Link: Apply now for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hotel credit cards are among the most underrated credit cards out there, in my opinion, given the perks that they potentially offer, from elite status to free night certificates.
While I’m primarily loyal to Hyatt and Marriott, Hilton has grown on me a lot in the past few years. Many new luxury hotels have joined the Hilton portfolio, and it’s also easy to earn top tier status with the Honors program, thanks to the credit card that I’m about to talk about in more detail.
While Hilton has several co-branded Amex cards, in this post I wanted to share a detailed review of the most premium card, which is disproportionately rewarding.
In this post:
Amex Hilton Aspire Card Basics For May 2023
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is one of the highest annual fee hotel credit cards, but it’s also one of the most generous. Regardless of whether you’re a Hilton loyalist or not, this card almost certainly should be in your wallet if you know how to extract value from it.
Let’s talk about why the card is worth it, and what specifically you should be using it for.
150,000 Bonus Hilton Honors Points
The Hilton Aspire Card offers a welcome bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $4,000 within the first three months. For context, I value Hilton Honors points at ~0.5 cents each, meaning that I value the 150,000 points at ~$750. That’s an excellent bonus, especially when you consider how much value this card can offer in the long run.
Eligibility For Welcome Bonus & Amex Application Restrictions
The welcome offer on the Hilton Aspire Card is not available to those who currently have or who have had the Hilton Aspire Card. However, you are eligible for the bonus if you’ve had any of the other Hilton Amex cards, including the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card. I find that Amex cards are fairly easy to be approved for, for those with excellent credit.
Just keep in mind Amex’s general card application rules:
- You can be approved for at most two Amex credit cards in a 90 day period
- You can have at most five Amex credit cards at any point
Both of those limitations are specific to credit cards, and don’t include Amex charge or hybrid cards.
Hilton Aspire $450 Annual Fee
The Hilton Aspire Card has a $450 annual fee. The annual fee isn’t waived for the first year, and you can add authorized users to the card at no extra cost (though authorized users don’t get most of the great perks offered by the card, other than earning points at the same rate as the primary cardmember).
Earning Points With The Hilton Aspire Card
The Hilton Aspire Card offers bonuses on spending in some useful categories. The card offers 3-14x points per dollar spent, depending on what categories you’re spending money in.
That sounds like a lot of points, though not all points currencies are created equal. So in which of those categories should you be spending money on the card?
14x Points At Hilton Hotels
The Hilton Aspire offers 14x Hilton Honors points for spending at Hilton properties globally. This includes all Hilton brands, from Hampton Inn to Waldorf Astoria.
I value Hilton points at ~0.5 cents each, so to me, that’s like a 7% return on hotel spending, which is excellent. The Hilton Aspire Card is the best credit card for Hilton hotel spending.
7x Points Bonus Categories
The Hilton Aspire offers 7x Hilton Honors per eligible dollar spent in the following categories, with no caps:
- Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
- Car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies
- US restaurants
I value 7x Hilton Honors points at the equivalent of a ~3.5% return. Those are some pretty good bonuses, though keep in mind there are other good cards for airfare and restaurant spending.
3x Points On Other Purchases
The Hilton Aspire offers 3x points on all other eligible purchases, which I value at a return of ~1.5%. I’d argue there are better cards for everyday spending.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Hilton Aspire Card has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s an excellent card for purchases abroad, especially for stays at Hilton properties abroad.
Hilton Aspire Card Benefits
The real reason to get the Hilton Aspire Card is because of the incredible long-term perks it offers, which should more than offset the annual fee year after year. I’m currently in my fifth year of card membership, and I’ve gotten such outsized value from the card.
Why is the Hilton Aspire Card worth it? Let’s take a closer look at the benefits (see this post for a rundown of the benefits I consider to be most valuable, and see this post for an in-depth look of how these benefits work):
Hilton Honors Diamond Status
Just for having the Aspire Card, you receive complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status. This is Hilton’s top tier status, so it’s pretty incredible to get that just for having a credit card. Hilton Honors Diamond comes with the following perks, among other things:
- Free breakfast and/or executive lounge access (in the United States you receive a food & beverage credit)
- Room upgrades subject to availability (this may include standard suites, at the hotel’s discretion)
- Late check-out, subject to availability
- 100% points bonus
- Fifth night free on award stays
As is the case with all hotel programs, the treatment you’ll receive will vary depending on where in the world you are. I’ve found Diamond recognition to be excellent in Asia, for example, while it’s generally hit or miss in the United States.
Annual Free Night Reward Certificate
Just for having the Hilton Aspire Card you receive a free night reward every year that correlates to your account anniversary. You even receive this in the year that you get your card.
This could get you a stay at a property costing up to 150,000 points per night. Personally I value this certificate alone at more than $450, and I’ve used my last several certificates at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and Conrad Bora Bora Nui.
How The Hilton Free Night Reward Works
Here are some basic things to know about the free night reward offered by the Hilton Aspire Card:
- It’s issued within 8-12 weeks of when you open the card and the account anniversary
- It’s valid for stays up to a year from when it’s issued
- It can be redeemed for one night in standard accommodation
- There’s a small list of excluded properties
- While you can view your free night certificate online, you have to call 1-800-446-6677 to actually make your booking
$250 Annual Hilton Resort Credit
For having the Hilton Aspire Card you receive a $250 statement credit for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton resorts using your card. This is based on your cardmember year (which is calculated as the 12 month period following when you open the card, and so on). See this link to find all participating resorts.
