$600 each year: Here’s how the Hilton Aspire Card credits work

Over the last few years, I’ve expressed my criticism of Amex’s annual fee hikes on some of their premium credit cards, only to be offset by ‘coupon book’ like credits. The Hilton Aspire card, when it was initially launched, carried an annual fee of $450. While the fee is now $550, the card still carries some really valuable credits. In addition to the welcome bonus, you can earn up to $600 in credits with the card. How do these credits work? Let’s have a look.

Hilton Aspire Card: $600 annual statement credits

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At the moment, the Hilton Aspire card is offering a limited time welcome bonus offer of 175,000 points. In addition, you’ll earn 1 free night certificate upon approval. You’ll earn another free night certificate each year when you renew the card and pay the annual fee. Even if you fail to use the statement credits to the fullest, the free night certificate is uncapped and can go a long way toward recouping the annual fee.

$400 Resort Credit

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Each calendar year, you’ll enjoy up to $400 in statement credits. These credits are offered bi-annually. You’ll earn $200 in credits from January to June, another $200 from July to December each year. There’s no need to activate this benefit as it’s automatic.

However, this credit is only available at Hilton properties that Hilton classifies as a resort. You need to refer to this list before you make a booking.

Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually (January through June; and July through December), for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account.

I’ve used this benefit multiple times and it’s pretty easy to use. All you have to do is offer your credit card up while checking in at a qualifying resort property and ask the front desk to charge all incidental charges card. If you’re dining at a restaurant at the hotel or using the spa, simply ask the staff to bill it to the room and you can pay it when you check out. In my experience, the credit has usually posted in 2-3 business days. Another great thing about this benefit is that it works globally, as long as the property qualifies as a resort. I’ve used this credit not only in the US, but also in Mexico, the Maldives, Dubai and India.

While the terms and conditions explicitly state incidental charges as qualifying charges, several reports on Reddit and other forums indicate that people have had success prepaying a deposit before a stay and then utilizing it to pay for their room.

$200 Airfare Credit

In addition to the $400 credit, you will also earn $200 in flight credits. This airfare credit is split quarterly. You’ll $50 during each quarter. Bear in mind that this credit is different from the airline fee credit on the Amex Platinum card. While that credit only works on incidental charges with certain domestic US carriers, this airfare credit is global in nature and can be used to purchase airfare directly from the airline or on amextravel.com. Moreover, you don’t need to activate this benefit as it’s automatic.

Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $50 in statement credits each calendar quarter (January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December), for up to $200 annually for eligible purchases of airfare made directly with an airline or through amextravel.com. To be eligible for this benefit, an airfare purchase must be for a scheduled flight on a passenger carrier and purchased directly from the airline or through amextravel.com.

Other Credits

In addition to the above two credits, you’ll also enjoy a $100 property credit and a $199 Clear credit with the card. However, the property credit is only valid at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties while booking a qualifying rate. More often than not, these rates are more expensive than standard rates, so I’ve largely stayed away from booking  it. The Clear credit is similar to the credit offered on many of Amex’s other premium credit cards.

The Pundit’s Mantra

Overall, there are compelling reasons to apply for and keep the Hilton Aspire card in your wallet. Firstly, you’ll earn 175,000 and one free night certificate upon approval. Secondly, you’ll earn a free night certificate when you renew the card each year, in addition to the $600 in credits per calendar year. Moreover, you’ll also enjoy complimentary top tier Diamond status for as long as your card account is active. This will guarantee complimentary breakfast at Hilton properties outside the US and give you a better chance of getting an upgrade.

If the Hilton Aspire card isn’t the right fit for you, then American Express is offering higher than usual imited time welcome bonuses on all of their co-branded credit cards with Hilton. Hilton offers a wide spectrum of cards, ranging from the no annual fee Hilton Honors card to the more premium Hilton Aspire card.

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