The Ultimate Hotel Staycation Credit Card
The Ultimate Hotel Staycation Credit Card - 10 Reasons Why
Aloha Hawaii Travelers & Staycationers! If you frequently like to staycay in spacious rooms, get complimentary upgrades & enjoy hotel amenities, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is your ticket to unparalleled luxury and rewards. While its annual fee might seem steep, don’t let that deter you. We usually do staycations a year at a Hilton property with this card and get huge returns back in upgrades, statement credits and the overall guest experience. We’ve done the legwork and are excited to share why this card could be a game-changer for your travel experience.
10 Key Benefits of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card
1. Attractive Welcome Offer ($900 Value)
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card greets you with a robust welcome offer. After meeting the spending requirements, you'll earn 150,000 Hilton Honors points, worth approximately $750. This bonus is a fantastic way to kickstart your point collection.
2. Exceptional Earnings at Hilton Properties ($350 Value)
Spend at Hilton hotels and you’ll rack up 14 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent. For instance, if you spend $5,000 annually at Hilton properties, that’s 70,000 points valued around $350. This reward rate is a real win for frequent Hilton guests.
3. Generous Travel Earnings ($175 Value)
Earn 7 Hilton Honors points per dollar on flights, AmexTravel.com bookings, car rentals, and U.S. restaurant purchases. Spend about $5,000 annually in these categories, and you’ll earn 35,000 points, valued at $175.
4. Points on Every Purchase ($450 Value)
The view with my daughter from the ocean view corner suite in the Rainbow Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
The card gives you 3 Hilton Honors points per dollar on all other purchases. With an average spend of $2,500 monthly, you’ll accumulate 90,000 points worth about $450 annually.
5. Complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status ($2,500+ Value)
This by far is my favorite benefit with this card. You get to enjoy automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, which usually requires significant stays or points. This status includes perks like room upgrades, executive lounge access, and a 100% point bonus on stays. With the Aspire Card, you’re looking at potentially $2,500 in value, depending on your stay frequency.
6. Free Reward Night After Account Opening ($1,000 Value)
Soon after approval, you’ll receive a certificate for a free night. This benefit applies to any day of the week and continues with an annual free night on each card anniversary, valued around $1,000. These don't expire and can be stacked with each other!
7. Additional Free Nights with Spending ($100 Each)
Spend $30,000 in a calendar year and earn an extra free night certificate, then another for spending $60,000. These benefits, valued at $100 each, reward your loyalty with even more opportunities to stay for free.
8. Fifth Night Free ($250 Value)
Book five or more consecutive award nights with your Hilton Honors points and get the fifth night free. This can stretch your points significantly, with an estimated value of $250.
Statement Credits
9. $200 Airline Credit ($200 Value)
Receive up to $50 quarterly for airline purchases, either directly or through AmexTravel.com. This adds up to $200 annually.
10. $400 Hilton Resort Credit ($400 Value)
Prices are currently lower at the Grand Wailea in Maui for 2024 + 2025 when you book with Hilton points. Prices were a low as 110,000 points a night.
Enjoy up to $400 in statement credits each year for purchases at Hilton resorts, including room rates and upgrades, valued at the full $400. The credit are distributed in semester increments, so $200 for the first half of the calendar year and the other $200 for the second half. How I use this is I book a cheap room for ~$200 of the statement credit to apply and then I upgrade to the suite using our Hilton Diamond status.
11. $100 Credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad Properties ($25 Value)
Get a $100 statement credit for eligible on-site purchases when booking a 2-night stay at these luxury properties, valued around $25. In Hawaii, the ideal place to book this is at the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Maui.
Additional Perks
Comprehensive Travel and Shopping Protections
The Aspire Card offers extensive benefits including car rental insurance, trip cancellation coverage, baggage protection, and more. For shopping, enjoy benefits like extended warranty, purchase protection, and cell phone coverage.
Comparison with Other Hilton Cards
If the Aspire Card’s annual fee feels too high, consider the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Card. They offer great rewards and benefits at lower annual fees:
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Offers Gold status and annual Hilton credits with a $150 fee.
Hilton Honors American Express Card: Provides Silver status and good earnings on everyday spending with no annual fee.
Final Thoughts
For frequent Hilton travelers & Hawaii Staycationers, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a top choice, delivering exceptional benefits and rewards. Even occasional Hilton guests will find value in a Hilton-branded American Express card. Choose the one that best aligns with your travel habits and enjoy the perks of Hilton loyalty. If you are interested in applying for this card and suing our referral link, you can apply here.
Aloha and happy travels! 🌴