There’s no registration required to activate this perk, and virtually any spending at a participating resort will be eligible. This includes the room rate, incidentals, dining, spa services, etc. As long as you spend just $250 per year on the card at Hilton resorts, you should be able to make full use of this benefit.
$250 Annual Airline Fee Credit
For having the Aspire Card you receive a $250 airline fee credit every calendar year. This follows a strict calendar year definition, meaning you get one credit through December 31, and then another credit as of January 1 of the following year.
You have to specifically designate an airline on which you want this credit to apply (if you’re an existing cardmember you need to do this in January of each year), with the choice between Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United.
Per the terms, the annual airline credit can be used for purchases made directly with airlines, excluding the following:
Airline tickets, upgrades, mileage points purchases, mileage points transfer fees, gift cards, duty free purchases, and award tickets are not deemed to be incidental fees.
Complimentary Priority Pass Membership
Just for having the Hilton Aspire Card you receive a Priority Pass membership, getting you access to 1,300+ lounges around the world. You can even bring two guests with you into lounges. Note that Priority Pass restaurants are excluded from this benefit.
$100 Hilton On-Property Credit
The Hilton Aspire Card also offers a $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad when you book stays of at least two nights with an eligible rate through this page.
Personally, I don’t consider that to be so valuable. Why?
- You have to book a specific rate, so points stays, discounted member rates, etc., don’t qualify
- Most of these hotels also belong through Hilton Impresario or Virtuoso, which offers a similar credit and more
ShopRunner Membership
For having the Hilton Aspire Card you get a ShopRunner membership, which gets you free two-day shipping on eligible items at a network of 100+ online stores. You just have to enroll in your complimentary membership and can then start taking advantage of it.
Amex Offers
One of my favorite features of Amex cards is access to Amex Offers, which offers savings on purchases with all kinds of retailers. There’s huge value to be had in getting as many Amex cards as possible, so that you can get these offers on multiple cards.
Amex Offers could save you hundreds of dollars per year. You can access these offers by logging into your account and scrolling down to the bottom of your account summary page.
Is The Hilton Aspire Card Worth It?
Hilton is one of the largest hotel groups in the world, and the Hilton Aspire Card is an incredible card that comes in handy for those instances where I want to stay at a Hilton property.
For example, I’ve consistently redeemed the free night certificate at properties retailing for well over $450 per night, so in and of itself that covers the annual fee. For example, I’ve used my certificate at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, which would have retailed for over $1,400 per night when I stayed. Add in the $250 resort credit, $250 airline fee credit, and Hilton Honors Diamond status (among other perks), and this card really is too good to be true.
That being said, personally this is a card that I would get for the perks, rather than a card I would actually spend a lot of money on, as there are better cards for that.
Card Showdown: Hilton Aspire Vs. Hilton Surpass
I know some people try to decide between the $450 annual fee Aspire card and the $95 annual fee Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. How do the two cards compare?
Personally, I think the $450 annual fee card is worthwhile, though for many people only occasionally staying at Hiltons, the $95 annual fee Surpass Card might be worthwhile as well.
The Hilton Surpass Card offers:
- Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as you have the card
- Hilton Honors Diamond status when you spend $40,000 on the card in a calendar year
- A free night reward when you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
Many people are put off by a $450 annual fee card, so for those people, this is perhaps a more manageable option.
Bottom Line
The Hilton Aspire Card is one of the most rewarding hotel credit cards out there. While the card has a $450 annual fee, it offers some truly incredible perks, including top tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, a free night reward annually, and up to $500 in credits annually ($250 for airline fees, and $250 for Hilton resorts).
To say that I’ve gotten outsized value from this card would be an understatement. This continues to be my single favorite hotel credit card, and I think that those who don’t have it are missing out.
If you want to learn more about the Hilton Aspire Card or apply, follow this link.
@DCS
Why does Ben keep forgetting that Hilton Amex card spend count as base points to help with lifetime Diamond
@Jill -- That is a good question that only @Ben can answer, but it is indeed strange that he does not mention what is longest running and possibly the greatest promos of all time because (a) it fast-tracks HH Diamonds who are on the cusp to the LT Diamond status, unquestionably the most rewarding hotel loyalty LT status (think of, e.g., UA Global Services), and (b) it's the ultimate "double dipping", as all bonus points...
@Jill -- That is a good question that only @Ben can answer, but it is indeed strange that he does not mention what is longest running and possibly the greatest promos of all time because (a) it fast-tracks HH Diamonds who are on the cusp to the LT Diamond status, unquestionably the most rewarding hotel loyalty LT status (think of, e.g., UA Global Services), and (b) it's the ultimate "double dipping", as all bonus points earned on the card count both as base points and as redeemable points.
How lucrative is this promos? It's just May and I've already earned 145,504 base points (enough to (re)qualify for Diamond!), though I do not need the base points as a LT Diamond, which is why the "double dipping" is great because a large proportion of those points also count as redeemable points...
No brainer - absolute Top Tier Diamond for in essence free? Even though of course it’s the weakest top tier by far, with minimal guarantees.
