Hilton HHonors - HH Visa versus HH Amex - pros & cons?

for those that had a Hilton Amex, then applied and received a Hilton Visa, did you get a 7500 point bonus for the Visa??? did you also get Silver VIP status, if you had taken out the Amex before and had since lapsed back to being a standard member??

thanks

I had the HHonors AMEX card last year.

Signup - get 2500, 1st purchase get 5000 Hhonors points.

I had that for a while and then cancelled it.

I then signed up for the HHonors Visa card.

Same thing.

Signup - get 2500, 1st purchase get 5000 Hhonors points.

I haven't seen the Visa points hit my account, and I paid my first statement in Feb.

Do you think I should just be patient?

Did anyone else do this and get points from both the Hhonors AMEX and Hhonors VISA???

I think you should request the miles and cancel Visa and get the Hilton Platinum AMEX - 7,500 point first purchase and 2,500 bonus after the first $2,500 you spend. 3 points per 1$ and 5 at HHonors hotels.

I don't see a code on the application but it came with the last Hilton statement.

Luddgang:

You will probably have to contact Hilton HHonors customer service. I called Citibank and they were useless.

Once I contacted Kristy Hall with Hilton, she squared the problem away like she always does.

For some reason, the points were credited to my account right after my first use and then taken away. I sent Kristy a copy of my bill and she added the 7,500 points.

I'm just thankful that Hilton has such great customer service. If it wasn't for them, AMEX and Citibank would have horned me out of about 15,000 points so far. It's really a darned shame that Hilton has to make up for the shortcomings of the credit card companies with their great customer service...

Falcon56

I have a Europe business trip coming up and will be staying in a Hilton property. I'd appreciate if anyone can tell the best deal / promo going around.

should I use my Hilton AMEX or Hilton Visa to pay.

Thanks in advance.

From the HHonors site:
Between September 1 and November 15, 2001, have just one Double Dip stay at any HHonors hotel and you'll earn double miles for every additional Double Dip stay during these dates! Plus, for each of these additional stays, you'll earn 1,000 HHonors bonus points when you pay with your Visa® card.

Or, for ALL the details
https://www.hiltonhhonors.com/sept_novpromo/

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by deliad:
should I use my Hilton AMEX or Hilton Visa to pay.</font>

deliad -- The answer to your question depends on the amount to be charged.

Using Hilton AmEx at a Hilton property earns you 5 points per $ spent, using Hilton Visa earns you 3 points per $ spent, so the difference is 2 points per $ spent. Current promotion stipulates for extra 1,000 bonus points if you pay with Visa, provided that you've already stayed at a Hilton property at least once since September 1. Thus, if you charge less than $500 for your stay, it's better to use Hilton Visa, and if you charge more than $500, it's better to pay with Hilton AmEx.

Keep in mind that the other part of the current promo, stipulating for double airlines miles, does not depend on the form of payment.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Eugene:
deliad -- The answer to your question depends on the amount to be charged.

Using Hilton AmEx at a Hilton property earns you 5 points per $ spent, using Hilton Visa earns you 3 points per $ spent, so the difference is 2 points per $ spent. Current promotion stipulates for extra 1,000 bonus points if you pay with Visa, provided that you've already stayed at a Hilton property at least once since September 1. Thus, if you charge less than $500 for your stay, it's better to use Hilton Visa, and if you charge more than $500, it's better to pay with Hilton AmEx.

Keep in mind that the other part of the current promo, stipulating for double airlines miles, does not depend on the form of payment.

</font>

Definitely go with Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card. The benefits of it is better than Hilton AMEX !!
There is 10000 sign-up bonus points and you can earn 3 bonus points per dollar spent and 5 bonus points per dollar spent at Hilton Properties.

Below is from the terms of Hilton HHonors Visa Signature card application.

"You'll earn 'three' Hhonors bonus points for evey eligible dollar you charge to the card(that's purchase less purchase returns). And you'll earn 'five' bonus points per dollar when you use the card to pay for stays at Hilton HHonors hotel - that's in addition to the HHonor points you normally earn for your stays."

The application phone number is 1-800-445-9842

I got this offer in the mail and the deal is good ! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 10-10-2001).]

VinceLee -- That Visa Signature deal sounds pretty good (although equal, not better than Hilton AmEx in terms of earning points). I believe this is the first time existence of such a card is reported on this Board. Would you please elaborate whether it was a targeted offer, what bank issues it (I assume, Citibank USA), is there an annual fee, etc.?

Signature Hhonors Visa?
Can someone confirm this? I think everyone is aware of the Platinum Visa by Citibank that offers a 10,000 point bonus and a 2/3 earning structure.
This is the first I've heard of a 3/5 earning SIGNATURE VISA...

