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Head to head

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card vs. Citi Double Cash Card

On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 4 of 6. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Amex

Citi Double Cash Card

Citi

At a glance

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins 4 of 6 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card wins on earning ceiling, lounge access, travel insurance, and foreign transactions; Citi Double Cash Card wins on annual fee.

Take the Citi Double Cash Card if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term; the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the right call if you'll actually use the lounges.

Who wins what

4 vs 1 (1 tie)
  • First-year math Tie

    Both cards land within $25 of each other after the annual fee.

  • Annual fee Citi Double Cash Card

    Citi Double Cash Card is $550 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 5×).

  • Lounge access Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card includes lounge access; the other doesn't.

  • Travel insurance Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card carries built-in travel insurance.

  • Foreign transactions Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.

By the numbers

Annual fee
$550
Free
Welcome offer (typical value)
$750
$200
First-year net
+$200
+$200
Peak earning rate
14×
5×
Top categories
Hotels Resorts, Airfare, Car Rentals
Travel Portal
Lounge access
priority-pass
No
Travel insurance
Yes
No
Elite status
Yes
No
Foreign transaction fee
None
3.00%
Reward currency
Hilton Honors
Citi ThankYou Points
Full review Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Full review Citi Double Cash Card

Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.