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Side-by-side

Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire from American Express at $550/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($625 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first; revisit the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressHilton Honors American Express Aspire
Annual fee$0$550
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit175,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$250$875
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorybusinesshotel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
  • Automatic Diamond status
  • Free weekend night certificate
  • $400 resort credit + $200 flight credit
  • $209 CLEAR + $100 Conrad/Waldorf
Read the full review
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
$0/yr · $250 statement credit
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
$550/yr · 175,000 points

Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Pretty much a no-brainer if you stay at Hilton hotels. The $550 annual fee pays for itself with just the free night reward alone, which can be used at any standard room property, even $1,000+ per night hotels.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $875, versus $250 statement credit (~$250) on the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire's $550 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire's benefits to clear $550 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire: $6,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.