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Home » Credit Cards » Review: American Express Hilton Aspire card
Credit Cards

Review: American Express Hilton Aspire card

Miles June 18, 2020 28 Comments

We may receive a commission when you use our links. Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Monkey Miles is also a Senior Advisor to Bilt Rewards Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


American Express Hilton Aspire

I will be the first to admit that usually I’m not a big fan of co-branded cards, but for every rule there is an exception, and that exception is the American Express Hilton Aspire card. It is flat out packed with perks that make spending a hefty $450 on an annual fee a no-brainer. In fact…through the rest 2020, Amex has made using those perks much easier to use. In fact, if you use the perks the right way, you’ll end up WAY ahead on value.

Referral Link

American Express Hilton Aspire Benefits:

  • 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after $4,000 in eligible purchases
  • Free Weekend first year and after account anniversary
  • 14X Hilton Bonus Points at Hilton properties
  • 7X on flights directly with the airline, amextravel.com, car rentals, and restaurants
  • 3X on all other purchases
  • $250 in Hilton Resort Credits at Hilton Resorts each card year
    • June through August 2020 this credit can be used at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Enjoy complimentary Diamond status with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
  • Priority Pass select
    • you + two guests
  • $100 Hilton On property credit at select resorts ( booked via hiltonhonors.com/aspirecard
  • $450 annual fee.

Analysis of these benefits

You can usually buy Hilton points for 1/2 cent throughout the year, and this will be the valuation we apply to them. At that valuation, I think it really only makes sense to use the card when staying at Hilton Resorts if you have other cards like the Amex Gold.  A quick break down of my thinking

  • Limited time 12x at Supermarkets
    • This is effectively $0.06 back in the form of Hilton Points
    • Amex Gold earns 4x and I value Amex points at $0.02 a piece, so 8 cents back
  • 7x on Restaurants is effectively 3.5c back in Hilton Points
    • Amex Gold earns 4x at $0.02 or 8 cents back
  • 7x on Airlines and Amex Travel or 3.5c back in Hilton Points
    • Amex Gold earns 3x back or 6c back

However…at Hilton Properties you’ll earn 24x back, or 12c in the form of Hilton Points

  • 14x on the card
  • Card also gives you Diamond status which earns 10x

Here’s a little tip: if you concurrently keep an Amex Platinum in your wallet you can book via Fine Hotels and Resorts, and pay with Aspire. That will max out your earn rates and benefits – it may also trigger the resort credit. Unreal stacking opportunity.

There are 5 specific perks of the card that make it totally worth the $450 fee. I’d like to break those down in greater detail.

1) A free Weekend Night Certificate

This can be used at pretty much any property in the world and is credited to your account within 8-14 weeks of account opening. You’ll get another certificate each and every year you keep your card. Whether you’re looking to add an extra night to a weekend trip, check out your local Hilton property and staycay, the certificate can add a lot of value to a stay. Especially when teamed with the aforementioned Diamond status – a free night with executive lounge access, an upgrade, and free breakfast? Yes, please.

You could use it at the Conrad Bali, Waldorf Hilton Dubai,  or visit Iceland and stay at the Konsulat like we did.

2)  150k Hilton Honors Welcome Bonus

Amex is offering a welcome bonus of 150k bonus after $4k spend in 3 months.  150k points is an all-time high. We utilized just 56k a night to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok which was an incredible property in the heart of the city. Team this welcome bonus with the weekend night and you’ve almost got yourself a 4 night stay at an incredible 5 star hotel in one of the Asia’s coolest cities.

At a 1/2 cent valuation, you’re getting $750 worth of points.

3) Top Tier – Diamond Status

If you are a Hilton loyalist ( forget about the 30 stays/60 nights a year normally required ) this perk makes your life much easier and rewarding. But even if you’re just planning a week or two vacation in the next 12 months, having Top Tier status can save you more than the annual fee alone. With room upgrades, guaranteed executive lounge, and free breakfast – the $450 fee could be paid back to you in just a week’s vacation.

Don’t forget that Diamond status also means you get a 5th night free on award stays. This will come in very handy if you’re looking to take a relaxing beach holiday, or perhaps even cross the Maldives off your list.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok Breakfast 1

4) – $250 Hilton Resort Credit.

The incredibly crazy thing about this credit – not only does it take care of incidentals charged to the room, it applies to the room rate itself. You can go here to search which hotels qualify for the resort credit and remember the credit is based on your “award year” which is determined by when you signed up for Hilton Honors.

One of my favorite hotels is the Hotel Del Coronado outside San Diego. It’s a legendary hotel and carries hefty charges per night ( $350+). It also just so happens to be a Hilton Resort ( part of the Curio Collection ) and I could use this resort credit to offset a weekend stay there. In fact, I could use my Free Weekend night and team it with this credit to get a huge savings ( plus free breakfast )

Also…as I mentioned in the benefits break down, you can use this credit toward restaurants and delivery service for a limited time.

courtesy of hilton.com

5) $250 Annual Airline Incidental Fee Credit – per calendar year

Each year ( Jan 1st to Dec 31st ) you’ll get $250 back on purchases made with your selected airline that Amex codes as incidental.

