Hilton Honors Aspire Card Review (2025): Benefits, Rewards & Value
A premium hotel card with top-tier Hilton status and valuable travel credits.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card Guide
A premium hotel card with top-tier Hilton status and valuable travel credits.
ANNUAL FEE
$450
WELCOME BONUS
150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
POINTS VALUE
~0.5¢ per point for Hilton stays
TRANSFER PARTNERS
0
In This Guide:
Transfer Partners
| Transfer Partner | Transfer Ratio | Transfer Time | Transfer Bonuses |
|---|
Annual Credits & Benefits
Hilton Resort Credit
Annual (based on cardmember year)
Statement credits for eligible purchases at Hilton Resort properties, including room rates and incidentals charged to your room.
Pro Tip: Use for dining, spa treatments, or activities at Hilton Resorts even if you're not staying overnight. Any charge that posts to your folio can be covered by the credit.
Airline Fee Credit
Calendar year
Statement credits for incidental fees like checked bags, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases on your selected qualifying airline.
Pro Tip: Select an airline you fly regularly and use for checked bags, seat assignments, or upgrades. You can change your selected airline each January.
Annual Free Weekend Night
Annual (after account renewal)
Certificate for a free weekend night (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday) at nearly any Hilton property worldwide.
Pro Tip: Use at luxury properties like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives or Conrad Bora Bora where nightly rates can exceed $1,000.
Is the Hilton Honors Aspire Card Worth the $450 Annual Fee?
Ideal For:
- Hilton Loyalists
- Resort Stays
- Diamond Status
Not Ideal For:
- Infrequent travelers who rarely fly or stay at hotels
- Those who prefer cash back over travel rewards
- Budget-conscious consumers who don't want to pay an annual fee
Value Calculation Example
Here's a conservative estimate of annual value for a typical cardholder who uses most, but not all benefits:
| Benefit | Face Value | Realistic Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | $150 | $150 | First year only |
| Hilton Resort Credit | $250 | $250 | Annual (based on cardmember year) |
| Airline Fee Credit | $250 | $250 | Calendar year |
| Annual Free Weekend Night | One free night at almost any Hilton property | One free night at almost any Hilton property | Annual (after account renewal) |
| Automatic Hilton Diamond status | $100+ | $100 | Estimated value |
| $250 annual Hilton resort credit | $100+ | $100 | Estimated value |
| Annual Fee | -$450 | -$450 | Yearly cost |
| TOTAL VALUE | Varies | Varies | $1,000+ over annual fee |
This calculation doesn't include the welcome bonus value in the first year, which could add significant additional value. Actual value depends on your specific usage patterns.
How to Earn Points
14X at Hilton Properties
Earn 14X points on all purchases directly with Hilton hotels and resorts worldwide, including room rates, dining, spa services, and other incidentals.
7X on Flights
Earn 7X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com.
7X on Car Rentals
Earn 7X points on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies.
7X on U.S. Restaurants
Earn 7X points at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
3X on Everything Else
Earn 3X points on all other eligible purchases with no caps or category restrictions.
Sweet Spot Redemptions
| Route/Redemption | Points Required | Transfer Partner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5th Night Free on Award Stays | Varies by property | Direct redemption | Book four consecutive award nights and get the fifth night free, effectively a 20% discount on longer stays. |
| Cash + Points at High-End Properties | Varies by property | Direct redemption | Often better value than full points redemptions at luxury properties like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels. |
| Low Season Award Stays | Varies by property | Direct redemption | Hilton's dynamic pricing means significant discounts during off-peak periods at seasonal destinations. |
| Points & Money Rewards | Varies by property | Direct redemption | Sliding scale allows you to choose exactly how many points to use, often yielding better than 0.5¢ per point in value. |
Advanced Tips & Tricks
Pro Insider Tips
Maximize Diamond Status Benefits
Take advantage of automatic Diamond status perks including executive lounge access, 100% bonus points on stays, room upgrades, and complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credits.
Stack with Amex Offers
Watch for Amex Offers specific to Hilton properties, which can provide significant statement credits or bonus points on stays, effectively stacking with your usual 14X earn rate.
Strategic Free Night Certificate Use
Reserve your free night certificate for weekend stays at properties where the cash rate exceeds $450 (your annual fee) to ensure positive value from the card.
Plan Resort Credit Usage
If you don't have an annual resort stay planned, consider a day visit to a nearby Hilton resort for spa services or dining to use your $250 resort credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What benefits come with Hilton Diamond status?
Diamond status includes executive lounge access, 100% bonus points on stays, space-available room upgrades (including suites), complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credits for two people, premium Wi-Fi, late checkout, and 48-hour room guarantees. It's Hilton's highest status tier and typically requires 60 nights or 30 stays per year to earn organically.
How does the free weekend night certificate work?
The free weekend night certificate is automatically deposited into your Hilton Honors account after your card renewal each year and is valid for one year. It can be used for a standard room on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights at nearly any Hilton property worldwide, with only a handful of exclusions. You'll receive an email with instructions when the certificate is available.
Can I use the $250 resort credit at any Hilton property?
No, the resort credit is valid only at properties designated as Hilton Resorts, which is a specific subset of Hilton's portfolio. You can find the complete list of qualifying resorts on Hilton's website under 'Hilton Resorts.' The credit applies automatically when you charge eligible purchases to your room at these properties.
Is the Aspire Card worth the $450 annual fee?
For Hilton loyalists who can use the $250 resort credit and $250 airline fee credit, the card easily provides value that exceeds the annual fee. Just those two credits total $500, and that's before considering the free weekend night certificate (easily worth $200-500+) and Diamond status benefits like free breakfast and executive lounge access. For frequent Hilton guests, the card is one of the best values in premium travel cards.
Ready to Apply?
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers exceptional travel benefits and rewards that make it a valuable addition to your wallet. A premium hotel card with top-tier Hilton status and valuable travel credits.