Amex Business Gold vs Hilton Honors Aspire: Which Is Better In 2026?

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons we recommend the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (See Rates & Fees).

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• Cardholders automatically receive top-tier elite status with Hilton, unlocking premium perks like room upgrades and lounge access.
• It provides an annual free night award that can be redeemed at a wide range of Hilton properties, including high-end resorts.
• A generous collection of annual statement credits for travel-related purchases can provide significant value for frequent travelers.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Pros

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• Offers accelerated Hilton Honors points earning on eligible hotel, travel, and dining purchases.
• Cardholders can receive a property credit for qualifying stays at select luxury properties, such as Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels.
• Includes complimentary elite status with National Car Rental, providing an enhanced rental experience.

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Cons

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• The card has a significant annual fee, which may not be worthwhile for infrequent travelers.
• Points are not transferable to other loyalty programs, which limits redemption options.
• Annual statement credits are split into smaller increments and are restricted to use at specific properties, making them challenging to fully utilize.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire vs American Express® Business Gold Card

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Amex Business Gold or Hilton Honors Aspire, depends entirely on your primary spending habits and goals.

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• American Express® Business Gold Card: This card is best for business owners with variable expenses who want to earn flexible rewards automatically in their top spending categories. It is designed for companies with significant annual business spending.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is built for frequent Hilton travelers, particularly those who stay at resort properties. It is ideal for users looking to get premium hotel benefits and luxury travel experiences.

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Redemption

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American Express® Business Gold Card: Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs or used to book travel directly.

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are earned within the Hilton Honors program and are primarily redeemed for free nights and room upgrades at Hilton properties worldwide.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial tool that helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your actual spending data before you apply.
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Who Should Choose the American Express® Business Gold Card?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card is built for growing companies with at least $50,000 in annual business spending and variable monthly expenses. It particularly benefits businesses that spend heavily in categories like U.S. advertising, U.S. shipping, and select U.S. technology providers. The card is a great fit for owners who want to maximize rewards without the hassle of tracking, as it automatically applies 4X points to the top two spending categories each billing cycle on up to $150,000 in combined purchases annually (Terms Apply).

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The American Express® Hilton Honors Aspire Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who stay at Hilton properties at least once or twice a year and want to maximize luxury perks. This cardholder is someone who can take full advantage of premium benefits like the annual free night award, up to $400 in Hilton resort credits, and automatic top-tier Diamond elite status. Terms apply. Therefore, it's less suitable for occasional travelers or those who prefer budget hotels and wouldn't fully utilize the card's extensive credits to offset its annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've reviewed the Amex Business Gold vs. Hilton Honors Aspire comparison and decided neither card is quite right for you. Fortunately, the world of rewards credit cards is vast, and other options may be a better match for your goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You'll generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the Welcome Offer spending requirements through your normal purchases.
• Review the benefits: Know how you’ll use the card’s rewards and credits to maximize its value.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any restrictions that could affect your eligibility for a Welcome Offer.
• Be patient for the best offer: Don't settle for a lower Welcome Offer if higher ones are known to be available.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the annual fees for the Amex Business Gold and Hilton Honors Aspire cards?

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The American Express® Business Gold Card has a $375 annual fee, while the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee. Cardholders can often offset these costs through the various statement credits and benefits offered by each card (Terms apply).

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Can I use points from the American Express® Business Gold Card for Hilton stays?

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Yes, you can transfer the Membership Rewards points earned from your Business Gold card to the Hilton Honors program to book hotel stays. Transfer ratios can vary, so it is best to check the current rate before initiating a transfer (Terms apply).

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges (Terms apply). The American Express® Business Gold Card does not include complimentary lounge access as a primary benefit.

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