Apr 24, 2018, 6:57 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
$250 Hilton Resort Credit
Note: The web page for the resorts has changed. You must input dates and/or a specific region to get a list of all resorts in that region. Sometimes the web page works better on a mobile device.
The resort credit benefit changed in late 2023. Refer to this separate discussion and wikipost for FAQs.
AMEX TERMS:
Note: The web page for the resorts has changed. You must input dates and/or a specific region to get a list of all resorts in that region. Sometimes the web page works better on a mobile device.
The resort credit benefit changed in late 2023. Refer to this separate discussion and wikipost for FAQs.
AMEX TERMS:
During each year of your Card Membership ("reward year"), you are eligible to receive up to $250 total in statement credits on your Card Account for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts with your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card during that reward year. Your first reward year begins on your account opening date. Each subsequent reward year begins on the anniversary of your account opening date.
Eligible Hilton Resort purchases must be made directly with the participating Hilton Resort and charged to your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card account for the benefit to apply. Incidental charges (including charges made at restaurants, spas, and other establishments within the hotel property) must be charged to your room and paid for with your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card at checkout in order for them to be recognized as Hilton Resort purchases. Visit hilton.com/resorts for the list of participating Hilton Resorts. Purchases made by both the Basic and Additional Card Members on the eligible Card Account are eligible for statement credits. However, each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $250 per renewal year in statement credits across all Cards on the Card Account. Please allow 8-12 weeks after the eligible Hilton purchase is charged to your Card Account for statement credit(s) to be posted to the Account. Please call the number on the back of your Card if statement credits have not posted after 12 weeks from the date of purchase. Card Members remain responsible for timely payment of all charges.
FAQ
ELIGIBLE RATES
1) Do you have to book directly through Hilton in order to receive the resort credit?
NO. See below.
2) If I’m booking at Hilton.com or through the Hilton app, etc., are any rates not eligible for the resort credit?
Any rates charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties in the USA are charged by Hilton Corporate in Tennessee and WILL NOT trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties outside the USA are typically charged by the hotel directly, so these WILL trigger the credit. According to DoC and the discussion from post #849 onwards advance purchase rates are becoming ineligible starting Aug 1, 2019, though it is unclear how this will be enforced for international properties.
3) I have to book through my corporate travel agent or use my corporate rate code at Hilton.com, will I still get the resort credit?
YES. Any rates that are charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit.
4) What about bookings through Orbitz, Expedia, and other online travel agencies?
As long as the rate is “pay at hotel” then it will trigger the credit. Prepaid and other special rates that are charged directly by Orbitz or Expedia, etc. and not the hotel will not trigger the credit.
5) I’m looking at an eligible hotel that charges a refundable one-night deposit for all bookings, can I get the resort credit for this?
YES. As long as the deposit is charged directly by an eligible hotel to your Aspire, it will trigger the credit.
6) I see the Aspire also offers a $100 property credit at certain Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties. What is the difference? Can I combine both credits?
YES, these are different credits but it is possible to combine them. In order to be eligible for the $100 property credit you must book a specific rate via the www.hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com website. The $100 property credit will be applied by the property at check-out before you card is charged, while the $250 resort credit will be applied by AMEX a few days after the charge appears on your statement.
For example, say you book the qualifying property credit rate via the website above for 2 nights @ $250/night, and then charge $100 in dinner to your room. At check-out, your preliminary folio is $600. The front desk will apply the $100 credit, making your final folio $500 which would be charged to your Aspire. A few days later AMEX will apply the $250 resort credit to your AMEX statement, making your total out of pocket only $250 for a $600 stay. Not bad!
ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
As of 2022 or 2023, there is no static list of eligible properties.
You can either go to Hilton.com/resorts and hit "explore more resorts," or apply the "Resorts" filter on the search yourself.
7)Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for this credit!
8) However, the hilton.com/resorts website isn’t the best! Please search thoroughly. For example, the Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas does not appear when you search North America > US & Hawaii > Nevada, but it does appear if you search the map.
9) I didn’t see a property listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it did show up when searching Hilton.com and filtering amenities to “Resort Property,” can I get the resort credit here?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.
