[ARCHIVE to 2018] American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards
#1576
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH diamond
Posts: 2,646
Anybody not getting the full points from hotel stays? Just got my Aspire statement with my 2 stays on it. I am missing over 5000 points. When I called the CSR, she said the points from the hotel stays would appear on the next statement. When I asked what the points listed as from Hilton family hotels for this month were coming form, she said it was from the previous month's hotel stays. However I had no stays the previous month. She refused to look into it further and told me to wait until the next month. She said she sees the proper # of points next to the hotel stays.
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
#1577
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Here is a data point in case anyone else has issues. My wife recently 12/4 applied for the Hilton Aspire card & fulfilled the sign up bonus with a single tax transaction. Her Amex online account does not show her Hilton number added. She has called multiple times with no success. Upon filing a complaint, it turns out that her account is under rewards abuse team review.
Last edited by michaelr; Dec 28, 2018 at 6:59 am
#1578
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,037
Anybody not getting the full points from hotel stays? Just got my Aspire statement with my 2 stays on it. I am missing over 5000 points. When I called the CSR, she said the points from the hotel stays would appear on the next statement. When I asked what the points listed as from Hilton family hotels for this month were coming form, she said it was from the previous month's hotel stays. However I had no stays the previous month. She refused to look into it further and told me to wait until the next month. She said she sees the proper # of points next to the hotel stays.
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
I am not sure how their system works, but I have had points for the same stay post on more than one statement. My Hilton account also shows 2 separate transactions.
These seems to happen more often when Hilton is running bonus offers like 2x or 3x points.
#1579
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,727
Reminds me of the Citi Prestige, where the benefits were so good, there will eventually have to be some kind devaluation, if only because it's unsustainable. Basically, it's getting paid for having Diamond status.
#1580
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
Anybody not getting the full points from hotel stays? Just got my Aspire statement with my 2 stays on it. I am missing over 5000 points. When I called the CSR, she said the points from the hotel stays would appear on the next statement. When I asked what the points listed as from Hilton family hotels for this month were coming form, she said it was from the previous month's hotel stays. However I had no stays the previous month. She refused to look into it further and told me to wait until the next month. She said she sees the proper # of points next to the hotel stays.
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
Are ppl getting their points from hotel stays on the same statement the hotel stay charges appear or in the next month's?
Put a to-do item in my list to contact them again after the Jan statement closes, assuming those points don't magically appear in the meantime.
They were also not willing or able to post $250 Aspire resort credit after 6 weeks. Wait 8-12 weeks, she said. Another to-do item.
#1581
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,212
I think I'm now ready to get the Aspire. I felt I didn't need it in 2018 because we were Diamond, and our airline status was high enough that we didn't pay for any changes or cancellations. And we got a free night from our Ascend spend. But we're dropping down in status for 2019.
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
#1582
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,727
I think I'm now ready to get the Aspire. I felt I didn't need it in 2018 because we were Diamond, and our airline status was high enough that we didn't pay for any changes or cancellations. And we got a free night from our Ascend spend. But we're dropping down in status for 2019.
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
2. For most cardmembers, if you have under 4 revolvers (not charge cards), you can apply, and likely will be instantly approved for the Aspire with the bonus. If for some reason you're not eligible for the bonus, you'll see a pop-up. If you have 4 revolvers already, it will be declined for having "maximum" number of cards allowed. In this case, call memberships services, and they'll simultaneously close a card of your choice, and approve the Aspire. No need to wait first, or even cancel a card, since Amex will likely allow you shift CLs around to meet your needs.
3. 150K is pretty good, but with one bonus per lifetime, it may go up to 200K. But, given the terms of the Aspire currently, I'd take it.
4. No regrets! Actually, before this offer, I've stayed in Hiltons several nights my entire life, and my even have had complimentary Diamond status in the past. I just didn't care (never bothered with them, and was more focused on SPG), until the bonuses, free nights, airline credit, resort fee thing, etc...made staying at a Hilton, at least a few times, too compelling to ignore.
As I've told friends and colleagues, best card in the market today. I'll bet anything in a couple of years, Amex's is gonna water this down, much like the 50% MR bonus on the Bus Plat card airfare redemptions.