Thanks folks.. Looks like AMEX would be a better bet since I'll be staying for a week.

I am also intrigued and interested by this new Signature card. Never heard of this before.. Lets see when the details come in

Thanx

I just picked up the mail out of the trash can and scanned it for you guys.

It's a product of CitiBank and there is no annual fee. I don't know it's a targeted offer or not, but the terms said the offer is only valid for new accounts. The card is called Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card. The application phone number is 1-800-445-9842.

I never had CitiBank credit cards before and I was surprised they mailed me such a good offer. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Below are the scanned files.

General info:
http://www.powerlaptop.com/hhonors/HiltonSVisa.jpg

Terms:
http://www.powerlaptop.com/hhonors/HiltonSTerm.jpg



[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 10-11-2001).]

Seems like sort of an Amex card.

Drat, just within the past few weeks I signed up for the other HHilton Visa...sigh...

I want to write that the 10,000 point bonus being offered with the card that I got was showing in my online account statement even before I paid the first bill -- very impressive http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

SharonLPK you could probably call Citibank and ask to be converted from your current Hilton Citi Visa to the new Hilton Citi Signature Visa.

You probably won't get the 10,000 bonus points but you would get the higher earning levels for your new purchases.

------------------
I Love New York

[This message has been edited by Redhead (edited 10-11-2001).]

VinceLee -- Thanks a lot for scanning it for us! That truly sounds like a great deal.

Thanks for all the info. It's been sitting on my desk,ignored.I will send it in. While ,generally, I am suppose to use a corp. card for travel, I will use it for my HH stays. A little late for my next one, but maybe the one after.

Thanks so much for the info! This sounds like the perfect card to back up my AMEX. The only catch is the prime + 8 rate. Ouch. That seems a little higher, even compared to their platinum Hilton Visa. I usually carry a balance on my VISA and pay off my main card, an AMEX rewards plus....
Still, the no annual fee and the high point earning probably offset the slightly higher interest rate.

Now I admit that I don't have a MBA, but it seems to me that if the Hilton charges exceed $200, the Hilton AMEX is preferable to VISA. This is because with the AMEX you get 5 points per dollar spent at Hilton. Any charges exceeding $200 will produce more points than the current 1,000 point VISA promotion bonus. Now for the best of both worlds -- ask the hotel to "split bill", that is charge a portion of the invoice to your VISA card to get the 1,000 bonus points and the remainder charged to your AMEX card for their 5 points per dollar.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 2400:
Now I admit that I don't have a MBA, but it seems to me that if the Hilton charges exceed $200, the Hilton AMEX is preferable to VISA. This is because with the AMEX you get 5 points per dollar spent at Hilton. Any charges exceeding $200 will produce more points than the current 1,000 point VISA promotion bonus. Now for the best of both worlds -- ask the hotel to "split bill", that is charge a portion of the invoice to your VISA card to get the 1,000 bonus points and the remainder charged to your AMEX card for their 5 points per dollar. </font>

I would guess if you did the split, HHonors would capture the wrong card as payment type.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/002751.html

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 2400:
Now I admit that I don't have a MBA, but it seems to me that if the Hilton charges exceed $200, the Hilton AMEX is preferable to VISA.</font>

Perhaps you didn't notice that the original question was to compare Hilton AmEx and not just any Visa card, but Hilton Visa, which earns 3 points per $ spent at Hiltons.

The 10000 points are nice and they did post right away. I just had to cancel my card, however, because their service is so bad. I've had another Citibank card for 20 years, I've been using bank-at-home to pay all my bills for five years and I have NEVER had problems like this. They can't find the $1000 payment my bank sent electronically 10/1. They need 7-10 more days to find the fax from my bank and "research" it. I can't believe I'm talking to Citibank. Plus you have to login to their website to check your account instead of being able to download to Quicken. Card has a 0% APR but there is now a large late fee on my account. The Hilton Amex, by contrast, has terrific service.

Any idea about the "Valid for New Accounts" line in the terms and conditions. What does New account mean??

New Citibank account??
New Citibank Hilton account?? or
New Citibank Hilton Signature account??

When I called the 800 number given i this thread, the rep did not have much information about the "Signature" card. She kept on telling me 2/3 points structure of my existing Hilton Platinum Visa. Even though she was able to find something on the Signature card but the only thing she would agree was to send me a brochure.

I'll see when it comes.

Thanks

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by VinceLee:
I just picked up the mail out of the trash can and scanned it for you guys.

It's a product of CitiBank and there is no annual fee. I don't know it's a targeted offer or not, but the terms said the offer is only valid for new accounts. The card is called Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card. The application phone number is 1-800-445-9842.

I never had CitiBank credit cards before and I was surprised they mailed me such a good offer. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Below are the scanned files.

