American Express Aspire Card Travel Benefits: A Comprehensive Review

The American Express Aspire Card is a travel rewards powerhouse, offering a wealth of benefits that can enhance your travel experiences. You can earn 50,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or other travel-related expenses.

One of the standout features of the Aspire Card is its airport lounge access. You'll get complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, including the exclusive Centurion Lounge. This can be a game-changer for travelers who value comfort and relaxation before their flights.

The Aspire Card also offers a generous travel insurance package, which includes trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel delay insurance. This can provide peace of mind for travelers, especially those planning complex or long-distance trips.

You can earn 7 Hilton Honors points for each dollar spent on flights when you book directly with the airlines, on AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and for purchases at U.S. restaurants.

This can add up to 35,000 Hilton points if you spend around $5,000 per year on these purchases, which we value at $175.

With the Amex card, you'll also get a $250 Airline Incidental Fee Credit, which can help cover the costs of things like baggage fees or in-flight meal purchases.

Additionally, you'll receive a $250 Hilton Resort Credit, which can be used towards a stay at a participating Hilton resort.

The card also offers a 1 free weekend night reward, which can be redeemed at participating Hilton hotels.

If you stay at Waldorf or Conrad locations, you'll get a $100 credit when you stay for two nights, which can be a nice perk.

You'll also have access to Priority Pass, which can give you lounge access at over 1,300 airports worldwide.

And, as a bonus, you'll get Hilton Diamond Status, which comes with perks like room upgrades and free breakfast.

Travel protections are also a big part of the Amex card's benefits, including:

The American Express Aspire card travel benefits are truly impressive, and one of the standout features is the 24/7 concierge service. This service is available around the clock, making it perfect for last-minute requests.

With the concierge, you can get tickets to sold-out concerts, dinner reservations at popular restaurants, and even help with gift ideas. I've heard stories of concierges getting access to exclusive experiences that will blow your mind.

You can use the concierge service to book hotels, and I've personally used it to book hotels in Maldives and Dubai without having to pay international calling fees. They'll answer all your questions and take care of the booking for you.

The concierge service is complimentary with premium Amex credit cards, and it's available 24/7. Whether you need help with a special request or just want some travel advice, the concierge is there to assist you.

The American Express Aspire card offers some amazing hotel perks that can save you money and enhance your travel experience. You can get a $100 room credit when staying two consecutive nights at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad property.

This credit is not combinable with most other deals, so be sure to check the prices before booking. If you wouldn't otherwise spend $100 at the property, it's worth looking into the price difference between promotional rates and the standard rate.

Booking a 2-night stay or longer at Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties also gets you a $100 statement credit for on-site purchases, like massages or rented cabanas. However, these room rates are usually more expensive than the best available rates, so we'll value this perk at $25.

Each time you book a two-night paid stay at a participating Waldorf Astoria or Conrad property, you'll receive up to a $100 credit for incidentals during your stay. This credit can't be used to cover the cost of the room or property fees, but it can still be a valuable perk if you spend two or more nights at eligible properties.

The American Express Aspire card also offers a $400 Hilton resort statement credit, which can be used toward room rates and taxes. This credit is bi-annual, with a $200 credit available between January to June and July to December.

Travel insurance benefits are a valuable perk of the American Express Aspire card. Eligible cards offer a range of protections to cardholders.

With an American Express Aspire card, you can get reimbursement for lost or stolen bags while in the care of a common carrier, up to a certain amount that varies by card. To be eligible, you must charge the cost of travel with the common carrier to your card.

Some cards also offer secondary auto rental coverage that can apply after you utilize the limits on your primary insurance policy. Alternatively, you can purchase premium auto rental coverage through American Express.

Priority Pass is a valuable travel benefit that comes with the Hilton Aspire card, granting access to over 1000 lounges worldwide. You can bring two guests with you into these lounges.

One thing to keep in mind is that American Express no longer supports non-lounge experiences on their cards.

Travel Protections are a must-have for any traveler. You never know when your trip might get disrupted or cancelled, and having the right protection can make all the difference.

If your bags get lost or stolen, you can get reimbursement with the Baggage Insurance Plan, which can cover up to $3,000 for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage.

Some travel credit cards, like those from Amex, offer secondary auto rental coverage that can apply after you've utilized the limits on your primary insurance policy. This can give you extra peace of mind when renting a car.

If your trip is delayed for a long enough period of time, typically six or 12 hours, you can get reimbursed for expenses with trip delay coverage. The coverage amount and terms depend on the Amex card you have.

Here are some common travel insurance perks available with Amex cards:

Applying for a travel credit card like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card can be a smart move for frequent travelers.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has an APR of 20.99% - 29.99% Variable, which is relatively standard for a credit card with a high annual fee.

You won't have to worry about foreign transaction fees when using this card abroad.

The card's annual fee is substantial, but the benefits it offers make it a worthwhile investment for some travelers.

To get started with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you can expect a welcome offer of Hilton Honors points after meeting specific spending requirements.

