All information about Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Smart Investor. Hilton Honors Aspire Card is no longer available through The Smart Investor.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card are both excellent rewards cards for frequent Hilton travelers, but they offer different benefits and target different spending habits.
Hilton Surpass vs. Aspire Card: General Comparison
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Hilton Honors Amex Aspire | Hilton Honors Amex Surpass | |
Annual Fee | $550 | $150 ( See Rates and Fees. ) |
Rewards | 14X Hilton Honors bonus points when you make eligible purchases on your card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio, 7X Hilton Honors bonus points on eligible purchases on your card for: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and U.S. restaurants, 3X Hilton Honors bonus points on other eligible purchases | Earn 12x Points on hotels & resorts at eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Earn 6x Points on dining at U.S. restaurants , and for takeout and delivery in the U.S, on groceries at U.S. supermarkets and at U.S. gas stations. Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases and 3X Points on all other purchases |
Welcome bonus | 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 Months of Card Membership | 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership |
0% Intro APR | N/A | N/A |
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. | $0. ( See Rates and Fees. ) |
Purchase APR | 20.24% – 29.24% Variable | 20.24% – 29.24% variable APR |
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Hilton Amex vs. Hilton Surpass: Point Rewards Analysis
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Spend Per Category | Hilton Honors Amex Aspire | Hilton Honors Amex Surpass |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 70,000 points | 60,000 points |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 28,000 points | 24,000 points |
$4,000 – Airline | 12,000 points | 12,000 points |
$5,000 – Hotels | 70,000 points | 60,000 points |
$4,000 – Gas | 28,000 points | 24,000 points |
Total Points | 208,000 points | 180,000 points |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~0.6 cent | 1 point = ~0.6 cent |
Estimated Annual Value | $1,248 | $1,080 |
Hilton offers several ways to redeem points earned through its loyalty program. You can use points to cover the cost of hotel stays, including room charges.
The Points & Money option adds flexibility, allowing you to combine points and cash for transactions. In addition to hotel stays, Hilton Honors members can redeem points for a range of experiences, travel benefits, shopping, and more, making the program highly versatile.
Which Benefits Of You'll Get On Both Cards?
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards:
- Extended Warranty: Use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases and benefit from an extended warranty, matching the Original Manufacturer's Warranty for up to one additional year on warranties of 5 years or less in the United States or its territories.
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When using your eligible Card to reserve and pay for a rental vehicle, and declining the collision damage waiver, you're covered for damage or theft in a covered territory. Exclusions apply, and the coverage is secondary without liability coverage.
Global Assist® Hotline: As a Card Member, access the Global Assist® Hotline for travel assistance over 100 miles from home, providing services like lost passport replacement, translation, missing luggage, and emergency legal and medical referrals. Costs from third-party service providers are the Card Member's responsibility.
- Free Night Reward: Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after spending $15,000 (Surpass) or $30,000 (Aspire) on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- National Car Rental® Status: Surpass® Card Members can receive free National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. This includes benefits like access to the Executive Area (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Enrollment is required.
Send & Split®: In the American Express® App, Send & Split® lets you send money and split purchases with Venmo and PayPal users, paying friends without standard fees, and seamlessly splitting Amex purchases. Earn rewards for the split purchase, and enrollment is required with applicable terms.
Dispute Resolution: If faced with unrecognized charges or billing issues, American Express collaborates with you and the merchant to resolve the problem promptly.
Purchase Protection: Covered Purchases made with your Eligible Card are protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date, covering theft or accidental damage, with limits of up to $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year.
ShopRunner: Enjoy complimentary membership with ShopRunner, providing free 2-day shipping on eligible items from a network of 100+ online stores, accessible by enrolling with your eligible Card at shoprunner.com/americanexpress.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Benefits Of You'll Get Only With The Hilton Surpass Card
$200 Hilton Credit: Enjoy up to $50 in statement credits per quarter, totaling $200 annually, for direct purchases with Hilton properties using your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Hilton Honors Gold Status: Receive complimentary Gold Status, providing benefits such as a 5th night free on standard room stays of 5+ nights, and an 80% Bonus on all Base Points to accelerate your free night earnings.
- Hilton Honors™ Upgrade to Diamond Status: Achieve Hilton Honors Diamond status by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, extending the status through the end of the next calendar year.
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Which Benefits Of You'll Get Only With The Aspire Card?
The Hilton Aspire offers some unique, premium benefits for cardholders that you won't be able to get with the Hilton Surpass card:
- Complimentary Diamond Status: Receive Hilton Honors Diamond status with the Hilton Aspire Card, offering a 100% bonus on base points, premium Wi-Fi, room upgrades, and executive lounge access.
