I hate the Ascend card. Hate it. Loyal to Hilton; I guess that's the only reason I'm keeping it. Pay $95/year for the card; don't really have a use for Priority Pass (get lounge access through 1K status); don't see myself putting $15k on the card to get a free night; and earned Diamond last two years on nights- so, have no use for the Gold status that comes with the card.
Called the customer service line as my annual fee is due. Agent wouldn't budge on waiving the fee. Only offered me 10,000 Honors points. She also offered to downgrade me to the fee-free Honors card, which I've already had since 2011.
Even if I cancelled the card, I wouldn't be eligible to get a sign-up bonus for it again. And, paying $450/year for the Aspire is not worth it to me.
Anyone offered decent retention offers from Amex to keep their Ascend cards open?