Programs: BD *G, NW PE (back home :)), FD RW (no more), HH Gold, MR Gold, some Amex
Posts: 7,186
I got 800 extra points last month from restaurants well we'll see, looks like my comast bill now qualifies and 5 --> 6 points .... could be a wash in the end. Wonder why the changed it, guess 6 points sounds better than 5.
Programs: AA Plat; HH Gold; Marriott Silver; UCLA Fan
Posts: 725
My statement came Jan. 2 and that same information was included. I will miss the extra 2 points per dollar for restaurants more than I will welcome the 6 points on the other categories, on which I had received 5 points. The effective date of the change is the beginning of your new billing cycle after Jan. 1, which for me is Jan. 27, so I've got the old rules up until that point.
To me the HH Amex is still a good card for bennies, just not quite as good as before. I'll continue to use it, even at restaurants (unless something better develops).
The Starwood Amex is also good, but does carry a $45 annual fee, whereas the HH Amex is free.
Now this makes the Citi HHonors card pretty useless. I wonder if they will improve it or just leave it as is. To me the change is for the better. I will use my Costco Amex now exclusively at restaurants. I will chane my DSl and Cable over to the card now.
Aw, this is bad for me, too. I got the Hilton AMEX card after Starwood devalued their program a year or two ago. When Starwood then improved their program by expanding Cash & Points, I pretty much "split the baby": mostly using the Hilton card for restaurants.
That was enough benefit for me to also shoot for the $20,000 spend and guaranteed Gold. Now, probably not. I think I'd rather have the extra Starwood points.
Can anyone recommend a card that's still particularly rewarding for restaurants?
BTW, I would also suggest a renaming of this thread to be more informative.
Can anyone recommend a card that's still particularly rewarding for restaurants?
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you with why I got the HH AMEX card (SPG devaluation, not keeping all points in one program, etc.) and used it mostly at restaurants. I too have been looking for an alternative and up until last week it looked like the Citi Amex card offering Thank you points WAS the best alternative. Evidently that product is now however being devalued with the loss of the "fixed flight" awards being eliminated. (Cit Thank You Points Devaluation) Other cards that I have seen mentioned are cash back cards like the Costco AMEX Trueearnings card, MTVu card and Discover mentioned here (Best restaurant credit card?).
I will probably just go back to using my SPG AMEX for restaurants again!
Quote:
Originally Posted by iahphx
BTW, I would also suggest a renaming of this thread to be more informative.
I suggested the same thing in one of my previous posts (#18) but evidently it fell on deaf ears. IMHO the current title makes it sound like all the changes are good changes.
I too have been looking for an alternative and up until last week it looked like the Citi Amex card offering Thank you points WAS the best alternative. Evidently that product is now however being devalued with the loss of the "fixed flight" awards being eliminated. (Cit Thank You Points Devaluation)
Yeah, all around bad news for credit card loyalty.
Is the only solution now to just keep churning AA citicards?
As of today (January 7 2009) both the Hilton HHonors and American Express sites are still reflecting the old, presumably now outdated information superseded by the changes reported here and in my December 2008 statement.
My Jan 6 209 "E-newsletter" says "New Card Benefits Coming Soon!
We've been working hard to make your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express even better. Keep an eye out over the next several months for announcements on how you will be able to take advantage of enhanced benefits and services that could get you even closer to your next reward stay. More to come!"
What a bunch of freeping hacks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rdchen
As of today (Dec. 10, 2008), the AMEX website is still showing the old point earning scheme:
__________________ Lend a hand up with Kiva; far more than a hand out.
fwiw, the Marriott Signature VISA card gives 2X points on restaurants and airline purchases.
In my view, 2X Marriott points is about equal in value to 3X HHonors points for restaurant charges. Niether is as good as 3% cashback for fast food charges on the Chase Freedom VISA or 2% cashback for all purchases on the Schwab VISA.
The change, while disappointing, hardly makes the HHonors AMEX card useless. There's no annual fee and 6 points per dollar for Hilton property charges more than offsets the drop in restaurant earn if you are a frequent Hilton guest.
__________________
Pay with Miles and three award tiers.....did you realize that your SkyMiles were just devalued...again?
In my view, 2X Marriott points is about equal in value to 3X HHonors points for restaurant charges. Niether is as good as 3% cashback for fast food charges on the Chase Freedom VISA or 2% cashback for all purchases on the Schwab VISA.
The change, while disappointing, hardly makes the HHonors AMEX card useless. There's no annual fee and 6 points per dollar for Hilton property charges more than offsets the drop in restaurant earn if you are a frequent Hilton guest.
Agreed. Anything better for restaurants? I think I have a Chase Freedom VISA (there was a great signup bonus at one point), but I'm not going to start using it for just 3% on fast food. I'd need it to include all restaurants to make it worth the trouble.
As of today (January 7 2009) both the Hilton HHonors and American Express sites are still reflecting the old, presumably now outdated information superseded by the changes reported here and in my December 2008 statement.
My Jan 6 209 "E-newsletter" says "New Card Benefits Coming Soon!
We've been working hard to make your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express even better. Keep an eye out over the next several months for announcements on how you will be able to take advantage of enhanced benefits and services that could get you even closer to your next reward stay. More to come!"
What a bunch of freeping hacks!
January 20th and the sites still list restaurants @ 5 points per $.
Quote:
Earn 5 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar you spend at Hilton Family hotels, gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, drugstores, the U.S. Postal Service, and on wireless phone bills. Earn 3 HHonors bonus points for every eligible dollar charged everywhere else
I got 800 extra points last month from restaurants 