General info:
http://www.powerlaptop.com/hhonors/HiltonSVisa.jpg

Terms:
http://www.powerlaptop.com/hhonors/HiltonSTerm.jpg

[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 10-11-2001).]</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by littleleaguemom:
I can't believe I'm talking to Citibank.</font>

Actually, this card is issued by Citibank USA, which is different from Citibank NA that you most likely dealt with in the past. For more information see this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum57/HTML/001386.html

Received an application for the Hilton HHonors Signature Visa Card today. Only 3 points for Hilton charges and 2 points for other charges, as opposed to the 5/3 mentioned earlier.

The 0.00% APR for all purchases thru March 2002 is nice though. I am planning to skip this one as I have the Hilton AMEX.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileBoy:
Received an application for the Hilton HHonors Signature Visa Card today. Only 3 points for Hilton charges and 2 points for other charges, as opposed to the 5/3 mentioned earlier.</font>

MileBoy -- Just want to make sure: was that application for Signature Visa or for Platinum Visa?

Using 3 different toll-free numbers, last week I tried to switch my very new Hhonors Platinum card to the Signature (due to upcoming Hilton stays). The first phone number(on the signature application) could do nothing but take new apps... the number on the back of my Platinum card could do nothing... and a third number (given to me by the rep at the first number) wasn't even aware of the signature card!

Plus, the enthusiasm (not!) generated by all the reps I spoke with had me so frustrated that I will just keep what I have for now...

Eugene:

Yes, the application does say that it is for the Hilton HHonors Visa SIGNATURE Card. I checked out the application again just to make sure. BTW, I save all the reward cc applications til the offer expiration date. You never know!

Per the Terms & Conditions listed at the back of the application, the minimum annual income required is $35K + other credit qualification have to be met to qualify for the SIGNATURE card. If you don't meet the above, you will receive the GOLD card. "The GOLD Card may not have the same features as the SIGNATURE Card." Other than different APRs for the 2 cards, no specifics on other differences between the two.

No mention of the PLATINUM card anywhere on the application.

Hope that helps.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileBoy:
Hope that helps.</font>

Thanks!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileBoy:
Received an application for the Hilton HHonors Signature Visa Card today. Only 3 points for Hilton charges and 2 points for other charges, as opposed to the 5/3 mentioned earlier.

The 0.00% APR for all purchases thru March 2002 is nice though. I am planning to skip this one as I have the Hilton AMEX.</font>

I can concur with this. When I called the 1800 # to apply, they quoted me the 2/3 pt. structure, NOT the 3/5.

I also received an app for the signature card in this months statement. However, it also is only for 2/3 point structure...? This is rather goofy, in that it has a much higher apr than the platinum but provides no additional perks or rewards (aside from signature concierge service, whatever that is). On the app it even says you can apply at www.hhonorscard.com, (http://www.hhonorscard.com,) which is the website to apply for the platinum card. What is the deal with this signature card? Does anyone know what the facts are....? Adam?

I just received HHonors VISA Signature Card in the mail. It's a nice card with 3/5 point structure. (Three HHonors bonus point of net purchase and HHonors bonus point in Hhonors property) The point structure is printed in the welcome letter. The small number on the right top corner of the welcome letter is WL-HiltSigTst(PA)M45168

I don't know why I have this 3/5 point structure which is different from what others said. But I applied this card from an invitation mail and I never had any HHonors card before. It could be an invitation only perk.

Anyone who is interested at this card can call HHonors Visa Signature card customer service line. (1-888-977-6687)




[This message has been edited by VinceLee (edited 11-09-2001).]

I have both the Hilton CitiBank Visa and Hilton Amex cards. I sometimes frequent businesses that do not take American Express cards. I than produce my Visa and am assured HH points for my purchase. So both cards will assure you of the maximum amount of points you may earn when you do an evaluation before making a purchase.

[This message has been edited by general45 (edited 11-18-2001).]

Guys, I don't see the Hilton Visa Platinum card info on the HHonor's website, I signed up a few months back and wanted to check on the details...
Did HHonors stop doing Platinum and started doing Signature?

------------------
Si Hai Wei Jia

Afang, I think you are right.

I tried to access my HHonors Amex Platinum card online last night and received an error message that the page didn't exist. I chopped the URL back to the root directory and was sent to the AMEX Signature page. I could log in to the platinum card account from there, however.
I upgraded my gold NW WP visa card to a signature card several months ago for some bonus miles (maybe 2000, I don't remember). Everything stayed the same as far as I was concerned, only the credit limit was now unlimited.
I think Hilton may be phasing out the platinum and replacing it with Signature. As for a higher interest rate, I am lucky enough to pay the balance each month so it doesn't affect me, at least while I keep my job.

