Rumor: Possible fee increase and benefits change for the Amex Hilton Aspire
Mar 10, 23, 9:39 am
#31
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,519
If they do -- and I am not saying they won't -- and they could hike it to $125/year, then they would have to add some extra benefit to it -- otherwise it will be too costly as is.
After all, the personal Hyatt credit card gives you a Category 1 - 4 free night for your $95 which always pays for itself and the Chase and AMEX Marriott cards also give you a free night @ 35K points, I believe.
Unlike the dire warnings concerning Marriott's decision dispensing with award charts, I think that there are a number of hotels that can still be had for that amount of points -- moreover, the ability to add up to 15K points to those certificates expands their use immeasurably.
Therefore, I just can't see AMEX raising the Surpass annual fee without giving something else -- after all, only the most invested Hilton fan will go for the Surpass when the alternative to that annual fee is a credit card that gives you a free night up to a certain category level that is hawked by its competitors.
After all, the personal Hyatt credit card gives you a Category 1 - 4 free night for your $95 which always pays for itself and the Chase and AMEX Marriott cards also give you a free night @ 35K points, I believe.
Unlike the dire warnings concerning Marriott's decision dispensing with award charts, I think that there are a number of hotels that can still be had for that amount of points -- moreover, the ability to add up to 15K points to those certificates expands their use immeasurably.
Therefore, I just can't see AMEX raising the Surpass annual fee without giving something else -- after all, only the most invested Hilton fan will go for the Surpass when the alternative to that annual fee is a credit card that gives you a free night up to a certain category level that is hawked by its competitors.
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't that $100 credit for a specific rate plan and thus, as you indicated, was not a good value?
I do see where your spending $250 in 1 shot at a resort is beneficial, but not everyone has decent resorts to use that dough at easily.
Sure, if you reside in sunbelt states it is easier, but not so for the rest of us who don't.
Remember, airfares and car rentals have been hiked, as well, so that idyllic resort vacation comes with a much higher cost for many of us, as opposed to those who can jump in their car and drive to a resort.
As I have noted above, the only resorts with a drive of Bos-Wash are the Doubletree Lancaster and the Ocean City Md, resorts, and one could stretch the resort in VA Beach, as well, I guess, but these hardly constitute the most desirable resorts one would want to spend $$ and/or uncapped free nights at.
On the other hand, spending your $100 credit (and not $50 credit) at a nice upper echelon Hilton hotel in an urban area, or wherever, is pretty easily utilizable what with the breakfast credit being curtailed for all members.
So, in the end, the downgrade of the credit in your eyes makes it that much more utilizable in mine -- thus, it will depend on one's circumstances, but I can tell you this, there is a heck of a lot of population in the Bos-Wash region, not to mention other regions without nearby resorts.
Heck, if you take out the Myrtle Beach resorts and the golf resorts -- admittedly not everyone's cup or tea -- the entire Eastern Seaboard is bereft of such resorts until you hit the Florida state line, save for the Grand Vacations Club on Hilton Head -- and even that may not often be available at reasonable points cost, if at all!
That's a whole lot of people who can't simply jump in their car to spend a long weekend at a resort while still keeping an eye on their costs.
I do see where your spending $250 in 1 shot at a resort is beneficial, but not everyone has decent resorts to use that dough at easily.
Sure, if you reside in sunbelt states it is easier, but not so for the rest of us who don't.
Remember, airfares and car rentals have been hiked, as well, so that idyllic resort vacation comes with a much higher cost for many of us, as opposed to those who can jump in their car and drive to a resort.
As I have noted above, the only resorts with a drive of Bos-Wash are the Doubletree Lancaster and the Ocean City Md, resorts, and one could stretch the resort in VA Beach, as well, I guess, but these hardly constitute the most desirable resorts one would want to spend $$ and/or uncapped free nights at.
On the other hand, spending your $100 credit (and not $50 credit) at a nice upper echelon Hilton hotel in an urban area, or wherever, is pretty easily utilizable what with the breakfast credit being curtailed for all members.
