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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus comes from Chase at $99/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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first; revisit the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureSouthwest Rapid Rewards PlusHilton Honors American Express Aspire
Annual fee$99$550
Sign-up bonus50,000 bonus points175,000 points
Bonus value (est.)-$875
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerChaseAmerican Express
Card categorytravelhotel
Best earning category (Travel)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • $99 fee (post-2025 refresh)
  • 3k anniversary points
  • Free first checked bag
  • Companion Pass qualifying
  • Automatic Diamond status
  • Free weekend night certificate
  • $400 resort credit + $200 flight credit
  • $209 CLEAR + $100 Conrad/Waldorf
Read the full review
Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus
$99/yr · 50,000 bonus points
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
$550/yr · 175,000 points

Editorial take: Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus

The entry-level Southwest card after the 2025 refresh raised the fee to $99. Worth it primarily if you're chasing the Companion Pass; the Priority card delivers more value if you fly Southwest 2+ times per year.

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, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has a public bonus (175,000 points, worth roughly $875), while the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
At $99/yr, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus: $1,000 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.