How to Maximize Hilton Amex Credits in 2026 (Aspire $400 + Surpass $150)

Quick answer

The Hilton Aspire offers $400 in annual resort credit — split into two $200 halves (January–June and July–December) — making it essential to use both halves every year to justify the $550 annual fee. The Hilton Surpass offers a simpler $150 annual resort credit in a single credit. Used strategically at the right Hilton resort properties, these credits can cover hotel dining, spa services, and resort activities — not just room charges — making them more flexible than many hotel card credits. For a full review of the Aspire card, see our Amex Hilton Honors Aspire review.

TL;DR: The Hilton Honors Amex Aspire ($550 AF) offers a $400 annual resort credit split as $200 credit from January 1–June 30 and $200 credit from July 1–December 31, valid at Hilton resort properties. The Hilton Honors Amex Surpass ($150 AF) offers a $150 annual resort credit without a split. Both credits apply at Hilton properties categorized as resorts, including Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Curio Collection, Tapestry, DoubleTree, and Hilton resorts. Credits cover eligible resort charges including dining, spa, cabana rentals, golf, and activities in addition to room charges.

At a glance

Which Hilton properties qualify as resorts

Not all Hilton properties are classified as "resorts" for the purpose of this credit. The credit applies at properties Hilton designates as resorts in its internal classification system.

Brands where resort properties are common:

• Waldorf Astoria resorts (Hawaii, Maldives, Florida, Caribbean)
• Conrad resorts (Bora Bora, Maldives, Dubai, Florida)
• Hilton Grand Vacations (select properties)
• DoubleTree Resort properties (beach, mountain, and lake destinations)
• Curio Collection resort members
• Tapestry Collection resort members
• Hilton-branded resort hotels

How to confirm a property qualifies: Before booking, search on Hilton.com with the filter "Resort" under property type, or call Hilton Honors and ask whether a specific property qualifies for the Aspire resort credit. The credit posts automatically when you charge eligible expenses at a qualifying resort. For an overview of Hilton's full portfolio and brand tiers, see our Hilton Honors program guide.

Properties that typically do NOT qualify:

• Hilton city hotels and convention hotels (even upscale ones like Hilton Midtown New York or Hilton Chicago)
• Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites, Home2 Suites (brand-level exclusion)
• Embassy Suites in urban locations (resort Embassy Suites properties may qualify)
• Properties not classified as resorts in Hilton's system

Common mistake: Assuming any Waldorf Astoria or Conrad property qualifies. Waldorf Astoria New York, for instance, is a city hotel — not a resort. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort (California) are resorts and qualify.

What the resort credit covers

This is where the credit becomes particularly valuable: it applies to resort charges broadly, not just room charges.

Dining at resort properties

Meals, beverages, and room service charged to your room at a qualifying resort typically trigger the credit. This includes:

• Restaurant dinners (even at signature restaurants within the resort)
• Poolside food and beverage service
• Room service
• Mini-bar charges (varies by property)

Practical example: A $200 dinner for two at a Waldorf Astoria resort restaurant, charged to your room and paid with the Aspire card, counts toward the resort credit — effectively making that dinner free.

Spa services

Spa treatments (massages, facials, body treatments) charged to your room at a resort property count toward the credit. At luxury resorts, a single 60-minute massage can cost $150–$300 — potentially covering the entire first-half credit.

Resort activities and amenities

• Cabana rentals (pool or beach)
• Snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding equipment rental
• Golf green fees at resort golf courses
• Tennis court fees
• Fitness class fees

What typically does NOT count

• Charges at non-Hilton outlets within a resort (a non-branded restaurant on resort grounds may not qualify)
• Parking fees (varies by property)
• Third-party bookings (Airbnb-style units, even at resort locations)
• Advance deposits or reservation fees paid before check-in

Maximizing the Aspire's split credit structure

The Aspire card's $400 credit is split into two $200 halves that reset on July 1. This requires deliberate planning:

Scenario 1: Two resort stays per year

The simplest approach: plan one resort stay in the first half (January–June) and one in the second half (July–December). Each $200 credit covers dining, spa, or activities during the respective stay.

Example itinerary:

• March: 3 nights at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach → Use $200 resort credit on spa + poolside dining
• October: 4 nights at Waldorf Astoria Cancun → Use $200 resort credit on restaurant dinners

Total resort credit captured: $400. Annual fee: $550. Effective net cost of the Aspire card after resort credit: $150 (before counting Diamond status value, free night certificate, and Priority Pass).

Scenario 2: One long resort stay spanning both periods

If you take a multi-week vacation that crosses July 1 (or have the flexibility to check in before and check out after July 1), you can potentially use both credits during a single trip.