And by getting it every year - voila, instant Lifetime Diamond! No need to actually spend money and nights to earn it (can’t imagine anyone foolish enough to actually do that).
I do that because I want Lifetime Diamond with Hilton
See Jill, you get it! You too can be LT Diamond (Hilton’s top tier status) for net free each year. Quite silly to actually pay and stay to get it.
I got a lot of value from the card even without using the airline credit. I took advantage of free night extension during COVID and stayed three nights at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam last year. I used the most recent FNC to stay at Roku Kyoto in late March when the going rate was $1,500+. Since Roku is also a Hilton resort property, I used the resort credit for Kaiseki dinner for two.
I think this card would be a slam dunk with one adjustment, but as is, I do not think it is worth the annual fee. That adjustment would be to make the resort credit valid at any Hilton property or at least at a subset of their non-resort properties. I was ready to signup for this card when I picked up on "resort." I checked where their resorts are and there is one or two...
I think this card would be a slam dunk with one adjustment, but as is, I do not think it is worth the annual fee. That adjustment would be to make the resort credit valid at any Hilton property or at least at a subset of their non-resort properties. I was ready to signup for this card when I picked up on "resort." I checked where their resorts are and there is one or two that I might use in a given year. And then it's not necessarily convenient. So there goes $200 of value right there in most years.
The Diamond would be great, but honestly, I have switched largely to Marriot properties in recent years after being primarily a Hampton/Hilton guy for a very long time.
The airline fee? Worthless for the most part ever since they made it so that you could not buy gift cards. Other than getting a guest into the Delta SkyClub a couple of years ago with my Amex Business Platinum, I don't use those fee credits much anymore. I have a Delta card that gets me free checked bags, and both my wife and I have Platinum/Platinum Business cards so I don't need to pay for a guest in the SkyClub. And the Conrad or Waldorf credit? Not going to use them. I have stayed in one Conrad ever in Miami. Nice hotel, but when I travel, I am there to see where I am visiting, not to sit in a hotel room. Plus, I prefer local restaurants to hotel dining, except for maybe breakfast on occasion. Paying big money for a "fancy" hotel isn't very valuable once I am asleep and the lights are out.
Check the AMEX reddit sub for a survey of proposed changes to Aspire:
Annual fee increase ro 550, annual credits replaced with 50$ quarterly credits , Priority pass is gone
PARTING FINAL SHOT TO END ALL SHOTS
Here it is folks - DCS "confirmation" from Hilton. All it shows is, yup, he gets "Diamond benefits for life" (yes, that exact same Diamond status anyone else can get w/the Aspire).
https://imgur.com/a/7CVp5TF
So basically, anyone w/ a pulse, get the Aspire for (net) free every year, and voila, LT Diamond!
LOL. Is it not too early to be on the "sauce" and begin spewing drunken incoherence.
It does not take a shrink to diagnose the psychopathology: Envious denialism because you cannot stand it that Hilton Honors remains a vibrant program, and has introduced a highly exclusive, above-them-all, and rewarding elite status that you will never, ever, be part of.
Envious denialism because SPG, another so-called "best" program that you swore by, went belly-up precisely because...
LOL. Is it not too early to be on the "sauce" and begin spewing drunken incoherence.
It does not take a shrink to diagnose the psychopathology: Envious denialism because you cannot stand it that Hilton Honors remains a vibrant program, and has introduced a highly exclusive, above-them-all, and rewarding elite status that you will never, ever, be part of.
Envious denialism because SPG, another so-called "best" program that you swore by, went belly-up precisely because it was a subpar program that was inexplicably put on a pedestal from which it fell to its ignominious end for not measuring up.
Since I doubt that you will even make WoH LT Globalist, you will be envious and in denial for a very long time.
I feel for you. Really.
What happened to "I am done here."?
About as believable as the rest of your nonsense.
But keep giving the silent treatment to everyone who doesn't vehemently align with you. Pretty soon the light will reveal itself to the 2-3 people that buy into your superiority complex, and you'll be out of people to respond to.
I know you're not an anti-vaxxer, but your objectivity here is equivalent.
I’m far far younger than DCS. And thus many more years of business + fun travel ahead of me. Will prob even make LT 1K. You on the other hand will never sniff that.
Keep conning yourself w/Hilton!
LOL. Now the troll is really on the "sauce" because the incoherence is even more drunken.
Why don't you wait until you have sniffed any kind of air as a LT anything to pontificate? You keep going on and on and on about an elite level in a program that you are completely clueless about. See how that's stupid and lacks any kind of credibility? Would you take seriously anyone who makes pronouncements on a...
LOL. Now the troll is really on the "sauce" because the incoherence is even more drunken.
Why don't you wait until you have sniffed any kind of air as a LT anything to pontificate? You keep going on and on and on about an elite level in a program that you are completely clueless about. See how that's stupid and lacks any kind of credibility? Would you take seriously anyone who makes pronouncements on a topic about which they have no experience or expertise ? That is what you have been doing in broad daylight for all to see.
You have no clue about the benefits or status recognition of HH LT Diamonds, and yet you have been pontificating about it nonstop. The diagnosis of that clear psychopathology is envious denialism.
Since I doubt that you will even make WoH LT Globalist, you will be envious and in denial for a very long time.