Here are some key details to consider when applying for the card:

If you're a foodie, you'll love the perks that come with the American Express Aspire Card. You can get exclusive reservations and special dining experiences through the Resy program, available on cards like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, the Amex Platinum, and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Resy offers a unique opportunity to dine at top restaurants and experience the best of the culinary world. With up to $240 in statement credits annually on Resy purchases made with your enrolled card, you can indulge in fine dining without breaking the bank.

Some American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum and the American Express Gold Card, offer monthly credits for Uber Eats purchases. This means you can enjoy food delivery without incurring additional costs.

The Amex Gold Card also offers up to $120 in dining credits per year, which can be used toward purchases at popular restaurants like Grubhub, the Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys.

Here are some American Express cards that offer benefits for foodies:

The American Express Aspire card offers a range of travel benefits, including airline fees credits. You can use the airline incidental credit on things like checked bags and in-flight refreshments.

To get this credit, you must log in and select an airline and enroll on the benefits tab. The credit will be credited within 3 business days, but American Express suggests it might take up to 4 weeks.

You can choose from a list of participating airlines, including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and many others.

The credit is each calendar year, so if you get the card at the end of the year, you can use the $200 for that year and get another $200 refresh in January.

Airline Incidental Fees can be a significant expense when traveling, but there are some credit cards that offer statement credits to help offset these costs.

The American Express airline incidental credit is a great perk for frequent flyers. You can use this credit on things like checked bags and in-flight refreshments, and it's available on a list of participating airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and more.

To receive the credit, you'll need to log in and select an airline, then enroll on the benefits tab. In my experience, the credit is typically applied within 3 business days, but American Express suggests it may take up to 4 weeks.

Here's a list of participating airlines:

This credit can be used for a variety of expenses, including trips to airline lounges and alcohol and/or beverages inside the airport. However, it's worth noting that American Express is very picky about what counts as an airline incidental fee, so be sure to check their website for a full list of eligible expenses.

The credit is available each calendar year, which means you can earn multiple credits if you receive the card at the end of the year. This makes it especially useful to get cards with calendar year credits, as you can earn additional credits for the same annual fee.

If you're looking for airline credit cards that offer similar benefits to the Hilton Aspire, there are a few options to consider.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a lower annual fee of $150 and comes with Hilton benefits like complimentary Gold status.

If you're loyal to Marriott, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card is a top-tier option that offers perks like a free night award and Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers more versatile rewards that can be transferred to Hilton or other travel partners, but it comes with a higher annual fee of $695.

Here are some key differences between these cards:

The American Express Aspire card offers an impressive rewards program, especially for Hilton fans. You'll earn 14 points per dollar spent at hotels in the Hilton portfolio, which can be redeemed for award nights or other perks.

With a valuation of 0.6 cents per Hilton Honors point, that's an 8.4% return on spending, making it a great option for frequent Hilton guests. You'll also earn 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants.

As a cardholder, you'll receive a free night at a Hilton property every year, which can be worth upwards of $1,000. This free night is redeemable for any day of the week, not just weekends.

Travel Purchase Rewards are a great perk of credit cards, and the Hilton Aspire card delivers with impressive earning rates on travel purchases.

Earn 7 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants, which translates to a 4.2% return on spending.

You can also earn 14 points per dollar on paid stays within the Hilton portfolio, which is a whopping 8.4% return on spending, according to TPG's valuation.

This is especially rewarding since the card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, which includes a 100% point bonus for Hilton stays.

For example, you'll earn a total of 34 points per dollar on most Hilton stays as a cardholder, meaning a 20.4% return.

While other travel purchases may not earn as many points, you'll still get 3 points per dollar on all other spending with the card, which is a 1.8% return.

The welcome offer is a great way to earn a significant amount of points or miles, and it's essential to apply for a card when it has its best-ever offer. The Hilton Amex Aspire's current welcome offer is one of the best we've seen, with new cardmembers earning 175,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of cardmembership.

This offer ends on January 8, 2025, so it's crucial to apply before then if you're interested. These 175,000 points are worth $1,050, according to TPG's December 2024 valuations.

Remember that Amex only allows you to earn one bonus per card in a lifetime, so it's essential to apply for a card when it has its best-ever welcome offer. This ensures you get the most value from your card membership.

The American Express Hilton Aspire card is a game-changer for frequent travelers. The card's free weekend night certificate alone can be worth over double the annual fee.

This card is ideal for those who want to stay at ultra high-end Hilton properties like the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills and Waldorf Astoria Maldives. These hotels' cheapest rooms are often over double the price of the annual fee.

Hilton Diamond status is also a massive perk, offering valuable benefits like breakfast, executive lounge visits, and suite level upgrades. The author of the review values Hilton Diamond status even for someone who travels only 2 times a year at over $2,000.

The card's credits are another reason to get the American Express Hilton Aspire. You get a $250 resort credit and a $250 airline incidental credit, which is worth more than the annual fee of $450.

Using the free weekend night certificate on a property costing nearly $3,000, combined with Diamond status and credits, makes this card a no-brainer. The author of the review considers this card 100% their favorite credit card.