Rumor: Possible fee increase and benefits change for the Amex Hilton Aspire
Mar 11, 23, 10:28 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
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Splitting it up at all would be terrible. I only use it for food on board, so that would mean I'd be forced to do it once a quarter, and if I bring the family (which we do at least once a year) $50 would not be enough to cover everyone, so I'd be paying more out of pocket.
If they go that route, I wonder if they will switch the Plat to a similar scheme and just eliminate the whole cat and mouse airline credit game.
Mar 11, 23, 11:01 am
#47
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
That well may be true, but what you lose in lounge membership you will be able to directly apply to AA tix, which heretofore I don't believe you were able to do.
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.
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.
) - AA has very limited service out of EUG, our carrier of choice is AS, which you can't use (or are not supposed to use) the credit for airfare, and I don't care for the Premium Seats (prefer exit row), so we don't actually have problems over the course of a year using up the $250 that way. But it would be a problem having to use it in increments. When we took the kids to Disneyland last month, 6 of us both ways had about $150 of food and drinks on board. If I could only get $50 reimbursed I'm not going to be happy. NOT paying the $450 (or $550) AF will go a long way then.
Mar 11, 23, 11:12 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 55
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, 12:50 pm
#49
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
No, not in PDX, but in EUG (hence my location and my screen name ) - AA has very limited service out of EUG, our carrier of choice is AS, which you can't use (or are not supposed to use) the credit for airfare, and I don't care for the Premium Seats (prefer exit row), so we don't actually have problems over the course of a year using up the $250 that way. But it would be a problem having to use it in increments. When we took the kids to Disneyland last month, 6 of us both ways had about $150 of food and drinks on board. If I could only get $50 reimbursed I'm not going to be happy. NOT paying the $450 (or $550) AF will go a long way then.
) - AA has very limited service out of EUG, our carrier of choice is AS, which you can't use (or are not supposed to use) the credit for airfare, and I don't care for the Premium Seats (prefer exit row), so we don't actually have problems over the course of a year using up the $250 that way. But it would be a problem having to use it in increments. When we took the kids to Disneyland last month, 6 of us both ways had about $150 of food and drinks on board. If I could only get $50 reimbursed I'm not going to be happy. NOT paying the $450 (or $550) AF will go a long way then.I guess Alaska does not have any gift cards or any sort of travel bank -- I guess a combination of tix and food purchases might work on selective flights, but I see what you mean.
Unfortunately, that quarterly breakage that AMEX is instituting for the card is alive and well at JP Morgan as well.
On the Premier Traveler Card, one pays $95 and gets Platinum status (nothing all that remarkable -- sounds better than it is), a free night up to 40,000 points, the ability to add as many points as you need to meet a desired use for a night, and two (2) $25 semi-annual installments to the United Travel Bank which expire if you don't use them within 6 months.
If you can use them, then the card is a steal -- net, net -- $49 for the annual free night -- just like the previous incarnation of an IHG card that is no longer available.
So, both these major card issuers are using this form of enticement credits -- that must be used or one loses.
Last edited by COLINDAD; Mar 11, 23 at 12:56 pm
Mar 11, 23, 1:07 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
I guess Alaska does not have any gift cards or any sort of travel bank -- I guess a combination of tix and food purchases might work on selective flights, but I see what you mean.
So, both these major card issuers are using this form of enticement credits -- that must be used or one loses.
So, both these major card issuers are using this form of enticement credits -- that must be used or one loses.
Mar 11, 23, 1:49 pm
#51
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Join Date: Dec 2006
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our carrier of choice is AS, which you can't use (or are not supposed to use) the credit for airfare, and I don't care for the Premium Seats (prefer exit row), so we don't actually have problems over the course of a year using up the $250 that way. But it would be a problem having to use it in increments.
I guess Alaska does not have any gift cards or any sort of travel bank -- I guess a combination of tix and food purchases might work on selective flights, but I see what you mean.
Unfortunately, that quarterly breakage that AMEX is instituting for the card is alive and well at JP Morgan as well.
Unfortunately, that quarterly breakage that AMEX is instituting for the card is alive and well at JP Morgan as well.
So if this is implemented, it wouldn’t be difficult to capture the $50 for each quarter. Certainly not for AS flyers. If you have natural spend - ticket or fees/food/bags - great. If not, at the end of the quarter buy a $50 ticket, cancel after 24+ hours and receive the refund into the travel bank for future use. Or with UA buy straight TravelBank credit. It’s rare that I have a quarter when I don’t buy an AS ticket, even if it’s just a speculative award I run across. Yes, you have to remember to check if you have used the credit four times a year, but it isn’t really the bad part of these potential changes. The UberEats credits treadmill of the Plat is much worse.
I think you have an AS Visa, too, right? So if you had used that for the $150, you’d have received a 20% discount. There is obviously also some potential opportunity cost when buying airfare with the Aspire (compared to, say, Amex Plat 5X), but for inflight purchases I always use my AS card.
