pinniped

Hmmm.

I definitely don't spend $250 on those kinds airline incidentals each year. I suppose I could look at it as $250 off a lounge membership, but if I have Priority Pass I can reasonably get by on that on most of my trips.

There are some nice hotels in that link, but I can't say I'm at one of those every year. If I'm feeling *forced* to stay at a Hilton beach-type hotel each year, then the benefit starts to feel like a burden. As it is, I have a hard time consuming all of my free hotel nights from credit cards each year from Marriott, Hyatt, and Hilton.

I might be content to stay at the Ascend level. Unless I get a very nice offer in early 2018 to up-gauge with some bonus points or a first-year-waived fee. Gold vs. Diamond doesn't mean a ton to me, as I don't spend enough total days in Hiltons with top-notch lounges.

MASTERNC

My recollection with AF increases at AMEX is the higher AF wasn't charged until the next time you're normally charged it (which would be next September). My guess is that letter is saying anyone whose AF comes due after February 2 will be charged $95 instead of $75.

jamesteroh

Right now the only domestic airline lounge that accepts PP is Alaska. And unfortunately they are limiting PP swipes when the Boardrooms are crowded (I like using the Boardroom at Seattle and used it at LAX when Delta flew out of T5 and 6 because the offerings are better than the delta lounge).

It may be worth getting the card if I can use the credit towards lounge fees. I really have no use for the airline credit since I have things like bag fees included on Delta and always carry on anyway but would nice for times I want to guest someone into the sky club or I'm at an airport without a skyclub but that has another lounge and I could use it there.

It would be nice if they included Am Ex lounge entrances with the card seeing the high annual fee. If they did I would get the card for sure.

gav0106

Hi Lauren

Appreciate you are just the messenger. This is a complete joke by Hilton. Makes a mockery of a loyalty scheme. More over Hilton has completely ignored all its members outside the USA. Or does it forget is there is more to it’s company than just America?! Well done Hilton on alienating a lot of people

Eujeanie

I'm thinking this might be the best strategy. Since it's obvious there is no spiff for the changeover, why get entangled in untangling duplicate annual fees, etc.

skitch23

I was thinking the same thing. I haven’t churned in a couple of years because it was becoming a part time job to me. I went from doing $250k+/yr in MS to maybe $15k this year. I’d have to do another $20k by the end of the year to keep my Diamond status. $450 seems like money well spent.

pinniped

I'm not sure why all the hate.

The Ascend card is a worthy replacement for the Reserve. No FX fees and the free weekend night were the two things most important to people. Same Gold benefit and $40k Diamond benefit.

The weekend night threshold bumps up a bit, but the card throws in 10 free lounge passes. If you don't already have a lounge membership and fly 4-5 international trips a year that are likely to have a longer layover, that's a nice perk to have without needing to jump into a $450 card.

Aspire is a whole new option that may or may not be right for you. Amex isn't going to get millions of new applicants that suddenly flood Hiltons with new Diamond room-nights. (They'd be happy if they did, but I seriously doubt it works that way.) Besides, as others have pointed out...properties know their frequent guests. Those people still get prioritized over CC elites.

Every card issuer has the $450 card now. The real target audience for the Aspire is someone who already stays at Hiltons or is willing to start doing so fairly regularly (e.g. elite-level travel). Otherwise, it doesn't really make sense for most people to add this card. The thought of adding it just to do the 1 resort stay, 1 Waldorf stay, and 1 free night is totally a Flyertalker behavior , not something tons of people are going to do.

farnorthtrader

Hi Lauren, any word on when we would receive the free night certs for $10,000 spend if we have already completed that spend? Are we still going to be waiting for our cardholder anniversary date?

fredc84

Soon as I saw this news this morning I logged into my account and SM'd to cancel my Citi Hilton Visa. Got the confirmation SM within about 10 minutes.

fozziedoggie

So I just noticed, the no fee AmEx card now comes with no foreign transaction fees...I like that. ^

jamesteroh

I don't think they can legally raise the annual fee the first year of having a card anyway unless something has changed in the past five or so years. They'll probably wait until the renewal on the cards to raise it instead of prorating it (not sure if they will give the new benefits in the interim or keep them the same until renewal).

I had a Delta Am Ex gold about five years ago and wanted a Platinum Delta am ex instead for the MQMs and companion cert and when I called Am Ex to upgrade the card I was told they couldn't do it since I had the card for less than a year. Even though I consented to the fee increase and was getting added benefits I was told that the credit card reform act that was recently passed prohibited them raising an annual fee on a credit card within the first year of having it and if I wanted the platinum card I'd have to apply for a new card and then close out the gold card if I didn't want both cards. It sucked because my FICO had to take a hit for a hard pull and some creditors will only allow so many new accounts within a two year period.

RolfD

I find you statement ludicrous. the Hilton corporations is not given anything for free. what difference that makes if you have a Diamond status via Amex centurion or you have the new Hilton honors Aspire card ($450.00)

skunker

What happens if I have a Citi Reserve and AMEX Surpass? Am I really going to have two AMEX Hilton cards?

diver858

AS is the only DEDICATED airline lounge in the US, but there are more generic lounges in many US airports that accept PP, particularly those with flights to Asia and Europe. For example, I have had success accessing lounges which accept PP in BOS, EWR, MCO and SJC, all happened to be in reasonable proximity to AS gates. In the case of BOS and MCO, it was necessary to pass through security twice, not too much of an issue, thanks to PreCheck.

Happy

Did you not read the benefits of the Aspire card? Or you are so math-challenged that you cannot see the "rebates"?

The card gives $250 credit on airline incidentals pretty much the same way as the AMEX Plat card.

The card also gives $250 credit on stays at Hilton hotels and Resort.

These 2 alone, already is $50 MORE than the $450 fee charged.

Not to mention you also get the complementary Priority Pass for airport lounge access.

Oh, there is also a $100 credit for staying at W-A brand.

And the 14pts per $ earning at Hilton properties....

It remains to be seen HOW the $250 stay credit is defined. From the surface of what are known so far, you are PAID $50 to become a fake Diamond plus other benefits.

Pretty sure AMEX does not eat all the costs of the benefits associated with the Aspire card. Though your comment sounds like you think Hilton corp does not bear any of those costs...