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Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card [Ends Dec 2017]

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Old Oct 6, 2013, 12:04 am
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Last edit by: mia
Citi's contract to issue Hilton co-branded cards ends in December 2017. Citi will sell most accounts to American Express. The criteria for determining which accounts are eligible to be sold are unpublished. Read Hilton FAQ: http://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/e...-card-faq.html


ALL known links for ALL Citi Hilton Honors cards appear to be dead now.
-----------------------------

This thread is a continuation of: Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card (2012 - 2015)


Link no longer working: https://www.citicards.com/cards/cred...7A711D5L00101W

Link no longer working: https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/cr...s-reserve-card

- Earn two weekend night certificates - at select hotels and resorts - after making $2,500 in purchases.

- Enjoy Hilton HHonors Gold Status as long as you are a Citi Hilton Reserve cardmember

- Annual Fee: $95,
not waived


From the app page:
"Weekend Night Certificates offer is not available if you have had any Citi®Hilton HHonorsTM card opened or closed in the past 24 months"."Weekend Night Certificates offer is not available if you have had a Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card account that was opened or closed in the past 24 months." (Language change to "any" dates back to August 2016.)


When will I receive my free nights?
Some datapoints indicate that the certificates are emailed ~7 days after the statement in which the spend is met, but others datapoints indicate that it may take 1-2 additional statement cycles before they're actually sent.

How long do I have to use the free nights?
The certificates expire 12 months from the date that they're emailed to you. Your stay must be completed on or before this expiration date.

Do I need to print the certificates and take them with me?
Yes. Some people say they haven't been asked for them, but it's much better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Can the free weekend certs be redeemed online?
No, you have to call the HHonors department to book them. Even regular Hilton reservations cannot book them, although they can transfer you to the right department.


so the 2-browser trick is dead. can we still apply two HH Reserve card every 65 days, with same HH #, and get four certificates?
Several people have reported successfully churning this card, and receiving the certificates for both cards. Closing one card before applying for another doesn't appear to be required.

You can still get as many as you want of the Citi Hilton 50k cards (except that CITI only allows two cards of any type every 60-65 days).all 50k card offers without 18 month language dead as of 7/5/15

Can you get the anniversary free night bonus without paying the annual fee, or do you get the free night bonus only if you hit $10,000 in charges AND renew?
This seems to be YMMV. Some people have reported not getting it until well after their AF payment is due, while others have reported getting it in time to cancel and have their AF refunded. More data points on this are needed.

Terms and conditions for the free nights
Friday, Saturday & Sunday night, and I don't think there are any blackout nights (beyond the normal HHonors program rules). Here is the description from the Cert as well as the T&C's:

Description: You've received this reward certificate because you've met the purchase requirements with your Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card. This reward is valid for one complimentary weekend night for a standard room at participating hotels worldwide, subject to availability. This reward is not valid at All-Inclusive or Distinctive properties and cannot be combined with the 5th Night Free benefit or other promotions. Please visit HHonors.com/weekendcertificate to see a list of excluded properties.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
As with any HHonors Reward, this Reward Certificate is subject to all HHonors Terms & Conditions on participation, use, and redemption, posted at http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/terms.do. The hotel stay received with this Hotel Reward Certificate shall be treated as a Hotel Reward Stay, as defined in the Terms & Conditions, except Points & Money, Premium Room and Room Upgrade Rewards cannot be used with this Certificate.