10) What about this hotel I stayed at last year, it’s not listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it has a pool and a spa and the sun was out when I was there, surely I can get the resort credit there?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.
11) OK, I get it, only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit, but are there any others that have fallen through the cracks?
Any properties that are not listed at the official Hilton Resorts link but with positive reports of triggering the resort credit are listed below:
- HILTON WAIKIKI BEACH HOTEL (reported by jphripjah May 1, 2018) Has been added to hilton.com/resorts since.
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort is not listed on Hilton Resorts searchable link (by state), but shows up on the map. It is reported it by mdosu April 10, 2018 that there is positive report of triggering the resort credit.
ELIGIBLE CHARGES
12) What charges are eligible for this resort credit?
ANYTHING charged directly by the hotel or to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit. Room rate, taxes, fees, room service, dining, bars, spa, transportation, jet skis, beach chairs, excursions, etc. etc. etc. AMEX doesn’t discriminate on what the charge is, as long as the charge appears directly from an eligible hotel it will trigger the credit.
13) I booked an award stay using Honors points at an eligible property, can I still get the resort credit for incidentals charged to the room if I pay with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.
14) I booked a prepaid rate through Orbitz at an eligible property with a different credit card, can I still get the resort credit for my hotel bar tab that I charged to the room if settle this at check-out with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.
15) I bought some cat food and fresh underwear at the hotel gift shop and charged it to my room. It’s an eligible property and I’m paying with my Aspire, but surely I won’t get the resort credit for this?
WRONG. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire. And don’t call me Shirley.
CREDIT TIMING
16) How long does the resort credit take to post to my Amex statement?
The resort credit typically postsbetween 2-5 days after 10 days or even more after the eligible charge posts to your Amex account. Note that sometimes your charge will not even be processed until the following day, early in the morning.
17) What happens if I stay in an eligible property, pay with my Aspire, but the resort credit doesn't post automatically?
If the resort credit hasn't posted within 7 days, it will most likely not post automatically, and you need to call Amex to have it manually applied. Unfortunately Amex typically requires you to wait until 8 weeks after the charge before they will manually apply the resort credit. The credit not posting automatically is very rare though, see below.
18) What properties seem to have issues with the credit posting automatically?
FT members have reported that the resort credit has not posted automatically at several of the eligible resorts:
LXR Susona Bodrum, Turkey - May 2021 [Also, bonus is showing 3x, not 14x. Indicating this hotel is not coded correctly in their system. Multiple chats did not resolve this problem but a phone call did.
Resort credit has now posted and was told this should be fixed going forward. Still waiting for add'l 11x bonus points]
19) Is the credit per membership year or per calendar year?
Per membership year. Your first reward year begins on your account opening date. Each subsequent reward year begins on the anniversary of your account opening date.
20) For which resorts has the resort credit posted?
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Crocksford Las Vegas
WA Grand Wailea - Multiple reports of credit not posting automatically, however one positive data point in Feb 2019 of the credit posting, YMMV.
DT Fallsview Resort Niagara Falls - several reports
Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk - 7/6/2021
Hilton Tokyo Bay - several reports
Elara Las Vegas - several reports
WA La Quinta - two reports
Hilton Mauritius - one report
Hilton Sedona - one report
Jewel Dunn River Curio Jamaica - one report
Hilton Malta - one report
Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa - 8/2019, 2/2023
Hilton Hangzhou Qiandao Lake Resort - 4/2018
Hilton Sanqingshan Resort -4/2019
Hilton Palm Springs, CA - 1/2022
Hilton Waterfront Resort, Huntington Beach, CA - 10/2021
FAQ
ELIGIBLE RATES
1) Do you have to book directly through Hilton in order to receive the resort credit?
NO. See below.
2) If I’m booking at Hilton.com or through the Hilton app, etc., are any rates not eligible for the resort credit?
Any rates charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties in the USA are charged by Hilton Corporate in Tennessee and WILL NOT trigger the credit. Advance purchase rates for properties outside the USA are typically charged by the hotel directly, so these WILL trigger the credit. According to DoC and the discussion from post #849 onwards advance purchase rates are becoming ineligible starting Aug 1, 2019, though it is unclear how this will be enforced for international properties.
