Thread: American Express Aspire Card Pays for Itself If You Stay at Hilton and Fly United

Amex is offering the American Express Aspire card which pays for itself and more IF you stay at Hilton and fly with United at least once per year. Let us explain!

Link to Sign up to American Express Aspire Card


How much does the AmEx Aspire Card cost?
The American Express Aspire Card costs $450 a year. The annual fee is relatively high, but please read on to why we still think it's worth it.


What does American Express Aspire Card give you?

$250 Airline Fee Credit (with United, this is good as cash)
Amex will cover for incidental fees, however people on flyertalk found a way to use this on United flight tickets.

$250 Hilton Hotel Credit
With your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, enjoy up to $250 in statement credits each year of Card Membership for eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts. This would be like a weekend at Hilton.

AT THIS POINT, YOU ALREADY PAID OFF YOUR ANNUAL FEE, but please read on...

Complimentary Hilton Hotel Diamond Status
This status will give you hotel upgrades and lounge access. Full list of benefits from Hilton include

• 100% points earning bonus
• Space available room upgrades
• Executive lounge access
• Diamond status extension
• Premium WiFi
• 48-hour room guarantee
• Elite status gifting

$100 Property Credit - Not a benefit
This doesn't count. American Express claims to give you a $100 property credit when you stay 2 nights at Conrad or Waldorf Astoria, but you need to book through their special site which charges you more to begin with.

Priority Pass Select Membership
This will give you and 2 other guests to select airport lounges for free! This is normally $99/year and $32/entry

Annual Free Weekend Night Reward
Every time you renew, you get to stay one weekend night for free at a Hilton establishment.

Get $750 in Hilton Honors Points
Sign up with Amex Aspire and if you spend $4000 in the first 3 months, you will get 150,000 Hilton Honors Points which is roughly worth $750 according to NerdWallet. You probably will spend $4000 during the Christmas shopping/travel season.


Summary
Although this card was designed for people that stay at Hilton, just staying one time at Hilton once a year ($250 worth) and flying United once a year ($250 worth) already pays for the annual fee. Some people argue that the free-night at a Conrad / Waldorf Astoria already pays for the fee as well.


Link to Sign up to American Express Aspire Card