So, in the end, the downgrade of the credit in your eyes makes it that much more utilizable in mine -- thus, it will depend on one's circumstances, but I can tell you this, there is a heck of a lot of population in the Bos-Wash region, not to mention other regions without nearby resorts.
Heck, if you take out the Myrtle Beach resorts and the golf resorts -- admittedly not everyone's cup or tea -- the entire Eastern Seaboard is bereft of such resorts until you hit the Florida state line, save for the Grand Vacations Club on Hilton Head -- and even that may not often be available at reasonable points cost, if at all!
That's a whole lot of people who can't simply jump in their car to spend a long weekend at a resort while still keeping an eye on their costs.
Mar 10, 23, 9:50 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
If you look at the Bevy, it's hard not to imagine that could be the future of the Surpass. I would hope not, but...
In general, a $450+ AF card isn't for people that are keeping a tight eye on costs. I find the resort credit easier to use despite living close to none, but as you said, that really depends on your travel patterns. Credits at WAs and Conrads aren't exactly for the budget minded either.
In general, a $450+ AF card isn't for people that are keeping a tight eye on costs. I find the resort credit easier to use despite living close to none, but as you said, that really depends on your travel patterns. Credits at WAs and Conrads aren't exactly for the budget minded either.
Fortunately, we can afford such vacays -- when we are actually able to schedule them -- but I do very much like the idea of being able to just jump in the car and take a long weekend at an out of town or in city location as very much desirable. Driving to an urban destination on a weekend and using ParkingWhiz or SpotHero to avoid those insane parking costs at the hotels and thus being able to easily use such a credit is also a very viable alternative.
I can say that my spouse and I just this last weekend spent a Saturday night at the Logan in Philadelphia doing just such a thing, and a $100 or even $50 credit would have come in handy!
Moreover, due to both our Diamond statuses -- we were upgraded to a 1 BR suite on the 8th Floor overlooking the Fountain nestled at the start of the Ben Franklin Parkway -- smack dab opposite the majestic Franklin Institute. That is where our Diamond status definitely drove the upgrade to a better room as opposed to just having Gold status from the Surpass.
So too, our having Diamond status was certainly a help for securing a 1 BR suite at the Bentley in Miami Beach for 3 nights -- albeit without a balcony room. But what we lacked for in outdoor space was more than made up for with the extra space inside, as well as a fully fledged kitchen!
Finally, I will tell you one Conrad where that credit would be beneficial -- The Conrad DC and its Sakura Club.
For the relatively fair cost of an additional $170 per couple, you get a full buffet dinner and breakfast and a credit back from AMEX for any sum will be a welcome addition.
Now, I know some will say, but we used to get free breakfast and we don't anymore -- and the operative words are we don't anymore -- so for that sum, you get a complete dinner and breakfast supplied to you -- and you earn points on that outlay -- and I challenge anyone to be able to beat that price-point at like minded establishments of that caliber for that same amount -- in such urban areas prices have really inflated a great deal and therefore, one likely will spend over $170 for a decent meal just for dinner and drinks, for you must remember that there is an open bar at the Sakura Club, as well as a whiskey tasting.
Unfortunately, as many are aware, the F&B credit can't be used to defray the Sakura Club's cost --- but an AMEX credit would be able to do so, so given its location near me, I am eager to use it at this property, as I have stayed at the Sakura Club twice in the past -- and it was a real treat!
Last edited by COLINDAD; Mar 10, 23 at 10:08 am
Mar 10, 23, 10:10 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVPG, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 14,153
I do see where your spending $250 in 1 shot at a resort is beneficial, but not everyone has decent resorts to use that dough at easily.
Sure, if you reside in sunbelt states it is easier, but not so for the rest of us who don't.
Remember, airfares and car rentals have been hiked, as well, so that idyllic resort vacation comes with a much higher cost for many of us, as opposed to those who can jump in their car and drive to a resort.
