I’ve written a lot about how much I love the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card—and honestly, in my opinion, it’s still one of the best hotel credit cards out there, despite the hefty $550 annual fee. The benefits are incredibly valuable if you know how to use them. Let’s break it down:
What Makes the Aspire Card a Powerhouse
- Free Night Certificate
Valid at almost any Hilton property, this is a benefit that can easily be worth $1000+ a year if used strategically. - $50 Airline Credit Every Quarter
This one’s actually better than the airline fee credit you get on the Amex Platinum or Business Platinum cards. It’s not restricted to incidental fees—you can use it toward actual airfare. That alone makes it a standout perk for frequent flyers. - Hilton Diamond Status
The top-tier status comes automatically with the card. These days, it mostly means a daily food & beverage credit(which can be used for breakfast), occasional room upgrades, and late checkout when available. It’s still useful, just not as over-the-top as it once was. - $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit
For travelers who value saving time at the airport, this benefit basically covers the cost of CLEAR each year. - $200 Hilton Resort Credit Every 6 Months
And here’s where the story gets complicated.
The $200 Resort Credit: Easy Before, Not-So-Easy Now
I used to love the resort credit. Back when it could be used at virtually any Hilton, I’d simply swing by a local Hilton near me and grab takeout dinner for the family from the hotel restaurant. It was easy and efficient—especially when the expiration date was approaching.
But now, Hilton has restricted the credit to a list of specific eligible resorts. And to make matters worse, they’ve made the official list a pain to navigate, sorting it by brand instead of location. Thankfully, the team at Travel on Points created a much more user-friendly version of the list, organized by state and region. Huge time-saver.
Still, I’ve got three of these $200 credits to use every 6 months—one from my card, one from my husband’s, and one from my mom’s (who generously lets me use hers). That’s $600 every 6 months I need to use… and it’s not easy anymore, especially since there’s no eligible Hilton resort near me in New York.
My Attempt to Use It at CardCon
Luckily, I had a trip to CardCon in Deerfield Beach, FL on the calendar. And good news: the Embassy Suites Deerfield Beach is on the list!
Even better—they have a spa. So on my first day, with a little free time, I tried to book a full spa day… but they only had a 50-minute massage available. Not even the 80-minute option. Still, I took what I could get.
The massage with tip came to $168. Afterward, I stopped at the gift shop and grabbed about $30 worth of small items—hair ties, a toothbrush, Band-Aids, and whatever else made sense to toss in a carry-on. I skipped the sunscreen, even though it was tempting, because it would’ve exceeded the TSA liquid limit with my carry-on luggage.
Will I Get the Credit?
Here’s the tricky part: I didn’t stay at the hotel. And technically, the terms say:
“Eligible purchases must be made directly with a participating Hilton Resort and charged to a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card for the benefit to apply. Incidental charges (including charges made at restaurants, spas, and other establishments within the hotel property) must be charged to your room and paid for with your Aspire Card.”
I’ve always received the credit in the past even without a stay—as long as the charges coded correctly from a qualifying resort. So, I’m hopeful. But if it doesn’t post, I may be out the credit and stuck with a bunch of extra hair ties.
The Points Mom’s Got IT!
The Bigger Problem: What If It Does or Doesn’t Work?
Regardless of whether the credit posts this time, I still have $400 in credits left before June 30. And here’s the reality:
- If the credit does post: I still need to be somewhere with an eligible Hilton resort before the end of June to use the rest.
- If it doesn’t post: Then I’d actually have to book a stay at a qualifying Hilton resort and try again… and neither option is particularly easy right now.
I don’t have any upcoming trips planned to places with eligible resorts, and there’s really nothing in the New York area that qualifies. So I’m kind of stuck.
Final Thoughts
I still absolutely love this card. The value I’ve gotten over the years is undeniable. But the $200 resort credit has definitely become more difficult to use since Hilton tightened the restrictions.
So if you’re thinking about getting the Hilton Aspire—or already have one—you’ll want to plan ahead and double-check the list of eligible resorts. Otherwise, you may find yourself with an expiring credit and no way to use it… unless your idea of a good time is buying hotel gift shop hair ties in bulk.
Related posts:
Types of Cards for People with Limited Credit History: Secured, Prepaid, and Credit Builder Cards
A Literal No-Brainer: Why The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Make Earning Rewards Effortless
How to Gift Your Adult Kids Something Truly Valuable: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
How Points, Miles, Credit Card Benefits, and Airline Flexibility Can Save You in an Emergency
