[ARCHIVE to 2018] American Express Announces Two New Hilton Credit Cards
#616
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,222
Have you thought about getting the Alaska credit card if you'll still be flying them a lot? You can get checked bags free at least. Not sure if you get lounge access or not or can earn elite miles with their credit card like you can the Delta credit card.
unfortunately the boardrooms have become stingy with allowing priority pass swipes lately. I prefer them over the Delta clubs and the last coupe times at Seattle they weren't allowing any priority pass swipes
For people who travel a lot for leisure but not enough for status the Chase Sapphire card is great since you get 4.5 percent back on dining and travel charges if you use the points for travel regardless of what hotel or airline you use. I normally use that card over my Delta card for Delta purchases since I value 4.5 chase poitns at more than 2 delta skypesos and I get trip protection. You also get a priority pass with unlimited guests
unfortunately the boardrooms have become stingy with allowing priority pass swipes lately. I prefer them over the Delta clubs and the last coupe times at Seattle they weren't allowing any priority pass swipes
For people who travel a lot for leisure but not enough for status the Chase Sapphire card is great since you get 4.5 percent back on dining and travel charges if you use the points for travel regardless of what hotel or airline you use. I normally use that card over my Delta card for Delta purchases since I value 4.5 chase poitns at more than 2 delta skypesos and I get trip protection. You also get a priority pass with unlimited guests
The new Ascend with the 10 free priority passes will be great, as long as, as you say, the AS lounges let you in with them.
#617
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Yes, we already have the Alaska Visa. We already get checked bags free because of our Gold status with AS. We use it for the companion fare and not much else. You get so many more miles for the flying rather than the buying, that I prefer to load up my points on hotel cards.
The new Ascend with the 10 free priority passes will be great, as long as, as you say, the AS lounges let you in with them.
The new Ascend with the 10 free priority passes will be great, as long as, as you say, the AS lounges let you in with them.
#618
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,222
There's a thread on FT somewhere (I think the chase board) about being turned away from the Boardroom with priority pass. It's not that big of a deal for me now that Delta is not in T5 and 6 at LAX and has a nice new skyclub at SEA but for people not flying Delta or who don't have skyclub access this is a big decline in benefits. Some airports now have vendors that are giving F&B credits for priority pass members and not sure if SEA is one of the airports and not sure if the Priority Pass issued with the hilton card will work there or not (I assume it will work at any place the chase or Am Ex PP works at).
#619
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
I have the Amex platinum card and the CSR card. (As well as the Alaska card that I got a few years ago when I thought I would use the companion fare enough to make it worth while; fast forward to now when all my friends, who I usually travel with, have moved away and now I never use the companion fare >.<)
Amex for the Centurion lounge and Delta Sky Club (when flying them) access. Usually fly Alaska short routes (based in PSC but hit SEA or PDX for weekend getaways) but Delta when doing SEA to LAX/LAS or something because they usually have well priced F fares and a better F product (especially for a vegetarian). The travel credits are nice, but obviously this Hilton card would be just as good or better.
The CSR for the amazing 100k sign up bonus and for the super easy to use $300 travel credit. Honestly Chase points are easier to use and seem more valuable to the personal traveler so it makes sense to be my main daily spend. However, PP is a joke with Alaska lounges now and no access to Delta sky clubs. Basically I consider it worthless for lounge access with this card.
Together those two cards do pretty well for me and I at least break even on the cost with them and then points/status are just bonus points that make it worth while. However, I'm still really pretty weak on hotels. Gold is nice to have but I never really am able to build up many hotel points. If Amex had just offered some access to the centurion lounge with this top end Hilton card I probably would ditch the platinum and switch to this. Even if it was limited to 10 or 15 passes a year or something to keep control of crowding. But I did find myself paying for lounge access (daily pass) when I didn't have access and four to six times a year plus the travel credits almost makes it break even, so ya... no perfect card, but at the same time I'm not really sure I want to build in a budget for 3 premium cards a year because that's getting pretty crazy.
Amex for the Centurion lounge and Delta Sky Club (when flying them) access. Usually fly Alaska short routes (based in PSC but hit SEA or PDX for weekend getaways) but Delta when doing SEA to LAX/LAS or something because they usually have well priced F fares and a better F product (especially for a vegetarian). The travel credits are nice, but obviously this Hilton card would be just as good or better.
The CSR for the amazing 100k sign up bonus and for the super easy to use $300 travel credit. Honestly Chase points are easier to use and seem more valuable to the personal traveler so it makes sense to be my main daily spend. However, PP is a joke with Alaska lounges now and no access to Delta sky clubs. Basically I consider it worthless for lounge access with this card.
Together those two cards do pretty well for me and I at least break even on the cost with them and then points/status are just bonus points that make it worth while. However, I'm still really pretty weak on hotels. Gold is nice to have but I never really am able to build up many hotel points. If Amex had just offered some access to the centurion lounge with this top end Hilton card I probably would ditch the platinum and switch to this. Even if it was limited to 10 or 15 passes a year or something to keep control of crowding. But I did find myself paying for lounge access (daily pass) when I didn't have access and four to six times a year plus the travel credits almost makes it break even, so ya... no perfect card, but at the same time I'm not really sure I want to build in a budget for 3 premium cards a year because that's getting pretty crazy.
#620
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,222
I don't even pay ANY annual fees that don't pay for themselves...AS we do use the companion fare, worth way more than the usual airfare, so check...Hilton we get the free night, so check...Marriott the same, free night, more than pays for the annual fee, check. Our other cards are all No annual fee at all. It would be hard to cough up hundreds unless the sign-up bonus was compelling. I don't need to impress anyone with the cards I use.
