Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier vs Hilton Honors Aspire

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier
VS
Hilton Honors Aspire
The short answer: The Hilton Honors Aspire delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Southwest Rapid Rewards® PremierHilton Honors Aspire
Annual fee$149$550
Welcome offer50,000 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points (limited-time)150,000 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points (limited-time)
Dining2x7x
Groceries2x3x
Gas1x3x
Travel1x7x
Streaming1x3x
Everything else1x3x
Est. yearly rewards*$382$1,067
Points typeLocked to Southwest Rapid RewardsLocked to Hilton Honors
NetworkVisaAmex

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of household spending, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier earns about $382 a year in rewards and the Hilton Honors Aspire about $1,067, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier charges $149, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Hilton Honors Aspire charges $550, but carries about $600 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Hilton Honors Aspire delivers more total value, about $584 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and dining. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Hilton Honors Aspire currently has the larger welcome offer (a limited-time offer above its usual amount, so treat it as a one-time boost). A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Hilton Honors Aspire if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Hilton Honors Aspire better?
On typical household spending, the Hilton Honors Aspire comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $584 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier and the Hilton Honors Aspire?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Hilton Honors Aspire?
As of June 2026, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier offers 85,000 Rapid Rewards® bonus points and the Hilton Honors Aspire offers 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.