If you follow our travels, you already know one thing about us: we live in Hilton hotels. From Asia’s legendary Executive Lounges to the Middle East’s over-the-top hospitality, Hilton properties have become our “home on the road.” And because we spend so much time in Hilton hotels around the world, our Hilton Honors credit cards aren’t just a nice extra, they’re an essential travel tool.
Yes, Hilton is reshaping the Honors program in 2026. And no, you won’t be able to reach the highest tier by holding a credit card anymore. But here’s what most travelers miss:
Hilton Honors credit cards are still absolutely worth it, especially for international travelers.
As a traveling couple, we carry a total of three Hilton Aspire and three Hilton Surpass cards. Even with the upcoming changes, the value we receive every year is far higher than the annual fees. These cards continue to deliver the perks that define the way we travel: Hilton credits, flight credits, and free night rewards that make luxury stays much more affordable. Hilton credit cards also provide Hilton Honors status, which we both earn naturally through our stays.
Let’s break down why we’re keeping them and why you might want to as well.
1. Diamond Status: Still Hugely Valuable
We both have Diamond status, of course from the Aspire card, but we also earn it naturally. We spend around 150 nights per year in Hilton hotels, so we easily reach Diamond on our stays alone.
And there’s another advantage many guests overlook:
When we travel with friends or family and book a second room, both rooms receive Diamond benefits. Breakfast, upgrades, lounge access – the full package.
Even if Diamond won’t be the top status after 2026, it will remain extremely rewarding. Complimentary breakfast (worldwide except the US) or daily F&B credits (US), 100% points bonus, upgrades, and Executive Lounge access, especially in Asia and the Middle East, create incredible value. In many hotels, the lounge alone feels like “all-inclusive light.”
2. Free Night Rewards: The Most Powerful Perk Hilton Offers
One of the top reasons we keep our Hilton cards is the Free Night Rewards. And honestly, these certificates are now more valuable than ever after three points devaluations in the past year.
Unlike Marriott, where a free night tops out at 85,000 points (+15,000 top-up), Hilton’s Free Night Rewards have no point cap. You can use them at nearly any Hilton property worldwide, even those costing 150,000 – 200,000+ points per night. Find our guide on how to maximize your Free Night Reward here.
Each Hilton Aspire card provides one free night upon opening and another every year, plus an additional free night after spending $30,000 and a third after reaching $60,000 in a calendar year. We also have three Hilton Surpass cards, each offering a free night reward after $15,000 in annual spending. We always meet the spending threshold at Surpass, so we reliably earn at least six free night rewards per year.
Our favorite redemption?
Waldorf Astoria Maldives – eight nights in total, combining our free night certificates with Hilton’s 5th-night-free points benefit. This saved us a fortune and remains one of our top Hilton memories.
3. Earning Hilton Honors Points: Still Worth Collecting
Even after devaluations, points remain useful, if you know how to redeem them strategically. And Hilton credit cards help you build your balance quickly.
American Express regularly offers elevated welcome bonuses, currently 175,000 points on the Aspire after $6,000 spend and 155,000 points on the Surpass after $3,000 spend in 6 months.
Daily spending also adds up quickly. With the Hilton Aspire card, we earn 14X points at Hilton properties, 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, on car rentals, and at U.S. restaurants, and 3X points on all other purchases. The Hilton Surpass card earns 12X points at Hilton hotels, 6X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 4X on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X points on everything else.
With our combined spending, we always have enough points to book high-value stays throughout the year.
4. Hilton Statement Credits: Easy, Valuable, and Global
Another big win: the statement credits.
Each Hilton Aspire card offers a $200 Hilton Resort credit twice a year, totaling $400 annually. With three Aspire cards between us, that adds up to $1,200 every year – credits we easily redeem at resorts worldwide. We’ve never had any difficulty using them. Find more information about Aspire resort credit elegible hotels here and view the full list directly on the Hilton Honors website.
The Hilton Surpass card provides a $50 quarterly credit on Hilton purchases, or $200 per year. With our three Surpass cards, that’s an additional $600 in value annually.
5. Aspire Airline Credits: Another Effortless Bonus
Each Aspire card also offers a $50 airline credit every quarter, totaling $200 per year. The credits apply automatically when you use the card to pay directly with the airlines, making this benefit truly hassle-free.
Conclusion
Even with the program changes coming in 2026, Hilton’s credit cards remain incredibly strong, especially for travelers who stay at Hilton properties worldwide. The combination of free night rewards, high earning rates, resort and airline credits, Diamond benefits, and easy statement credits far exceeds the annual fees on all our cards.
These cards enhance every one of our trips, reduce our travel costs, and help us enjoy Hilton hotels at a level that simply wouldn’t be possible without them.
For us, the Hilton Aspire and Surpass cards aren’t just payment methods – they’re a travel strategy. And even after 2026, they’ll continue to be a key part of how we explore the world.
When you click on the referral link, you could earn a welcome bonus, and we could earn a referral bonus. Terms apply: Refferal Link to Hilton Honors Amex Welcome Offer
