Pros

150,000 Hilton points after $4k spend in 3 months.

14X Hilton spend. 7X US restaurants, flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, select car rental companies. 3X on all other eligible purchases.

NEW $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually. No minimum purchase required.

Plus, earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after making $30,000 in purchases and another after making $60,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.

Complimentary Hilton Diamond status with top-tier benefits.

Priority Pass Select airport lounge access.

Cons

$550 annual fee.

High spending requirement for signup bonus.

Credits and perks only useful for Hilton loyalists.

Few bonus categories beyond Hilton purchases.

Why Choose It

The Hilton Aspire Amex is hugely rewarding for frequent Hilton guests who can utilize the annual $400 resort credit plus airport lounge access. Coming with automatic Diamond status each year, the elite benefits like room upgrades, free breakfast and late checkout will pay for the annual fee alone during hotel stays. The whopping signup bonus sets you up with nights for the long term. As long as you stay at Hilton properties regularly throughout the year, the Aspire easily justifies its $550 fee via statement credits and Diamond status perks.