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Enjoy up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts, providing a total annual credit of up to $400, with no minimum purchase required.
- $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits per quarter, totaling up to $200 annually, for flight purchases made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com using your Hilton Aspire Card.
- $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership, enhancing airport security clearance with biometric verification, excluding any applicable taxes.
- $100 Hilton On-Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at select Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties when booking a minimum 2-night stay through hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com.
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Travel confidently with baggage insurance coverage, providing up to $3,000 for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage, including coverage for high-risk items like jewelry and electronics.
- Trip Delay Insurance: If a covered reason delays your trip by more than 6 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can reimburse certain additional expenses, up to $500 per trip, with a maximum of 2 claims per 12 consecutive months.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: In case of covered reasons that cancel or interrupt your trip, this insurance can reimburse non-refundable expenses, offering up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive months.
- Concierge Service: Access a complimentary concierge service to assist with lifestyle needs, providing expertise on various matters such as restaurant recommendations and event ticket purchases.
- Cell Phone Protection: This embedded benefit provides reimbursement for repair or replacement costs after cell phone damage or theft.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
When You Might Want the Hilton Surpass Card?
You Might Prefer the Hilton Surpass card over the if:
You Are Focused on Points Earning: Prefer the Surpass Card if your primary goal is accumulating Hilton Honors points through everyday spending. While it may not offer as many premium benefits as the Aspire Card, the Surpass Card provides a solid points earning structure, making it ideal for individuals who prioritize point accrual over luxury perks.
You Are On A Budget: Opt for the Hilton Surpass Card if you prioritize cost savings. With a lower annual fee compared to the Aspire Card, the Surpass Card provides a solid balance of Hilton benefits without the higher cost, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Infrequent Traveler: If you are a Hilton Honors loyalist but don't stay at Hilton Hotels often enough to justify the higher annual fee of the Aspire Card, the Surpass card may be a better option.
When You Might Want the Hilton Aspire Card?
You Might Prefer the Hilton Aspire card if:
- You Want The Hilton Honors Diamond Status: The Hilton Honors Aspire Card automatically grants you Hilton Honors Diamond status, the top tier of Hilton Honors loyalty. This status comes with a variety of perks, such as complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and access to executive lounges.
- You Want Extensive Travel Benefits: Opt for the Aspire Card if you prioritize a comprehensive set of travel benefits. With perks like a Hilton resort credit, Hilton on-property credit, a credit for CLEAR membership,and various travel insurances, the Aspire Card offers an extensive range of benefits that cater to diverse travel needs.
- You Can Maximize Your Rewards Potential: If you are a frequent Hilton traveler who wants to earn more Hilton Honors points and enjoy the benefits of Hilton Honors Diamond status, then the Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a good option for you. It also offers a variety of other travel benefits that can save you money on your travels.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a travel credit card with hotel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
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The Platinum Card® from American Express | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Capital One Venture X Rewards | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates & Fees | $550 | $395 |
Rewards |
1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
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1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases.
| 1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases
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Welcome bonus |
80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
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60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
| 75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0 | $0
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Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR | 21.99% – 28.99% variable APR | 19.99% – 29.74% (Variable) |
Compare Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card
The Surpass card boasts a notably higher annual fee, justified by its superior rewards ratio and benefits compared to the Hilton Honors card.
The Hilton Amex Surpass is our winner as it offers higher estimated total cashback than the Marriot Boundless card and additional hotel perks.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Honors Surpass wins at estimated cashback, while the Amex Gold card is the winner for everyday spending and extra benefits.
Despite having a higher annual fee, the Hilton Surpass card is our winner with higher estimated annual cashback and better extra hotel perks.
IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Hilton Amex Surpass: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Surpass and World of Hyatt card are two of the best medium tier hotel cards with great cash back rates and extra hotel perks.
World of Hyatt Card vs. Hilton Amex Surpass: Side By Side Comparison
Compare Hilton Aspire Card
Surprisingly, while having a lower annual fee, the Hilton Amex Aspire's estimated cashback value is higher than the Marriot Brilliant's card.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Aspire is surprising with its higher estimated annual cashback value, but the Platinum card wins at premium travel perks.
Amex Platinum Card vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Amex Aspire offers excellent value for hotel perks, while the Chase Reserve card is best for flexibility and redemption options.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
The Hilton Aspire is surprising with its higher estimated annual cashback value, but the Platinum card wins at premium travel perks.
Amex Platinum Card vs. Hilton Amex Aspire: Side By Side Comparison
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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