Are the Hilton Aspire Card Benefits Worth $550?
We’ve carried the Hilton Aspire Card since 2019, and every year I ask the same question: Is it still worth the $550 annual fee? For our family of four, the answer has consistently been yes—and here’s why. From free nights and resort credits to Diamond status perks and lounge access, this card has helped us save thousands across Europe and the U.S. I’ll break down exactly how we use each benefit and how you can decide if it’s right for your travel style.
Hilton Aspire Benefits
Hilton Diamond Status = Free Meals & Lounge Access
With automatic Diamond status, we’ve enjoyed executive lounges in Munich, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, New York, Chicago, and Paris. These lounges offer free breakfast, evening snacks, drinks, and bottled water—a huge savings when traveling with kids. Executive lounges are a great way to save money when traveling. This year, we stayed at the Hilton Paris Opera House on our trip to France. We booked two rooms (one for us and one for the boys), and they provided both rooms with access to the executive lounge, offering heavy snacks in the evening and breakfast the next morning. Feeding a family of four in Paris can be expensive. The savings were significant.
Annual Free Night Certificate
We used our Free Night Certificate at Cloudland Resort near Chattanooga, saving $500+ on a luxury stay. Bonus: We pair it with the $200 Hilton Resort Credit to cover dinner. You can find eligible resorts here. Check out my review of Cloudland resort -> Cloudland
$200 Airline Incidental Credit
We use this for Southwest EarlyBird Check-In—a must when cruising or flying with tight schedules. It’s $50 per quarter, and it adds up fast.
Free CLEAR Membership
Valued at $199, this perk helps us breeze through airport security. While TSA PreCheck often works fine, CLEAR has saved us time on busy travel days.
Hilton Spend = 14x Points
My husband travels for work and stays at Hilton properties. We charge his stays to our Aspire card and earn 14 points per dollar—including meals charged to the room. With Diamond status, we also get a daily food and beverage credit, which saved us $36/day on his last trip.
Final Thoughts
I almost canceled this card last year—until I found Cloudland Resort and realized how much value we still get. If you travel frequently, especially with family, the Hilton Aspire Card can easily pay for itself. Just be sure to use the perks strategically.
Trying to find a new card to your wallet? Check out the cards I carry and see if they are a good fit for you:
