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Credit Card Review: AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire [Oct. 2023 Update]
When I provide credit card recommendations to individuals, I consistently stress the importance of prioritizing a card worth keeping. A "keeper card" is a credit or charge card that delivers valuable benefits that outweigh the overall cost of the card. Even if there's an annual fee involved, it provides a sufficient array of high-quality perks, credits, and amenities, making it a net gain for cardholders. Keeper cards typically don't offer exceptional rewards multipliers and often come with higher annual fees, but they provide substantial value, particularly for specific airlines or hotel brands. One of my preferred keeper cards is the American Express (AMEX) Hilton Honors Aspire card. While it's a no-brainer choice for Hilton loyalists, it's also a compelling option for anyone who travels at least twice a year. AMEX has recently revamped the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, so let's delve into whether it still deserves a place in your wallet.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card has undergone changes, including updates to its benefits, annual fee, and card design.
Sign-Up Bonus & Multipliers
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 180,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 in six months. Be aware that since this is an AMEX card, you’re only allowed to receive the sign-up bonus once per lifetime. With a valuation of 0.6 cents per point, the sign-up bonus is worth about $1,080. The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card earns 14X per dollar spent on Hilton hotels and resorts when booked directly through Hilton and 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly with select companies, and U.S. restaurants. All other purchases will earn 3X per dollar spent. This elevated sign-up offer ends on 1/17/2024, so make sure to apply before the offer ends.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card has an elevated sign-up bonus that ends on 1/17/2024. Use my referral link to apply for the card now! Photo by Hilton.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Annual Fee & Benefits
The card’s annual fee has been increased from $450 to $550, but AMEX also adjusted the card’s benefits and perks to maintain its competitive position in the congested travel credit card market.
$200 Airline Credit
Previously, the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card granted an annual $250 airline credit, which necessitated cardmembers to choose a specific airline. Notably, this credit could only be applied to select expenses such as checked baggage fees and seat assignment fees, rather than directly towards airfare. Now, the card offers an annual statement credit of $200 for flight purchases, whether booked directly with an airline or through www.amextravel.com, and this credit can be used for a wide range of flight-related expenses, including airfare. An advantage of this new arrangement is that there is no need to designate a specific airline, which provides more flexibility for travelers. The only caveat is that the $200 annual airline credit is disbursed quarterly, with cardmembers receiving $50 every quarter. While this setup offers the benefit of not being tied to one airline for an entire year, it may pose a challenge for individuals who do not frequently fly, as it makes it somewhat difficult to fully maximize the benefit. In comparison, I wish the $200 airline credit were as straightforward as the $300 travel portal credit offered by the Capital One Venture X card.
The $200 airline credit has become easier to use for frequent flyers. Photo by Joshua Leong on Unsplash.
$400 Hilton Resort Credit
Previously, holders of the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card used to enjoy up to $250 in statement credits each cardmember year when they utilized their AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card at participating Hilton resorts. Fortunately, this valuable benefit remains, and it has actually been improved to offer a yearly statement credit of $400. Just like before, this resort credit is valid exclusively at participating Hilton resorts, but with a twist: the $400 credit is now divided into two separate $200 credits, allowing cardmembers to use $200 from January to June and an additional $200 from July to December. The great thing about this $400 resort credit is that it isn't very restrictive, as it can be applied to most expenses, including room rates and dining. I appreciate this change, as it's much more straightforward to use compared to the new $200 airline credit. However, it's essential to note that the $400 Hilton resort credit cannot be used for advance purchase rates or non-refundable rates.
Use your bi-annual $400 resort credit at Hilton resorts such as Mango House Seychelles, LXR Hotels & Resorts. Photo by Hilton.
$189 CLEAR Credit—No More Priority Pass Membership
One of the most significant changes involves the elimination of the Priority Pass membership, which grants access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. Nevertheless, since nearly all premium travel credit cards provide complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges, I believe it's not a substantial loss, provided that the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is not your sole travel credit card. Instead, the card now provides an annual credit of $189 towards CLEAR. CLEAR is a biometric screening membership that scans and securely stores your iris and fingerprint data, significantly reducing the time you spend waiting at airports, sports stadiums, and event venues. With CLEAR membership, travelers can bypass the lines even for TSA Pre passengers, and CLEAR personnel will personally escort you to a TSA agent. The annual $189 credit should cover the cost of an individual CLEAR membership, but if you hold status with United or Delta Airlines, you may qualify for a reduced annual subscription rate.
CLEAR is expanding its footprints to concert venues and stadiums, including Yankee Stadium in NY. Photo by Chanan Greenblatt on Unsplash.
Hilton Honors Diamond Status
By simply holding the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, cardholders automatically attain Hilton Honors Diamond status, the highest echelon in the Hilton Honors loyalty program. As a Hilton Honors Diamond member, you'll receive a 100% bonus on points and an additional 10 points per dollar spent at Hilton properties. Consequently, the Aspire card accrues a total of 24X points per dollar when booking directly with Hilton, resulting in a remarkable return of 14.4%. Coupled with Hilton's frequent points promotions, you can accumulate a substantial amount of Hilton Honors points in no time.
Hilton Honors Diamond status is the highest elite level you can get, and it is complimentary by simply holding the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card. Photo by Hilton.
Hilton Diamond members enjoy various perks such as room upgrades (subject to availability and up to a one-bedroom suite), access to executive lounges, milestone bonuses, daily food and beverage credits, a 48-hour room guarantee, premium Wi-Fi, and more. While room upgrades aren't always guaranteed, when you are upgraded to a suite due to your Hilton Diamond status, it can significantly enhance your accommodations. Personally, my favorite benefit is the access to executive lounges. While some domestic hotels may have less impressive executive lounges, this benefit truly shines when you travel internationally. During my stay at Hilton Tokyo in Japan, the executive lounge featured delectable local cuisine and an array of alcoholic beverages, from sake and champagne to whiskey and wine.
Free Night Certificate
When you open the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, you can receive a free night certificate on every cardmember anniversary. A free night certificate can be used at almost all Hilton properties that show standard room rates. However, if the stay indicates a premium room rate, then you cannot use the free weekend night certificate. I value a free night certificate at about $800 because of its versatility. As long as you do your research, you can use it at aspirational properties such as Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts. If I were to book a regular room, it could cost over $1,100 a night.
I will be spending a few nights at Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts using free night certificates. Photo by Hilton.
Though I don’t recommend it, high spenders can earn another night certificate by spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. To use your free night certificate, simply dial Hilton Honors, and a representative can assist you with booking a hotel.
Up to $100 Credit at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad Properties
If you are looking for a luxury getaway, this benefit is for you. You will receive up to $100 on-property credit when booking at least two nights at either Conrad or Waldorf Astoria properties. You will have to either use a unique promo code (ZZAAP1) when making a reservation over the phone or directly access the special booking site through Hilton. You can receive up to $100 in statement credits towards incidentals during your stay.
Elevated National Car Status & Cell Phone Protection
Several other notable positive enhancements have been introduced. Cardmembers are now entitled to complimentary National Car Emerald Club Executive status. This upgraded status provides renters with access to National's Emerald Aisle, enabling them to select any vehicle from the specified lot at the Midsize rate.
Cell phone protection is another valuable benefit that has the potential to yield substantial savings. This protection plan can reimburse the costs associated with repair or replacement for up to two approved claims, with a maximum limit of $800 per claim or $1,600 within a 12-month period. For each claim, there is a $50 deductible to be paid, and it's necessary to use the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card to cover your phone bills to take advantage of this protection plan.
The new cell phone protection plan can save cardmembers big repair or replacement bills when an accident happens. Photo by Mathieu Turle on Unsplash.
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card comes with additional travel perks such as lost baggage insurance, secondary car insurance coverage, trip delay insurance, and many more.
Summary
The AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is an obvious choice for Hilton enthusiasts and remains an excellent card for any traveler. Despite the increase in the annual fee from $450 to $550 and some benefits becoming a bit more challenging for specific individuals to utilize, it continues to offer valuable perks that more than compensate for the annual fee. Currently, it boasts an enticing sign-up bonus along with numerous benefits and privileges such as a $200 airline credit, a $400 Hilton resort credit, a complimentary night certificate, Hilton Honors Diamond status, free CLEAR membership, and more. If you assign a 100% value to these benefits, then retaining the card for the long term makes perfect sense, as AMEX is essentially covering your costs for having the card. It would be an understatement to say that the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card is a rewarding choice. It's a card that anyone who travels should seriously consider, and you won't be disappointed.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