3) I have to book through my corporate travel agent or use my corporate rate code at Hilton.com, will I still get the resort credit?
YES. Any rates that are charged by the hotel directly will trigger the credit.
4) What about bookings through Orbitz, Expedia, and other online travel agencies?
As long as the rate is “pay at hotel” then it will trigger the credit. Prepaid and other special rates that are charged directly by Orbitz or Expedia, etc. and not the hotel will not trigger the credit.
5) I’m looking at an eligible hotel that charges a refundable one-night deposit for all bookings, can I get the resort credit for this?
YES. As long as the deposit is charged directly by an eligible hotel to your Aspire, it will trigger the credit.
6) I see the Aspire also offers a $100 property credit at certain Conrad and Waldorf Astoria properties. What is the difference? Can I combine both credits?
YES, these are different credits but it is possible to combine them. In order to be eligible for the $100 property credit you must book a specific rate via the www.hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com website. The $100 property credit will be applied by the property at check-out before you card is charged, while the $250 resort credit will be applied by AMEX a few days after the charge appears on your statement.
For example, say you book the qualifying property credit rate via the website above for 2 nights @ $250/night, and then charge $100 in dinner to your room. At check-out, your preliminary folio is $600. The front desk will apply the $100 credit, making your final folio $500 which would be charged to your Aspire. A few days later AMEX will apply the $250 resort credit to your AMEX statement, making your total out of pocket only $250 for a $600 stay. Not bad!
ELIGIBLE PROPERTIES
As of 2022 or 2023, there is no static list of eligible properties.
You can either go to Hilton.com/resorts and hit "explore more resorts," or apply the "Resorts" filter on the search yourself.
7)
9) I didn’t see a property listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it did show up when searching Hilton.com and filtering amenities to “Resort Property,” can I get the resort credit here?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.
10) What about this hotel I stayed at last year, it’s not listed at the official Hilton Resorts link, but it has a pool and a spa and the sun was out when I was there, surely I can get the resort credit there?
NO. Only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit.
11) OK, I get it, only properties listed at the official Hilton Resorts link (hilton.com/resorts) are eligible for the credit, but are there any others that have fallen through the cracks?
Any properties that are not listed at the official Hilton Resorts link but with positive reports of triggering the resort credit are listed below:
- HILTON WAIKIKI BEACH HOTEL (reported by jphripjah May 1, 2018) Has been added to hilton.com/resorts since.
El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort is not listed on Hilton Resorts searchable link (by state), but shows up on the map. It is reported it by mdosu April 10, 2018 that there is positive report of triggering the resort credit.
ELIGIBLE CHARGES
12) What charges are eligible for this resort credit?
ANYTHING charged directly by the hotel or to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit. Room rate, taxes, fees, room service, dining, bars, spa, transportation, jet skis, beach chairs, excursions, etc. etc. etc. AMEX doesn’t discriminate on what the charge is, as long as the charge appears directly from an eligible hotel it will trigger the credit.
13) I booked an award stay using Honors points at an eligible property, can I still get the resort credit for incidentals charged to the room if I pay with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.
14) I booked a prepaid rate through Orbitz at an eligible property with a different credit card, can I still get the resort credit for my hotel bar tab that I charged to the room if settle this at check-out with my Aspire?
YES. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire.
15) I bought some cat food and fresh underwear at the hotel gift shop and charged it to my room. It’s an eligible property and I’m paying with my Aspire, but surely I won’t get the resort credit for this?
WRONG. ANYTHING charged to your room by an eligible property will trigger the resort credit, as long as you settle the charges with your Aspire. And don’t call me Shirley.
CREDIT TIMING
16) How long does the resort credit take to post to my Amex statement?
The resort credit typically posts
17) What happens if I stay in an eligible property, pay with my Aspire, but the resort credit doesn't post automatically?
If the resort credit hasn't posted within 7 days, it will most likely not post automatically, and you need to call Amex to have it manually applied. Unfortunately Amex typically requires you to wait until 8 weeks after the charge before they will manually apply the resort credit. The credit not posting automatically is very rare though, see below.
18) What properties seem to have issues with the credit posting automatically?