HOTEL REWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. Reward Certificate is not transferable after issued and may be redeemed only by the individual named thereon, consistent with HHonors Terms & Conditions. If a person other than the individual named on the Reward Certificate attempts to redeem it, the Certificate will be deemed void and accommodations will be denied.
2. Reward Certificate may not be sold, auctioned, bartered, brokered or purchased except with the express written consent of Hilton HHonors. Any Reward Certificate obtained in this manner by any person or entity will be considered to be fraudulently obtained and will be deemed void if transferred for cash or other consideration. Altered Reward Certificates are void and will not be honored.
3. Reward Certificate may not be combined with other certificates, discounts, packages or promotional offers, or Hotel Reward stays beyond Standard Room Rewards, unless otherwise specified in writing by Hilton HHonors.
4. Reward Certificate cannot be redeemed for cash, prizes or credit. Reward Certificate is not exchangeable.
5. Reward Certificate will not be replaced, reissued or credited if lost, stolen or otherwise destroyed.
6. Reward Certificate is void if copied, prohibited or restricted by law.
7. HHonors members will not earn points or miles for Hotel Reward stays, unless otherwise stated on the Reward Certificate.
8. Reward Certificate expires on the date noted on the face of the Reward Certificate.
9. Reward Certificate must be redeemed in strict accordance with the procedures specified on the certificate.
10. For the purpose of Certificate redemption, a weekend night is defined as a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night, unless specified otherwise on the Reward Certificate.
11. Reward Certificate applies to the room rate and tax of one standard room at a participating hotel and as further provided on the Certificate. A "Standard room" is as defined by the hotel. Any tax liability incurred in connection with the receipt and/or use of this Certificate, including, but not limited to, local or city occupancy taxes, or individual income tax is the sole responsibility of the user. Incidental charges are the responsibility of the user.
12. Reward Certificate usage is limited to Double Occupancy. Additional occupants, age 19 and above, are subject to the standard extra person charges.
13. Reward Certificate reservations must be guaranteed with a credit card. Some hotels may require a deposit in lieu of a credit card guarantee. Deposits cannot be waived for Reward Certificate reservations. Reward Certificate reservations that are cancelled outside of the time frame set by the hotel's individual cancellation policy will be charged one night's room and tax at the hotel's minimum rate for that date.
14. Reward Certificate is valid for the number of nights noted under the description on the face of the Certificate. If the Certificate is valid for more than one night, all nights must be used and the Certificate redeemed for a single stay that includes up to all Certificate nights. The Certificate cannot be broken down and/or redeemed for more than one stay. Any unused nights will be forfeited and will not be replaced or credited.
15. No credit or substitutions will be given for any Reward Certificate including those that are only partially used.
16. Promotional Rewards are for Standard Rooms only.
17. Hotel stays resulting from Reward Certificate are non-commissionable to travel agents.
18. Recipients of Reward Certificate may be required to sign a release of liability and a statement permitting the use of their name and/or photo for promotional purposes without additional compensation.
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Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card [Ends Dec 2017]

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Old Oct 25, 2017, 6:05 am
  #466  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Originally Posted by Travelz
My AF just posted and I spent the 10K a while back. Any new datapoints for getting the free night?
You should be good as the free night should post before 12/31 - about 6-8 weeks from the annual fee posting which is well inside 2017.

The problem would be for those of us (like myself) where the annual fee will post in December, but the free night is usually posted in January when the card will be no more.
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Old Oct 25, 2017, 8:02 am
  #467  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Originally Posted by Travelz
My AF just posted and I spent the 10K a while back. Any new datapoints for getting the free night?
My statement with the annual fee issued 9/18. I paid it in early October. I received my cert by e-mail on 10/21.

