Originally Posted by Fanjet

Keep in mind that you will need a minimum of 10 years as a Diamond for either avenue. Personally, I would just requalify for Diamond annually (via Aspire Amex or 30 stays/60 nights each year). I really don't think there is any tangible benefit to being a Diamond via the Lifetime route versus doing it the normal way each year. In other words, I would not waste any money on unnecessary stays just to achieve Lifetime Diamond any faster (unless I was only a very small number of nights away from qualifying).

Originally Posted by craigthemif

I really really hate relying on credit cards. But hold onto that Aspire card indefinitely and you are "lifetime" Diamond already. I don't think earning 3 points per $ spent - at BEST 1.5%, but closer to 1.2% IMO - is worth actually putting much non-Hilton spend through it - there are far better alternatives...

And FWIW Hyatt Globalist is much better than anything Marriott or Hilton have to offer.

Originally Posted by hedoman

Agree with first two responses. Based on a ten year chart of the three programs, Hilton has taken sharpest decline and is still trending downward. Hyatt is only program that might be trending upwards in value.
I wouldn't bet anything on the future. Use Aspire for as long as it works for you and skip it as your go to card.