas, Rome Cavalieri, Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Seaside Resort.

Redeeming this biannual assertion credit score has saved a whole bunch whereas staying at Hilton properties.

Hilton Honors Diamond standing

Just by holding the Aspire card, you obtain Hilton Diamond standing. That comes with worthwhile perks like room upgrades (when obtainable), entry to govt lounges at choose properties (just like the Conrad Seoul), a 100% bonus on base factors earned from stays, and a every day food-and-beverage credit score at U.S.-based motels (varies by model) or continental breakfast overseas.

Although I have not had plenty of luck getting upgraded to suites throughout my Hilton stays, I’ve been assigned greater rooms on greater flooring with higher views.

Whereas Diamond will now not be the official top-tier Hilton standing starting in 2026, it stays extremely worthwhile.

Associated: Hilton confirms new Diamond Reserve tier and Confirmable Improve Rewards

Airline charge credit

With the Hilton Aspire card, you may obtain as much as $200 in annual airline charge credit every calendar 12 months (as much as $50 every calendar quarter). Due to this fact, every quarter, I be certain that I buy an airline ticket or use my Aspire card to pay for an improve or seat task. Why?

The Aspire card offers you as much as a $50 assertion credit score each quarter once you use it to pay for airfare or incidental airline charges bought instantly from an airline or by means of AmexTravel.com.

This 12 months, I acquired the quarterly assertion credit score by buying inexpensive upgrades on American Airways.

If you wish to save much more cash, the credit score is also utilized to the taxes and charges incurred when reserving award redemptions.

Backside line

Although I do not use it for on a regular basis spending, I am a giant fan of the Hilton Honors Aspire American Categorical Card. Yearly, I maximize the assertion credit and free evening certificates to save lots of a whole bunch (if not 1000’s) of {dollars}. In 2025 alone, primarily based on my conservative calculations, I’ve already gotten $1,700 in worth out of my Aspire card credit.

Hilton Diamond standing can be nothing to sneeze at, and the incomes charges on Hilton motels and airfare purchases are a noteworthy perk.

I do not spend loads on my Aspire card, however once I do, the factors add up shortly. This 12 months, regardless of placing little or no spending on the Aspire card, I’ve racked up 13,524 Hilton Honors factors. Most of these factors have come from airline and resort spending.

This doesn’t even take note of the present welcome provide. New candidates for the Hilton Amex Aspire Card can earn 175,000 factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. Supply ends Jan. 14, 2026.

General, regardless of the annual charge, I have been capable of get double, if not triple, the return in worth from holding this card.

Apply right here: Hilton Honors American Categorical Aspire Card

Associated studying

For charges and charges of the Hilton Aspire Card, click on right here.