Hilton Honors Aspire vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card stands out.

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• It offers a simple yet powerful rewards structure, earning elevated points on travel and dining purchases and a high flat rate on everything else.
• While it comes with an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees and offers valuable annual statement credits for airline incidentals.
• The annual up to $100 airline incidental credit can completely offset the card's annual fee each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers annual statement credits for airline incidentals and trusted traveler programs.
• Features a simple rewards structure with bonus points on broad travel and dining categories and a high flat rate on all other purchases.
• Provides a significant rewards boost for eligible Bank of America Preferred Rewards members.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs, which limits redemption flexibility.
• Lacks premium travel perks commonly found on other travel cards, such as airport lounge access.
• The highest reward rates are reserved for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, making it less valuable for those who don't bank with BofA.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Aspire or Bank of America Premium Rewards, comes down to your specific travel habits and what you value in a credit card. One is a premium hotel card loaded with luxury perks, while the other is a flexible travel card ideal for everyday spending.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is built for frequent Hilton travelers, particularly those who stay at resort properties and want to maximize premium hotel benefits and top-tier elite status.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is best for moderate travelers and everyday spenders seeking strong, straightforward rewards with cash-back flexibility, and it is especially rewarding for existing Bank of America customers.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across Hilton's portfolio of hotels and resorts, but can also be transferred to airline partners.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: Points offer flexible redemption options, including cash back, statement credits, travel bookings through the Bank of America Travel Center, and gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card provides complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges (Terms Apply). It features up to a $250 annual airline fee credit and up to a $250 Hilton resort credit. The card does not charge foreign transaction fees. Its ecosystem is deeply integrated with Hilton properties, though points can also be transferred to airline partners.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: Cardholders can book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center. The card offers up to a $100 annual airline incidental statement credit and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. It does not charge foreign transaction fees. However, it does not include airport lounge access as a benefit.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive a credit card: The platform’s 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history before you apply.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card matches based on your real transaction data, not generic advice.
• Approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying through Kudos, the company will match it.
• Unlock rewards: New members can unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards by adding select approved cards to their Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card is designed for frequent travelers who consistently stay at Hilton properties and can maximize the card's extensive premium benefits. This card is best suited for individuals who value the automatic Hilton Honors™ Diamond Elite Status and can organically use the various statement credits for flights and resort stays, keeping in mind that terms apply to all benefits. Ultimately, as our Hilton Aspire Card review details, it's for luxury-focused travelers aiming to enhance their stays at high-end Hilton resorts.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want strong, straightforward rewards without a high annual fee. It is especially valuable for those who already bank or invest with Bank of America, as the Preferred Rewards program can boost earnings by 25% to 75%. This card is ideal for users who prioritize flexible redemption options like cash back over navigating complex airline transfer partners, as detailed in a Kudos review.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, the Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card comparison didn't yield a clear winner for you? Not to worry, as there are plenty of other excellent travel cards that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel style.

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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}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
• Review issuer-specific rules - Some issuers have bonus eligibility restrictions or favor applicants with an existing banking relationship.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement organically through your normal budget.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Know your rewards - Research how you'll use points in advance to ensure the card is a good fit.
• Consider issuer specifics - Some issuers favor existing customers, while others have strict welcome offer eligibility rules.

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 Hilton Honors Aspire and Bank of America Premium Rewards cards?

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The American Express® Hilton Honors Aspire Card carries a higher annual fee that is offset by its premium travel credits and benefits. The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card has a more moderate annual fee, making it an accessible option for a wider range of travelers.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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Yes, both cards provide a form of airport lounge access. The Hilton Honors Aspire card includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide (Terms Apply).

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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The Bank of America Premium Rewards card is generally stronger for everyday spending, as it offers a solid flat rewards rate on all purchases. The Hilton Honors Aspire card's earning structure is more heavily focused on maximizing rewards from Hilton stays and specific travel purchases.

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