Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* vs. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a benefits-rich but less expensive choice than the Aspire. For a $150 annual fee, the card grants Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, which means a food and beverage credit at participating hotels and the possibility of a room upgrade. The card also comes with up to $200 in annual Hilton resort credit, available $50 quarterly statement credits.
The better choice between the two comes down to whether you can get enough use out of the Aspire’s additional perks to justify the higher cost.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* vs. American Express Platinum Card®
With an annual fee of $895, the American Express Platinum Card® earns Membership Rewards®, which can be used to book flights directly through Amex or transferred to multiple travel partners, including Hilton. The card also offers expansive airport lounge access, making it a more well-rounded travel companion than the Aspire Card. The American Express Platinum also offers Hilton Gold elite status with enrollment, as well as elite status with Marriott and The Leading Hotels of the World properties, plus a slew of other credits designed to appeal to travelers.
You’ll get far more Hilton-specific perks with the Aspire card, but broader travel benefits with the Amex Platinum.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express* vs. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card for Marriott loyalists who want elite Platinum status and the perks that go with it. For an annual fee of $650, cardholders get perks including a $300 annual dining statement credit (issued in monthly increments of up to $25), one Free Night Award worth up to 85,000 Bonvoy points every year you renew the card (resort fees may apply), automatic Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite status, 25 elite night credits toward status qualification and a Priority Pass™ Select membership. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
The Platinum Elite status awarded to Bonvoy Brilliant Amex cardholders is not the highest status level in the Bonvoy program, but it’s the highest you can get just by holding a credit card. The Hilton Aspire card offers top-tier Hilton elite status to all card members. The Marriott Brilliant card’s annual Free Night Award certificate is capped at 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points, and the Hilton Aspire card’s certificate doesn’t have a redemption rate limit, as long as you redeem it for a standard room, making it a potentially more lucrative perk. Ultimately the right card for you between the two will depend on your property preferences.