Since we first recommended this card, the Amex Airline Incidental Fee Credit has gotten harder to trigger. It used to be that gift cards would suffice, but now Amex has tightened the classifications.  With that said, for us, traveling frequently with a pet, eats up the incidental fees quite quickly.

If you were to apply now and get approved you’d actually get $250 between now and December 31st, and then a fresh $250 for 2019. That’s $500 right there in the first 12 months of card membership. $250 in 2019, another $250 in 2020.

Overall

As I said in the intro, I’m not a huge co-branded credit card advocate, but this is one of the very few exceptions, and personally I think it’s an outstanding card chalked full of benefits that will come in handy when you start to travel again.

Affiliate Disclosure

Monkey Miles has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Monkey Miles and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

 


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♥ Earn 60k Bonus Points after $4k Spend in 3 months

♥Points are transferrable to over dozen partners, or redeemable for 1.25c in Chase travel

♥5x on travel purchased via Chase Travel and 2x on all other travel purchases, plus more.

♥3x on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out

♥3x on select streaming

♥ 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs 

♥ $50 Annual Credit on hotel stays purchased via Ultimate Rewards. *New cardmembers can get this credit immediately – existing cardmembers get it after anniversary

♥ 10% Anniversary Point Bonus. Spend $10k in a year, get 1k bonus points.

 Learn more


 

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About Author

Miles

This Monkey didn't get the name Miles for nothing. I might look like an innocent little furball, but I am a Points and Awards BEAST!! Follow me around the world to see how I fly in lie flat seats and sleep in 5* suites for pennies on the dollar.

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28 Comments

  1. Tucker Reply
    January 23, 2023 at 8:43 am

    Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.

    https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/referral/prospect/personal/21B75CF88D7C2214AA12034E835A6E6A40C8ACA40308FBF73AD8900CBF5BDBCD42F5FB1476008E14503C0564BE166156BF6418587E0B0821DA65E732AAC2DA732F35F0A00B238B5CF764038D0DEA7C71E0338A3CC534E4659F3AA7FB8776BB326708464F3B0677215E6BACDA8EAD3945DF5F04743AB9CDA6E56FD67C8B22E1604B3B044B2A8B73CFA7A8678AB665EF75D21484277C42F668?CORID=T~U~C~K~E~N~r~i~S~d-1674491328814-189864530&GENCODE=349992263513135&extlink=US-MGM-USEFULLINKS-copypaste-784-201279-K3QE%3A9991&xl=cp19

  2. Jack S Reply
    January 20, 2023 at 9:55 am

    Here’s my link for an American Express Golf Card. I’d really appreciate anyone who uses it and thank you in advance! And thanks to Zach!

    I’m working to plan a honeymoon for my fiancé and I with points so could really use the help!

    https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/JACKSxiuf?XL=MIMCP

  3. Steve Schmidt Reply
    January 16, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    Hilton Aspire referral link. 150 point offer, automatic diamond status, free night certificate, 14x points at hilton properties, 250 airline incidental credit, 250 resort credit.

    https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/referral/prospect/personal/138E2E08B4BF274280F71ED168DEE30CF75B27223F1AE3EC2B8CE5C04CB3167AF500F554ADB5F490411E1451813ACD686B01486BAF6B111C26C80C68698E9F13B1B1981697955F1870F246161DA3C93A16C062B61894FE402EDFFAE8BC0240EB60533D94783434AAC107B5F95E996C77E3D75E8D81ECD29EF844094F43318B548CFA3AFED6B71FEE33E4B4EC978A7E0AA93F3A23E007C3D38445CC3571D5D242?CORID=S~T~E~P~H~s~R~w~O~9-1673911437043-510263377&GENCODE=349993011175829&XL=MNDCP&extlink=US-MGM-MOBN_DEEPLINK-copypaste-1157-205937-GBTU%3A0008

  4. Josh Reply
    January 14, 2023 at 7:23 am

    If you are interested in the Amex Hilton Aspire card, you can use my referral link for a sweet 150,000 point intro bonus!

    https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/credit-cards/referral/prospect/personal/E0F14AE4EAFBB9DD94D4144113293FD25E0D49A8061A39862B8CE5C04CB3167AF500F554ADB5F490411E1451813ACD686B01486BAF6B111C26C80C68698E9F13B1B1981697955F1870F246161DA3C93A16C062B61894FE402EDFFAE8BC0240EB0A1D0A0C8521378E60CE865A4BE8EE45E3D75E8D81ECD29EF844094F43318B548CFA3AFED6B71FEE33E4B4EC978A7E0ACC2BDAADB6E85B378445CC3571D5D242?CORID=J~O~S~H~U~L~2~a~a~0-1673708522485-1792068404&GENCODE=349993074072232&XL=MITCP&extlink=US-MGM-MOBI_TIMELINE-copypaste-145-205937-K3YC%3A9997

  5. Rik Reply
    January 12, 2023 at 9:22 pm

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and your friend could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply.
    https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/RIKBfmtj?XL=MIMCP

  6. Travis Reply
    January 11, 2023 at 7:25 pm

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome 150k Hilton points bonus. Thank you for using my link!

    https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/TRAVIBZein?xl=cp01

  7. Julia Reply
    January 11, 2023 at 7:23 am

    Here’s my link, thank you for using it!