Before you set your sights on LT 1K, are you even a UA 1MM? You see, I have been a UA 1MM since 2016 and am getting within striking distance of hitting UA 2MM. From where I am, you are just a speck of dust in my rear view mirror and will remain there for the foreseeable future.
Pontificate after you hit any kind of elite milestone. Until then, anyone who takes you seriously needs to have their head examined.
"Would you take seriously anyone who makes pronouncements on a topic about which they have no experience or expertise?"
Consider that just a year or so ago, we were all on the same terms, and your alleged experience with Honors as a normal Diamond was constantly the odd-man-out. Hence, taking your experience as a LT Diamond at its word isn't any more or less foolish than believing any pontification UA or others put forth.
I hit MM in my mid 30s, will be 2MM in a couple years at my current pace, and am probably 20 years younger than you DCS. So STFU and STFD you stupid fat bloviating Twat.
Not that we don't believe you but please put up an image of your UA1K/1MM memership card, as well as of one of an official document that shows your birthday so that we may verify your age, though your immaturity does come through from your comments.
I've been a MP member since 1986, and have been traveling for business far longer than you. Sit down and retire already.
The crazy thing is yes, UAs comments, and mine, both come across as immature (and probably are).
Some of us recognize our flaws.
Everyone else (except you, evidently) can clearly observe that yours too are childish/snobbish/elitist.
Easiest way to get LT Diamond - get that CC every year!
Every time I think I am out, they pull me back in.
Wishful thinking. There is no "easiest way" to earn LT Diamond. Gotta do the time and pay the dues: at least 10 years a Diamond + 2M base points or 1K elite-qualifying nights are the admission price to the highly exclusive LTD status.
Getting a CC every year makes you an...
Every time I think I am out, they pull me back in.
Wishful thinking. There is no "easiest way" to earn LT Diamond. Gotta do the time and pay the dues: at least 10 years a Diamond + 2M base points or 1K elite-qualifying nights are the admission price to the highly exclusive LTD status.
Getting a CC every year makes you an 'Aspire Diamond' and not a LT Diamond. Think of UA Global Services vs. 1K. Earning 1K every year does not make you a Global Services, though on paper most of the perks are the same. Like UA GS, higher priority for perks and superior status recognition define LTD. Even you can understand that.
In fact, upon considering the UA GS vs. UA 1K analogy further, I believe that it is the more apt representation of the relationship between HH Diamond and LT Diamond. That being the case, I must admit that I was wrong in stating that the Aspire card no longer awards Hilton Honors' top-tier elite status. Diamond remains the program's top-tier elite status, while LT Diamond, like UA GS, stands alone as the level above the program's top-tier elites. That is, LT Diamond is in a different, higher class altogether. It's the program's most elite status, as it states in writing (https://bit.ly/3kQFwwX), and the one that AMEX is driving to monetize, after it is renamed, by awarding it to those who spend big on the Aspire.
I hope the preceding de-fangs all the contentions and makes the "debate" moot. LTD is Hilton Honors' highly exclusive, GS-like, 'greater than Diamond' status.
Do you realize you come off sounding like an @$$? Why do you care if other people have Diamond status through a credit card? Do you have a narcissistic need to think what you have is better? Because you earned it? I thought JoePro was an @$$ for needling you. I stand corrected.
What a stupid question. Why don't you address it at the forum host who constantly ranks programs, with one always being the declared "best". Why does he care?
FWIW (if I can borrow that from you), I do not care about how anyone earns their status. I do care a great deal about the fidelity to reality of the information that sites like these purport to promulgate.
In fact, @OCTinPHL, the snarky comment cannot be in response to mine that apparently elicited it. Read my comment, which is factually analytical and tries to make sense to an ongoing "debate" !
You and your JoePro can get lost.
G'day.
In fact, DCS, it was to you - any you know it. It was in response to your "highly exclusive" statement. You realize that ANYTHING that a Hilton offers to you or anyone else is not HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE. They are offering it to you. And United offering GS to people is not highly exclusive. Anyone who flys commercial (myself included) is not in an exclusive club.
I agree with you - wholeheartedly - that...
In fact, DCS, it was to you - any you know it. It was in response to your "highly exclusive" statement. You realize that ANYTHING that a Hilton offers to you or anyone else is not HIGHLY EXCLUSIVE. They are offering it to you. And United offering GS to people is not highly exclusive. Anyone who flys commercial (myself included) is not in an exclusive club.
I agree with you - wholeheartedly - that Ben's crush on WoH is unwarranted, IMO. We agree. But it is Ben's opinion on HIS blog. Your fascination with defending LTD is on par with Ben's WoH love-fest. Who cares if LTD is better than "regular" Diamond - apparently only you. I certainly don't. Andy when you write things like "highly exclusive" and regular boldface terms like analytical, you are sounding are making my point and JoePro's.
Again, even those of us staying at Waldorf's in Beverly Hills (like Ben loves to mention) or the Maldives are NOT an exclusive club. Well off, yes. Exclusive definitely not!
Poor editing on my part: regularLY boldface terms like analytical, you are sounding LIKE an arse and are making my point and JoePro's.
I'm not the one saying G'Day and then regularly coming back. ;)
Get lost. I come in and leave as I wish. What is it you, anyway?
You are clearly looking for a fight. I won't give it to. In fact, the last thing I need another JoePro like character hounding me.
