I’m a big proponent of creating a spending strategy when I apply for a new credit card. That way, I never miss out on a welcome bonus and don’t overspend trying to get one.
I’m also a fan of planning ahead, especially when it comes to how I use my credit card rewards, whether they come in the form of points, miles or cash back.
That’s why when I applied for my latest card, I chose a co-branded hotel card that best suited my needs, as I’m not necessarily seeking elite status from a major hotel loyalty program, but I do want to build up a stash of hotel points for future use.
After several weeks of consideration, I applied for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Here’s why I chose it over several other great options and how I plan to take advantage of the generous welcome bonus once I earn it.
Hilton Aspire Card information was collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been verified or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to Maximize the Hilton Amex Aspire Card
Why I chose Hilton Aspire as my first co-branded hotel card
Because the Hilton Aspire is a premium card, the annual fee is high; this card will cost you $550 per card year. While there are other Hilton cobranded cards that offer lower annual fees, I felt that the Hilton Aspire’s perks, card benefits, and increased welcome bonus outweighed the high annual fee.
I chose the Hilton Aspire as my newest card for two main reasons:
- Increased welcome bonus: When I was looking for my next card, the Hilton Aspire offered an increased welcome bonus which made it even more tempting.
- Free overnight stay as a reward: In preparation for a family cruise, I looked for Hilton hotels to stay at before the cruise departed. The annual free night reward that comes with the Hilton Aspire – in addition to the welcome bonus that covers the cost of any additional rooms I need to book – was another big reason I ultimately chose this card.
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In addition, Hilton Aspire cardholders enjoy a number of other perks, including 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent directly at Hilton hotels and resorts, complimentary Diamond status—which comes with valuable perks—and up to $200 in semi-annual account credits (up to $400 in cash back annually) on eligible purchases made directly at participating Hilton resorts.
Related topics: Hilton Amex Aspire vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: Battle of the top hotel cards
How to get the welcome bonus with the Hilton Aspire card
I applied for the Hilton Aspire card when it offered a limited-time welcome bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors points after I spent $6,000 within the first six months of opening the account.*
*Note that this welcome bonus offer has expired and Hilton Amex is currently offering 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points when you spend $6,000 on purchases with the card within the first six months of your card membership.
At the time of publication, I am less than $2,000 short of meeting the minimum spend amount needed to earn bonus points. I accomplished this by switching all of my everyday expenses to my Hilton Aspire card. This includes flights, hotel reservations, grocery and restaurant expenses, gas purchases, and other miscellaneous expenses such as online shopping and the occasional coffee shop visit.
How do I redeem my Hilton Aspire card welcome bonus?
After I decided to apply for the Hilton Aspire card, I planned my upcoming spending to ensure I met the spending targets within the six-month period. I also determined how I would use the welcome bonus once the supply of Hilton Honors points was credited to my account.
My family is taking a New Year’s Eve cruise in 2024-2025 that will include my grandparents, several cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members. Since we are departing from Miami – and most of us live in the Northeastern United States – we are flying to the Sunshine State the day before the ship departs.
I need to book a hotel room for myself and another room for family members flying from New York to Miami.
Since the Hilton Aspire card comes with a free reward night at almost any Hilton hotel when you open the account and on each card anniversary, I plan to use the reward night to book one of the three rooms and use the points from the generous welcome bonus – in addition to the points I’ve earned through my regular spending – to pay for two more rooms.
Starting in August 2024, rates for some Hilton hotels near Miami International Airport (MIA) will start at 60,000 points per night.
Related: Buy Hilton Honors points with 100% bonus to make your stay cheaper
Conclusion
I will be able to make a lot of money with the Hilton Aspire, which is why it will remain in my wallet for years to come – and part of my points-earning strategy. If you want a Hilton card but aren’t willing to pay the hefty $550 annual fee that comes with the Aspire card, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® CardEntrepreneurs will also value co-branding Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
When you’re next deciding on a card for you, you should first come up with a plan to decide which card will best suit your needs – whether it’s building up a reserve of transferable credit card points, airline miles or cash back, or planning for upcoming travel.
Related: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Do you want Gold or Diamond status?
Once you’ve decided on a card, ask friends or colleagues for a referral link or try the CardMatch tool to get increased welcome bonuses on some of the most popular cards on the market.
My recent spending at the Hilton Aspire has earned me over 30,000 points and counting. If I meet the minimum spend for the welcome bonus, I will have over 200,000 Hilton Honors points for my future travel plans.
