US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Amex Hilton Honors Aspire
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins 4-2. Mobile-pay maximizers, 3x on Apple/Google/Samsung Pay transactions. Amex Hilton Honors Aspire is still the right call if frequent hilton guests who want top-tier diamond status..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | US Bank Altitude Reserve | Amex Hilton Honors Aspire |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $400 | · $550 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 14x (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 3x |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel) | · N/A |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = Not verified |
| Min credit score | 720 | · N/A |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
US Bank Altitude Reserve
- 5x on prepaid hotels and car rentals via US Bank Travel
- 3x on travel + mobile-wallet purchases
- 1.5x redemption rate when used for travel
- $325 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select (4 free visits/year)
- Up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire
- 14x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 7x at US restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com, and on car rentals booked directly
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Diamond status
- No foreign transaction fees
FAQ
›US Bank Altitude Reserve vs Amex Hilton Honors Aspire: which is better?
US Bank Altitude Reserve wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use US Bank Altitude Reserve for its best categories, Amex Hilton Honors Aspire for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
US Bank Altitude Reserve: 50,000 points after $4,500 in first 3 months (worth $750 toward travel). Amex Hilton Honors Aspire doesn't list a welcome bonus.