Have a nice life.
One of your most hilarious defenses is an image screen shot from Hilton showing you would have Diamond for life. The same Diamond one gets for free with a CC. Share it again please so we can all help having a laugh at you.
LOL. Is it not too early to be on the "sauce" and begin spewing drunken incoherence.
It does not take a shrink to diagnose the psychopathology: Envious denialism because you cannot stand it that Hilton Honors remains a vibrant program, and has introduced a highly exclusive, above-them-all, and rewarding elite status that you will never, ever, be part of.
Envious denialism because SPG, another so-called "best" program that you swore by, went belly-up...
LOL. Is it not too early to be on the "sauce" and begin spewing drunken incoherence.
It does not take a shrink to diagnose the psychopathology: Envious denialism because you cannot stand it that Hilton Honors remains a vibrant program, and has introduced a highly exclusive, above-them-all, and rewarding elite status that you will never, ever, be part of.
Envious denialism because SPG, another so-called "best" program that you swore by, went belly-up precisely because it was a subpar program that was inexplicably put on a pedestal from which it fell to its ignominious end for not measuring up.
Since I doubt that you will even make WoH LT Globalist, you will be in denial for a very long time.
I feel for you. Really.
'Everyone is jealous of me'
And yet you try to tell Jill that I can't be taken seriously with my "narcissist" comment.
You can't make that crap up!
@OCT... I mean, I am an ass (at least in terms of how I respond here), it's just that DCS is a bigger ass, and it seems he's incapable of recognizing it. That's usually a pretty clear sign of narcissism. (Albeit I'm at least momentarily in doubt... now that I read his admittance of wrong about Diamond not being top tier)
The only real solution is for him (and I) to stop commenting on Hilton V Hyatt (I think we can all agree that Marriott sucks).
@JoePro - the ironic thing is that I agree with him re: HH v. WoH, but he comes off sounding like an elitist ass. And yes, he’s incapable or recognizing that he sounds like one. I didn’t start out trolling him, but it’s hard not to now. It’s addictive.
Marriott’s program does suck.
G’Day…. But I’ll keep coming back. ;)
OCT: As I've relayed to several people: if you've found Hilton Honors to be better than WOH, props to you. I don't fault anyone for thinking one is better than the other. We all have different subjective experiences.
I do fault someone for thinking their analytics, combined with their particular subjective experience constitutes concrete proof that one program is superior to another.
Agree it is addictive. It's like talking to a brick wall in...
OCT: As I've relayed to several people: if you've found Hilton Honors to be better than WOH, props to you. I don't fault anyone for thinking one is better than the other. We all have different subjective experiences.
I do fault someone for thinking their analytics, combined with their particular subjective experience constitutes concrete proof that one program is superior to another.
Agree it is addictive. It's like talking to a brick wall in the hopes it'll break. I'll take the little victory for now, as the entire conversation started because of his adamance that Diamond wasn't top tier (from a previous post), and requesting Ben stop referring to it as such. Now he seems to get it.
The one thing I don't get... if UA is to be believed, DCS is in his 50's. Am I going to still be pointlessly arguing with people online at that age? If so, crap!
@JoePro - I admittedly have very little experience with WoH. What I did have - not as a Globalist - was not impressive.
My issue is that DCS has a pathological need to prove to everyone that LTD is better than regular Diamond. He must have been treated horribly as a Diamond, because my experience (now, as a Diamond) is the same as his LTD. And I get upgraded regularly in hotels where upgrades...
@JoePro - I admittedly have very little experience with WoH. What I did have - not as a Globalist - was not impressive.
My issue is that DCS has a pathological need to prove to everyone that LTD is better than regular Diamond. He must have been treated horribly as a Diamond, because my experience (now, as a Diamond) is the same as his LTD. And I get upgraded regularly in hotels where upgrades are available. My thinking that HH is better than WoH is simply based on my experience. Ben can have his, DCS his, and you yours. My issue is that DCS continues to denigrate anyone who disagrees with his view that LTD is some "exclusive" club.
Hard to figure out what the deal is, but having seen his commentary for years, you'd have thought it couldn't get any better than Diamond.
He either exaggerated how good Diamond was then (based on my own experience, I'd say this is the more likely scenario), or is exaggerating LT Diamond now. Both cannot be true.
If they're regularly upgrading LT Diamonds to penthouses and presidential suites and villas, at that point he could call...
Hard to figure out what the deal is, but having seen his commentary for years, you'd have thought it couldn't get any better than Diamond.
He either exaggerated how good Diamond was then (based on my own experience, I'd say this is the more likely scenario), or is exaggerating LT Diamond now. Both cannot be true.
If they're regularly upgrading LT Diamonds to penthouses and presidential suites and villas, at that point he could call me "envious". Higher upgrade priority is pretty meaningless, as unless you have access to a list, hotels can game that benefit just like they always have. Not to mention that in the past he claimed 90-100% upgrade rates as a Diamond, so what does a (up to) 10% improvement really amount to?
"I must admit that I was wrong in stating that the Aspire card no longer awards Hilton Honors' top-tier elite status. Diamond remains the program's top-tier elite status,"
Wowsas. Well it appears the topic was not settled, and that you did in fact read at least part of my "dissertation". Just when I thought I had given you all the credit you deserved (basically, none), you come out and surprise me.