[This message has been edited by OB one (edited 11-19-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by OB one:
I tried to access my HHonors Amex Platinum card online last night and received an error message that the page didn't exist.
[This message has been edited by OB one (edited 11-19-2001).]</font>

Do you mean the HHonors Visa Platinum? I still have that card...and I guess they'll give me a Signature card when the card's expiration date is up?

------------------
Si Hai Wei Jia

I have both the Platinum and Signature Visas and the Amex,..and got the signup points for all three.

I just called the number that Vince provided and they gave me another number where they take down particulars and supposedly vet you.

The number is 1-888-501-5073.

The agent confirmed that it was a 3 point/5 point reward structure for a Visa Signature Card, with no annual fee.

Good Luck!

Thanks DOC 2 BE...I just got off the phone with Citibank CSR Jennifer at the number you posted. She said I could open a new account for the HHonors signature card (I even told her I was a longtime HHonors platinum card holder) and the 10,000 bonus points and 3/5 points on purchases would be credited to my current HHonors account. Old card was in my name, new one will be joint account for the wife and I. We'll transfer over the balance from the old account once we receive the new card. I've had a HHonors Visa since it was Promus Corp. and have had very few problems. My only gripe was I never received any sign up bonus.. well maybe now I will.

Thanks again. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Soonerman:

You did better than me! All I got was that they would run my application by corporate to see if I qualify. She didn't even want my HHonors Platinum Visa CC # from Citi!

Did they take yours?

BTW, the thanx are appreciated but the one to really thank is VINCE!!

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 11-19-2001).]

DOC 2 BE...She didn't ask about my current platinum card # I guess because I told her I wanted to establish a new joint account..I even told her if all worked out I'd transfer the balance in my old account to the new signature account. Wait a minute, she seemed overly helpful..Oh no

Hey, thanks VINCE

Afang
I was mistaken and it was the Hilton Platinum Visa access that is gone. I now login to the Hilton Signature Visa page. I didn't opt into this card, however I sure would like some bonus miles for accepting a transfer. The Hilton Platimun Amex remains as before. Sorry for any confusion.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by OB one:
Afang
I was mistaken and it was the Hilton Platinum Visa access that is gone. I now login to the Hilton Signature Visa page. I didn't opt into this card, however I sure would like some bonus miles for accepting a transfer. The Hilton Platimun Amex remains as before. Sorry for any confusion.</font>

NO worries http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
I understood right away after my morning coffee yesterday http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by littleleaguemom:
I have both the Platinum and Signature Visas and the Amex,..and got the signup points for all three.</font>

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who has a too-many-cards problem http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

HHonor doesn't limit you and how many you sign up?

I called the number and the only card the agent could find was the 2/3 card...any suggestions????????????????

Hi,

I had Hilton Visa/Amex in past and I had cancelled them 12 months back.

If I apply now, will I be eligible for the bonus of 10000/7500 miles ?.

Thanks.

Posted in the other thread, the offer for 3/5 was a limited test offer.
Good luck and congrats to those who took Hilton up on it!! My wife shreds the apps when they come in, so we did not get one (or it was trashed when we did). Still not sure if I am going to apply for a new card... we will see... the 10,000 pt bonus sounds nice and then I can decide which to cancel http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

When I got my Hhonors Plantinum Visa it was issued by "Citibank USA" but in my most recent account statement (in very small type) it said that from now on, my account would be serviced by Citibank (South Dakota), NA.

I hope that this change improves their customer service. In the past, it has been awful. I always pay balances in full, with an electronic payment service. Due to a snafu, one payment got to them late (I mistyped the due date in the payment form of my bill paying software). I realized that mistake on the day the payment was due. I called up and was told that a note would be put on the record, and that if I was billed a late payment fee it would be waived. Well, I was charged a late payment fee. It was not waived. The woman I spoke with at that later time said there were no notes in the record, and that even if there had been, she would not have honored the note. I have NEVER previously had a credit card issuer refuse to remove late charges when I asked nicely. To add insult to injury, Citibank also cut my credit limit. When I asked for an explanation, I was told that it was cut because negative information had appeared on my credit report. I was told which credit bureau had provided the report, and I obtained a copy of the credit report from the credit bureau that day. There was no negative information there. Hence, there only negative information was information that Citibank were planning on adding.

My interest rate was also raised, but that does not matter, since I never carry a balance. The reduced credit limit is also not a problem, since I only use that card when a merchant won't accept my Hilton Amex.

Citibank giving me 10000 bonus points built a lot of goodwill with me, but their sledghammer response to a single mistake destroyed all that goodwill. Now I don't know if the possibility of getting an additional 10000 points for switching to the signature card is worth it.

Hi,

I had both this cards in past. I have closed both of them.