FT members have reported that the resort credit has not posted automatically at several of the eligible resorts:
LXR Susona Bodrum, Turkey - May 2021 [Also, bonus is showing 3x, not 14x. Indicating this hotel is not coded correctly in their system. Multiple chats did not resolve this problem but a phone call did.
Resort credit has now posted and was told this should be fixed going forward. Still waiting for add'l 11x bonus points]
19) Is the credit per membership year or per calendar year?
Per membership year. Your first reward year begins on your account opening date. Each subsequent reward year begins on the anniversary of your account opening date.
20) For which resorts has the resort credit posted?
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines
Crocksford Las Vegas
WA Grand Wailea - Multiple reports of credit not posting automatically, however one positive data point in Feb 2019 of the credit posting, YMMV.
DT Fallsview Resort Niagara Falls - several reports
Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk - 7/6/2021
Hilton Tokyo Bay - several reports
Elara Las Vegas - several reports
WA La Quinta - two reports
Hilton Mauritius - one report
Hilton Sedona - one report
Jewel Dunn River Curio Jamaica - one report
Hilton Malta - one report
Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa - 8/2019, 2/2023
Hilton Hangzhou Qiandao Lake Resort - 4/2018
Hilton Sanqingshan Resort -4/2019
Hilton Palm Springs, CA - 1/2022
Hilton Waterfront Resort, Huntington Beach, CA - 10/2021
[Archive 2021-2023 Hilton Amex Aspire $200 Resort Credit]
Dec 11, 2023, 5:05 pm
#916
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 7
Mahogany Bay Resort- Belize
Does anyone have any idea why the eligible resorts page now has a disclaimer that Mahogany Bay in Belize is no longer eligible for the resort credit and will only earn 3 points per dollar spent? I've stayed at this resort before and gotten the credit and 14 points per dollar spent. I'm scheduled to go again next month. No one I spoke to with Amex or Hilton even knew what I was talking about.
Last edited by Claudia B; Dec 11, 2023 at 5:35 pm
Dec 11, 2023, 5:18 pm
#917
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: AS 75k, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 544
Does anyone have any idea why the eligible resorts page now has a disclaimer that Mahogany Bay in Belize is no longer eligible for the resort credit and will only earn $3 per dollar spent? I've stayed at this resort before and gotten the credit and 14 points per dollar spent. I'm scheduled to go again next month. No one I spoke to with Amex or Hilton even knew what I was talking about.
Dec 12, 2023, 5:06 am
#918
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,326
Does anyone have any idea why the eligible resorts page now has a disclaimer that Mahogany Bay in Belize is no longer eligible for the resort credit and will only earn 3 points per dollar spent? I've stayed at this resort before and gotten the credit and 14 points per dollar spent. I'm scheduled to go again next month. No one I spoke to with Amex or Hilton even knew what I was talking about.
This has been an issue perennially as there is no Amex processor in Belize. For a while, the hotel simply did not accept Amex for payment.
Hilton property not accepting AMEX
There seemed to be a period where the hotel was using some alternative situation where charges are run through a third party, which would make the resort credit difficult to apply
Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton {BLZ}
Dec 14, 2023, 1:22 pm
#920
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: ORD
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, IHG Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Gold - cheapass economy flyer!
Posts: 241
This is my plan. We're checking in 12/27, I'll ask them to run a card for $250 when I check in, and I'll ask them to run another $250 on P2's card the following day - we should have $500 to spend during the trip (which ends Jan 2).
If i didn't have another trip planned for April, I'd be planning on a second payment (per card) when I check out. I think there's a good chance that $250 of spend on Jan 2 would trigger a double dip - but I think there's also a decent chance that it would use up the semiannual credit and then they wouldn't want to give me both credits.
If i didn't have another trip planned for April, I'd be planning on a second payment (per card) when I check out. I think there's a good chance that $250 of spend on Jan 2 would trigger a double dip - but I think there's also a decent chance that it would use up the semiannual credit and then they wouldn't want to give me both credits.
Dec 14, 2023, 2:09 pm
#921
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 3
Dec 15, 2023, 12:31 pm
#922
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,299
(January 2023) I’ve posted several times on this thread regarding a reservation in early January requiring one night (usually greater than $250) deposit triggering the AmEx resort credit with subsequent cancellation of the stay (sometimes the day after the resort credit posts) and refund by Hilton within 5 to 7 days and no clawback of AmEx resort credit. I’ve done it each year for the past 2 to 3 or 4 years, including approximately two weeks ago.
