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Bilt Obsidian vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Bilt Obsidian comes from Bilt / Cardless at $95/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 ($675 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Obsidian's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first; revisit the Bilt Obsidian after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt ObsidianHilton Honors American Express Aspire
Annual fee$95$550
Sign-up bonus$200 Bilt Cash175,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$200$875
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerBilt / CardlessAmerican Express
Card categorytravelhotel
Best earning category (Dining_or_groceries)3x1x
Transfer partnersbiltNone
Headline benefits
  • $100 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • Pick 3x dining OR groceries
  • $300 Bilt Dining partner credit
  • $120 Lyft credit (via Bilt Cash)
  • Automatic Diamond status
  • Free weekend night certificate
  • $400 resort credit + $200 flight credit
  • $209 CLEAR + $100 Conrad/Waldorf
Read the full review
Bilt Obsidian
$95/yr · $200 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
$550/yr · 175,000 points

Editorial take: Bilt Obsidian

The headline tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless after the Wells Fargo era ended. Strongest for renters who eat out (or buy groceries) and use Lyft. The $100 hotel credit pays back most of the AF if you stay 2+ nights anywhere on the Bilt Travel portal. Pair with the no-fee Blue if you want a no-AF anchor too.

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, Bilt Obsidian or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $875, versus $200 Bilt Cash (~$200) on the Bilt Obsidian.
Is the Bilt Obsidian's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
At $95/yr, the Bilt Obsidian 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 Bilt Obsidian and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Cardless 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 Bilt Obsidian or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Obsidian: $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.