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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($625 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $550 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 175,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $875 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $6,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | hotel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
$295/yr · $1,500 cash back
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
$550/yr · 175,000 points
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, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus 175,000 points (~$875) on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 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.