Glad to see this has generated a bit of a debate

They have dropped the Hilton status JUST as I was about to apply for it. I have emailed them to complain in the hope that I might get some MRs or something. I'm really annoyed because I was planning some Hilton stays this year so I've lost out.

I looked at the FHR - there is a lot of information in the brochure! I may stay at some of the properties listed, but what always worries me with Amex is that their undelying rates won't be that competitive. I have found this with Amex travel before. What's the point in getting perks like late check out, free breakfast, etc if it would be cheaper to just book with the hotel directly?

Can anyone answer a question for me about targetted offers - either freebies like a free night in a hotel or extra MRs for doing this like using their travel service. How does the targetting work? Is it based on spend, length of membership, or does no one really know? I have to say I think it's a bit poor - surely if I'm an Amex plat cardmember and I pay the fee and belong to the "club" (that's basically what they're selling), I should get the same offers as anyone else? So far I don't seem to have had any of the targetted offers, which are another source of value.

My feeling is that I will get an Amex BAPP (which I have applied for - they are doing an offer where Plat cardholders can sign up and get 18,000 Avios for £3k spend in three months) and after a year drop the plat unless I see some actual value from all of the nebulous travel benefits. The benefits that are guaranteed (as opposed to potential benefits that you may or may not get) just aren't worth £450 to me (or a lot of people I suspect).

I think the Gold Rewards Plus sounds like poor value. The lounge passes are worth about £60, the insurance not much more I imagine (depending on your circs). Nothing like £285.