Sure, if you reside in sunbelt states it is easier, but not so for the rest of us who don't.
Remember, airfares and car rentals have been hiked, as well, so that idyllic resort vacation comes with a much higher cost for many of us, as opposed to those who can jump in their car and drive to a resort.
Mar 10, 23, 10:47 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 1,888
If they can't afford to stay at a resort once, can they afford to stay at a Waldorf, Conrad, Canopy, etc twice and rack up charges? While resorts aren't exactly numerous, to your point, these brands aren't either.
Mar 10, 23, 10:49 am
#35
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,519
Yes. I live in Ohio but have used mine in Hawaii, Arizona, and Florida (and soon to be Hawaii again). There is a reason there are over 225 non stop flights from NYC to Florida just tomorrow alone. AmEx also allowed use at restaurants during 2020.
Mar 10, 23, 11:20 am
#36
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
Cledaybuck, Super Mario, notquiteaff and others, I definitely understand where you are coming from but as I said above: "I am simply thinking of being able to squeeze the most out of the card at the least overall cost in being able to do so."
As it happens, I can no longer take long vacations because of the declining health of a relative and therefore, I give myself no more than 3 nights away for that reason.
I like to be cost effective, so a vacay with airfare and perhaps car rental starts to add up for such a short time, and although car rentals have fallen in Florida, they have not elsewhere. Further, I own a condo in Ft. Lauderdale, so that puts a further kibosh there for me and from what I have read, the west coast of Florida resorts are not rated very highly, and the Curio in Key West gets very bad reviews so for me limited applicability as it now stands.
As I said, circumstances will dictate what is best for a given individual, but inasmuch as both trial balloons do away with the resort credit in favor of a more general credit of one sort or another, I think the handwriting is on the wall for this aspect of the card, and it looks to most certainly be destined for a reduction from $250 to $200 whatever the formulation turns out to be.
As it happens, I can no longer take long vacations because of the declining health of a relative and therefore, I give myself no more than 3 nights away for that reason.
I like to be cost effective, so a vacay with airfare and perhaps car rental starts to add up for such a short time, and although car rentals have fallen in Florida, they have not elsewhere. Further, I own a condo in Ft. Lauderdale, so that puts a further kibosh there for me and from what I have read, the west coast of Florida resorts are not rated very highly, and the Curio in Key West gets very bad reviews so for me limited applicability as it now stands.
As I said, circumstances will dictate what is best for a given individual, but inasmuch as both trial balloons do away with the resort credit in favor of a more general credit of one sort or another, I think the handwriting is on the wall for this aspect of the card, and it looks to most certainly be destined for a reduction from $250 to $200 whatever the formulation turns out to be.
Mar 10, 23, 11:51 am
#37
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond; Delta Platinum
Posts: 522
I'm sad, I had a tradition of using these benefits at a hotel in Florida to basically pack in all my rewards for a close to free 3-day trip
Use Delta companion certificate for wife's ticket
Friday night: Use points
Saturday: Certificate (most expensive night)
Sunday: Cash (trigger resort credit)
The potential changes make this type of annual reward trip not possible
Use Delta companion certificate for wife's ticket
Friday night: Use points
Saturday: Certificate (most expensive night)
Sunday: Cash (trigger resort credit)
The potential changes make this type of annual reward trip not possible
Mar 10, 23, 12:37 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,519
Mar 10, 23, 12:55 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 242
My family has grown really fond of our local Hilton resort property, it was easy to use the Aspire benefits. If the changes go through I don't see it working out for our purposes anymore. It's a shame. $100 off for a stay the most expensive Hilton properties seems more like an Amex offer that I'd get on the Platinum rather than a card benefit. Same for the $50 off option.
Mar 10, 23, 2:10 pm
#40
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
My family has grown really fond of our local Hilton resort property, it was easy to use the Aspire benefits. If the changes go through I don't see it working out for our purposes anymore. It's a shame. $100 off for a stay the most expensive Hilton properties seems more like an Amex offer that I'd get on the Platinum rather than a card benefit. Same for the $50 off option.
