Hilton Honors Aspire vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Citi Double Cash® card stands out.

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• It offers an uncomplicated yet powerful rewards structure: 2% cash back on every purchase, with no caps or categories to track.
• Cardholders get a lengthy 0% introductory APR period for balance transfers and pay no annual fee, though fees for balance transfers and foreign transactions do apply.
• Transferring a $5,000 balance from a high-interest card could save you over $1,300 in interest over 18 months, even after accounting for the one-time transfer fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• High flat-rate cash back on all purchases, with no need to track or activate spending categories.
• A long introductory interest-free period on balance transfers, which is ideal for debt consolidation.
• No annual fee and flexible redemption options that allow you to receive cash back or convert rewards to travel points.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer is for balance transfers only and does not extend to new purchases.
• It’s not ideal for international travel, as it charges a foreign transaction fee.
• The card lacks bonus spending categories and other premium benefits like travel insurance.

Citi Double Cash® vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Hilton Honors Aspire or Citi Double Cash, comes down to your spending habits and travel preferences. One is a premium travel card packed with perks, while the other is a straightforward cash back card for everyday use.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who stay at Hilton properties, as it offers the highest rewards on Hilton hotel and resort purchases, along with strong earnings on flights, car rentals, and dining.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is ideal for everyday spending, offering consistent cash back on all purchases without the need to track specific bonus categories.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Rewards are earned as Hilton Honors points, which can be redeemed for stays at Hilton properties worldwide or transferred to airline partners.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers simple redemptions, allowing you to convert your cash back rewards into a statement credit or receive them as a direct deposit.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has no foreign transaction fees, while the Citi Double Cash® Card charges a fee for international purchases.
• Airport Lounge Access: Cardholders of the Hilton Honors Aspire receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. The Citi Double Cash® Card does not offer lounge access.
• Travel Portal: Both cards offer access to a travel booking portal—American Express Travel for the Aspire card and the Citi ThankYou portal for the Double Cash card.
• Elite Status & Credits: The Hilton Honors Aspire card provides automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status and annual credits for airline fees and resort stays. Terms Apply. The Citi Double Cash® Card does not include these types of premium travel perks.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards by analyzing your unique spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards with your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive detailed approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Manage multiple cards, track spending, and monitor your credit score all in one place.
• Earn extra rewards with Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hilton portfolio of hotels and resorts. These travelers can maximize the card's value by leveraging its automatic Diamond elite status for perks like room upgrades and lounge access, along with statement credits for flights and resort stays, though terms apply. For those who can take full advantage of these premium perks, the card's substantial benefits can easily justify its annual fee, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who want a simple, high-earning cash back card for all their everyday spending. It's also particularly well-suited for individuals looking to consolidate and pay down high-interest debt, thanks to its industry-leading 18-month 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is ideal for anyone who values straightforward rewards and no annual fee, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Aspire vs Citi Double Cash comparison has left you undecided, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards on the market that might be a better fit for your spending habits and financial 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}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Plan for the welcome offer – Ensure you can meet any spending requirements without overextending your budget.
• Review issuer rules – Be aware of application restrictions, such as Amex's once-per-lifetime rule.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically – Plan to apply before a large purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
• Choose a card that fits your lifestyle – A premium hotel card suits frequent travelers, while a simple cash back card is better for everyday spending.
• Don’t settle for a lesser offer – If you don't receive the best available welcome offer, you can often decline and try again later.

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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Is the Hilton Honors Aspire card worth its high annual fee?

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For frequent travelers who consistently stay at Hilton properties, the card's extensive benefits like annual credits and elite status can easily outweigh the annual fee. Casual travelers, however, may find it harder to justify the cost.

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What type of spender is the Citi Double Cash card best for?

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The Citi Double Cash card is ideal for individuals who prefer straightforward cash back on all purchases without the need to track bonus categories. Its simplicity makes it a strong choice for everyday spending.

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Can I use points from one card with the other?

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No, the rewards programs are separate and not transferable between them. Hilton Honors points are for the Hilton loyalty program, while the Citi Double Cash earns ThankYou Points that can be redeemed as cash back.

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