Has anyone successfully re applied for this cards and got bonus points again ?.

I will like to apply only if I know if I am going to get bonus points again.

Thanks for all the help.

According to the rules, you are not supposed to get the bonus points again. I don't know if you can circumvent that with a fresh HH account or if the system just flat ignores the rule and posts the bonus anyway.

Also: the HH Amex now has an additional 2500 bonus points (for a total of 10000) if you actually keep and use the card for a total spend of $2,500.

I got an HHonors Amex for a second time, and did NOT get the second 7,500 bonus.

I am confused, besides the occasional promotion and Visa being a little more widely accepted than the Amex card, why would anyone choose the Hilton Visa over the Amex given the lower points awarded? Or are the two reasons above reason enough?

Just comparing the merits of both to see which I should get.

You're right, the only reason to carry the Visa is for merchants that don't accept Amex. Since I want to charge everything I can (for the points), I carry BOTH, and charge about 95% Amex, the rest on Visa.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/007259-3.html

Here's another reason - I have both an AMEX Starwood and AMEX DL card. When considering your credit line, AMEX takes all cards into consideration. So if I wanted a HH AMEX, I would have to give up some of my credit line for one or both of the other cards.

Also, though not a long term reason, but the Visa has a 10K bonus and the Amex 7500 - and at least several months ago, the Visa had a 6 month 0% interest rate - so you could buy your limit of Savings Bonds and get bunches of Hhonors points - and then redeem after the 0% elapsed to pay off the balance. I don't know if that is still true.

I may be wrong about this, but I believe I saw something that the Visa is a Signature Visa which doesn't allow you to carry a balance. Again, I could be wrong, but I thought I read that somewhere.

Please, someone prove me wrong because it's the only reason I haven't applied for that card yet.

You can definitely carry a balance -- this is a credit card, not a debit card, the title notwithstanding. I also have both cards and use the Visa Card only for purchases where I can't use the AMEX.

Glisiak -

A Visa Signature card does allow you to carry a balance up to your credit limit, but anything that you charge above that limit would have to be paid off upon receipt of your monthly statement.

Thanks for the clarification.

I guess the following statement is what confused me...

"Hilton HHonors Visa Signature customers will receive a grace period of not less than 20 days on NEW purchases provided payment of the full balance is received by the cycle closing date."

I just applied for the card now that this has been cleared up.

It is true that the VISA card carried no annual fee and the AMEX does?

Both the Hilton Visa and the Hilton Amex have NO annual fee. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I took out a Hilton Visa card for the very reasons given by VollyballFerd "10k bonus and 6 months 0% interest". This was an offer extended this summer, but don't know if it still effective or not.

Alson the Visa card is a citibank card and can be used at C2it. Transactions with a citibank card are purchases and not cash advances.

------------------
Ms.DtG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dgordon:
Alson the Visa card is a citibank card and can be used at C2it. Transactions with a citibank card are purchases and not cash advances.</font>Ms.DtG - Are you sure?

I'm asking because I had previously read the exchange in this thread between TTT103 and hilton-gold, where hilton gold asserts otherwise specifically referring to the Hilton Visa.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/006785-2.html

For what its worth, when I worked for Citibank 10 years ago the ND unit was the only credit card issuer. I seem to remember reading that Citi purchased another credit card issuing bank sometime mid 90's, and that is the one now known as Citibank USA.

It can be very difficult for banks to merge across state lines, which is why the subsidiaries of Citigroup often remain incorporated within different states, and hence the resulting variances in policies.

But I'd like to know what the real deal is with HHonors Visa and c2it.

thanks

I carry a Hilton Visa but only because I have a Starwood AMEX.. I figure it's the cheapest, easiest Visa card to carry that gets me some marginal points when I have to use my Visa (only about 1% of my spending these days)

Does the HHonors VISA have the additional 2% currency exchange fee that most airline affinity card have, or is the fee limited to the 1% that VISA charges?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by honu:
Does the HHonors VISA have the additional 2% currency exchange fee that most airline affinity card have, or is the fee limited to the 1% that VISA charges?</font>

It has the 2% fee, as do all CITIBANK cards, as well as VISA's 1% charge.



[This message has been edited by ajnaro (edited 11-10-2002).]

What about the Amex, and other Amex cards as well. Do they also charge 2%?

Rut dog - no , I am not sure. I had no idea that it might be considered differently since it is a citibank card. When I called C2it they said you can call any credit card and ask them how they treat transactions. With Visa, the code is 4829 and for MC it is 6529. So will someone with the Citibank Hilton Visa please call the credit card and ask them how they treat this merchant transaction. I believe that AT&T cards are now owned by citibank and treated as a purchase.

