[ARCHIVE to 2018] American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards
Nov 1, 2017, 6:37 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,263
I'm usually not quick to get worked up about these things, but I don't see a scenario here that bodes well for Diamonds who actually earn through staying at properties.
I liked the analogy that someone else used recently - Honors has become the Southwest Rapid Rewards of hotel programs. Not going to be any real perks for loyalty, just a kickback in terms of points.
I guess they're just betting that that those few marginal points per dollar will be worth something to someone, moreso than the value of the devalued perks they'll be losing.
I liked the analogy that someone else used recently - Honors has become the Southwest Rapid Rewards of hotel programs. Not going to be any real perks for loyalty, just a kickback in terms of points.
I guess they're just betting that that those few marginal points per dollar will be worth something to someone, moreso than the value of the devalued perks they'll be losing.
Nov 1, 2017, 6:39 am
#32
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: AA, US, WN, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,528
I currently have the Citi Hilton Reserve, anniversary date 8/1 and I have already earned a free night with over $10K spending since my anniversary date. If I spend $15K on my new Amex card between 2/1 and 8/1 will I earn another free night?
If the answer is no the first free night certificate I would receive from Amex would be in August 2020 (since I would earn it by spending $15K between 8/18 and 8/19) and by then I would have paid Amex $285 in annual fees.
If the answer is no the first free night certificate I would receive from Amex would be in August 2020 (since I would earn it by spending $15K between 8/18 and 8/19) and by then I would have paid Amex $285 in annual fees.
Nov 1, 2017, 6:40 am
#33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
I have had the Hilton card through Citi since 2001, and the Reserve Card from Citi for 3 or 4 years. Now, this card is going to switch to the Ascend Card. While I am pleased there is no Foreign Transaction Fee, there is a reduction in benefits. Under the Reserve Card, there was a free weekend certificate for $10,000 spend. Under the Ascend Card, the spend is $15,000 for the same benefit. This represents a significant deterioration of benefit due to Hilton moving their business from Citi to exclusively Amex.
Nov 1, 2017, 6:43 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,135
I have had the Hilton card through Citi since 2001, and the Reserve Card from Citi for 3 or 4 years. Now, this card is going to switch to the Ascend Card. While I am pleased there is no Foreign Transaction Fee, there is a reduction in benefits. Under the Reserve Card, there was a free weekend certificate for $10,000 spend. Under the Ascend Card, the spend is $15,000 for the same benefit. This represents a significant deterioration of benefit due to Hilton moving their business from Citi to exclusively Amex.
Also, would have liked to see free Boingo like on the SPG card.
Last edited by MASTERNC; Nov 1, 2017 at 6:57 am
Nov 1, 2017, 6:56 am
#35
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Not necessarily. American Express is not buying all of the account from Citi:
...the evaluation will certainly include creditworthiness, but they may also exclude card accounts that would result in duplicates. American Express might also decline to purchase accounts that would put an individual over the five credit card limit. If a specific card account is not transferred I would expect Citi to convert it to a ThankYou or cashback product.
1. In recent years American Express has not treated refreshed cards as new products for application bonus purposes. The Business Card and Aspire are certainly new. Ascend could go either way, because of the name change. The free card is not new.
2. Most Citi Honors card accounts will be sold to American Express.
3 & 4. The best course will depend on your specific circumstances and objectives. Bear in mind that American Express (USA) limits most individuals to a maximum of four or five credit cards, plus charge cards. All of the Delta, Hilton, and Starwood products (personal and business) are credit cards.
American Express and Citi are evaluating which Citi Hilton Honors Card accounts are eligible to automatically transfer to American Express on January 30, 2018
1. Will these new products including the Ascend and Hilton Honors be considered "New Products" as sign up bonuses go?
2. Will Citi Hilton cardholders be able to keep their Citi accounts?
3. If Citi cardholders will be converted, will the best course of action be to cancel existing cards so that they do not miss out on the sign up bonus?
4. Existing Amex Surpass and Honors cardholders, would the best course of action be to cancel these cards to be able to get the new sign up bonuses (Brings back to question 1) ?
2. Will Citi Hilton cardholders be able to keep their Citi accounts?
3. If Citi cardholders will be converted, will the best course of action be to cancel existing cards so that they do not miss out on the sign up bonus?
4. Existing Amex Surpass and Honors cardholders, would the best course of action be to cancel these cards to be able to get the new sign up bonuses (Brings back to question 1) ?
2. Most Citi Honors card accounts will be sold to American Express.
3 & 4. The best course will depend on your specific circumstances and objectives. Bear in mind that American Express (USA) limits most individuals to a maximum of four or five credit cards, plus charge cards. All of the Delta, Hilton, and Starwood products (personal and business) are credit cards.
Last edited by mia; Nov 1, 2017 at 7:03 am
Nov 1, 2017, 6:57 am
#36
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
Yup...my wife has been hitting Diamond through stays alone for the past few years and we have a glut of points built up. I think once we burn them on a nice vacation it may be worth time to think of a shift in where she stays while on the road. She has already mentioned to me that upgrades seem to be less common and Exec lounges are feeling a bit more crowded.
Nov 1, 2017, 7:07 am
#37
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: AA PLT PRO, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plt. Premier
Posts: 587
I have given up on Hilton and switched most of my stays to SPG, at least they try to give you a upgrade + free breaky at most places I go anyway. I never got upgraded in the US as a diamond.
Nov 1, 2017, 7:17 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
Finally, a business card!
Nov 1, 2017, 7:23 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
I could easily spend the $250 Resort credit and $250 incidental, and the weekend cert is worth at least $200. I would probably have kept the conversion to the Ascent card from my Citi Reserve, but now I am going to cancel the Reserve card and apply for the Aspire card.
Last edited by Need; Nov 1, 2017 at 7:40 am
Nov 1, 2017, 7:34 am
#40
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Minneapolis and Phoenix-2 weeks per month each
Programs: Delta DM, MM
Posts: 476
Does the unlimited Priority Pass include any guests?
Nov 1, 2017, 7:43 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Nov 1, 2017, 7:43 am
#42
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
Nov 1, 2017, 7:55 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Well for me this is great as I wouldn't normally earn Diamond but do stay enough to justify getting a card and enjoying the benefits.
If I were Diamond I'd be pretty hacked off though. Given the annual fee and other benefits it really didn't need to include perpetual Diamond, even just the one year gratis would have been enough, or perhaps after spending a much lesser amount than on the Surpass card ($20k).
It depends on the airline.
I have no problems buying $100 AA gift cards on my Platinum Card and using those towards tickets. On the AMEX forum there is a thread for each of the participating airlines with the data points for each.
If I were Diamond I'd be pretty hacked off though. Given the annual fee and other benefits it really didn't need to include perpetual Diamond, even just the one year gratis would have been enough, or perhaps after spending a much lesser amount than on the Surpass card ($20k).
I have no problems buying $100 AA gift cards on my Platinum Card and using those towards tickets. On the AMEX forum there is a thread for each of the participating airlines with the data points for each.
Nov 1, 2017, 7:59 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,785
I wonder if the Aspire card would be metal like the other Amex $450+ cards?
Nov 1, 2017, 8:03 am
#45
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
There will be no hard pull, but that doesn't mean that American Express will not use information that it already holds about existing American Express cardholders who happen to hold Hilton co-branded cards issued by Citi, nor that American Express will buy delinquent accounts.