Now the question for me is whether to cancel. I earn diamond every year with the 40k spend so I definitely want an Amex card with that feature. I have previously had an Amex Surpass so I am not eligible for another sign up bonus. So, if I knew they were going to convert to Surpass I would probably just let it convert to avoid a new hard pull and new account. On the other hand if they are going to convert me to another citi product or if Amex is going to have a new card that I can get a sign up bonus for, I would cancel today and get some of my annual fee back. Very frustrating not knowing.
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Old Oct 25, 2017, 9:06 am
  #468  
mia
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Originally Posted by lkar
...if I knew they were going to convert to Surpass...
In this thread a Citi CSR spontaneously mentioned that a (no fee) Honors card would be converted to American Express. While I would not decide based only on a frontline customer service agent's knowledge, I do think that information volunteered, rather than when pressed to answer a question, is likely to have some basis in internal company documents:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi...l#post28957543
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Old Oct 25, 2017, 9:14 am
  #469  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
Originally Posted by Travelz
My AF just posted and I spent the 10K a while back. Any new datapoints for getting the free night?
In the last few years, my annual fee was posted around 9/22 and I always get my cert at the last week of October. I am expecting the email any day now.... but I probably just jinxed it.
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Old Oct 25, 2017, 12:14 pm
  #470  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Originally Posted by mia
In this thread a Citi CSR spontaneously mentioned that a (no fee) Honors card would be converted to American Express. While I would not decide based only on a frontline customer service agent's knowledge, I do think that information volunteered, rather than when pressed to answer a question, is likely to have some basis in internal company documents:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi...l#post28957543
Interesting. I really hope we'll know for sure soon. I would be ok with converting to Surpass (since I can't get a bonus) but I would definitely cancel now and reapply if Amex offers a new Hilton product that gives me a bonus and the ability to earn diamond with spend.
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Old Oct 27, 2017, 8:23 am
  #471  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Originally Posted by Need
In the last few years, my annual fee was posted around 9/22 and I always get my cert at the last week of October. I am expecting the email any day now.... but I probably just jinxed it.
Do you know if Citi will refund the AF if I cancel or product change after paying the fee?
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Old Oct 27, 2017, 8:28 am
  #472  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 483
Originally Posted by lkar
My statement with the annual fee issued 9/18. I paid it in early October. I received my cert by e-mail on 10/21.

Now the question for me is whether to cancel. I earn diamond every year with the 40k spend so I definitely want an Amex card with that feature. I have previously had an Amex Surpass so I am not eligible for another sign up bonus. So, if I knew they were going to convert to Surpass I would probably just let it convert to avoid a new hard pull and new account. On the other hand if they are going to convert me to another citi product or if Amex is going to have a new card that I can get a sign up bonus for, I would cancel today and get some of my annual fee back. Very frustrating not knowing.
I might PC to a Dividend because we already have a Surpass. They should let us know by Nov what is up with this.
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Old Oct 28, 2017, 9:46 am
  #473  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
Originally Posted by Travelz
Do you know if Citi will refund the AF if I cancel or product change after paying the fee?
I cancelled about a month ago. Just got a statement with a $31+ credit. Pretty sure I hadn't overpaid my last bill, so best guess is a pro-rated refund.
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Old Oct 29, 2017, 4:34 pm
  #474  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,042
Originally Posted by lkar
My statement with the annual fee issued 9/18. I paid it in early October. I received my cert by e-mail on 10/21.

Now the question for me is whether to cancel. I earn diamond every year with the 40k spend so I definitely want an Amex card with that feature. I have previously had an Amex Surpass so I am not eligible for another sign up bonus. So, if I knew they were going to convert to Surpass I would probably just let it convert to avoid a new hard pull and new account. On the other hand if they are going to convert me to another citi product or if Amex is going to have a new card that I can get a sign up bonus for, I would cancel today and get some of my annual fee back. Very frustrating not knowing.
I previously had a Surpass which I converted to a regular HH Amex when the Citi Reserve came out. I received an 100,000 point email offer to upgrade back to Surpass shortly after the demise of Reserve was announced, so I called to verify that I could get the repeat bonus and the answer was yes. The 100,000 points have posted. It might be worth a call to see if this offer is available to you.
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Old Oct 31, 2017, 6:25 pm
  #475  
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Virginia
Programs: HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott nobody
Posts: 470
I had an AMEX surpass before, which I closed and got the Citi Hilton Reserve. I wonder if there is any reason for me to wait for the conversion to an AMEX product.

If they give me an AMEX (whether Surpass or Ascend) automatically, I won't get any sign on bonus. So what is the benefit of letting that happen?

If AMEX comes up with the rumored Ascend card, there is a good chance that I can get a sign on bonus. Am I missing something?