------------------
Ms.DtG

As I am going to Spain at the end of the year, I too was looking for info on the HH Visa vs Amex cards. What I found out thru calling the CSR was that Visa will charge 3% and Amex 2% for international use. But I was also warned to call and let the CC company know that I was going to be using the card in another country for security reasons.

Hope this info helps.

------------------
HH Gold

Will someone with a Visa Signature card please list the phone number to customer service. I would like to call and find out how they treat c2it transactions.

------------------
Ms.DtG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dgordon:
Will someone with a Visa Signature card please list the phone number to customer service. I would like to call and find out how they treat c2it transactions.

</font>

I called them this morning to ask about this, but the rep I got was clueless. He put me on hold to talk to his supervisor, but then he came back and said that they THINK it would be a purchase, but they don't have any way to check for sure. I even gave him the merchant code that you listed, but he didn't know what to do with it.

The customer service number is 866-517-7795; maybe you'll have better luck than I did.

sounds like my experience, but I thought it was because I had the wrong phone number. thanks. I'll try later.

------------------
Ms.DtG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dgordon:
Alson the Visa card is a citibank card and can be used at C2it. Transactions with a citibank card are purchases and not cash advances.

</font>

Citi Hilton Visa is issued by a separate Citi corporation and the worst thing is that C2IT tranactions are treated as cash advance. Those CSRs absolutely have no idea about C2it and the merchant codes, so I added $50 to my C2it account and got a $2 charge. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif

In addition, usually one can consolidate credit lines among different CCs issued by the same bank, but not for this credit card with other Citibank CCs.

FM Maniac


------------------
- I am a Freqnt Miles Maniac and a Ballroom Dance Miniac :-) -


[This message has been edited by FrequentMilesManiac (edited 11-13-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FrequentMilesManiac:
I added $50 to my C2it account and got a $2 charge. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/mad.gif
</font>
And since that charge is a cash advance charge, you didn't get points, right?

It appears you earn 3 pts non Hilton/ 5 pts Hilton for the Amex card. Yet only 2pts non Hilton/ 3 pts Hilton for the Visa. Why would anybody get the Visa over the Amex?

To get the 7,500 bonus points!

To use the VISA at places that don't take Amex. 2 points/$ is better than no point/$. You can also use the VISA at Hilton properties during the current promo period to get an extra 500 points per stay.

I just signed up for the AMEX, they're offering 10,000 bonus points to do so.

Since there's no annual fee for either, I got both, welcomed the bonus points, and can get HHonors points for everything I buy, not just at the places that only accept AmEx.

I agree with gutt22, it is a good idea to get both Amex and Visa. You'll get a nice sign-up bonus with each. Use the Amex whenever possible, and the Visa everywhere else. Another good reason to keep both cards is that from time to time, Amex and Visa run promotions, so you'll want to be able to participate in those promos when they happen.

I agree with HHonorman. I carry both cards strictly for the promotional bonuses and inserts in the bills. No annual fee and the Platinum and Signature benefits are worth holding the cards. Plus the HH Amex has double point offers for every purchase a couple months a year, watch for those.

Ditto what everyone else said. I carry both, use AMEX 90% of the time, use Visa when I can't use AMEX.

Any thoughts out there about which of the HH credit card deals (or companies) is better - Visa or Amex?

AmEx: Better earnings (5 points per $ spent at HH properties, 3 points elsewhere), less acceptance.

VISA: Lower earnings (3 points per $ spent at HH properties, 2 points elsewhere), better acceptance.

Neither has an annual fee. Why not have both? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I have the Visa only because I already have an Amex card and I like collecting MR points. I have the Visa card so I can earn points at places that don't take Amex.

I guess the answer depends on what other cards you have and what program you wish to earn points in. All other things being equal, you get more points with the Amex card so if HH is the program for you then you're better off with that card. As the previous poster noted, it might be a good idea to get both.

The Visa gives you silver elite status. I'm not sure if the Amex does.

I got the Visa mainly for the Silver elite -- I normally only stay 8-9 nights a year at Hilton, so I thought some bonus was better than none.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by opus17:
The Visa gives you silver elite status. I'm not sure if the Amex does.</font>

They both do.

I have both. I would normally use Amex, because you get more points per $. But, for example, right now if you pay w/your stay using visa you get 500 bonus points, plus get entered to win a million more (don't worry about entering, since I will be winning) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I just received a letter offering a Visa Signature card which yields 5/3, just like AMEX. I called about converting current Visa, they said no conversions. You must apply for a new card.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by morgan1929:
I just received a letter offering a Visa Signature card which yields 5/3, just like AMEX. I called about converting current Visa, they said no conversions. You must apply for a new card.</font>

Interesting. Have you got a enrollment phone number (or website address) for this card?

Thanks!