#1583
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,037
I always thought the target for the Aspire card were leisure travelers that may not normally be Hilton loyalists if not for the status or benefits. Since getting the Aspire, Hilton has become my chain of choice when price and location allow it. Hopefully Hilton is pleased with whatever benefits they are getting and will keep things as is.
#1584
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,632
I always thought the target for the Aspire card were leisure travelers that may not normally be Hilton loyalists if not for the status or benefits. Since getting the Aspire, Hilton has become my chain of choice when price and location allow it. Hopefully Hilton is pleased with whatever benefits they are getting and will keep things as is.
#1585
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,864
2) I bet AMEX is happy that it is not dependent on only one hotel relationship
3) The benefits of the Aspire card dont seem to be that expensive. So what if there are a few more Diamonds in the program?
This card has a good chance of staying very rewarding (though obviously all programs or cards can be devalued)
#1586
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,927
I think I'm now ready to get the Aspire. I felt I didn't need it in 2018 because we were Diamond, and our airline status was high enough that we didn't pay for any changes or cancellations. And we got a free night from our Ascend spend. But we're dropping down in status for 2019.
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
But I'm running into a problem. I have the regular no-fee Hilton, and my husband has the Ascend. For BOTH of us it is saying that if we want the Aspire, it is an upgrade with no bonus points. Not acceptable.
If I cancel my no-fee Hilton, and therefore have no Hilton Amex or any Amex cards, will I be able to apply "fresh" and get the bonus? It's 150K right now...was it higher before or is that pretty good? Is there a certain amount of time I need to wait between cancelling one and applying for the other?
And just a question (although I'm sure I know the answer) - does anyone regret getting the Aspire?
These upgrade offers are not there all the time. Did your husband check back in early November (when my account and several others on FT were showing 150K Ascend->Aspire upgrade offers), or only now? If only now, perhaps the points upgrade offer has been temporarily withdrawn?
Meanwhile, you don't need to cancel an existing Hilton card if you want to get Aspire. People have been approved for multiple types of Hilton cards at the same time. In fact, cancelling a card can put you at greater risk of not getting a signup bonus on a new card application (as can having other Amex cards "sock drawered"). The only case in which I would recommend cancelling an existing Hilton card would be if the Aspire would put you over 5 (non-charge) Amex credit cards, but even then only cancel when they say they can't approve you because you're over the limit of cards, and cancel it then only if they say they'll approve you if you do that.
Meanwhile, I would say the turn of the calendar year is the worst time to get an Aspire, because then you can't get 2x$250 airline credits the first card year. So I'd say since you haven't done it yet in 2018, wait a while into 2019 to de-sync your card year from the calendar year, and maybe you'll see points upgrades reappear by then (at least for a person who has an Ascend card)? Plus if you have "sock drawered" Amex cards, it'll give you time to start using them and have statements close.
Finally, you can use the airline credit for much more than "true" incidental fees, on some airlines. Specifically, if you can make use of AA as your selecting airline, with AA you can buy a single $250 e-e-gift-card on aa.com and get the $250 airline "incidental" credit that way. And AA allows up to 8 gift cards per purchase. (You do it with a couple other ailrines too, but the particulars vary a lot: For example, with DL you cannot get the credit unless you buy separate $50 e-gift-cards, and DL only allows 3 gift cards per purchase, so you'd need at least 2 DL purchases a year to use up 5x$50 e-gift-cards. But since I see you're AA MM, I presume AA will work for you fine.)
Last edited by sdsearch; Dec 30, 2018 at 2:24 pm
#1587
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,212
Thanks for the info. I got a little trigger happy and did apply for the Aspire today - and supposedly will get the 150,000 pt bonus. What astonished me was that almost immediately (and I mean within 5 minutes) I went and made a Hilton reservation, and my account showed me already Diamond.
I am a little confused about the airline credit...our 99% airline use is on Alaska, so will have to see what we can do with them. I'm actually ok with saving and using it for changes, we've been Gold with them for so long that I do make lots of changes, and since we're dropping down in status this year I might make use of it simply for change fees if necessary. But did I screw up in getting the card now, on Dec. 30? Isn't it a calendar year, so I'll have my $250 airline credit to use during all of 2019? If not oh well, live and learn. But not sure when I'll get the directions to pick an airline - when I get the actual card?