#621
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
I have the Amex platinum card and the CSR card. (As well as the Alaska card that I got a few years ago when I thought I would use the companion fare enough to make it worth while; fast forward to now when all my friends, who I usually travel with, have moved away and now I never use the companion fare >.<)
Amex for the Centurion lounge and Delta Sky Club (when flying them) access. Usually fly Alaska short routes (based in PSC but hit SEA or PDX for weekend getaways) but Delta when doing SEA to LAX/LAS or something because they usually have well priced F fares and a better F product (especially for a vegetarian). The travel credits are nice, but obviously this Hilton card would be just as good or better.
The CSR for the amazing 100k sign up bonus and for the super easy to use $300 travel credit. Honestly Chase points are easier to use and seem more valuable to the personal traveler so it makes sense to be my main daily spend. However, PP is a joke with Alaska lounges now and no access to Delta sky clubs. Basically I consider it worthless for lounge access with this card.
Together those two cards do pretty well for me and I at least break even on the cost with them and then points/status are just bonus points that make it worth while. However, I'm still really pretty weak on hotels. Gold is nice to have but I never really am able to build up many hotel points. If Amex had just offered some access to the centurion lounge with this top end Hilton card I probably would ditch the platinum and switch to this. Even if it was limited to 10 or 15 passes a year or something to keep control of crowding. But I did find myself paying for lounge access (daily pass) when I didn't have access and four to six times a year plus the travel credits almost makes it break even, so ya... no perfect card, but at the same time I'm not really sure I want to build in a budget for 3 premium cards a year because that's getting pretty crazy.
Amex for the Centurion lounge and Delta Sky Club (when flying them) access. Usually fly Alaska short routes (based in PSC but hit SEA or PDX for weekend getaways) but Delta when doing SEA to LAX/LAS or something because they usually have well priced F fares and a better F product (especially for a vegetarian). The travel credits are nice, but obviously this Hilton card would be just as good or better.
The CSR for the amazing 100k sign up bonus and for the super easy to use $300 travel credit. Honestly Chase points are easier to use and seem more valuable to the personal traveler so it makes sense to be my main daily spend. However, PP is a joke with Alaska lounges now and no access to Delta sky clubs. Basically I consider it worthless for lounge access with this card.
Together those two cards do pretty well for me and I at least break even on the cost with them and then points/status are just bonus points that make it worth while. However, I'm still really pretty weak on hotels. Gold is nice to have but I never really am able to build up many hotel points. If Amex had just offered some access to the centurion lounge with this top end Hilton card I probably would ditch the platinum and switch to this. Even if it was limited to 10 or 15 passes a year or something to keep control of crowding. But I did find myself paying for lounge access (daily pass) when I didn't have access and four to six times a year plus the travel credits almost makes it break even, so ya... no perfect card, but at the same time I'm not really sure I want to build in a budget for 3 premium cards a year because that's getting pretty crazy.
My issue with using Chase points on Delta is that it will only select E fares if they are available and it won't allow you to buy up to the next highest fare class so that means booking an E ticket and then calling delta immediately and paying to upgrade the ticket to the lowest available fare class.
#622
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,222
The PP benefits have become less useful in the past year with the capacity controls by Alaska and the Escape at MSP no longer accepting it. But some airports are giving F&B credits with PP like the PGA lounge at MSP. I like being able to use it at the Club at Vegas since Delta doesn't have a lounge there and also at the Club at ATL if I have long enough layover, the skyclub has better food but the alcohol selection is better at the club. I always have access to international lounges as a delta diamond but if someone doesn't have status and is riding in coach there are quite a few international lounges that accept pp.
My issue with using Chase points on Delta is that it will only select E fares if they are available and it won't allow you to buy up to the next highest fare class so that means booking an E ticket and then calling delta immediately and paying to upgrade the ticket to the lowest available fare class.
My issue with using Chase points on Delta is that it will only select E fares if they are available and it won't allow you to buy up to the next highest fare class so that means booking an E ticket and then calling delta immediately and paying to upgrade the ticket to the lowest available fare class.
#623
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
There are two The Clubs at Las Vegas. One is in concourse E, at the very far end from the Alaska gates, while the other is in concourse D.
#625
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Nothing impressive at LAS but beats the concourse if you have a long delay at LAS. I love the United Club at LAS and it's next to the Delta gates and go twice a year using the free United Club passes the Hyatt gives their diamonds but unfortunately you only get two a year.
#626
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
FYI, there is a post on Lucky's blog that the Ascend will NOT be considered a new AMEX product so for those that have or have had a Surpass card in the past there will be NO new sign-up bonus if you apply for the Ascend. Let the .....ing begin! I assumed this would be the case but there were lots of comments here hoping otherwise since people always seem to want more and more.
#627
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NY, NY
Posts: 695
FYI, there is a post on Lucky's blog that the Ascend will NOT be considered a new AMEX product so for those that have or have had a Surpass card in the past there will be NO new sign-up bonus if you apply for the Ascend. Let the .....ing begin! I assumed this would be the case but there were lots of comments here hoping otherwise since people always seem to want more and more.
#628
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 273
Good to know i can get Diamond for free. >:/
#629
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,529
https://www.hiltonhonorscard.com
Not sure if there's any new info here or not. I see T&C for some of the benefits.
Not sure if there's any new info here or not. I see T&C for some of the benefits.
#630
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,222
FYI, there is a post on Lucky's blog that the Ascend will NOT be considered a new AMEX product so for those that have or have had a Surpass card in the past there will be NO new sign-up bonus if you apply for the Ascend. Let the .....ing begin! I assumed this would be the case but there were lots of comments here hoping otherwise since people always seem to want more and more.
They even say the words "a new portfolio" of credit cards.
New name, new benefits, new annual fee...if it walks like a duck...