I understand that some may consider this risky, I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback, I do expect the Hilton refund of the deposit to post in the next few days. I hope this method will continue to work for the new $200 semi-annual credit (particularly because I now use miles and/or points for expensive and/or resort stays and don’t anticipate a resort paid stay anytime soon and certainly don’t want to leave $400 (annually) on the table.
(I serendipitously stumbled on this method after I got my Aspire card 5-6 years ago. Shortly after approval in the fall, and again a year later in the fall shortly after my anniversary date, I made 5-7 night reservations at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel for January or February. Both times either 1 night deposit or the full charges were charged to my credit card a day later, both times the $250 AmEx resort credit posted 3-4 days later, both times I completed (and fully enjoyed) the stays. In the fall of 2020 I made a similar reservation and received the AmEx credit but decided shortly thereafter that I wasn’t going to be traveling in January or February 2021 (COVID). Upon cancelling the reservation a month or 2 later I received the Hilton credit as expected and the AmEx credit was not clawed back. Voilŕ, a way to hack the AmEx Aspire Hilton Resort credit, perfect timing as the previous paid ski resort stay was my last paid Hilton ski resort stay
.)
Last edited by Dr Jabadski; Jan 18, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Dec 15, 2023, 3:02 pm
#923
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 41
One more datapoint for this method to receive this credit: On 12/3/23 I made a 1 night (30 day cancellation, not advance payment or pre-payment) reservation for 3/15/23 at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel which required immediate 1 night deposit of $387.15 which posted to my Aspire card the next day, AmEx Resort credit of $250 posted 12/12/23, reservation cancelled 12/14/23.
I understand that some may consider this risky, I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback, I do expect the Hilton refund of the deposit to post in the next few days. I hope this method will continue to work for the new $200 semi-annual credit (particularly because I now use miles and/or points for expensive and/or resort stays and don’t anticipate a resort paid stay anytime soon and certainly don’t want to leave $400 (annually) on the table.
(I serendipitously stumbled on this method after I got my Aspire card 5-6 years ago. Shortly after approval in the fall, and again a year later in the fall shortly after my anniversary date, I made 5-7 night reservations at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel for January or February. Both times either 1 night deposit or the full charges were charged to my credit card a day later, both times the $250 AmEx resort credit posted 3-4 days later, both times I completed (and fully enjoyed) the stays. In the fall of 2020 I made a similar reservation and received the AmEx credit but decided shortly thereafter that I wasn’t going to be traveling in January or February 2021 (COVID). Upon cancelling the reservation a month or 2 later I received the Hilton credit as expected and the AmEx credit was not clawback. Voilŕ, a way to hack the AmEx Aspire Hilton Resort credit, perfect timing as the previous paid ski resort stay was my last paid Hilton ski resort stay.)
I understand that some may consider this risky, I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback, I do expect the Hilton refund of the deposit to post in the next few days. I hope this method will continue to work for the new $200 semi-annual credit (particularly because I now use miles and/or points for expensive and/or resort stays and don’t anticipate a resort paid stay anytime soon and certainly don’t want to leave $400 (annually) on the table.
(I serendipitously stumbled on this method after I got my Aspire card 5-6 years ago. Shortly after approval in the fall, and again a year later in the fall shortly after my anniversary date, I made 5-7 night reservations at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel for January or February. Both times either 1 night deposit or the full charges were charged to my credit card a day later, both times the $250 AmEx resort credit posted 3-4 days later, both times I completed (and fully enjoyed) the stays. In the fall of 2020 I made a similar reservation and received the AmEx credit but decided shortly thereafter that I wasn’t going to be traveling in January or February 2021 (COVID). Upon cancelling the reservation a month or 2 later I received the Hilton credit as expected and the AmEx credit was not clawback. Voilŕ, a way to hack the AmEx Aspire Hilton Resort credit, perfect timing as the previous paid ski resort stay was my last paid Hilton ski resort stay
.)
