The thing is, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is Hilton's top-tier offering, and while that $550 annual fee might seem steep at first glance, the benefits really do outweigh the cost if you're someone who stays at Hilton properties. Here's what makes it special: you get an annual free night reward that's incredibly flexible—you can use it at pretty much any Hilton hotel as long as there's standard room availability, which means you could book a $1,000+ night at a Conrad in the Maldives or a Waldorf Astoria property and already come out ahead of the annual fee. On top of that, you're getting $400 in Hilton resort credits (split into $200 semi-annually), a $200 flight credit (as $50 statement credits each quarter), and a $209 CLEAR Plus credit. And so you also get automatic Hilton Diamond status, which is their top tier, giving you room upgrades, late checkout, and other perks. Now here's the catch—you really need to use these benefits to make the card worth it. If you're not staying at Hilton resorts to use that $400 credit, or if you're not flying enough to use those quarterly airline credits, the value proposition drops significantly. I personally have the Aspire and use that free night every year at high-end properties, which means I'm getting way more value than the $550 I'm paying. Let me know if you're a regular Hilton guest—this card could save you serious money on your stays.