United Gateway vs Hilton Honors: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

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• Cardholders receive top-tier Hilton Honors™ Diamond Elite Status automatically, along with a suite of valuable travel credits and an annual free night award.
• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), there are no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel.
• The annual free night certificate alone can often justify the card's annual fee when redeemed at a high-end 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.}

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Pros

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• Automatic top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, which unlocks premium perks like room upgrades and executive lounge access.
• An annual Free Night Award that can be redeemed at eligible Hilton properties worldwide, including high-end resorts.
• A suite of annual statement credits for eligible purchases at Hilton resorts, flights, and CLEAR® Plus membership.

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Cons

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• The card comes with a significant annual fee, which may be difficult to justify for those who don't travel frequently.
• Points are restricted to the Hilton ecosystem, offering less flexibility than transferable rewards currencies.
• The various statement credits are complex to maximize, as they are broken into quarterly or semi-annual chunks and are often limited to specific types of properties.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire vs United Gateway

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Categories

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When considering which is better United Gateway or Hilton Honors, the choice ultimately depends on your specific travel style and loyalty preferences. Each card is designed for a different type of traveler.

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• United Gateway℠ Card - This card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers and beginners in the travel rewards space, serving as a strong entry-level option for those who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card - This premium card is designed for frequent travelers loyal to the Hilton brand who can take full advantage of luxury hotel benefits and elite status perks.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Rewards are earned as United MileagePlus miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with United and its airline partners. Miles can also be used for other travel purchases, like hotel stays and car rentals, through the United travel portal.

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are redeemed within the Hilton Honors program, mainly for free nights at hotels and resorts across Hilton's global portfolio. You can also use points for on-property rewards, exclusive experiences, and transfers to airline partners.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Hilton Aspire and United Gateway cards are suitable for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Airport Lounge Access: The Hilton Aspire Card offers a premium travel experience with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to a global network of lounges. The United Gateway Card does not include airport lounge access.
• Elite Status: A significant perk of the Aspire card is the automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status it provides, the highest tier in the program. The Gateway card does not offer any complimentary elite status with United Airlines.
• Annual Credits: The Aspire card features valuable annual statement credits, including an airline fee credit and a Hilton resort credit. As a card with no annual fee, the United Gateway Card does not offer these types of travel credits.
• In-Flight Benefits: The United Gateway Card offers a statement credit on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights. The Aspire card’s benefits are focused on the hotel experience rather than in-flight perks.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make a confident decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, a financial companion that allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards with its data-driven card explorer.

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• Test drive a credit card: See exactly how much a new card could earn based on your actual spending history before you apply, with no hard credit pull required.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending patterns.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
• Maximize and stack rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping and use the autofill feature to ensure you’re always using the best card at checkout.
• Financial overview: Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score from a single platform.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an ideal choice for occasional United Airlines flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to credit card beginners and budget-conscious travelers, thanks to its straightforward rewards and no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card serves as a great entry point for those looking to build a relationship with the MileagePlus program without the cost of a premium card.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card is tailored for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hilton portfolio and can maximize its suite of premium benefits. It's particularly valuable for those who stay at Hilton properties at least once or twice a year, especially at resorts where the card's statement credits and perks can be fully utilized. In short, this card is best for luxury-focused travelers who want to elevate their hotel experience with automatic top-tier status, as our Hilton Aspire Card review details.

Alternatives to Consider

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In the United Gateway℠ Card vs. Hilton Honors American Express® Aspire Card matchup, you're choosing between a dedicated airline card and a premium hotel card. If neither of those specific loyalty paths works for your travel style, here are a few other excellent options 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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Requirements range from beginner-friendly cards to premium options needing excellent credit.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Review the card’s benefits - Understand how to use the perks, as some may require enrollment to activate.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application around large, planned purchases to help meet spending requirements.
• Be aware of issuer-specific application rules that may affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Some issuers may show you an offer before a hard credit pull, allowing you to decline without impact.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I transfer points between United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors?

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No, you cannot directly transfer rewards between the United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors loyalty programs. Each program's points or miles must be redeemed within its own ecosystem of airline and hotel partners.

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Which card is better for everyday, non-bonus spending?

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Both cards earn rewards on all purchases, so the better option depends on your travel goals. Consider whether you would get more value from earning United miles for flights or Hilton points for hotel stays on your everyday purchases.

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Do points from the United Gateway or Hilton Honors cards expire?

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United MileagePlus miles can expire after a period of account inactivity, but using your card regularly prevents this. Similarly, Hilton Honors points can expire after 24 months of inactivity, which is reset anytime you earn or redeem points.

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