Things to Do When You Get the Hilton Aspire American Express Card

Start strategizing how you'll use your points, complementary weekend night and Priority Pass lounge visits.

Natasha GabrielleJuly 1, 2020
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The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is a solid choice for Hilton fans who want a hotel credit card loaded with perks. If you're planning to get this card, you'll want to make sure you set yourself up for success so that you can utilize its benefits as much as possible. Here are some things that you'll want to do when you get your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Select your airline of choice

One nice perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is an included $250 airline fee credit. You can use this credit for expenses such as in-flight beverages, bag fees, seat fees and change fees. To use this credit, you'll need to select your airline of choice. You can only choose one airline per year. Terms apply.

To select your airline of choice, log in to your American Express account and head to your benefits section. From here, you'll be able to choose your airline.

Hint: Make note of any airlines that you already have status with and consider selecting a different carrier for your airline credit. You may already get included perks like free checked bags if you have airline status. To maximize this perk, be strategic in selecting your airline.

Bookmark the Hilton Aspire booking page

With this card, you can take advantage of an extra $100 credit on participating stays when you book directly through the Hilton Aspire Booking page. What qualifies for this credit? Book a two-night minimum stay at a participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts property or a participating Conrad Hotels and Resorts property. Terms apply.

You must use the Hilton Aspire booking page to receive the credit. You'll get a hotel credit equal to $1 for each dollar of qualifying charges made, up to $100. You will receive credit on your bill at checkout. This is the page that you’ll want to bookmark. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Hilton Honors: The complete guide

Add an authorized user

If you're looking for a way to hit the minimum spend for this card more easily, consider adding an authorized user. While you won't get bonus points by adding an authorized user, having another person spending on the card can help you earn your welcome bonus and earn points faster.

An authorized user may also help you reach the $60,000 per year spend to earn a second complimentary weekend reward night.

There is no fee to add an authorized user to this credit card. Terms apply.

Activate your Priority Pass Select membership

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with a valuable perk — a Priority Pass Select lounge membership. If you fly frequently, this membership can make your time spent at the airport better. That means you no longer need to hang out in the gate area and can instead sit back and relax with a drink and some snacks in the airport lounge. Terms apply.

To utilize this card perk, you'll need to activate the feature. Log in to your American Express account and head to your benefits section. Click under the Enroll Now button under Priority Pass Select. This will activate your membership, and you'll soon be sent a card in the mail. Once you receive your card, you'll be able to hang out at select airport lounges.

The Priority Pass Select membership gives you and two guests access to participating lounges. Admission for additional guests is $32 per person.

This is a considerable card benefit, so don't miss out by forgetting to activate your membership. Terms apply.

Plan your complimentary weekend night

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card also gives cardmembers an annual weekend reward night. You'll earn your first complimentary night when you open your account, and earn a weekend reward night annually. When you get your card, start thinking about where you want to go to utilize this complimentary reward night. You can earn a second weekend night when you spend $60,000 per calendar year. These reward nights can be redeemed at most Hilton properties — excluding these locations. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Hilton credit cards: Which one should you get?

Sign-up for ShopRunner

For the frequent online shopper, ShopRunner is a great resource. It provides two-day shipping and free returns at over 100 stores. As a Hilton Aspire American Express cardholder, you'll get a complimentary ShopRunner membership. You'll need to enroll to get this perk. Terms apply.

Plan how to redeem your $250 Hilton credit

Once you receive your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you'll receive a $250 Hilton credit. This credit is offered yearly, after card renewal. Put a plan in place as to how you wish to use it. These credits are good at participating Hilton properties and can be used toward spa treatments, recreational activities, dining and other on-property services that you charge to your room then pay for with your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Terms apply.

You'll want to consider your travel plans for the year and the best way to utilize this $250 credit for maximum value. COVID-19 special offer: Until Aug. 31, 2020, charges for restaurants (including dine in, take out and delivery) will count toward your annual Hilton credit. This is a limited-time perk offered by Hilton in response to the lack of available travel during the COVD-19 pandemic. Terms apply.

Decide how to use your points

Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you use your new Card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. Between that welcome bonus and the accelerated rewards-earning power of your card, you'll have a lot of Hilton Honors points by the time you reach your minimum spend. Create a good plan to use these points and take advantage of this added perk.

The bottom line

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card worth it? If you're already loyal to the Hilton brand and you travel frequently, this may be a good card for you to consider. While it does have a high $450 annual fee, this card is loaded with perks like spending bonuses, property credits, an airport lounge membership and airline fee credits. Terms apply. If you’re already staying at Hilton properties, you might as well get rewarded for it.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

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