[ARCHIVE to 2018] American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards
Nov 1, 2017, 10:05 am
#91
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,225
From what I'm reading in Lauren's post, the Ascend card has no annual fee and comes with no Foreign Transaction Fees, the Surpass card charges FTE and $75. You should be able to contact AmEx and request they convert your existing Surpass account to a no annual fee Ascend card.
Maybe she can clarify. Thats a big deal
Nov 1, 2017, 10:07 am
#92
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Don't kid yourself. Corporate sees the two of equal value and may well see Aspire as having less overhead.
These complaints arise with air carriers too. You aren't a "real" elite. But, you are.
Bottom line is that there are more people with a claim to the same number of upgrades and square footage in a lounge.
These complaints arise with air carriers too. You aren't a "real" elite. But, you are.
Bottom line is that there are more people with a claim to the same number of upgrades and square footage in a lounge.
Nov 1, 2017, 10:07 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Hilton Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 1,266
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for posting. Could you clarify some things on the new Aspire card? Specifically:
• $250 Airline incidental fee statement credit
How does this work on the Amex side? Does it use the same "engine" as the Platinum/Centurion American Express cards? I've read that those cards requires you select an airline before you use your card to get it credited. And you can only change it once a year. Is this how it works with this card? Incidentals means not airline award taxes, upgrade fees?
• $250 Hilton resort statement credit
Is this only for resort hotels - is there a list of which ones are eligible for this credit?
• $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
What is the exclusive Aspire Card package?
Thanks for posting. Could you clarify some things on the new Aspire card? Specifically:
• $250 Airline incidental fee statement credit
How does this work on the Amex side? Does it use the same "engine" as the Platinum/Centurion American Express cards? I've read that those cards requires you select an airline before you use your card to get it credited. And you can only change it once a year. Is this how it works with this card? Incidentals means not airline award taxes, upgrade fees?
• $250 Hilton resort statement credit
Is this only for resort hotels - is there a list of which ones are eligible for this credit?
• $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
What is the exclusive Aspire Card package?
Nov 1, 2017, 10:09 am
#94
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
I think she just missed it. $95 would make sense as the folks converting from Citi Reserve to Ascend would have the exact same annual fee. That way there is no partial refund or partial charge needed.
Nov 1, 2017, 10:17 am
#95
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Not a full joke... yet... as you still need 10 years of Diamond level AND 1,000 nights. You can pay the $450 to get the years, but still have to stay at the properties to get the nights threshold.
Hopefully they will make existing "Lifetime Diamonds" a new, higher level (or some scheme like others have mentioned)
Hopefully they will make existing "Lifetime Diamonds" a new, higher level (or some scheme like others have mentioned)
Nov 1, 2017, 10:19 am
#96
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Bottom line is that there are more people with a claim to the same number of upgrades and square footage in a lounge.[/QUOTE]
Exactly and the clearly devalues the worth of Diamond Status
It is essentially free now for anyone who can qualify for the card
Exactly and the clearly devalues the worth of Diamond Status
It is essentially free now for anyone who can qualify for the card
Nov 1, 2017, 10:21 am
#97
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
Factor in the $500 in credits and Hilton/Amex are PAYING YOU $50 to become a Diamond member. What a joke
Nov 1, 2017, 10:26 am
#98
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: GSO
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, National Car Rental Exec. Elite
Posts: 134
You get a 50% points bonus as Diamond versus 25% bonus as a Gold. But you have to spend a ton to have this be worth something substantial. You also have a 48-hour availability guarantee as a Diamond, although there are exceptions and you can still be faced with a very high room rate.
For MyWay benefits at full-service properties, Diamonds don't have to choose between food/amenity or points. They get both, unlike Golds. But at places like Hampton Inn or HGI, Diamond benefits are identical to Gold.
Theoretically, you're prioritized for room/suite upgrades as a Diamond over Gold.
I am told Diamonds often get markedly better treatment outside of the US (I won't be doing my first international stay until later this month).
Nov 1, 2017, 10:28 am
#99
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,414
Yes, Diamond recognition/service is markedly better abroad, especially in Asia.
Nov 1, 2017, 10:34 am
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
I guess it is fun to overreact.
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Nov 1, 2017, 10:36 am
#101
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,421
Me too, and I do NOT want to deal with American Express -- ever again.
I resent being slammed without my consent into an American Express relationship I do not want. I cannot believe Hilton's "extensive consumer and small business research" elicited a bunch of people saying, yes, hijack my account, switch my card provider, and change all the terms without consulting me.
I resent being slammed without my consent into an American Express relationship I do not want. I cannot believe Hilton's "extensive consumer and small business research" elicited a bunch of people saying, yes, hijack my account, switch my card provider, and change all the terms without consulting me.
Nov 1, 2017, 10:40 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
I guess it is fun to overreact.
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Nov 1, 2017, 10:43 am
#103
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: HHonors Lifetime Diamond, UA Million Miler Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,142
I guess it is fun to overreact.
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Diamond status is not worth much as an American customer in the US. Not sure many people will think this is some great deal that can't be passed by.
How many people who are not already Diamond or capable of achieving Diamond anyway will be tempted by a $450 fee? How many will do the math?
Seriously, Diamond probably means more to people that already have it than people that want it.
Do you know how cheaply one could get Diamond if they wanted it? If they aren't staying at hotels, they aren't using up your upgrades. I don't think they give many upgrades anyway, so who wants it?
Nov 1, 2017, 10:46 am
#104
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,189
I kind of did the math. Anyone who has no Hilton status and want to stay a week in a Hilton Resort wants it. Because it will save them over $400 even after paying the $450 annual fee. And that's not including the value of the HH points they will get from the stay as a Diamond and using the Aspire x14 to pay for it.
I would think most of them are already Diamond.
Most people cannot be bothered with complications.
Nov 1, 2017, 10:48 am
#105
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,660
Meh, I think this is the last year for me being even vaguely loyal to Hilton. I've recently been staying at Marriotts and even as a lowly gold, they treat me a lot better than Hilton does as a Diamond. I am head on pillow Diamond - 55 stays, 79 nights, 192k base points.
I'll go for a status match to Marriott Platinum in Dec and see what next year brings.....
Adios Hilton.
I'll go for a status match to Marriott Platinum in Dec and see what next year brings.....
Adios Hilton.
