The big difference for me between Diamond and Gold is the guaranteed lounge access, very nice to have in some non-U.S. hotels. I'd say this is worth $200 or so a year to me. I am a leisure-only traveler with maybe 15 nights a year at Hilton family hotels, usually Conrad or Hilton in Asia. My status is (and always has been) from credit cards. The Aspire card is great for me.