Tim

I have used for the last year, the CitiBank issued Visa Hilton Honors card. A friend who is also on the Hilton Honors program suggested I check out the AMEX Hilton Honors card as he said the point accumilation potential was far greater with the AMEX card. I currently use the double dip earning points and airline miles. Also, I believe when you sign up for the AMEX card, you immediatly recieve 40,000 points. Anyone out there have suggestions ?

I have never heard of a 40,000 point sign-up offer on the HH Amex. I think if that existed, it'd be a bold permanent sticky in this forum, and all of our wives, husbands, children, grandparents, parents, cousins, dogs, cats, and cousins' dogs/cats would be signing up for the card.

He is correct re: Visa vs. Amex. With the Amex, you earn 5 pts/$ at the hotels and 3 pts/$ everywhere. Recently they added some bonus earnings (5/$) for stuff like gas stations, grocery stores, etc. I forget what Visa is...maybe 3 & 2 instead of 5 & 3.

Your double-dipping at the hotels is unrelated to the credit card. You can continue getting points & miles if you choose, or switch to another option.

I do points & points and pay with the Amex in order to maximize my points. That is optimal for 95% of my stays, so I just leave it set at that.

I have the Amex card and the Visa card too. We pay for everything with these cards, trying amex first and pulling out the visa only if the place doesn't take AX.

I even paid for a used car with my amex, a bit more than $15,000. That's a whole boat-load of hilton points!!

Might as well get them both because there is no annual fee and AMEX card seems to have more bonus purchases than the visa.

Another option is to go with HH Amex and Marriott Visa. I do that for the simple purposes of diversity. If you make HH or SPG Amex your primary card, you aren't going to run much volume through the Visa anyway.

Marriott Visa typically offers a big enough sign-up bonus to offset a few years' worth of annual fees (my annual fee is $19, but I think new cards with the new sign-up bonuses are $30) and you get Silver status with Marriott as long as you hold the card.

Marriott Visa as a primary card is kind of weak, but as a backup it works out well and you get decent bonuses if you happen to do a couple of Marriott stays a year.

You could probably look at Priority Club Visa as another diversification option. I have that card in a drawer somewhere - running some 0% money with it - but I don't know anything about the program.

I also have both the Citi and the AMEX Hilton cards. Another advantage of the AMEX is that it gives you lifetime Silver status (as long as you keep the account open) and Gold status if you charge enough each year (and there are rumors of Diamond status if you are a really big spender with it).

I have the Visa but am thinking of getting rid of it. I only use it if AMEX is not accepted (I use SPG Amex as a primary). I think there are a lot better ways to get get value from CC spending than the HH visa. I'm also not a big fan of Citi, there customer service was worse than any other credit card I've had. I had to go through a lot of trouble to get my original bonus points. They weren't posted for over 6 months. I like the no fee aspect, but prefer to use the AMEX whenevr possible.

I'd also recomend diversifying.... AMEX Hilton + other VISA card of your choice.

I also have both the Citi and the AMEX Hilton cards. Another advantage of the AMEX is that it gives you lifetime Silver status (as long as you keep the account open) and Gold status if you charge enough each year (and there are rumors of Diamond status if you are a really big spender with it).

Where did you hear about the Diamond status rumor? Since the new perks began, I have already charged $15k and $30k looks like no problem in 12 mos. I'm happy with getting HH Gold the hard way with stays and nights but HH Diamond is usually out of reach for us the hard way.

This thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=367190 is the source of the "big spenders get Diamond" rumors.

Also take a look at this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=407567 which contains more details about what it takes in terms of spending to get the comped Gold or Diamond.

According to the terms and conditions now in effect for the Hilton AMEX, spend $20,000 during a calendar year and you get gold for the remainder of that year, all of the next year, and until April of the following year. Some people think that spending $2,500 for 6 consecutive months will get you comped Diamond, but this does not make sense to me since that only adds up to $15,000 in spending -- less than what is required for Gold. Someone else has posted that he thought the trigger point for Diamond was $5,000 in spending for 6 consecutive months. However, it seems as though the exact spending required to be comped Diamond is still a mystery, since it is an unpublished benefit of the AMEX card.

Another advantage of the Amex card is that when you use it abroad, they don't charge you a fee for every purchase like VISA does.

Which one do you think would be a better choice? Can you do both? Can you just use them once to get the bonus and then cut them up?

Thanks:)

AMEX is better IMO. But yes, you can do both. And yes, you can get the bonus and cut them up, but it might not reflect well on your credit report.

Another advantage of the Amex card is that when you use it abroad, they don't charge you a fee for every purchase like VISA does.

Is that true? I find that hard to beleive. Its probably built in to the exchage rate.

Is that true? I find that hard to beleive. Its probably built in to the exchage rate.

