IcHot

Not exactly. You have to bother with credits and stays and think Diamond is worthwhile.

In the US, it is of marginal value. For those who think it is of real value, it is easily achievable anyway.

I suspect you are not being realistic about the population. The people who would think this is a great deal are likely diamonds already.

pinniped

Questions:

- Is it $250 credit on any airline expense, as with the Citi Thank You card, or is Amex using a tighter definition of "incidental"? If so, what is that definition? (e.g. Kiosk upgrades, baggage fees, paid upgrades to Economy Plus type seats, ticket change fees, etc.)

- Honors hasn't typically called out "resorts" in the past like Marriott has. Is the $250 Hilton credit only at some subset of the properties in the portfolio? Hilton brand only, with "resort" in the title? It's a rather loose term that some brands slap on all sorts of hotels that the naked eye wouldn't really think of as a "resort".

- Priority Pass guests? Citi Prestige allows 2 additional adults in their T's & C's, and they can be on different PNRs or flying to different cities than the cardholder. CSR technically doesn't impose a guest limit, although the lounges can. Other products charge for guests or allow just you + family on a single PNR.

- Which rental car agencies and can I book any rate via any channel with those agencies?

Looks like a solid product. I'm *probably* in, unless the restrictions on the credits are too tight.

IcHot

The only thing I treasure in the US is the Hampton diamond parking space so I can make jokes about what a big shot I am. Conversely, I can make ridiculous tongue in cheek rants about how they are diluting Diamond when the space is full.

Evo40

My best guesses:

* The $250 airline incidentals credit will work the same was it does for the AMEX Platinum or Gold. You'll have a to pick an airline each year and can only get reimbursed for non-airfare-ticket expenses like: baggage fees, in-flight dining, ticket change fees club/lounge memberships. Upgrades would be excluded; gifts cards, too (at least by the T&Cs, even if there are workarounds).

* I imagine resorts would be these properties: http://www3.hilton.com/en/resorts/index.html. And it's a beach-heavy/hot-weather-heavy collection

Yellowjj

*Raises hand*

In any event, this doesn't really bother me too much as Hilton has been stealthily doing small devaluations the past few months (Properties increasing in category level overnight). I don't look for/need upgrades when travelling alone and when with family, I gravitate towards Homewood because the full size fridge is a necessity.

IcHot

Hell hath no fury like a lifetime diamond scorned, apparently.

woodford02A

Thanks for the link. I ask here independently in the context of these new cards which will surely drive a slew of new Diamonds to the program (does the incremental value of Diamond status benefits make this card attractive to Golds? Will Golds be disappointed with the product/service they ultimately receive?)

bcosinteno

Pure speculation, but they are setting the stage for a higher tier than Diamond (Diamond Plus, etc).

I'm guessing it'll be achieved by pure nights/stays or through spend on the new Aspire Credit Card (60,000 in a year - similar to Marriott).

If this is the case, hopefully Diamond Plus or whatever the new tier is comes with guaranteed suite upgrades, guarantee late check out, waived resort fees, etc.

diver858

Based on earlier AMEX upgauge offers, I believe it is reasonable to expect. From this perspective, it may be useful to hold more than 1 Surpass, as the Aspire card is essentially a moneymaker.

elCheapoDeluxe

Wow - just wow. I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Why bother to stretch to reach Diamond next year? I can stay where I want and still know I'll always be Diamond.

diver858

Like when Citi rolled out its Prestige Card, there were several bennies to help make a big splash, draw customers away from AMEX and Chase, eventually rolled back. Based on prior AMEX devaluation history, I would expect the same for the new Aspire, my plan is to jump on any up-gauge offers or new application bonuses, take full advantage in the first year.

Need

You could be right. I am thinking of how it makes it easier (cheaper) for my "fake" diamond to continue. Before I had to spend $40K now it is just $450 and I get all of them back. I guess I would become "fake fake" diamond LOL.

I guess if you are spending $40K on the Surpass or Citi Reserve to get Diamond, it would make sense to switch to the Aspire.

Hilton Honors Ambassador

Sorry - got cut out during the copy/paste process. You're correct, the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card has a $95 annual fee.

Just updated the original post.

Thanks!
Lauren

Points Scrounger

IMHO, the massive devaluation was in status matching all top tier elites from any other program. This card is simply the cherry on that sundae here. I don't see it creating lots more crowding and competition; these folks are more likely to rack up points via non-Hilton spending.

NationalCCW

For those of us who already have the Surpass Card do we get
• 10 free Priority Pass™Lounge passes to ease the airport experience
If so, when can we start using this perk?