Dec 15, 2023, 6:59 pm
#924
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
Programs: No airline status whatsoever, Chase URs, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 567
One more datapoint for this method to receive this credit: On 12/3/23 I made a 1 night (30 day cancellation, not advance payment or pre-payment) reservation for 3/15/23 at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel which required immediate 1 night deposit of $387.15 which posted to my Aspire card the next day, AmEx Resort credit of $250 posted 12/12/23, reservation cancelled 12/14/23.
I understand that some may consider this risky, I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback, I do expect the Hilton refund of the deposit to post in the next few days. I hope this method will continue to work for the new $200 semi-annual credit (particularly because I now use miles and/or points for expensive and/or resort stays and don’t anticipate a resort paid stay anytime soon and certainly don’t want to leave $400 (annually) on the table.
(I serendipitously stumbled on this method after I got my Aspire card 5-6 years ago. Shortly after approval in the fall, and again a year later in the fall shortly after my anniversary date, I made 5-7 night reservations at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel for January or February. Both times either 1 night deposit or the full charges were charged to my credit card a day later, both times the $250 AmEx resort credit posted 3-4 days later, both times I completed (and fully enjoyed) the stays. In the fall of 2020 I made a similar reservation and received the AmEx credit but decided shortly thereafter that I wasn’t going to be traveling in January or February 2021 (COVID). Upon cancelling the reservation a month or 2 later I received the Hilton credit as expected and the AmEx credit was not clawback. Voilŕ, a way to hack the AmEx Aspire Hilton Resort credit, perfect timing as the previous paid ski resort stay was my last paid Hilton ski resort stay.)
I understand that some may consider this risky, I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback, I do expect the Hilton refund of the deposit to post in the next few days. I hope this method will continue to work for the new $200 semi-annual credit (particularly because I now use miles and/or points for expensive and/or resort stays and don’t anticipate a resort paid stay anytime soon and certainly don’t want to leave $400 (annually) on the table.
(I serendipitously stumbled on this method after I got my Aspire card 5-6 years ago. Shortly after approval in the fall, and again a year later in the fall shortly after my anniversary date, I made 5-7 night reservations at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel for January or February. Both times either 1 night deposit or the full charges were charged to my credit card a day later, both times the $250 AmEx resort credit posted 3-4 days later, both times I completed (and fully enjoyed) the stays. In the fall of 2020 I made a similar reservation and received the AmEx credit but decided shortly thereafter that I wasn’t going to be traveling in January or February 2021 (COVID). Upon cancelling the reservation a month or 2 later I received the Hilton credit as expected and the AmEx credit was not clawback. Voilŕ, a way to hack the AmEx Aspire Hilton Resort credit, perfect timing as the previous paid ski resort stay was my last paid Hilton ski resort stay
.)
Dec 15, 2023, 8:01 pm
#925
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,477
One more datapoint for this method to receive this credit: On 12/3/23 I made a 1 night (30 day cancellation, not advance payment or pre-payment) reservation for 3/15/23 at a DT by Hilton ski resort hotel which required immediate 1 night deposit of $387.15 which posted to my Aspire card the next day, AmEx Resort credit of $250 posted 12/12/23, reservation cancelled 12/14/23...
Dec 15, 2023, 8:16 pm
#926
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,299
Wilco*. Please note I wrote “… no clawback of AmEx resort credit. I’ve done it each year for the past 2 to 3 …” (now 3 to 4 years) and “I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback”.
IME several Hilton Resorts at ski resorts have more restrictive cancellation policies (30 days vice 1 or 2 or 3 days) and require an immediate deposit and/or full payment (even for a cancellable non-prepaid non-advance purchase rate).
BREAK
Add me to the “half the people” who don’t understand the post 2 posts above. No bragging, just reporting a (recurrent) datapoint which (by PM) several people have thanked me for and/or asked for more details. No “cheating”** in any way.
The Offer Terms (now) state “$400 Hilton Resort Credit: Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually … for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account.” (“Eligible” as defined by AmEx who could very easily categorize a purchase as ineligible.) I made a purchase at a participating Hilton Resorts on my Card Account, AmEx decided it was eligible, AmEx posted the credit. The fact that I subsequently returned the purchase (cancelled the reservation) in no way changes or negates the fact that I made the purchase. The Terms do not state that a returned purchase is not eligible (despite how easy it would be to do so) or that the motivation/reason for the purchase is a factor. No rules violation or dishonesty or deceit or fraud, AmEx sees every transaction. No “cheating” by any definition of “cheating”.
