While this is not the card I look for in my wallet, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card It pays off easily. Year after year, I’ve been singing the praises of this card to my co-workers. Despite the $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), I still find value in card benefitslike the annual free night award, Diamond elite status and statement credits.
Although I stay at Hilton properties only a few times a year, here are four reasons why I stick with this co-branded credit card, despite the expensive annual fee.
Annual free night certificate
My favorite benefit of having the Aspire card is the annual free night certificate. This certificate allows you to book a standard award room at almost any Hilton property around the world. Therefore, the value of this benefit can easily exceed $1,000 if you choose to redeem your free night award at one of Hilton’s premier luxury properties.
For example, I stayed at the super luxurious Conrad Tokyo, where the room rate per night was over $1,100. Thanks to my Aspire card, I redeemed my annual free night certificate at this property, saving me significantly on my out-of-pocket costs.
I have also previously used this reward voucher on the knights of romea Waldorf Astoria hotel; the Waldorf Astoria in chicago; and other Hilton properties.
Related: Is the Hilton Aspire Amex Card worth the annual fee?
If you are a Hilton Aspire cardholder, you will receive a free night certificate upon account opening and each cardholder anniversary year thereafter. Plus, if you spend frequently with your Hilton co-branded card, you could earn a second free night certificate after you spend $30,000 and a third night if you spend $60,000 in a calendar year.
Although I don’t spend enough on my card to get two additional reward certificates, getting just one is still a major benefit.
Up to $400 in annual statement credits from Hilton Resorts
One of the most profitable features of the Aspire card is the Up to $400 in annual Hilton resort statement credits. Earn two (up to) $200 semi-annual statement credits when you make qualifying purchases with hilton complex properties.
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The only drawback? There is a limited selection of Hilton resorts where you can use the credit. However, if you plan accordingly, you can save a good amount of change and convert your Stay at the Hilton resort in an all-inclusive experience.
This statement credit can be applied to meals, activities, spa treatments and more.
Over the past few years, I have used my statement credits at several locations, including 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 Beach Resort.
Redeeming this semi-annual statement credit has saved you hundreds of dollars during your stay at Hilton properties.
Hilton Honors Diamond Status
By simply holding the Aspire card, you will receive Hilton Diamond Status. This comes with valuable benefits such as room upgrades (when available), access to executive lounges at select properties (such as the Conrad Seoul), a 100% bonus on base points earned for stays, and a daily food and beverage credit at US hotels (varies by brand) or continental breakfast abroad.
Although I haven’t had much luck being upgraded to suites during my stays at Hilton, I have been assigned larger rooms on higher floors with better views.
Although Diamond will no longer be the highest official level Hilton status from 2026It is still very valuable.
Related: Hilton confirms new Diamond Reserve tier and confirmable upgrade rewards
Airline Fee Credits
With the Hilton Aspire Card, you’ll receive up to $200 in annual airfare credits each calendar year (up to $50 each calendar quarter). So, every quarter, I make sure to purchase a plane ticket or use my Aspire card to pay for an upgrade or seat assignment. Because?
The Aspire Card gives you a statement credit of up to $50 each quarter when you use it to pay for airfare or incidental airfares purchased directly from an airline or through AmexTravel.com.
This year, I received the quarterly statement credit when purchasing affordable upgrades at American Airlines.
If you want to save even more money, the credit could also be applied to taxes and fees incurred when booking award redemptions.
In a nutshell
Although I don’t use it for everyday spending, I’m a big fan of the Hilton Honors Aspire American Express card. Every year, I maximize statement credits and free night certificates to save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. In 2025 alone, by my conservative calculations, I’ve already made $1,700 worth of my Aspire card credits.
Hilton Diamond status is nothing to sneeze at, either, and earning rates on Hilton hotels and airfare purchases are a notable perk.
I don’t spend much on my Aspire card, but when I do, the points add up quickly. This year, despite spending very little on the Aspire card, I accumulated 13,524 Hilton Honors points. Most of those points come from spending on airlines and hotels.
This doesn’t even take into account the current welcome offer. New candidates for Hilton Amex Aspire Card You can earn 175,000 points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends January 14, 2026.
Overall, despite the annual fee, I have been able to get double, if not triple, the return value by owning this card.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Related reading
For Hilton Aspire Card rates and fees, click here.
