Using Your Aspire Resort Credit at Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills? Here Are 6 Things To Know Before Your Stay

Although I usually stay on top of my credit card perks, benefits, and fees, it has become more challenging to do so. As many cards shift toward offering coupon-style benefits, the likelihood of missing a statement credit or perk has increased. This is especially true when managing more than 20 credit cards, as I do.

When I realized that a credit on one of my many hotel cards was about to expire, I booked a stay to ensure I could maximize its value. After narrowing down my options, I booked the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center and was surprised by the property.

Here’s a look at my December 2025 stay and some key details about the property.

1. It’s the Only Hilton Resort Property in the Midwest

When you think of resort hotels, you probably imagine luxury properties with private beaches or destinations tucked away near ski slopes. Fortunately, that is not the case, or I may not have been able to redeem my Hilton resort credit.

The Midwest is home to a single Hilton resort property: the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center.

Although the hotel has “Chicago” in its name, the property is actually in the western suburb of Oak Brook. It is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Chicago.

2. You Can Use Your Hilton Resort Credit Here

Arguably, no card in my wallet is as valuable as the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The Hilton Aspire card offers numerous valuable perks and benefits, including Hilton Honors Diamond Elite status, elevated earnings at Hilton properties, and an annual free night certificate.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

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Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $750

Annual Fee

$550

APR

19.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.

The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.

So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 14x points per $1 on Hilton purchases
• 7x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at U.S. restaurants
• 3x points per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Cons

• High annual fee of $550 (rates & fees)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enhance your hotel stay with complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond Status and enjoy a world of hotel privileges and benefits. Get exclusive perks at any of Hilton’s 25 hotel brands, like a 100% Bonus on Base Points earned on every stay, Premium Wi-Fi and space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
• Enjoy an Annual Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors in your first year of Card Membership and every year upon Card renewal.
• Card Members can earn 14X Points on purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
• Card Members can earn 7X Points on purchases of Flights booked directly with airlines or flights booked through American Express Travel, Car rentals purchased directly from select car rental companies, and purchases at U.S. Restaurants.
• Card Members can earn 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
• $400 Hilton Resort Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on your Hilton Honors Aspire Card. That's up to $400 back annually.
• $200 Flight Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with airlines or via AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: You can receive up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you sign up and pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your eligible Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you can earn an additional Free Night Reward from Hilton after you spend an additional $30,000 (for a total of $60,000) in purchases on your Card in the same calendar year.
• $100 Property Credit: Receive up to a $100 credit for qualifying charges at Waldorf Astoria^® Hotels & Resorts and Conrad^® Hotels & Resorts properties when you book a 2 night minimum stay with your Card at HiltonHonorsAspireCard.com and select the Aspire Card Benefit rate option on the booking page, or call Hilton Honors at 855-292-5757 with the proper booking reference.
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental^® Emerald Club Executive^® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
• Pay It Plan It^®: Pay It^® lets you tap in the American Express^® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It^® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
• Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist^® Hotline§ is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
• Points don’t expire while your Hilton Honors American Express Card is active and in good standing.
• $550 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The Hilton Aspire card is definitely a premium card, with a hefty $550 annual fee (rates & fees). However, it also comes with several important statement credits that help offset that fee.

One of these credits is the up-to-$400 annual Hilton resort credit (up to $200 in statement credits semiannually) on your card each anniversary year. This credit is somewhat restrictive and can only be used at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio. It can be used toward nonprepaid room rates, dining, spa treatments, excursions, or any other charges billed to your room.

With the second of my $200 semiannual statement credits set to expire at the end of the calendar year, I needed to use it to avoid losing it. Fortunately, Hilton lets you apply the resort credit to the room rate. The property’s cash rates hover around $140 per night, including the resort fee, so I knew I could maximize it.

3. My Rooms Was Spacious and Relaxing

Although I typically book the cheapest room available, I booked a King Corner room, as it was only $10 more expensive than a standard King Room. I hoped that my elite status might earn me an upgrade to a suite, but unfortunately, that did not happen.

The room was incredibly modern and much nicer than expected. It was furnished with high-end items throughout and was quite spacious. The king-size bed was extremely comfortable, featuring a plush headboard and high-quality linens.

I loved the furniture choices throughout the room, which created a sense of refined luxury and comfort. The room also featured a separate workstation desk away from the bed.

Unfortunately, the bathroom was relatively basic and lacked the sophistication of the rest of the room.

4. There Were Numerous Amenities

The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center offers guests numerous amenities, including:

• 18-hole championship golf course
• Golf simulators
• Full-service spa
• Indoor and seasonal outdoor swimming pools
• More than 20 meeting and conference rooms, including a wedding venue and ballroom
• Fully equipped, 24-hour-a-day fitness center

The indoor pool area was massive, with ample seating for over 50 people. The pool was extremely busy throughout the day with numerous families.

The most surprising amenity was the number of meeting and conference rooms. As I walked around the hotel, I stumbled upon a corridor that led to several of the rooms. The property was quite busy during my late December 2025 stay, and many meeting rooms were in use.

5. The Property Has an Executive Lounge

Like many Hilton resort hotels, the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center featured an executive lounge. It was on the lobby level, past the guest elevators.

The hotel does not have an executive floor, and only guests with Hilton Honors Diamond status can access the lounge.

The lounge offers all-day refreshments and a quiet place to spend a few hours. There is a multitude of seating, including some incredibly comfortable sofas.

The lounge offers snacks in the evening from 5 to 7 p.m. I found the food selection limited, consisting of a charcuterie board with a few cheeses and meats, as well as black bean empanadas.

There was a decent selection of nonalcoholic beverages, including sodas and juices. Alcoholic drinks included various red and white wines.

Since the property does not offer a food and beverage credit, Hilton Diamond members can get a complimentary breakfast in the lounge.

The breakfast featured standard hot items: scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and potatoes. Cold items included cereal, yogurt, and various fruits.

6. Dining Options Were Limited Due to the Season

Officially, the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center offers 3 places to eat: B. Restaurant & Lounge, past the hotel lobby; Tin Cup Bar & Grille, which serves classic American cuisine; and Noonan’s, a seasonal snack shop. The property also features a large 24-hour-a-day pantry in the lobby.

Both Tin Cup Bar & Grille and Noonan’s were closed for the winter season, leaving me a single place to dine.

Although Hilton Diamond members can get complimentary breakfast at the Executive Lounge, I had breakfast at B. Restaurant & Lounge, as I wanted freshly prepared food. I ordered a salmon and cream cheese bagel and French toast. Both were excellent and flavorful.

Since the room rate was roughly around $140, I still had a good chunk of my Hilton resort credit to use. I applied the remaining amount to the breakfast charge, which I had added to my room. The remaining $60 or so covered the meal and the generous tip I left for my waiter.

Final Thoughts

The Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort & Conference Center is a solid Hilton resort outside of Chicago and the only Hilton resort in the Midwest. I easily applied my Hilton Aspire card’s semiannual resort credit toward the 1-night stay.

The property features comfortable, modern guest rooms, as well as numerous on-site amenities I enjoyed, such as the executive lounge and indoor swimming pool. I would absolutely consider staying here if I were visiting Chicago’s western suburbs.