...And don't underestimate the value of the fact that anybody can maintain perpetual HH Goldness just by spending with the Amex. Gold status has real value: lounge access, pretty good upgrades at most hotels (not suites, but stuff like ocean view at resorts, C-level rooms, corner rooms, etc.), and generally better-than-the-average-joe treatment at hotels. The status is completely on par with MR Gold and almost as good as SPG Plat.

So that in and of itself makes the first 60,000 points you earn from your HH Amex after the start of each year pretty valuable. They are essentially EQM's!