It might be risky (as I previously stated), and AmEx could indeed clawback and/or “cut me off”, but it’s far from “cheating”. As much as I might disagree with someone’s methods here, I’d never call them a cheater and/or make an accusation of cheating.
(* "Wilco: interjection, used especially in radio and signaling to indicate that a message received will be complied with, short for the phrase "will comply" meaning that the speaker will follow the instructions to which they are replying. Merriam-Webster places the origin at 1938, some time after the invention of radio, likely in military usage.")
(** “Cheating: gerund or present participle of cheat”: “to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want”, “to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud”, “act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage especially in a game or examination”, “to violate rules dishonestly”, “a deception for profit to yourself.”)
IME several Hilton Resorts at ski resorts have more restrictive cancellation policies (30 days vice 1 or 2 or 3 days) and require an immediate deposit and/or full payment (even for a cancellable non-prepaid non-advance purchase rate).
BREAK
Add me to the “half the people” who don’t understand the post 2 posts above. No bragging, just reporting a (recurrent) datapoint which (by PM) several people have thanked me for and/or asked for more details. No “cheating”** in any way.
The Offer Terms (now) state “$400 Hilton Resort Credit: Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually … for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account.” (“Eligible” as defined by AmEx who could very easily categorize a purchase as ineligible.) I made a purchase at a participating Hilton Resorts on my Card Account, AmEx decided it was eligible, AmEx posted the credit. The fact that I subsequently returned the purchase (cancelled the reservation) in no way changes or negates the fact that I made the purchase. The Terms do not state that a returned purchase is not eligible (despite how easy it would be to do so) or that the motivation/reason for the purchase is a factor. No rules violation or dishonesty or deceit or fraud, AmEx sees every transaction. No “cheating” by any definition of “cheating”.
It might be risky (as I previously stated), and AmEx could indeed clawback and/or “cut me off”, but it’s far from “cheating”. As much as I might disagree with someone’s methods here, I’d never call them a cheater and/or make an accusation of cheating.
(* "Wilco: interjection, used especially in radio and signaling to indicate that a message received will be complied with, short for the phrase "will comply" meaning that the speaker will follow the instructions to which they are replying. Merriam-Webster places the origin at 1938, some time after the invention of radio, likely in military usage.")
(** “Cheating: gerund or present participle of cheat”: “to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want”, “to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud”, “act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage especially in a game or examination”, “to violate rules dishonestly”, “a deception for profit to yourself.”)
Dec 15, 2023, 8:38 pm
#927
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,282
Wilco*. Please note I wrote “… no clawback of AmEx resort credit. I’ve done it each year for the past 2 to 3 …” (now 3 to 4 years) and “I don’t expect AmEx clawback anymore than I’ve previously expected clawback”.
IME several Hilton Resorts at ski resorts have more restrictive cancellation policies (30 days vice 1 or 2 or 3 days) and require an immediate deposit and/or full payment (even for a cancellable non-prepaid non-advance purchase rate).
BREAK
Add me to the “half the people” who don’t understand the post 2 posts above. No bragging, just reporting a (recurrent) datapoint which (by PM) several people have thanked me for and/or asked for more details. No “cheating”** in any way.
The Offer Terms (now) state “$400 Hilton Resort Credit: Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually … for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account.” (“Eligible” as defined by AmEx who could very easily categorize a purchase as ineligible.) I made a purchase at a participating Hilton Resorts on my Card Account, AmEx decided it was eligible, AmEx posted the credit. The fact that I subsequently returned the purchase (cancelled the reservation) in no way changes or negates the fact that I made the purchase. The Terms do not state that a returned purchase is not eligible (despite how easy it would be to do so) or that the motivation/reason for the purchase is a factor. No rules violation or dishonesty or deceit or fraud, AmEx sees every transaction. No “cheating” by any definition of “cheating”.