And we really don't sock-drawer any cards. We use them all (we don't have that many). I've got my little cheat sheets to remind me who gives better points in which category. I think we will cancel my husband's current Ascend once we get a current promo credited, and we'll each be left with our own Hilton Amex no-fees, plus my new Aspire. Cancelling his Ascend will give us $95 back so the Aspire AF will be virtually $350, not $450. And keeping the no-fees will give us a higher point earn on restaurants and supermarkets, which we use more than anything, and will be better than the 3x the Aspire gives. (looks like restaurants are better with aspire, so will use our no-fees for supermarkets and anything else that will fall into the 3x category).
I am a little confused about the airline credit...our 99% airline use is on Alaska, so will have to see what we can do with them. I'm actually ok with saving and using it for changes, we've been Gold with them for so long that I do make lots of changes, and since we're dropping down in status this year I might make use of it simply for change fees if necessary. But did I screw up in getting the card now, on Dec. 30? Isn't it a calendar year, so I'll have my $250 airline credit to use during all of 2019? If not oh well, live and learn. But not sure when I'll get the directions to pick an airline - when I get the actual card?
And we really don't sock-drawer any cards. We use them all (we don't have that many). I've got my little cheat sheets to remind me who gives better points in which category. I think we will cancel my husband's current Ascend once we get a current promo credited, and we'll each be left with our own Hilton Amex no-fees, plus my new Aspire. Cancelling his Ascend will give us $95 back so the Aspire AF will be virtually $350, not $450. And keeping the no-fees will give us a higher point earn on restaurants and supermarkets, which we use more than anything, and will be better than the 3x the Aspire gives. (looks like restaurants are better with aspire, so will use our no-fees for supermarkets and anything else that will fall into the 3x category).
Last edited by Eujeanie; Dec 30, 2018 at 3:39 pm Reason: correction
#1588
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,727
I always thought the target for the Aspire card were leisure travelers that may not normally be Hilton loyalists if not for the status or benefits. Since getting the Aspire, Hilton has become my chain of choice when price and location allow it. Hopefully Hilton is pleased with whatever benefits they are getting and will keep things as is.
1) I think the new collection of cards has been a success for Hilton and Amex - people seem to be shifting stays to Hilton given the rewarding cards, promotions and any perceived Marriott/Starwood issues
2) I bet AMEX is happy that it is not dependent on only one hotel relationship
3) The benefits of the Aspire card don’t seem to be that expensive. So what if there are a few more Diamonds in the program?
This card has a good chance of staying very rewarding (though obviously all programs or cards can be devalued)
Last edited by Visconti; Dec 30, 2018 at 5:40 pm Reason: To add quote.
#1589
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 9,957
In determining the benefit of something, it is important to keep in mind not just the "list value" value of that benefit, but also the "net value". Take, for example, the resort credit. For that, the list value equals the net value only if a cardholder would have spent the money at the resort anyway even if no rebate offer existed. So if a person got a spa service SOLELY because it was "free" then there is no net value. This is because, to that person the spa service was not really free -- because of the card's annual fee.
OTOH, if that person would have puchased the exact same spa service at the exact same resort even if the credit card provided no rebate, then and only then can the full amount of the rebate be subtracted from the card annual fee for the purpose of determining "benefit".
OTOH, if that person would have puchased the exact same spa service at the exact same resort even if the credit card provided no rebate, then and only then can the full amount of the rebate be subtracted from the card annual fee for the purpose of determining "benefit".
#1590
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 231
In determining the benefit of something, it is important to keep in mind not just the "list value" value of that benefit, but also the "net value". Take, for example, the resort credit. For that, the list value equals the net value only if a cardholder would have spent the money at the resort anyway even if no rebate offer existed. So if a person got a spa service SOLELY because it was "free" then there is no net value. This is because, to that person the spa service was not really free -- because of the card's annual fee.
Similarly airline credits, even if converted to gift cards, are at most worth about 85 cents on the dollar to me. Airline gift cards are regularly available from other channels at 10% off of face value. Additionally, you lose the insurance components you would get if you paid for the tickets on a card like the sapphire reserve (which would also give 4.5% rebate) and have to juggle gift card codes. Or on some airlines (Southwest) there are other benefits you lose by paying with gift cards vs with transferred points.