Example: Check in June 28 at a resort, check out July 5. Charge $200 in eligible expenses before June 30 (first credit) and $200 in expenses on or after July 1 (second credit). Combined: $400 in free resort charges during one trip.

Important: The credit triggers based on the charge date, not check-in date. At most properties, room charges are billed nightly, so a 7-night stay crossing July 1 naturally creates charges in both periods.

Scenario 3: Staycation or local resort strategy

Not every resort stay needs to be a destination vacation. Many Hilton resort properties are within driving distance of major US cities:

• Florida: Multiple Conrad and Waldorf Astoria beach properties
• Hawaii: Waldorf Astoria Monarchs Beach, Hilton Hawaiian Village
• California: Curio and DoubleTree beach resorts
• New England: Select Hilton and Curio resort properties on Cape Cod, Maine coast

A local one-night resort stay purely to spend the $200 resort credit (on dining and spa) can be a cost-effective way to capture both halves of the credit without expensive travel.

Combining Aspire resort credit with Diamond status

The real multiplier: when you use your resort credit at a property where Diamond status also provides value, you stack two benefits simultaneously. If the Aspire isn't the right fit, our best Hilton credit cards guide shows lower-cost options that still deliver meaningful resort and earn benefits.

Diamond at resorts provides:

• Complimentary breakfast (valued $60–$160/couple at luxury resorts)
• Space-available room upgrades (potentially to a suite)
• Executive lounge access (where available at resort properties)
• Late checkout at 2 PM

Resort credit covers:

• Spa, dining beyond breakfast, activities, cabanas

Combined value example at Conrad Bora Bora Nui (3-night stay):

• Diamond breakfast: 3 nights × $120/couple = $360 saved
• Diamond room upgrade (water bungalow): $200+ saved if upgraded from base room
• Resort credit applied to spa: $200 covered
• Total combined value: $760+ from two benefits working together

Maximizing the Surpass $150 resort credit

The Hilton Surpass approach is simpler: a single $150 annual resort credit without a split. This credits automatically when you charge eligible resort expenses and pay with the Surpass card.

Best strategy for the Surpass credit:

1. Book one resort stay per year
2. Charge dining or spa to the room (typically better value than room charges, since the room itself is paid with points or at a lower cash rate)
3. Pay the final bill with your Hilton Surpass card
4. The $150 credit posts automatically (typically within 2 billing cycles)

Surpass credit vs. Aspire credit comparison:

The Surpass credit exactly offsets its own annual fee in resort credit alone — making other Surpass benefits (Gold status, 12x points on Hilton, 6x at US restaurants/groceries/gas) pure bonus. See our Hilton Honors Surpass review for a full breakdown of those benefits.

Timing strategies for both cards

When to use the resort credit

• Best use: Charge the most expensive single item possible (spa treatment, restaurant dinner for a group) rather than splitting across many small charges
• Worst use: Charging $200 in mini-bar drinks when you could charge a spa treatment instead — the credit covers the same amount but the experience value differs

Avoiding credit expiration

For the Aspire card, the first-half credit ($200, January–June) expires June 30. If you haven't used it by mid-June with no resort trip planned:

• Look for a local resort property within driving distance
• Book a same-day reservation at a Hilton resort restaurant (some resorts allow non-guests at their restaurants)
• Consider a one-night resort stay specifically to use the credit — pairing it with an Amex Membership Rewards card earn can offset part of the room cost

Card anniversary considerations: If your Aspire card anniversary is in spring, the annual fee posts and the new credit year begins simultaneously. The semi-annual structure is calendar-year based (Jan–Jun / Jul–Dec), not anniversary-year based, so all cardholders share the same credit windows.

Common mistakes with resort credits

Mistake 1: Booking a non-resort Hilton property and expecting the credit to apply. Confirm resort status before booking. A Hilton city hotel — even a luxury one — doesn't qualify.

Mistake 2: Using the credit on room charges instead of higher-value services. If you're paying for the room anyway (or using points), spend the credit on spa and dining instead of room charges.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the Aspire credit resets July 1. If you don't use the first-half credit by June 30, you lose $200. Set a calendar reminder in June.

Mistake 4: Not knowing which card to use at checkout. The credit only applies when you pay with the card that has the credit (Aspire or Surpass). If you pay with a different card, the credit won't apply.

Mistake 5: Assuming the credit is "free money" without a resort stay planned. The credit requires a visit to a qualifying Hilton resort. If you never stay at resorts, the credit is useless — which is one of the main reasons the Aspire card isn't right for everyone. Our who should get the Hilton Aspire guide helps you decide before applying.