Other complaints are that Marco is just plain boring, although certainly a great deal can be said to counter this.
On the other hand, the Hilton Clearwater and the DT North Reddington have gotten fair to mediocre reviews.
Last edited by Canarsie; Mar 10, 23 at 10:07 pm Reason: Consolidation.
Mar 10, 23, 2:24 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 242
Mar 10, 23, 3:10 pm
#42
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
Colindad and timestamp...you guys don't have your locations listed so it's hard to tell, literally and figuratively, where people are "coming from" 
when they post.
We also stayed at the Hilton Marco Island many years ago and liked it very much. Never stayed at the Marriott so can't compare. Bigger is not always better. We didn't find Marco Island boring because it was a rest break from doing a lot of sightseeing on the west coast of Florida.
when they post.We also stayed at the Hilton Marco Island many years ago and liked it very much. Never stayed at the Marriott so can't compare. Bigger is not always better. We didn't find Marco Island boring because it was a rest break from doing a lot of sightseeing on the west coast of Florida.
Mar 11, 23, 9:29 am
#43
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP MM, HHonors Lifetime Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Ti, UA Silver
Posts: 5,001
Splitting the airline credit up into $50 per quarter means I drop this card like a hot rock. I use 100% of the current airline credit to purchase part of an annual lounge membership with AA. If the credit is split quarterly I'd only be able to use $50 on the membership fee.
Mar 11, 23, 9:45 am
#44
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
Splitting the airline credit up into $50 per quarter means I drop this card like a hot rock. I use 100% of the current airline credit to purchase part of an annual lounge membership with AA. If the credit is split quarterly I'd only be able to use $50 on the membership fee.
I honestly think this will our last year for this card.
Mar 11, 23, 10:17 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
Thanks!
Colindad and timestamp...you guys don't have your locations listed so it's hard to tell, literally and figuratively, where people are "coming from" when they post.
We also stayed at the Hilton Marco Island many years ago and liked it very much. Never stayed at the Marriott so can't compare. Bigger is not always better. We didn't find Marco Island boring because it was a rest break from doing a lot of sightseeing on the west coast of Florida.
when they post.We also stayed at the Hilton Marco Island many years ago and liked it very much. Never stayed at the Marriott so can't compare. Bigger is not always better. We didn't find Marco Island boring because it was a rest break from doing a lot of sightseeing on the west coast of Florida.
I'm in the NYC area (Jersey) and that is why the United Travel Bank has worked so well with me and this card in the past. Thus, the resorts that I have listed are the closest to me when driving.
Glad you liked the Marco Island resort, it sounded like it was the best of the Hilton resorts located on the west coast of FL.
I know you have your issues with the Bentley in Miami, but the reception and the upgrade we received were great.
In addition, the Greek restaurant was a great way to run off the resort credit as we had used some of the many Hilton free night certificates that we had accumulated at that property.
Food is still good there, but the day before we left, they were raising the prices on a number of the happy hour dishes.
Splitting the airline credit up into $50 per quarter means I drop this card like a hot rock. I use 100% of the current airline credit to purchase part of an annual lounge membership with AA. If the credit is split quarterly I'd only be able to use $50 on the membership fee.
Eujeanie -- I think you are located in PDX, right? I'm not sure what the dominant carrier is there, but I would think that you, too, would be able to apply it directly to airfare.
In addition, let's be honest with ourselves -- although applying it to food at a resort is great, that food is very often very inflated, so you are taking a haircut on that $250 credit in any event. Thus, the reduction from $250 used at a resort -- to $200 perhaps split semi-annually (hopefully) or quarterly is not too much of a reduction. I have always applied it for this item, because the resorts I have frequented have always been in the 80,000 point or 90,000 point range -- with commensurate prices -- and it was better to use my many Covid accumulated certificates that had termination dates, than my own hard earned cash or points.
Last edited by Canarsie; Mar 12, 23 at 9:38 pm Reason: Consolidation.
