Hilton HHonors - Hilton UK MasterCard to be withdrawn

sorry if this has appeared elsewhere but I couldn't find anything in a search

I've received a letter from Beneficial this morning to advise that "...beginning 15 March 2008, your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card will be withdrawn from service and deactivated"

"...you will be provided with a new Beneficial Credit Card that will have no affiliation...and will not accrue HHonors points..."

http://www.beneficialcard.co.uk/hilton/default.html?ad=XHAZ&COUP=E43
has not yet been updated

disappointing news. Are there any other options for UK members?

Strange, just got a new one Valid till 07/10.

Only ever use it when staying at Hilton's on leisure though, in the past year I've only spent about £60 on it.

I also received the same letter 10 minutes ago; I've since paid my outstanding bill electronically and closed my account. Beneficial were the most appalling company to deal with, IMHO - I really dislike companies who try to sell me something when I have called them on an 0870 number and Beneficial made a habit of that!

If you want to query anything with them, their alternative number (courtesy of saynoto0870.com) is 0121 2145666.

I've been using an Amex Platinum card for the last year, which isn't quite a replacement since there is a hefty annual fee. However, there are lots of benefits if you travel frequently (lounge access, car insurance and more) and I've certainly made good use of that. The Amex card also accrues "membership rewards" points, which can be transferred to an Honors account.

This was never an exciting card, except for the opening bonus. Earnings were dismal.

Curiously, it's still online - http://www.beneficialcard.co.uk/hilton/default.html - and the link takes you to the application form page, which then shows this:

Site Unavailable

We regret to inform you that HFC Bank are no longer accepting applications for the Beneficial Hilton HHonors Platinum Mastercard. We apologise for any inconvenience.

A phone call to Hilton ascertained that they are seeking a new card partner - and that details will be forwarded in due course.

I made a request that the card be either MC or Visa - as in UK many outlets do not accept Amex.

The very helpful operative is forwarding this request, and took my e-mail address for a reply.

May I suggest a barrage of similar request to Hilton on 00800 4446 6677 may help.

Apart from the Marriott card, I do not know of any other card which translates to airline programme miles? Any suggestions (NOT TESCO PLEASE).

Apart from the Marriott card, I do not know of any other card which translates to airline programme miles? Any suggestions (NOT TESCO PLEASE).The Intercontinental Priority Club Rewards Visa card offers points which can be converted to miles once they're in the account. Earning rate is poor, though.

Card cancelled & shredded.

Oh, well. Looks like I missed on 10K points by procrastinating endlessly on applying for the card.
Apart from the Marriott card, I do not know of any other card which translates to airline programme miles?If you are after for airline miles, a hotel chain-affiliated card is not the best way to do it. various airlines do offer affiliated credit cards in the UK: aa, ba, bd, vs ... and then there is always Amex membership rewards that allows you to transfer to various airline and hotel programmes.

Just came home to the same letter. I wonder if they will let me change over to the united card they offer...

Personally, I think it will come back as a AMEX card (probably with MBNA). Which is a shame as the UK is seriously running out of airline/hotel chain visa and mastercards.

Got the letter as well, it was the backup card, where Amex is not accepted, now need to source another backup, either VISA, or Mastercard, any good suggestions. :)

Yes, also got the same letter. Only ever used the card at Hilton hotels and even then the points earned were very poor compared to US credit cards. Perhaps we may get offered someting like the Citibank HHonors US card now. 15000 bonus points when you first use the card and 6 HHonors points per DOLLAR spent!! See:
http://hhonorscard.com/us/cards/cardserv/hhilton/home.jsp?Var=FPSHW2Q75HWB2360E0WENHHONORSS2FRFGPHW 2R7D02P
You would think that Beneficial Bank would realise that the sole purpose of anyone having this card is to gain HHonors points and I certainly do not want it replaced with a plain Beneficial credit card. Mine will soon be cancelled.

