Hilton Honors Aspire vs Wyndham Earner Plus: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is a solid choice for brand loyalists.

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• The card offers strong earning rates at Wyndham properties, gas stations, and on dining and grocery purchases.
• Cardholders receive automatic Platinum elite status and anniversary bonus points each year, which helps to justify the card's annual fee.
• The 7,500 anniversary bonus points can offset the card's annual fee if redeemed for a free night worth more than $75 (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• A large sign-up bonus for new cardholders who meet the initial spending requirement.
• No foreign transaction fees, which is a valuable perk for international travel.
• Flexible redemption options that include free nights, discounted stays, and transfers to airline partners.

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Cons

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• The card comes with an annual fee, and the anniversary bonus points may not be sufficient for a free night at mid- or high-tier properties.
• Rewards are most valuable when redeemed for Wyndham stays, as other redemption options like airline transfers offer poor value.
• Bonus rewards on grocery purchases exclude some major retailers.

Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

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Categories

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Deciding between premium and mid-tier hotel credit cards can be tricky. When considering which is better Hilton Honors Aspire or Wyndham Earner Plus, it's important to look at which type of traveler each card is designed for.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is built for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hilton portfolio of hotels, particularly those who stay at resort properties. It offers exceptional benefits tailored to enhance stays within the Hilton network.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is best for travelers who frequently stay at Wyndham properties and its associated brands. The card also provides value for those with significant spending on everyday categories like gas and dining.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across Hilton's extensive portfolio of brands, where cardholders can find exceptional value, especially at luxury and resort properties. Redemptions can also cover other travel experiences and on-property benefits.

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Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card: Rewards are redeemed for free or discounted nights at thousands of participating Wyndham properties, including hotels, vacation club resorts, and vacation rentals. The program is known for its simple, tiered redemption structure for award nights.

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Travel Perks

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• Airport Lounge Access: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, offering access to a global network of airport lounges (Terms Apply). The Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus Card does not offer a lounge access benefit.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: When traveling internationally, the Hilton Aspire Card is a strong companion as it does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Wyndham Earner Plus Card, however, does charge a fee on purchases made outside the United States.
• Travel Booking Portals: Hilton Aspire cardholders can book through the comprehensive American Express travel portal, which covers flights, cars, and hotels beyond the Hilton network. The Wyndham Earner Plus ecosystem is centered on booking stays directly through Wyndham's platform of hotels, vacation clubs, and rentals.
• Automatic Elite Status: Both cards offer an immediate upgrade in their respective loyalty programs. The Hilton Aspire Card confers top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, while the Wyndham Earner Plus Card grants Wyndham Rewards Platinum status.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.

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• The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate how a new card would perform using your actual transaction history, showing you personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee ensures that if you find a better offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores, on top of what your credit card offers.

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 loyal to the Hilton portfolio, especially those who visit its resort properties at least once a year. According to a Hilton Aspire Card review, the ideal user is someone who values the automatic Hilton Honors Diamond Elite Status and can organically use the card’s annual statement credits. In short, if you're a luxury-minded traveler looking to maximize your Hilton stays and can justify the annual fee through your existing habits, this card is a strong contender; terms apply.

Who Should Choose the Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus?

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The Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card is tailor-made for travelers who are loyal to the Wyndham family of hotels, vacation rentals, and timeshares. It's particularly beneficial for those looking to maximize rewards on their stays and everyday spending, offering accelerated points on gas, dining, and grocery purchases. Cardholders also gain automatic Platinum elite status and receive annual anniversary points, making it a strong choice for frequent guests seeking enhanced perks and a faster path to free nights.

Alternatives to Consider

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After reviewing the Hilton Honors Aspire vs Wyndham Earner Plus comparison, you may conclude that neither card is the right choice for your needs. Fortunately, the travel rewards landscape offers several other compelling alternatives.

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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 score for approval.
• Review Issuer Rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies, as some may limit your eligibility for a welcome offer if you've had the card before.
• Plan Your Benefit Usage: Map out how you'll use the card's benefits, as some perks require enrollment or specific spending to maximize value.

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Application Strategy

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• Strategically Time Your Application: Plan to apply before a large purchase to more easily meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Search for the Best Offer: Don't settle for the first offer you see, as better, targeted versions may be available through different channels.
• Enroll in Your Perks: Once approved, immediately activate any benefits that require enrollment to ensure you don't miss out on value.

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's annual fee justified?

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For frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its numerous credits and benefits, the high fee can easily be offset. Casual travelers, however, might find it harder to extract enough value to make it worthwhile.

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Are there restrictions on the free night awards for these cards?

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Yes, both cards' free night awards have limitations, such as being valid only for standard room redemptions at participating properties. It's crucial to review the specific terms and expiration dates for each award.

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Which card is better if I don't have a preferred hotel chain?

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If you aren't committed to either Hilton or Wyndham, consider which brand has a stronger presence in your desired travel destinations. The best card will be the one whose hotel network aligns most closely with your travel patterns.

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