I won't say you...
"I must admit that I was wrong in stating that the Aspire card no longer awards Hilton Honors' top-tier elite status. Diamond remains the program's top-tier elite status,"
Wowsas. Well it appears the topic was not settled, and that you did in fact read at least part of my "dissertation". Just when I thought I had given you all the credit you deserved (basically, none), you come out and surprise me.
I won't say you don't still come across as a narcissist, but this at least puts in question my assertion that you are.
Cheers.
Back to the card.. yea it's fantastic value. I opened this card last year. I spent ~5 weeks at hilton properties last year. I wouldn't say I went out my way to stay at hilton properties. I earned more than enough points for a 5 night stay at the conrad tokyo for later this year. Cash stay would have been some absurd amount. That 25% discount on food was really nice too. Looking forward to lifetime diamond in 10 years I guess lmao.
"it's fantastic value"
Wholeheartedly agree. Last year we used our night at the W.A Beverly Hills, this year we'll be at the W.A Monarch Beach. And in 2020 we had 4 to use at the W.A Maldives.
Free night alone makes up the cost, if you're going to somewhere that's $450+
Not even mentioning the $250 resort credit at $200 Airline Incidentals.
(Insert Pretentious Subheading here)
DCS is the pinnacle of hypocrisy... criticizing for "dissertation" then writing a dissertation, calling others a troll while simultaneously trolling Ben as a "self-anointed travel guru".
My obsession with DCS is about akin with his obsession of Ben. Which is why he has to keep coming back to make his meager attempts to refute Ben's opinion on Hyatt. But to be clear, I've only ever used usernames involving "Joe", so his...
(Insert Pretentious Subheading here)
DCS is the pinnacle of hypocrisy... criticizing for "dissertation" then writing a dissertation, calling others a troll while simultaneously trolling Ben as a "self-anointed travel guru".
My obsession with DCS is about akin with his obsession of Ben. Which is why he has to keep coming back to make his meager attempts to refute Ben's opinion on Hyatt. But to be clear, I've only ever used usernames involving "Joe", so his delusional attempts to compare me to someone he used to hear from are just that. Go figure.
The entire planet will continue to rightfully refer to Hilton Diamond as their top-tier status, but I guess here in his little bubble, him and one or two others can self-gratify.
Everything makes more sense when you consider DCS may be an incel.
Comment of the day!
Ouch.
When I first read DCS commentary, I pictured someone rather sophisticated. But as time has gone on, speculation like yours seem plausable.
I got a lot of value from the card even without using the airline credit. I took advantage of the free night extension and got 3 nights at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam last year. I just used the free night to stay at Roku Kyoto in late March when the going rate was $1,500 that week. It is a resort so I used the $250 credit for a kaseiki dinner for two.
Parting Shot
Parting Shot
Yes, even as the HH "mid-tier" elite status the Aspire Diamond remains a solid status because, unlike a certain program with a tiny footprint that is put on a pedestal and declared to be "best" by self-anointed "travel gurus", Hilton Honors elite benefits are not stuffed almost exclusively into the top-tier level. Benefits for lower-tier HH elites, down to Gold, are quite solid, especially in Asia, as you correctly remarked. A WoH Explorist gets very little in perks or status recognition, even in Asia. The recognition of HH Golds, especially in Asia, is so good that for the longest time the status was declared by self-anointed "travel gurus" to be indistinguishable from HH Diamond.
So, yes, Aspire Diamond will remain great even as a second-tier elite level, as will HH Gold as the bottom of the tier. The primary difference, which I have experienced since becoming LT Diamond (LTD) last May, but especially during the 4 weeks I just spent at 5 properties in Asia, is that elite recognition for LTDs is much much better.
My first stay as a HH LTD was at Hilton Newark Airport, where I booked a "Workspaces Day Use rate" but got an overnight stay and an upgrade to an executive suite out of it (see: https://bit.ly/3jwoXGi)! In Asia, I got proactively (i.e. without asking) upgraded to suites at 3 of 5 hotels where I was eligible to receive complimentary room upgrades (see: https://bit.ly/3DoN7Ji), including one suite upgrade that cleared 3 days before check-in, a feature of the program's new global automated upgrades. To understanding what the recognition LTDs by hotel staff is like right now just refer to how UA flight crews almost invariably go out of their way to make UA Global Services -- UA's by invitation-only status -- feel special. It was really like that for me at every single hotel once the word had spread to hotel staff that I was a LTD. I never before got such recognition as a HH Diamond, Aspire or otherwise, though either remains a solid elite status.
Now is the time to travel if one is a HH LTD because the incredible recognition of the status won't last forever, especially with Hilton Honors and AMEX now aggressively fast-tracking Diamonds that are on the cusp to LTD by counting all bonus points earned on their co-branded cards as base points.
G'day!
Why is your “parting shot” directed at me?
And by the way, “It was really like that for me at every single hotel once the word had spread to hotel staff that I was a LTD. I never before got such recognition as a HH Diamond” makes you sound like a DYKWIA?
FYI, as a mere Aspire Diamond I was just treated the same as you at the Conrad Tokyo. Same at the...
Why is your “parting shot” directed at me?
And by the way, “It was really like that for me at every single hotel once the word had spread to hotel staff that I was a LTD. I never before got such recognition as a HH Diamond” makes you sound like a DYKWIA?