Yes, also got the same letter. Only ever used the card at Hilton hotels and even then the points earned were very poor compared to US credit cards. Perhaps we may get offered someting like the Citibank HHonors US card now. 15000 bonus points when you first use the card and 6 HHonors points per DOLLAR spent!! See:
http://hhonorscard.com/us/cards/cardserv/hhilton/home.jsp?Var=FPSHW2Q75HWB2360E0WENHHONORSS2FRFGPHW 2R7D02P
You would think that Beneficial Bank would realise that the sole purpose of anyone having this card is to gain HHonors points and I certainly do not want it replaced with a plain Beneficial credit card. Mine will soon be cancelled.It does not make much sense to compare with US cards. Different markets ... In the same way as Amex UK gives you half the amount of rewards that the Amex US does, so you generally get less with UK-based cards than US-based cards. A better point of comparison would be the 20K miles the bmi mastercard-soon-to-be-amex gives you on joining.
I'd agree that MBNA, whether under Amex or Mastercard form, sounds like the most likely candidate.

It does not make much sense to compare with US cards. Different markets ...


I can always dream:D

Just off the phone to beneficial - I have to apply for the United airlines card, transfers not allowed?!

Funny thing is the guy try to sell me a balance transfer. Bloody cheek!

The card was nothing but a back up for me also. The only reason I kept it so long was the nice card design :)

speaking of card designs, the beneficial site doesn't have a card branded 'beneficial' perhaps they will off load a HSBC card onto us?

Just got my letter as well. I too will be shredding this baby. There is bound to be a replacement so i will just wait for the launch in all its glory. :D

mines taking a long walk too - they can stick it.
The jokers dont really think I'll stay with them, do they...?

Got mine too.:td: Will be shredding the card after it stops being a HH card in March.....

If this is anything like the recent BMI change the card will be replaced with an Amex one.:td:

Got my letter yesterday - guess what?? Bye bye beneficial - will be closing the account!

Me too...shred, shred, shred. Have to find an alternative

As per post #5, I called the Hhonors number and registered my discontent. There are some plans in the works (allegedly) to offer some sort of replacement - no further details available at this time.

My card has just met the wrath of my scissors. I called Hhonours and they said it was Beneficials decision...
Well they've lost my account!

Got mine too.:td: Will be shredding the card after it stops being a HH card in March.....

Agree, bye bye. Although I'm almost tempted to keep the card but stop using it so they still have the administrative overhead of maintaining my account.

If this is anything like the recent BMI change the card will be replaced with an Amex one.:td:

This is/was my backup card for when outlets won't accept Amex. Where they do I use a Virgin Amex Card which nets me a couple of free upper class flights stateside each year as a result. Preferred it when the latter was a mastercard though. When will Amex sort themselves out and make their cards more acceptable to retailers? Not holding my breath on that one!

I'm looking at the Shell fuel card as a replacement since I'm doing a lot of driving at the moment.

First, welcome to FlyerTalk, jfknight!

... I'm almost tempted to keep the card but stop using it so they still have the administrative overhead of maintaining my account.Current advice is not to do this. Having too many cards may have an impact on your credit score if you want to take out new cards. Advisors suggest closing redundant accounts, though I will keep my United Visa card to extend the life of my UA miles - my *A credits go to BD Diamond Club these days.
I'm looking at the Shell fuel card as a replacement since I'm doing a lot of driving at the moment.Read the terms and conditions very carefully. I looked at the card and was concerned that I would have to use the card to buy Shell petrol at least once a month - I buy cheapest and that is not normally Shell - or points expire after, I think, 6 months.

Have spent the crap out of that card over the past few years ... and earnt lots of Hhonors points :p

The day I stop getting the points the thing will be shredded !!

I've a replacement "in the post", but that will be replaced itself when a new card with Hhonors points comes out ... and I'll probably find that out first on this forum, so I'll keep watching.

First, welcome to FlyerTalk, jfknight!

Thanks for the welcome!

