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Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Hilton Honors Aspire: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is ideal for occasional Southwest flyers looking to earn points on airline purchases as well as everyday spending at gas stations and grocery stores.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This premium card is best for frequent Hilton guests who want to maximize luxury travel perks and earn rewards on hotel stays, flights, and dining.
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card.
- You can earn Rapid Rewards® points on Southwest purchases and at gas stations and grocery stores.
- While the card has an annual fee, it offers valuable perks like two EarlyBird Check-In® credits each year.
- The 3,000 bonus points you receive each anniversary year help offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- All points earned with the card count toward the highly coveted Southwest Companion Pass®.
- Cardholders receive travel perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits and baggage protections.
- Receive bonus points each year on your account anniversary.
Cons
- Lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or upgraded boarding, which are available with higher-tier cards.
- Points are most valuable when redeemed for Southwest flights, offering less flexibility than other travel reward programs.
- The card does not offer an annual travel credit or in-flight discounts.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we think the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire is a top-tier hotel card.
- Cardholders receive automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond Elite Status, unlocking premium perks like room upgrades and complimentary breakfast.
- Despite its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for flights and Hilton resort purchases.
- The annual Free Night Award certificate can provide value that exceeds the card's annual cost, particularly when used at a luxury Hilton property (publisher-formulated estimate).
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- Automatic Diamond Status: Cardholders are instantly granted Hilton’s highest elite status, which provides valuable perks like room upgrades, executive lounge access, and daily food and beverage credits.
- Generous Travel Credits: The card is loaded with annual statement credits for use at participating Hilton resorts and on eligible flights.
- Valuable Travel Perks: In addition to an annual Free Night Award, the card includes other benefits like rental car elite status and cell phone protection.
Cons
- High Annual Fee: The card’s high annual fee may be difficult to justify for those who don’t travel frequently with Hilton.
- Limited Point Flexibility: Rewards points are not transferable and can only be used within the Hilton portfolio, limiting redemption flexibility.
- Complex Credits: The card’s various statement credits are subject to restrictions, such as being limited to specific properties or timeframes, which can make them difficult to fully utilize.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus
Categories
Deciding between a co-branded airline card and a premium hotel card can be tough. To determine which is better, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus or Hilton Honors Aspire, it's essential to look at who each card is designed for.
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is best for occasional to frequent Southwest flyers who are budget-conscious or looking to earn the coveted Companion Pass. It's also a solid choice for credit card beginners loyal to the airline.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is designed for frequent travelers who prefer staying at Hilton properties, especially resorts. It's best suited for those who want to maximize their stays with exceptional benefits and elite status perks.
Redemption
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, offering a straightforward way to book award travel. Cardholders can also use their points for international flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and gift cards through the airline's travel portal.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Hilton portfolio. Members can also use points for on-property rewards, exclusive experiences, and transfers to airline partners.
Travel Perks
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is integrated into the Southwest travel ecosystem, allowing cardholders to use the airline's travel portal to book more than just flights. It does have a foreign transaction fee and does not include airport lounge access.
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: As a premium card, it comes with no foreign transaction fees. A key travel perk is the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which provides access to a global network of airport lounges. Terms Apply.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your actual spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
- Receive personalized card recommendations that match your unique spending patterns.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards.
- Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best bonus available.
- Earn extra rewards, called Kudos Boost, on top of your card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an excellent entry point for budget-conscious travelers and Southwest loyalists who are new to travel rewards. It's particularly well-suited for those aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass, as all points earned contribute toward qualification while keeping costs down with a modest annual fee. As detailed in this complete 2025 guide, even occasional flyers can extract value from perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits and a complimentary DashPass membership.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is tailored for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hilton portfolio, particularly those who stay at its resorts at least once or twice a year. This cardholder is someone who can fully leverage the suite of premium benefits—like automatic Diamond status, an annual free night award, and up to $600 in annual flight and resort credits—to enhance their stays. Ultimately, the ideal user is a luxury-focused traveler who will maximize the card's perks to easily justify its annual fee. Terms apply.
Alternatives to Consider
Perhaps our Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right fit. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and there are several other excellent alternatives to consider.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending – Make sure you can meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
- Review the card’s benefits – Understand how the rewards and perks align with your travel or spending goals.
Application Strategy
- Understand issuer-specific rules – Research policies like Chase's 5/24 rule or Amex's welcome offer eligibility before you apply.
- Time your application – Align your application with large, planned expenses to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.
- Don’t settle for a lower offer – Some application processes allow you to see your offer before a hard credit check, letting you decline and try again later.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for domestic travel?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is often preferred for domestic flights due to Southwest Airlines' extensive U.S. network. However, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card can be more valuable if your travel primarily involves stays at Hilton properties across the country.
Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors?
No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors loyalty programs. Each program operates independently with its own set of rules and transfer partners.
What are the annual fees for these cards?
The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card has a $69 annual fee, while the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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