FYI, as a mere Aspire Diamond I was just treated the same as you at the Conrad Tokyo. Same at the Hilton Financial District in Beijing (pre-Covid). That is the culture in Asia. They treat all Diamonds very well. But if it makes you feel better to think that you get better treatment as LTD, who cares? Why do you have to denigrate all other Diamonds? (Whether earned the ‘hard way’ or Aspire.)
FWIW, In agree with you about WoH and Lucky’s crush on it. (Along with air nozzles and doors.)
I don
I don’t know what else I was going to say… I clearly meant to say something.
Don't be paranoid. The comment actually mostly agreed with your take.
I created and have been using the "parting shot" construct mainly to synthesize of my response to my detractors. If you are one of the latter then count yourself in...
I am done here.
"makes you sound like a DYKWIA"
"it makes you feel better to think that you get better treatment as LTD"
That is and always has been DCS' MO. Pretty obvious since he makes tedious and cringeworthy efforts to distinguish himself from everyone else.
I concur that Hilton Diamond ain't bad considering you're getting top tier status and associated benefits just for holding a credit card. Where it clearly lags is when comparing it to the Hyatt Globalist.
Cheers.
Are these hilton posts just to bait DCS and others into commentating lol
Yes.
FWIW, I am perfectly happy with me “mid-tier” Aspire Diamond status. I get excellent recognition in Asia, excellent at Conrads in the U.S., pretty good in Europe and decent upgrades. Much of my U.S. Hilton usage is Hampton Inns, or less than full service. So I don’t give a crap about recognition. I use the App and rarely talk to anyone.
Aspire Diamond is great.
Yes.
FWIW, I am perfectly happy with my “mid-tier” Aspire Diamond status. I get excellent recognition in Asia, excellent at Conrads in the U.S., pretty good in Europe and decent upgrades. Much of my U.S. Hilton usage is Hampton Inns, or less than full service. So I don’t give a crap about recognition. I use the App and rarely talk to anyone.
Aspire Diamond is great.
Hmmm… sorry about that. And “my” not “me”…
[slow claps]
DCS! DCS!! DCS!!! DCS!!!!
Can't we get the two of you on a podcast?
I absolutely love this card. My wife and I both have it so that we can double the benefits. My only worry is that it has such an incredible value that American Express will increase the annual fee.
Looks like they raised the spend requirement for the bonus?
I think you should be bolding and italicizing "Top Tier". Self-anointed Hilton Guru's will lose their mind.
I am through stating what is now plainly obvious, as denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade.
I know that as a HH Diamond for 13 years and now a LT Diamond, my current LTD status is definitely higher and better recognized, and that I will be upgraded to a better room or to a suite ahead of <"top-tier" (there: I bolded and italicized it) "Aspire Diamonds" every single time,...
I am through stating what is now plainly obvious, as denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade.
I know that as a HH Diamond for 13 years and now a LT Diamond, my current LTD status is definitely higher and better recognized, and that I will be upgraded to a better room or to a suite ahead of <"top-tier" (there: I bolded and italicized it) "Aspire Diamonds" every single time, guaranteed, just like a UA Global Services beats a UA 1K on cabin upgrades every time. The "Aspire Diamond" status is now a mid-tier status in Hilton Honors. Deal with it.
"denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade"
LOL. You're coming from an angle as though I care about what echelon I am in the land of Hilton. That's an incorrect assumption. Nothing changes for me. I'll continue getting the same mediocre recognition I've always gotten. If tomorrow Hilton introduced a new status where one qualifies yearly, and I wouldn't qualify for it, I would not push back against anyone calling...
"denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade"
LOL. You're coming from an angle as though I care about what echelon I am in the land of Hilton. That's an incorrect assumption. Nothing changes for me. I'll continue getting the same mediocre recognition I've always gotten. If tomorrow Hilton introduced a new status where one qualifies yearly, and I wouldn't qualify for it, I would not push back against anyone calling it "top-tier"... in fact, assuming the benefits were better than Diamond, I'd fully expect headlines announcing "Hilton introduces new top-tier status"... which of course would immediately trigger you-- the person who actually cares about being recognized as the best (I mean that bamboo welcome.... bravo. Though I hope you know most people there get bamboo welcomes, albeit with less ego-stroking... happy honeymoon, welcome to the Maldives, etc...)
Alas, a quick google search of Hilton's top tier status will reveal the reality. Dozens and dozens of pages specifying that Hilton Diamond is the top-tier. Even Hilton says their are four tiers.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/member-benefits/
https://help.hilton.com/s/article/What-are-the-Hilton-Honors-membership-tiers
But yeah, everybody else is wrong.
Before you go rushing off to your gold-plated e-mail from them, I'll remind readers that you're playing technicalities because 1. It's hurting your ego to hear Diamond be referred to as Top-Tier. Have you sent e-mails to TPG, MMS, Business Insider, Nerdwallet, and everyone else on the friggin planet? Sorry kid, it ain't gonna change a thing.
And 2. You need an edge since you can't compare your experiences to the masses anymore. In the past, you'd simply say they weren't playing with a full deck, now you need to resort to something along the lines of "you only have mid-tier status".
