5 Best Places to Use the Hilton Aspire Resort Credit

With locations in more than 120 countries, there’s no doubt you’ve seen a Hilton hotel or two during your travels. Along with a widespread footprint, Hilton has a handful of co-branded credit cards that offer a variety of benefits during hotel stays. The most premium option, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

(terms apply), provides perks such as top-tier elite status and hundreds of dollars in credits each year. 

Among these credits is an annual up to $400 Hilton Resort credit, which grants you up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually (January through June; and July through December) for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on the card. And if you play your cards right, you can make these credits work in your favor. Let’s take a look at the possibilities. 

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang, Malaysia

Our first recommendation is the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Penang. Along with a beachfront location and spacious rooms, this room clocks in at one of the most affordable Hilton Resorts. Depending on when you’re staying, nightly rates can be as low as $59 for a deluxe room with a balcony. 

It’s important to note that not all room rates are eligible for reimbursement via the Hilton Resort statement credit. Advance purchase and non-refundable rates don’t qualify; instead, you’ll want to look for flexible rates or other promotions.

Even at the more expensive rate, it’s easy to make your credit stretch with this hotel. Staying for three nights will run you $177, while a four-night stay will cost a total of $236, plus a 10% service charge and tax.

DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort, Scotland

You don’t have to venture all the way to Malaysia to find an affordable resort in which to use your Hilton Resort statement credit. Here’s an example at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa & Golf Resort, located in Glasgow, Scotland. Along with an 18-hole golf course, the resort features a spa, sauna and whirlpool amongst its 120 acres of land.

Room rates can be as low as $100 per night at this hotel, but if you’re looking for a longer stay, don’t worry. Although the Hilton Resort statement credit is awarded semi-annually, there are ways to use the entire annual amount (up to $400) in a single stay. You could, for example, book a stay that straddles the six-month crossover period and book a second stay right after your credit refreshes. 

You can also try booking a hotel far in advance and having the hotel charge your card before you arrive, then book a continuing stay once the credit resets. 

Conrad Bora Bora Nui, French Polynesia

Our third option on this list is especially attractive for those who are based on the West Coast, since direct flights to French Polynesia can be had from a number of airports. Your best bet for using the statement credit at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui is to do so at its various restaurants and spas. 

This is because room rates at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui can be upwards of $1,000 per night, so you’ll want to redeem points for a stay here. Point costs are at least 120,000 per night, but Hilton Aspire cardholders earn a Free Night Reward every year upon card renewal that they can put towards this stay.

With your accommodations taken care of, you’ll be free to spend that statement credit on whatever your heart desires. 

Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton, West Indies

If you’re looking for a more affordable option (or are based on the East Coast), the Koi Resort Saint Kitts, Curio Collection by Hilton could be a good bet. A five-night reward stay here will run you just 168,000 points (provided you have earned a Free Night Reward to use for the fifth night). That means the current welcome offer with the Hilton Aspire card will pay for your stay. The card currently offers 180,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends 1/17/24.

Once you’re there, you’ll be able to enjoy beachfront beverages on the house courtesy of your resort statement credit. 

Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii

Our last Hilton property on the list is unique because we aren’t suggesting you book it in the standard way. 

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is located on Hawaii’s Big Island and features multiple pools, a saltwater lagoon and even a tram. It’s also pretty expensive; nightly rates start at around $400. 

However, there are two different ways to get discounts on your stays at this hotel. The first is to attend a timeshare presentation. A recent example includes a five-night stay, 5,000 points and a $200 hotel certificate for just $801. While you’ll need to spend some time attending the presentation, the savings can more than make up for it.

Otherwise, the Hilton Waikoloa Village sometimes appears on travel sites offering discounted rates.

You’ll want to be careful of booking through a third-party, however, as you don’t usually get your elite status benefits if you aren’t booking directly through Hilton.

That being said, it may be worth losing out on benefits for such deeply discounted rates. You can then use your $200 hotel certificate during your stay for meals and other activities. 

Other places where you can use your Hilton Resort credit

There are quite a few resorts that are eligible for the Hilton Resort statement credit. To find these, you’ll need to visit the Hilton Resorts page.

How to get the Hilton Resort credit

The Hilton Resort statement credit is a benefit given to those who hold the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
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The information for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

. It’s awarded semi-annually in up to $200 increments, from January to June and then July through December. 

What other perks come with my Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card provides a wide variety of benefits for its $550 annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits. These include:

• Hilton Honors Diamond hotel elite status.
• Up to a $400 Hilton Resort statement credit ($200 semi-annually).
• Anniversary Free Night Reward.
• Up to $200 flight statement credit ($50 quarterly). 
• Up to $100 Hilton on-property credit for qualifying charges at participating hotels (two-night minimum stay required).
• Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus statement credit. 
• National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required).

Other benefits included with your Hilton Aspire card

Aside from statement credits and elite status, the Hilton Aspire card also offers premium protections when traveling:

• Primary rental car insurance¹.
• Baggage insurance².
• Trip delay insurance³.
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance³.
• Purchase protection².
• Extended warranty².

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

^{¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.}

^{²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.}

^{³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.}