Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Amex
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Chase
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and lounge access; Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card wins on annual fee.
Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1- First-year math Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card is $451 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 2×).
- Lounge access Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes lounge access; the other doesn't.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $550
- $99
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $750
- —
- First-year net
- +$200
- $-99
- Peak earning rate
- 14×
- 2×
- Top categories
- Hotels Resorts, Airfare, Car Rentals
- Airfare, Gas, Groceries
- Lounge access
- priority-pass
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Hilton Honors
- Southwest Rapid Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.