"my current LTD status is definitely higher and better recognized"
You spent years trying to convince people that Diamond was so impeccable, it was nigh impossible to do better. (IIRC, some claims of 100% upgrade rates were thrown around). Surreeee you're getting better recognition now I guess that means you were fully immersed in exaggeration for all those years.
How convenient that all is for you and your insistence that Hilton maintains absolute superiority and dominance.
"I am through"
I mean, you're clearly not. You keep showing up.
"denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade"
LOL. You're coming from an angle as though I care about what echelon I am in the land of Hilton. That's an incorrect assumption. Nothing changes for me. I'll continue getting the same mediocre recognition I've always gotten. If tomorrow Hilton introduced a new status where one qualifies yearly, and...
"I am through"
I mean, you're clearly not. You keep showing up.
"denial is the last recourse of those facing a status downgrade"
LOL. You're coming from an angle as though I care about what echelon I am in the land of Hilton. That's an incorrect assumption. Nothing changes for me. I'll continue getting the same mediocre recognition I've always gotten. If tomorrow Hilton introduced a new status where one qualifies yearly, and I wouldn't qualify for it, I would not push back against anyone calling it "top-tier"... in fact, assuming the benefits were better than Diamond, I'd fully expect headlines announcing "Hilton introduces new top-tier status"... which of course would immediately trigger you-- the person who actually cares about being recognized as the best (I mean that bamboo welcome.... bravo. Though I hope you know most people there get those bamboo welcomes, albeit with less ego-stroking... happy honeymoon, welcome to the Maldives, etc...)
Alas, a quick google search of Hilton's top tier status will reveal the reality. Dozens and dozens of pages specifying that Hilton Diamond is the top-tier. Even Hilton says their are four tiers.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hilton-honors/member-benefits/
https://help.hilton.com/s/article/What-are-the-Hilton-Honors-membership-tiers
But yeah, everybody else is wrong, DCS is always right.
Before you go rushing off to your gold-plated e-mail from them, I'll remind readers that you're playing technicalities because 1. It's hurting your ego to hear Diamond be referred to as Top-Tier. Have you sent e-mails to TPG, MMS, Business Insider, Nerdwallet, and everyone else on the friggin planet? Sorry kid, it ain't gonna change a thing.
And 2. You need an edge since you can't compare your experiences to the masses anymore. In the past, you'd simply say they weren't playing with a full deck, now you need to resort to something along the lines of "you only have mid-tier status".
"my current LTD status is definitely higher and better recognized"
You spent years trying to convince people that Diamond was so impeccable, it was nigh impossible to do better. (IIRC, some claims of 100% upgrade rates were thrown around). Surreeee you're getting better recognition now. I guess that means you were fully immersed in exaggeration for all those years.
How convenient that all is for you and your insistence that Hilton maintains absolute superiority and dominance.
Again, point me to where you gate-kept the term over the years when Ben posted about Hyatt's top tier Globalist status. I mean, plenty of people have reported LT Globalists get upgrade priority, it's clearly a higher tier, even if it doesn't include a royal enema.
Go away, Mikey. Like I said, I am through. I did not read your dissertation.
Get yourself someone else to argue with on topics that have already been settled.
Coming back as "JoePro" changes nothing. You are still a mental and a basket case.
In fact, you are again getting the 'silent treatment"
G'day
LOL
ROFL
I am not, nor have ever been "Mikey". Keep telling yourself whatever lies it takes to make yourself feel validated.
I agree the topic is settled. As Ben and others have noted, Hilton Diamond remains the programs top tier status, and you can get it for free with a credit card. So stop bringing it up.
"You are still a basket case."
Now that I can concur with. I'm arguing with a narcissist... it...
I am not, nor have ever been "Mikey". Keep telling yourself whatever lies it takes to make yourself feel validated.
I agree the topic is settled. As Ben and others have noted, Hilton Diamond remains the programs top tier status, and you can get it for free with a credit card. So stop bringing it up.
"You are still a basket case."
Now that I can concur with. I'm arguing with a narcissist... it was bound to happen.
"In fact, you are again getting the 'silent treatment"
What a treat!
You need to get Lifetime Diamond because it’s higher than Aspire Diamond
I need to spend over 80 thousand dollars (14x Aspire Base Bonus and 10x Hilton Base Points)?
I just spent the last 5 years hearing about how nothing could be better than Hilton Diamond Enema status, why would I suddenly believe that Lifetime Diamond Enema status is better?
Nice try!
@Jill -- Please do not waste your time. This guy is the reincarnation (complete with calling me a 'narcissist') of a troll who was obsessed with me for a very long time, until he suddenly disappeared. Now he is back and more obsessed than ever. There is little doubt that LT Diamond is higher and gets infinitely better recognition than Aspire Diamond and the evidence is all over the place, but good luck getting him...
@Jill -- Please do not waste your time. This guy is the reincarnation (complete with calling me a 'narcissist') of a troll who was obsessed with me for a very long time, until he suddenly disappeared. Now he is back and more obsessed than ever. There is little doubt that LT Diamond is higher and gets infinitely better recognition than Aspire Diamond and the evidence is all over the place, but good luck getting him to see the light and relent.
What one does with such trolls, which is what I ended up doing, is to simply given them the good ol' "silent treatment", which this troll is getting from now on.
It's apparent DCS has a lot of spare time. Waste is not a concern.