It might be risky (as I previously stated), and AmEx could indeed clawback and/or “cut me off”, but it’s far from “cheating”. As much as I might disagree with someone’s methods here, I’d never call them a cheater and/or make an accusation of cheating.
(* "Wilco: interjection, used especially in radio and signaling to indicate that a message received will be complied with, short for the phrase "will comply" meaning that the speaker will follow the instructions to which they are replying. Merriam-Webster places the origin at 1938, some time after the invention of radio, likely in military usage.")
(** “Cheating: gerund or present participle of cheat”: “to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want”, “to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud”, “act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage especially in a game or examination”, “to violate rules dishonestly”, “a deception for profit to yourself.”)
IME several Hilton Resorts at ski resorts have more restrictive cancellation policies (30 days vice 1 or 2 or 3 days) and require an immediate deposit and/or full payment (even for a cancellable non-prepaid non-advance purchase rate).
BREAK
Add me to the “half the people” who don’t understand the post 2 posts above. No bragging, just reporting a (recurrent) datapoint which (by PM) several people have thanked me for and/or asked for more details. No “cheating”** in any way.
The Offer Terms (now) state “$400 Hilton Resort Credit: Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually … for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account.” (“Eligible” as defined by AmEx who could very easily categorize a purchase as ineligible.) I made a purchase at a participating Hilton Resorts on my Card Account, AmEx decided it was eligible, AmEx posted the credit. The fact that I subsequently returned the purchase (cancelled the reservation) in no way changes or negates the fact that I made the purchase. The Terms do not state that a returned purchase is not eligible (despite how easy it would be to do so) or that the motivation/reason for the purchase is a factor. No rules violation or dishonesty or deceit or fraud, AmEx sees every transaction. No “cheating” by any definition of “cheating”.
It might be risky (as I previously stated), and AmEx could indeed clawback and/or “cut me off”, but it’s far from “cheating”. As much as I might disagree with someone’s methods here, I’d never call them a cheater and/or make an accusation of cheating.
(* "Wilco: interjection, used especially in radio and signaling to indicate that a message received will be complied with, short for the phrase "will comply" meaning that the speaker will follow the instructions to which they are replying. Merriam-Webster places the origin at 1938, some time after the invention of radio, likely in military usage.")
(** “Cheating: gerund or present participle of cheat”: “to behave in a dishonest way in order to get what you want”, “to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud”, “act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage especially in a game or examination”, “to violate rules dishonestly”, “a deception for profit to yourself.”)
We shouldn’t be promoting work arounds that are clear violations of the contract we agreed upon when choosing to do business with Amex
Dec 15, 2023, 9:08 pm
#929
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saipan, MP 96950 USA (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands = the CNMI)
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton Silver. Life: UA .57 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,065
Statement credit(s) may not be received or may be reversed if the purchase is cancelled or modified, or if you engage in abuse or misuse in connection with the benefit.
Dec 15, 2023, 10:14 pm
#930
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,299
“Cheating, abusing and hacking” in generally accepted usage each have specific and different meanings and connotations.
Disagree, please specify exactly which terms it’s against. Ineligible, abuse and misuse (in this case) are as defined by AmEx (not by any of us) and the terms do not state that a returned purchase is against the terms.
“Statement credit(s) may not be received or may be reversed if the purchase is cancelled …” Does NOT state that cancelled purchases are against the terms, just that the credit (for a cancelled purchase) may be reversed, which I’ve acknowledged every time I’ve posted the datapoint.
This opinion is written as if shutdown is fait accompli* which it’s not been for the past 3-4 years and IMO will not be for the foreseeable future.
Absolutely agreed.
(* fait accompli: a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible)
Disagree, please specify exactly which terms it’s against. Ineligible, abuse and misuse (in this case) are as defined by AmEx (not by any of us) and the terms do not state that a returned purchase is against the terms.
“Statement credit(s) may not be received or may be reversed if the purchase is cancelled …” Does NOT state that cancelled purchases are against the terms, just that the credit (for a cancelled purchase) may be reversed, which I’ve acknowledged every time I’ve posted the datapoint.
This opinion is written as if shutdown is fait accompli* which it’s not been for the past 3-4 years and IMO will not be for the foreseeable future.
(* fait accompli: a thing accomplished and presumably irreversible)