Late last year, American Express announced it would partner with Hilton Honors to offer a new wave of co-branded rewards cards. This means people who previously had a Hilton card through Citi would see those cards replaced with a new, comparable card from American Express.
However, Hilton and Amex also dreamed up some new card options that some say are better than before. The new Amex offerings include a premier travel credit card, a standard hotel card, a business card and a no-fee hotel card.
The most notable of the new breed is the Hilton Aspire card, mostly because it's unlike any hotel credit card we've seen before. If you can ignore its shocking $450 annual fee, you'll see the Aspire card is rather valuable. Not only does it offer a 100K signup bonus, but it offers an annual resort credit, an annual airline credit, Priority Pass Select Membership and a free weekend night.
While the Hilton Aspire card has certainly caught all the headlines, the new Hilton Ascend card is also worth a look. This card was created to replace the old Hilton Surpass credit card. While its benefits aren't as beefy as those offered by the Aspire card, the Hilton Ascend is still a winner in its own right. Here are some of the details:
-Earn 75,000 Hilton Honors points after you use your card for $3,000 in purchases within 90 days, along with another 25,000 points if you spend an additional $1,000 on your card within six months of account opening.
-Earn 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants and gas stations and 3x points on all other purchases.
-Get complimentary Hilton Gold status. Plus, you can upgrade to Hilton Diamond status through the end of the following year if you use your card for $40,000 in purchases within a calendar year.
-Earn a free weekend night award when you spend $15,000 on your card within a calendar year.
-10 free visits to Priority Pass airport lounges.
-No foreign transaction fees.
-$95 annual fee.
While it's easy to see why many people prefer the new Aspire credit card, the Hilton Ascend card seems like a smart option when you consider its annual fee. There are a lot fewer perks, yes, but paying only $95 for the year and for 100,000 Hilton Honors points can make a lot more sense for people who may not travel as often as they like.
You can also score some of the perks of the Aspire card (i.e. free weekend night, Hilton Diamond status) if you're willing to spend at least $40,000 on the card each year. These perks are obviously a lot more valuable when you don't have to pay a $450 annual fee to receive them.
If you're in the market for a new hotel credit card, there are now several new options to consider. The best Hilton Honors card for you really depends on how often you travel, how often you stay at Hilton properties and whether you can justify a $450 annual fee based on your spending.
Both cards have great perks, so make sure to read the fine print so you can make an informed decision.
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