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. With your new Card, you could earn a welcome bonus and your friend could earn a referral bonus. Terms Apply.

    https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/JULIAMIg7U?XLINK=MYCP

  8. Ethan Reply
    January 22, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. Earn 150K Welcome Bonus Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

    http://refer.amex.us/ETHANLNnOY?xl=cp15

  9. Amex Bonus Reply
    January 21, 2022 at 8:13 am

    Great referral bonus, thanks for using it!

    Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you’re approved! http://refer.amex.us/SANJAPfGBi?xl=cp15

  10. Ethan Reply
    May 24, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Friends – my referral link below expired so I am posting a new one. You can earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you use your new Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card to make $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The card comes with great benefits and Diamond status. Thank you in advance for using my referral link!!

    http://refer.amex.us/ETHANL4UUC?xl=cp01

  11. Alex Reply
    May 3, 2021 at 12:00 pm

    ASPIRE or SURPASS offers = 150,000 Hilton points
    http://refer.amex.us/ALEKSL7rLM?xl=cp19
    Choose Aspire or Surpass card and enjoy the great bonus!
    The benefits are pretty good as well, especially 1 FREE night/year + 5th night FREE. ANd for the 2021 you’ll get monthly $$ credits for restaurants.

  12. Ethan Reply
    April 14, 2021 at 10:52 pm

    Amex Hilton Aspire is an amazing card! Thank you in advance for using my link (150k offer):

    http://refer.amex.us/ETHANL5iGN?XLINK=MYCP

  13. Earl Baker Reply
    April 9, 2021 at 1:03 pm

    Looking forward to retiring soon, and am saving up my Members Rewards points to buy “Round the World” airline tickets for my wife and me. If you use my Amex referral link and help me make it happen, we both win and I’d be very grateful! Thank you! Here is the link: http://refer.amex.us/EARLB8JbZ?XLINK=MYCP

  14. daniel Reply
    June 18, 2020 at 1:30 pm

    US Serviceman trying to get enough referral points to take my wife to Hawaii
    thank you and God Bless
    http://refer.amex.us/DANIESl8P6?XLINK=MYCP

  15. Mark Benson Reply
    June 11, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Hello, here is the current link for the Hilton Aspire card with 150,000 points for you and 15,000 points for my referral.

    Thank you!

    http://refer.amex.us/REBECB0ZZ1?XLINK=MYCP

  16. Mark w Reply
    April 4, 2020 at 8:12 pm

    Thank you for considering my offer. 150k Hilton points. I used my card last year at the Waikiki village resort w/ free anniversary night and resort fees covered. Loved it

    http://refer.amex.us/MARKWfzT3?XL=MIACP

  17. Doug Reply
    March 29, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    Here’s my link for the AmEx Hilton Aspire. You get 150K points, I get 15K. Win-win!

    7http://refer.amex.us/DOUGLHRO8D?XLINK=MYCP

  18. Matt F Reply
    November 4, 2019 at 11:18 am

    I rarely get in early enough to get to the top of the list for referrals, but hopefully someone will notice this and be able to kick me a few referral points by using my link! Thanks everyone!
    http://refer.amex.us/MATTFvuGS?XLINK=MYCP

  19. Luke Vader Reply
    October 21, 2018 at 5:27 am

    I sprang for this card two weeks ago, so you’re preaching to the choir. Was initially planning to sign up for the World of Hyatt Visa card which also offers good benefits, but the Amex Hilton Aspire is a hotel loyalty CC on steroids.

  20. Norman Reply
    October 20, 2018 at 6:53 pm

    I have an Amex Ascend card with a card member anniversary in March. If I opt into the upgrade offer for the Aspire, do it get a free night certificate now, and another in March? Or does the cardmember anniversary reset to whenever the upgrade occurred (meaning I would need to wait until next Oct to get another certificate)?

    • Miles Reply
      October 20, 2018 at 8:27 pm

      Norman – I’m not exactly sure, but my feeling is that since the annual fee is prorated on upgrades, this indicates account year staying the same = you’ll get one now and another in March when you’re hit with the full $450. Would be worth asking via amex chat to confirm. let me know the data point if you do – will update for readers

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