In mid-January, Hilton and American Express rolled out a new selection of co-branded credit cards. These new offerings now include a business credit card, the Hilton Ascend (slated to replace the Hilton Surpass), and the premier Hilton Aspire credit card, along with a no-fee Hilton credit card.
The Hilton Aspire credit card has gotten a lot of attention due to its amazing bevy of perks, including a 100K signup bonus, automatic Hilton Diamond status, as well as a free weekend night when you get the card and on every card anniversary. The kicker is, this hotel credit card comes with one heck of a fee ($450) to balance out its benefits.
Is it worth it? We'll spill the details and let you decide.
We already mentioned how the Hilton Aspire Credit Card offers a generous signup bonus, but the other perks it offers really help it stand out as well:
-Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors points after you use your card for $4,000 in purchases within 90 days.
-Earn 14x points on purchases made in Hilton properties, 7x points on flights booked with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals with select companies and U.S. restaurants, plus 3x points on all other purchases.
-Get complimentary Hilton Diamond status as a cardholder.
-Get one free weekend night upon signup and another free night every year as a cardholder.
-Get $250 in statement credits annually at select Hilton resorts.
-Get a $250 airline fee credit per calendar year.
-Score $100 Hilton credit at select Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties each year.
-Receive a Priority Pass Select membership.
-No foreign transaction fees.
-A $450 annual fee, which is not waived the first year.
While paying a $450 annual fee for a hotel credit card is absolutely out of the ordinary, there are instances where this fee can make a lot of sense. For starters, you can more than make up for the fee if you use the $250 airline credit for baggage fees and incidentals, then utilize the $250 Hilton resort credit each year.
If you're a frequent Hilton guest for personal or business travel, getting the card makes even more sense. Not only do you get the perks that go with automatic Hilton Diamond status (potential lounge access, room upgrades and free breakfast at select properties), but you earn a whopping 14x Hilton Honors points when you pay for stays or make any purchase at Hilton brand properties worldwide.
When you consider the fact that Priority Pass Select membership is easily worth $200 or more, depending on how often you use it, it's easy to see how the annual fee more than pays for itself the first year.
If you're a Hilton Honors fan or want to become one, scoring 100,000 Hilton Honors points, Hilton Diamond status and various travel credits is a great way to get the ball rolling. The $450 annual fee is a sunk cost the first year, but you can decide after that if the benefits outweigh the fee long-term.
However, before you pay any credit card's annual fee, it's worth it to make sure you're able to travel in the near future and that you actually like a hotel in the brand's portfolio. If you won't be traveling anytime soon or there aren't any Hilton properties in your favorite destinations, this card is one you'll want to skip.
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