sdsearch

But then again, far from everyone can put $50,000 spend on any one card annually. Lots of people who have no real business expenses and cannot pay for certain things like rent or mortgage with a card (without high fees for something like Plastiq) don't even have $50,000 spend across all cards, let alone able to put it one card if they churn several cards (within spend needed for signup bonuses) each year.

So to me having a benefit that requires $50k spend each year is the same as not having that benefit, because without getting into crazy MS it's impossible for me to do.

Now, of course, there are some people for whom that may work, but again far from everyone.

mikesyr18

Cards with $450/year annual fees aren't intended for the middle class. They're marketed for high income earners, those who can easily put $50,000 a year on the card.

There's this illusion out there on boards like this that a $450/year card is normal for someone to carry around when it isn't. These cards are supposed to be for the high earners who don't carry a balance, but the bank makes a ton of money from the interchange fees and annual fee instead. If the bank makes 2% of the $50,000 in spend, they get $1000 + $450 + interest charges (if any). $1450 for two nights at standard king or double Hilton is pretty rare... You're looking at a value of $600-$700 at most for a standard room over two nights. Most high earners will spend north of $100,000/year on their card.

The idea is the bank will profit enough from the card, where giving the customer two free rooms a year is a drop in the bucket to your profitability as a customer.

Do you really think the American Express Platinum is for someone who makes $48,000 a year with no business reimbursements?

TTT103

Unfortunately, there are likely a number of individuals out there who earn $48K a year and have the Platinum card due to the "allure" of it, and the great American Express marketing machine. If you recall, there was a period in time when the Platinum card was by invitation only. Now, it's being marketed to the masses.

mikesyr18

Credit-wise, yes, many people qualify for the card. Unfortunately AMEX is desperate for new business now, so income isn't much of a factor when considering the applications for the card (at least not anymore).

What I would like to see is the Platinum become more exclusive with a higher underwriting criteria. Obviously those who already own a Platinum will be grandfathered in. I then would like to see some of the benefits kicked down to the PRG, such as the additional airline credits, hotel perks, and 5x on air (instead of 3x) and perhaps 3x on hotels added to it, and make the card a heavy metal. Obviously this would require a raise in the annual fee, but might be a better option than the CSR at that point if it's $100/year or so lower than it.

Back to the topic, I think I'm going to apply for either the No AF Hilton or the Surpass on Tuesday when my 91 day denial period is up.

MaxVO

Up to 40K HH bonus points available for adding AUs. Details summarized by DoC here.

fredc84

I took advantage on SO's card to get me an AU card. I didn't know it took so long for them to approve an AU card...they told me 7-10 biz days.

Going to have to do this sooner for our other 3 cards since we leave for Europe on Sep 22...was going to wait a couple more weeks for the others.

MaxVO

MY AU's under this promo were all rejected.

fredc84

Well, don't feel bad. We just got a rejection letter for an authorized user card. I SM'd them and they said there are no apps on any of our cards..."would you like for me to do that now?" Sounds like a big goat-rope.

HawkeyeFlyer

What is your main reasons for the two Hilton cards you mention

mikesyr18

I was approved for it.

I take a yearly vacation in Florida and like the expanded offerings of their hotels when compared to Hyatt and Starwood (although that's changing with Marriott's acquisition of them). When I take 2 hour trips to the local water park or just simply go up north near the Canadian border (I'm from Upstate NY), I'd like to be able to choose from a decent number of hotels, whereas a Hyatt wouldn't exist up near Alexandria Bay, New York.

HawkeyeFlyer

Sorry I misunderstood and thought you were talking about getting both of those cards.

sleuth

Just a quick datapoint. I was speaking to an account specialist (U.S. based one level up from initial representative), and he advised me that existing HH Citi cards will remain HH cards after 12/31, and will continue to earn points as they do today.

My take is this is similar to what Barclays initially did with the AAviator cards.

If this is true, I am quite happy about it.

MaxVO

If you are quoting the Citi rep verbatim, it means that the Hilton cobrand will remain. I see no new info about the transfer of ownership to American Express.
As far as the earning structure for an AmEx product, I would completely disregard anything coming from a Citi agent.

sleuth

Well I didn't say anything about the rep mentioning Amex earning structure....so there's that.

MaxVO

What about "...and will continue to earn points as they do today"?
AmEx cards earn HH points somewhat differently.