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BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card comes from BECU 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 ($875 more in estimated value) than the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first; revisit the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBECU Secured Cash Back Credit CardHilton Honors American Express Aspire
Annual fee$0$550
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus175,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$0$875
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerBECUAmerican Express
Card categorycashbackhotel
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • Automatic Diamond status
    • Free weekend night certificate
    • $400 resort credit + $200 flight credit
    • $209 CLEAR + $100 Conrad/Waldorf
    Read the full review
    BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus
    Read the full review
    Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
    $550/yr · 175,000 points

    Editorial take: BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card

    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, BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
    The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $875, versus No welcome bonus (~$0) on the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card.
    Is the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
    The BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card 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 BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card.
    Can I have both the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (BECU and American Express) the application rules don't conflict. 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 BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card: $0 spend in 0 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.