Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Miles vs Hilton Honors American Express Aspire
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Miles comes from Discover 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
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Discover it Miles | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $550 |
| Sign-up bonus | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) | 175,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $450 | $875 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $6,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | American Express |
| Card category | travel | hotel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
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, Discover it Miles or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
- The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $875, versus Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) (~$450) on the Discover it Miles.
- Is the Discover it Miles's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
- The Discover it Miles 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 Discover it Miles.
- Can I have both the Discover it Miles and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Miles or the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Miles: $0 spend in 12 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.