I went to Europe earlier this year. AMEX charges about 2%. I believe VISA charges about 3%

The amex also give you lower reward threashold. You can get 4 nights at a cat 6 for I think 120,000. Plus do not forget about the 500 point booking bonus.

I Also, I believe when you sign up for the AMEX card, you immediatly recieve 40,000 points. Anyone out there have suggestions ?
No you get 2500 points for the first four stays, a total of 10,000. they worded 4 stays 10,000 points, then in small print wrote for a total of 10,000.

What is the conventional wisdom as to whether the Hilton AMEX or Citibank Visa is better?

Does anyone know whether the incredible 50,000 point bonuses discusssed at Hilton Amex - 50k Points!!! (http://http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=602064&page=14) are still available, or how I might get an AMEX CSR to offer me a sweetener?

On the face of what is on the Hilton website, the Visa looks better but maybe there are some promos that change things.

I'll be at a Hilton in NY for 4 nights in December, and given what that will cost our client, I figure it is worth getting a credit card that offers a point multiplier.

The amex is better all across the board. They give 500 pts per stay, 5 pts at hilton 3 non hilton. Visa is only 3 for Hilton and 2 for non hilton.

Visa is only 3 for Hilton and 2 for non hilton.Actually, the "new" Citi®Hilton HHonors® Visa® Signature Card earns

- 6 HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent at participating Hilton Family hotels

- 3 HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations

- 2 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent on all other purchases

The amex is better all across the board. They give 500 pts per stay, 5 pts at hilton 3 non hilton. Visa is only 3 for Hilton and 2 for non hilton.

The Hilton Amex gives: 5 pts per dollar spent at Hilton, 5 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and certain other establishments, and three points per dollar for all other purchases.

If you spend 20K on the Amex card, you get gold status.

Plus I use the AMEX for COSTCO

You need the AMEX in order to be able to redeem the AXON reward (4 nights for 125K points).

Exactly my point. If I'm looking for a card to use primarily at Hilton, the Citi Visa seems pretty attractive with 6 points per Hilton dollar, unless Amex is doing some super promotion.

Anyone have current info on sign-up promotions on either card?

The Citi card just has a standard signup bonus. The AMEX is still running the promo for 15,000 bonus points after spending $5K on top of the 10,000 first use bonus. (This is the 50K promo you mention - AMEX counts the 15,000 points you earn while spending the $5K as part of the 50K figure - as well as the 2,500 points per first 4 Hilton Stays.)

Actually, the "new" Citi®Hilton HHonors® Visa® Signature Card earns

- 6 HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent at participating Hilton Family hotels

- 3 HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations

- 2 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each $1 spent on all other purchases

Where did you find this info? Is this new point structure applicable to the current cardholders?

Where did you find this info? Is this new point structure applicable to the current cardholders?Actually, I first found this info here on FlyerTalk. :)

Here are some links:

http://hhonorscard.com
http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/creditvisa.do

Note: this card is for U.S. residents.

My understanding is that the new point structure does NOT apply to the "old" card, but I could be wrong about that. At any rate, the new citi card as well as your question have been discussed on this board. I suggest a search.

Does anyone know if Hilton Visa grants HH silver status upon approval and grants gold status on the charge and payment of $20K in calendar year? Only Hilton AMEX confirms this and Visa has no idea.

Only the amex card.

http://tinyurl.com/3yh4sh says they grant Silver to cardholders, for the first year of membership. No mention of Gold for any level of purchase, or even continuation of Silver.

I've used the HHonors AMEX, and have been pretty happy with it. There's generally a lag between the 3 points per dollar and the bonus two miles per dollar spent in restaurants, etc. but it eventually comes through.

(There was a certain smugness when I proferred the HH AMEX to pay my Sheraton Libertadór :p bill in Buenos Aires last week - this hotel has a very long way to go to begin to approach the levels of service and quality of the Hilton in Bs As, which was unavailable due to the international cardiology convention being held there. I will get my Starpoints for the stay and 3 HHonors points per dollar spent as well.)

Does anyone know if Hilton Visa grants HH silver status upon approval and grants gold status on the charge and payment of $20K in calendar year? Only Hilton AMEX confirms this and Visa has no idea.

Only the amex card.

thank you - Visa has been giving me the run-around on this - I'll go with Amex

Also, I understand Gold status, as opposed to Silver, confers free breakfast during stays - is this just for 2 people or as many as are booked in room?

No mention of Gold for any level of purchase, or even continuation of Silver.
We've had Silver for three years because of the card.

Also, I understand Gold status, as opposed to Silver, confers free breakfast during stays - is this just for 2 people or as many as are booked in room?

It is for the member and one guest. The hotel may give you more but they are not obligated to under the terms set out by HH.

http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/about/gold.do