Last edited by notquiteaff; Mar 11, 23 at 2:05 pm
Mar 11, 23, 2:11 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
Keep forgetting that under the new rules you can use the credit for airfare? That would help.
But how is the 20% discount for the food better than no charge at all with the current Aspire credit?
I'm just going to wait and see how this all shakes down....maybe I'll keep the Aspire, maybe I won't.
But how is the 20% discount for the food better than no charge at all with the current Aspire credit?
I'm just going to wait and see how this all shakes down....maybe I'll keep the Aspire, maybe I won't.
Mar 11, 23, 4:46 pm
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
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I guess we should also keep in mind that these are possible changes that Amex/Hilton are exploring via surveys. I received a survey over a year ago (maybe two?) that tested similar changes. Maybe they have refined their possible approaches. But I wouldn’t necessarily expect these to become reality overnight. That said, most cards see product changes over time, and since every blogger has sold this card as “must have” that pays for itself, a net benefits reduction wouldn’t be shocking.
I need to look through my screenshot archive; I think I might have taken some of the proposed changes I was interviewed about.
Mar 11, 23, 5:20 pm
#54
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,955
"Use the $250 credit for airfare that you buy anyway (with the various approaches you can find in the airline-specific threads). "
Yeah, no, I don't do that. I'll just leave it at that.
If under the new rules that's a viable option, that will be fine. It will all be part of the new big picture.
Yeah, no, I don't do that. I'll just leave it at that.
If under the new rules that's a viable option, that will be fine. It will all be part of the new big picture.
Mar 11, 23, 7:11 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 19
I would rather they just simply hike the annual fee to $550 and NOT make any changes to the current reward structure, this card will still be a keeper because of the two $250 credits and Free Night.
That being said, Aspire right now is almost too good to be true so why wouldn't you expect Amex/Hilton to level the playing field sooner or later.
That being said, Aspire right now is almost too good to be true so why wouldn't you expect Amex/Hilton to level the playing field sooner or later.
Mar 11, 23, 7:16 pm
#57
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,891
Yeah, kind of surprised it has lasted this long without being nerfed. Would I still pay at $550? Probably, assuming they don't place any additional restrictions on the global free night, which I find very helpful for the one-night layovers in some far away land.
Mar 11, 23, 10:12 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 113
Repeat after me … good for both incidentals and airfare on any airline
So if this is implemented, it wouldn’t be difficult to capture the $50 for each quarter. Certainly not for AS flyers. If you have natural spend - ticket or fees/food/bags - great. If not, at the end of the quarter buy a $50 ticket, cancel after 24+ hours and receive the refund into the travel bank for future use. Or with UA buy straight TravelBank credit. It’s rare that I have a quarter when I don’t buy an AS ticket, even if it’s just a speculative award I run across. Yes, you have to remember to check if you have used the credit four times a year, but it isn’t really the bad part of these potential changes. The UberEats credits treadmill of the Plat is much worse.
I think you have an AS Visa, too, right? So if you had used that for the $150, you’d have received a 20% discount. There is obviously also some potential opportunity cost when buying airfare with the Aspire (compared to, say, Amex Plat 5X), but for inflight purchases I always use my AS card.
So if this is implemented, it wouldn’t be difficult to capture the $50 for each quarter. Certainly not for AS flyers. If you have natural spend - ticket or fees/food/bags - great. If not, at the end of the quarter buy a $50 ticket, cancel after 24+ hours and receive the refund into the travel bank for future use. Or with UA buy straight TravelBank credit. It’s rare that I have a quarter when I don’t buy an AS ticket, even if it’s just a speculative award I run across. Yes, you have to remember to check if you have used the credit four times a year, but it isn’t really the bad part of these potential changes. The UberEats credits treadmill of the Plat is much worse.
I think you have an AS Visa, too, right? So if you had used that for the $150, you’d have received a 20% discount. There is obviously also some potential opportunity cost when buying airfare with the Aspire (compared to, say, Amex Plat 5X), but for inflight purchases I always use my AS card.
Now, as for Alaska flights @ $50, I don't know as I do not fly them, but I seriously doubt that they go that low, and in any event it is up to her how many and much she will spend for a ticket above the $50 4 times with the hope that she can combine them into a future ticket and use same within 1 year. I do not make assumptions for others as to their travel patterns and costs they are willing to spend.
Mar 11, 23, 11:30 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,577
On the other hand, if I'm flying to explore a city and want to stay in a nice hotel, I'm a lot more likely to plan that around a good rate and benefits. If I'm comparing resorts, the difference between food / pools / beaches / etc is fairly extensive. If I'm in a city center going to museums and restaurants, the difference between a Waldorf and a St Regis is a lot less meaningful.
Ultimately the $250 resort credit would be a lot easier for me to spend if there were more properties near me that worked for a quick long weekend trip on short notice. (Anyone ever stayed at the one in Quebec?)
Mar 11, 23, 11:32 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG, HHonors Diamond, Nat'l Exec
Posts: 3,577
Priority Pass didn't cut that — Amex did. Still available for memberships through several other cards.