Last edited by EdofFX; Oct 31, 2017 at 6:26 pm Reason: Correct grammar
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Old Oct 31, 2017, 10:21 pm
  #476  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
Originally Posted by EdofFX
I had an AMEX surpass before, which I closed and got the Citi Hilton Reserve. I wonder if there is any reason for me to wait for the conversion to an AMEX product.

If they give me an AMEX (whether Surpass or Ascend) automatically, I won't get any sign on bonus. So what is the benefit of letting that happen?

If AMEX comes up with the rumored Ascend card, there is a good chance that I can get a sign on bonus. Am I missing something?
+1. I'm thinking of applying straight away for the Hilton Amex Surpass (soon to be modified to Ascend) and get the 75,000 bonus pts for $3k in spend. I see no reason to allow Amex to auto convert my Citi card and get no sign on bonus.
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Old Nov 1, 2017, 8:31 am
  #477  
mia
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Hilton has officially announced that most Citi Honors card accounts will be sold to American Express, and transferred January 30, 2018. Reserve accounts will become American Express Honors Ascend accounts. (Ascend is rebranded Surpass.) The criteria for selecting accounts eligible for transfer to American Express are unpublished, but it's possible that if you already hold a Surpass card your account will remain at Citi, and that Citi will convert it to a ThankYou or cashback card.

Hilton FAQ is here:http://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/e...-card-faq.html

Hilton forum thread: American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards

Last edited by mia; Nov 1, 2017 at 9:43 am Reason: Repair link
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Old Nov 1, 2017, 8:51 am
  #478  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,626
So, what's the best strategy for those with a Citi Hilton Visa who want a the new HH Amex Aspire? Would it be to cancel the Citi card sooner, receive a pro-rated refund of the AF from Citi and then apply for the Aspire card with Amex in Jan?
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Old Nov 1, 2017, 8:56 am
  #479  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
Originally Posted by Ross0
So, what's the best strategy for those with a Citi Hilton Visa who want a the new HH Amex Aspire? Would it be to cancel the Citi card sooner, receive a pro-rated refund of the AF from Citi and then apply for the Aspire card with Amex in Jan?
That's what I am planning to do. I will cancel the Reserve today. My annual fee was posted on Sept 22, so I will probably get most of my annual fee back.

Then I will wait until I have a plan to stay at a Hilton before I apply for the Aspire. I don't see any reason to rush. I already have Diamond until March 2019 from the $40K spent on the Reserve this year.
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Old Nov 1, 2017, 9:22 am
  #480  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: MCO, YEG
Posts: 1,181
Originally Posted by mia
Hilton has officially announced that most Citi Honors card accounts will be sold to American Express, and transferred January 30, 2018. Reserve accounts will become American Express Honors Ascend accounts. (Ascend is rebranded Surpass.) The criteria for selecting accounts eligible for transfer to American Express are unpublished, but it's possible that if you already hold a Surpass card your account will remain at Citi, and that Citi will convert it to a ThankYou or cashback card.

Hilton FAQ is here:http://hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/e...-card-faq.html

Hilton forum thread: American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards
Doesn't look like already having the Surpass/Ascend will be a determining factor on converting from citi to Amex as the FAQ say that you will get a second ascend card. Probably more likely that Amex will leave cardholders with citi based on Amex current exposure to the cardholders, either already outstanding limits or number of outstanding credit cards. My wife and I already both have the maximum 5 Amex credit cards and also 3 citi Hilton cards, so I would think that our accounts are not leaving citi.

Also, for those that are not aware, Amex often offers generous upgrade bonuses equivalent to the application bonuses without having to go through the application process, so if you might eventually want the Aspire, it might be a decent idea to let them convert your reserve card to an Ascend. Personally, we have had the Surpass cards before and will have to wait for our cardmember anniversaries to get our free nights, so if we are converted to Amex, we will be holding onto our Ascend cards at least until our anniversary dates and looking for Aspire conversion bonuses.

Last edited by mia; Nov 1, 2017 at 9:43 am Reason: Repair link
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