Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card (2012 - 2015)
Jul 23, 2012, 7:17 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 542
Me think there would be a lot of frustrating customers when they try to use their free night certs at high value properties. It is not uncommon many Hilton high value properties use the trick of room classification to essentially block out award night redemption or jack up the points required to an insane level. This is worse than Marriott's cap on Cat 5 when all high value properties are Cap 6 or 7, because Marriott at least does not limit it to weekend!
Jul 23, 2012, 7:19 pm
#32
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
Me think there would be a lot of frustrating customers when they try to use their free night certs at high value properties. It is not uncommon many Hilton high value properties use the trick of room classification to essentially block out award night redemption or jack up the points required to an insane level. This is worse than Marriott's cap on Cat 5 when all high value properties are Cap 6 or 7, because Marriott at least does not limit it to weekend!
Jul 23, 2012, 7:20 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,611
No access to AXON nights is also a huge loss vs the surpass.
Jul 23, 2012, 7:34 pm
#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Even if you decide to hold citi as your primary for Hilton, you can always go to the no-fee Amex to have access to AXON, right? When you hit AXON's sweet spot, it's fantastic, but I think access to the elite points reductions is more significant, and the fact that citi gives perpetual gold status is a good deal.
I'm actually really surprised to see a card that gives automatic perpetual status at a free-breakfast elite level.
I'm actually really surprised to see a card that gives automatic perpetual status at a free-breakfast elite level.
Jul 23, 2012, 8:40 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Even if you decide to hold citi as your primary for Hilton, you can always go to the no-fee Amex to have access to AXON, right? When you hit AXON's sweet spot, it's fantastic, but I think access to the elite points reductions is more significant, and the fact that citi gives perpetual gold status is a good deal.
I'm actually really surprised to see a card that gives automatic perpetual status at a free-breakfast elite level.
I'm actually really surprised to see a card that gives automatic perpetual status at a free-breakfast elite level.
This would be a serious contender to the SPG card which aside from the airline transferability, is inferior in many counts - high initial spend to earn spend bonus, only get SPG GLD after $30K spend, SPG GLD only worthwhile bennie is free internet, no breakfast bennie, no annual free night, AND 2.7% forex fee!
Jul 23, 2012, 9:08 pm
#36
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
The perpetual GLD status for $95 probably is the most valuable feature of this card because if HHonor does not devalue it, then GLD at HHonor does have tangible bennie, the free breakfast.
This would be a serious contender to the SPG card which aside from the airline transferability, is inferior in many counts - high initial spend to earn spend bonus, only get SPG GLD after $30K spend, SPG GLD only worthwhile bennie is free internet, no breakfast bennie, no annual free night, AND 2.7% forex fee!
This would be a serious contender to the SPG card which aside from the airline transferability, is inferior in many counts - high initial spend to earn spend bonus, only get SPG GLD after $30K spend, SPG GLD only worthwhile bennie is free internet, no breakfast bennie, no annual free night, AND 2.7% forex fee!
At 10x for hotel spend v 2x for SPG, this card gets a bit in front, especially outside the US.
SPG may be living on reputation a bit. With Hyatt, Hilton and Sapphire all going to no forex, the SPG stays in my wallet more and more.
Jul 25, 2012, 9:00 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 493
Really annoyed because I just pulled the trigger on the surpass card, and just prepaid 5 nights in London and will get hit with forex charges. Oh well, will get this card next year when this one runs out.
Jul 25, 2012, 9:25 pm
#38
Join Date: Apr 2012
Programs: AA, UA, Hilton, Choice, Wyndham
Posts: 415
It's one of very few Citi cards that have no foreign transaction fees. I think the only other ones are ThankYou Premier/Prestige, and Executive AAdvantage.
Jul 25, 2012, 11:15 pm
#39
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DLH
Programs: DL, UA, AA, AS, SW, BA, AAA, AmEX Gold. SPG,Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 92
I want a room to sleep in and have a good shower; I rarely eat in hotels. The card that gives me 50k points gives me a basic room at 7500 point or 7 nights after my spend. If you need elite suites, God Bless you--keep the economy going with all your spends. For me a nice firm bed allows me to do all I need to do there, get up and shower, take a walk in the park or business district, find a deli or ma-pa restaurant for breakfast and don't worry about what i could have had as an elite. I get more value from the preexisting card. Your needs may vary.
Jul 25, 2012, 11:33 pm
#40
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,644
Two browser approach works for this card
Applied using two browser approach for the new HHonors Reserve card and the regular HHonors Visa Signature card and got instant approvals for both. Credit limit on the Reserve card is 50% higher than the Visa Signature card.
Just checked Equifax and only 1 credit inquiry.
Just checked Equifax and only 1 credit inquiry.
Jul 25, 2012, 11:45 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: AA 1MM Gold, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 189
AXON still is the better product for our family oriented travel...could look into the combo regular Amex Hilton and Citi....except for this single fact: Grand Wailea 2 nights may sway us to dump Surpass early and swap since we're going to Maui next spring.
Planned Sheraton since we're newly minted 50night Plats and use the suite deal...but may go 5 nights sheraton 2 nights Grand Wailea with this option
Planned Sheraton since we're newly minted 50night Plats and use the suite deal...but may go 5 nights sheraton 2 nights Grand Wailea with this option
Jul 26, 2012, 1:02 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,611
Amex only award discounts.
Jul 26, 2012, 1:36 am
#44
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,498
Applied using two browser approach for the new HHonors Reserve card and the regular HHonors Visa Signature card and got instant approvals for both. Credit limit on the Reserve card is 50% higher than the Visa Signature card.
Just checked Equifax and only 1 credit inquiry.
Just checked Equifax and only 1 credit inquiry.
Jul 26, 2012, 3:55 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 178
I would use it only for a churn. Get the benefits and chuck it after a year. I prefer the free Amex card