Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Hilton Honors Aspire: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

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• While it carries an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card's rich statement credits for flights and Hilton resort stays can provide significant offsetting value.
• Cardholders receive automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, which unlocks premium perks like complimentary room upgrades and executive lounge access.
• The annual Free Night Award can be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide, offering a flexible and high-value redemption opportunity each year.

_{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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• Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, the highest tier in Hilton's loyalty program, which provides access to executive lounges, room upgrades, and other VIP benefits.
• An annual Free Night Award can be used at a wide range of Hilton properties, including high-end luxury resorts, offering significant value and flexibility.
• The card offers multiple annual statement credits for travel, including credits for flights and stays at participating Hilton resorts.

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Cons

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• The card carries a significant annual fee that may be difficult to offset for those who don't travel frequently or stay at Hilton properties regularly.
• Points are exclusive to the Hilton Honors program and cannot be transferred to other airline or hotel partners, offering less flexibility than other premium travel cards.
• Many of the card’s statement credits are complex, with restrictions on where and when they can be used, requiring careful planning to maximize their value.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®

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Categories

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When considering premium hotel credit cards, the question of which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant or Hilton Honors Aspire, depends heavily on your personal travel habits and brand allegiance.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This premium travel rewards card is a high-end option designed for Marriott loyalists. It is best suited for frequent travelers who want to receive top-tier benefits and elite status.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is tailored for frequent Hilton travelers who value the perks of top-tier hotel elite status. It's an excellent choice for those who stay at Hilton properties multiple times per year, especially at their resort locations.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for stays across Marriott's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. Cardholders also have the flexibility to transfer points to numerous airline partners for flight rewards.

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points earned with this card are best used for award nights at Hilton's wide range of properties, from budget-friendly to luxury resorts. While other redemption options exist, using points for Hilton stays typically provides the most significant value.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card:
  • Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to a vast network of airport lounges globally.
  • International travelers benefit from having no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
  • The card offers a statement credit that covers the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, expediting your journey through airport security.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card:
  • This card also includes a Priority Pass Select membership, opening the doors to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide.
  • It eliminates foreign transaction fees, a key perk for those who frequently travel outside the U.S.
  • An annual statement credit is available to reimburse the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the best choice, you can use a financial companion tool like Kudos to compare thousands of cards and see personalized reward projections based on your actual spending data.

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• Use the “Test Drive” feature to simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your real spending history—before you ever apply.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring that if you find a better offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Unlock $100 in Kickstart+ Rewards by adding certain approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
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Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card is tailor-made for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Marriott brand, particularly those who spend at least five to ten nights a year at its properties. This card also appeals to individuals who dine out often, value the automatic Platinum Elite status, and seek luxury travel perks like airport lounge access and enhanced hotel stays. Ultimately, the ideal cardholder is someone whose spending and travel habits align with the card's premium benefits, such as its monthly dining credits and annual free night award, making the annual fee a worthwhile investment for an elevated travel experience.

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 consistently choose Hilton properties for their stays. This card particularly benefits luxury travelers who can maximize its premium perks, such as automatic Diamond elite status and extensive statement credits, to easily offset the annual fee. Those who stay at Hilton resorts at least a couple of times a year will find immense value by organically using the card's travel credits, as detailed in this Hilton Aspire review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® vs. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire comparison didn't lead you to a clear winner, you're not out of options. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your wallet and travel 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: You will likely need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Understand the loyalty program: Know how you will use the points and take advantage of elite status benefits.
• Review Amex application rules: Be aware of any restrictions that may affect your eligibility for the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Align your application with planned large purchases to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally use the card's statement credits and benefits to offset the annual fee.
• Accept the right offer: Only accept the welcome offer if you are satisfied with the terms, as you can often decline without impacting your credit.

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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Which card has a higher annual fee, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® or the Hilton Honors Aspire?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has a higher annual fee than the Hilton Honors Aspire Card. However, both cards offer substantial credits and benefits that can help offset this cost for frequent travelers.

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What kind of airport lounge access do these cards offer?

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Both cards provide a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to a vast network of airport lounges around the world. This is a valuable perk for travelers looking for comfort during their journeys.

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How do the statement credits on the Brilliant and Aspire cards differ?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card offers up to $300 in dining statement credits annually, while the Hilton Honors Aspire Card provides up to $250 in annual airline fee credits and up to $250 in Hilton resort credits. The best option depends on your typical spending patterns and travel habits.

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Can I hold both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® and Hilton Honors Aspire cards?

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Yes, you can hold both cards at the same time, as they are considered different products by American Express. This strategy allows you to maximize benefits and elite status across both the Marriott and Hilton hotel portfolios.

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