Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 2 of 3. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Amex
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 2 of 3 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins on annual fee and earning ceiling; Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on first-year math.
Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve if year-one math is your priority; take the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
2 vs 1- First-year math Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is $245 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card earns more on its best category (14× vs 8×).
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $550
- $795
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $750
- $2,550
- First-year net
- +$200
- +$1,755
- Peak earning rate
- 14×
- 8×
- Top categories
- Hotels Resorts, Airfare, Car Rentals
- Chase Travel, Flights Direct, Hotels Direct
- Lounge access
- priority-pass
- chase-sapphire-lounge, priority-pass
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- Yes
- Yes
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Hilton Honors
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.