Current advice is not to do this. Having too many cards may have an impact on your credit score if you want to take out new cards. Advisors suggest closing redundant accounts, though I will keep my United Visa card to extend the life of my UA miles - my *A credits go to BD Diamond Club these days.
Read the terms and conditions very carefully. I looked at the card and was concerned that I would have to use the card to buy Shell petrol at least once a month - I buy cheapest and that is not normally Shell - or points expire after, I think, 6 months.

Thanks also for the tips. Interesting about the shell card, though at the moment I have to fill my car 3 times a week, let alone buy fuel in a shell garage once every month. As it happens, my nearest garage is Shell, but competition is pretty fierce where I live so their prices are less outrageous then some I've seen elsewhere. BP seem to be the worst culprits around here (Weybridge area).

Cheers!

jfk

Hi. I just called Beneficial who run the Hilton Mastercard programme. I have collected and enjoyed around 2million points over the last few years by spending on this card. They told me that the bank are not continuing to offer this card after March 15th. Does anyone know if Hilton have another credit card for the UK? If not, which other Uk credit cards can be used to collect hotel points. Thanks

Use the Amex charge card, one MR point gives two HH points, just like the HH master card. :)

Hi. I just called Beneficial who run the Hilton Mastercard programme. I have collected and enjoyed around 2million points over the last few years by spending on this card. They told me that the bank are not continuing to offer this card after March 15th. Does anyone know if Hilton have another credit card for the UK? If not, which other Uk credit cards can be used to collect hotel points. Thanks

Hi Marcuscent. Here's a recent thread about the HHonors Beneficial UK mastercard being withdrawn. It might help you.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=786662

Up till now, I don't think anybody has heard of a replacement card for UK Hhonors members. Hopefully one will come soon, perhaps even with better earning opportunities?

My card has just met the wrath of my scissors. I called Hhonours and they said it was Beneficials decision...
Well they've lost my account!

I hope this is not a trend from Beneficial, half of my UA Mileage Plus miles comes from spending on their Beneficial card.

sorry if this has appeared elsewhere but I couldn't find anything in a search

I've received a letter from Beneficial this morning to advise that "...beginning 15 March 2008, your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card will be withdrawn from service and deactivated"

"...you will be provided with a new Beneficial Credit Card that will have no affiliation...and will not accrue HHonors points..."

http://www.beneficialcard.co.uk/hilton/default.html?ad=XHAZ&COUP=E43
has not yet been updated

disappointing news. Are there any other options for UK members?

Hi, I am also affected by the above and am searching for another provider whilst waiting for Hilton to come up with another offer. If it is Amex it is a no-go:td:

Whilst it won't be appropriate for many, for those who fly regional in the UK or Europe as I do, Flybe have just launched a no annual fee mastercard which gives a free European return flight on first purchase on its card as well as:

£250 spend = 1 Rewards4all point
16 Rewards4all points = 1 free UK return flight
20 Rewards4all points = 1 year free lounge access
24 Rewards4all points = 1 free European return flight

C.

Has anyone heard any news on a replacement card yet? I am spending thousands [daily] collecting more points for both Virgin and BMI miles. Free flights is fine but I need a hotel too. Still have HHonors points but they won't last too long so hoping to start collecting again soon. Is there an alternative credit card for another hotel chain that is available in the UK? Thanks

Has anyone heard any news on a replacement card yet? I am spending thousands [daily] collecting more points for both Virgin and BMI miles. Free flights is fine but I need a hotel too. Still have HHonors points but they won't last too long so hoping to start collecting again soon. Is there an alternative credit card for another hotel chain that is available in the UK? Thanks

Just found this month-old post whilst looking for any details on a new Hilton card.

However, there are alternatives. There is a new Priority Club card just launched, and a UK Marriott card. Both come with 10,000 point sign-up bonuses.

As has been mentioned before, though, you might as well just get an Amex which generates Membership Reward points which can go into Starwood, Hilton, Radisson or Priority Club. The Amex earning rate for Priority Club (2 PC points per £1) is twice as good as PC's own card!