Rumor: Possible fee increase and benefits change for the Amex Hilton Aspire
May 19, 23, 3:16 pm
#91
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,966
Oh! OK that is what I thought the card had. Sorry for the misunderstanding, I think you will find lots of cards with the secondary, at least according to the bloggers out there. I am sorry if I am confusing you with someone else, but you have the Surpass? According to this, Surpass has the same coverage?
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...nce-terms.html
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...nce-terms.html
I tried applying for a Surpass on my own just now, and I had forgotten that I actually had one several years ago, so I'm not entitled to any sign-up bonuses (and there's a really good one right now, 130,000 pts PLUS a free night, with only 2K spend in 3 months). Hope someone can take advantage of it.
Who knows, maybe any changes to the Aspire will be those I can live with. It's all just speculation right now.
May 19, 23, 4:09 pm
#92
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 912
My husband has the Surpass. So when I rent a car without him it doesn't do me any good. I have the Aspire. I also like using the Aspire for car rentals because of the 7x Hilton points multiple.
I tried applying for a Surpass on my own just now, and I had forgotten that I actually had one several years ago, so I'm not entitled to any sign-up bonuses (and there's a really good one right now, 130,000 pts PLUS a free night, with only 2K spend in 3 months). Hope someone can take advantage of it.
Who knows, maybe any changes to the Aspire will be those I can live with. It's all just speculation right now.
I tried applying for a Surpass on my own just now, and I had forgotten that I actually had one several years ago, so I'm not entitled to any sign-up bonuses (and there's a really good one right now, 130,000 pts PLUS a free night, with only 2K spend in 3 months). Hope someone can take advantage of it.
Who knows, maybe any changes to the Aspire will be those I can live with. It's all just speculation right now.
May 19, 23, 6:50 pm
#93
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVP; HHonors Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; NEXUS
Posts: 870
Yeah... I would not be able to justify a $550 AF on this. I'd drop the card but it's my longest opened account - I've had a Hilton card since 2003. I'll probably move to the no-AF card and use it for the occasional AMEX offer.
I've used this the last few years at Resorts World - getting a Saturday room at Crockfords and then going out to eat to use the resort credit. We'd then shift to another property (usually with the FHR credit) for the remainder of the trip. It easily paid for itself with the $250 airline credit.
We've shifted our stays to Hyatt generally and so we wouldn't be able to organically use the credit.
I've used this the last few years at Resorts World - getting a Saturday room at Crockfords and then going out to eat to use the resort credit. We'd then shift to another property (usually with the FHR credit) for the remainder of the trip. It easily paid for itself with the $250 airline credit.
We've shifted our stays to Hyatt generally and so we wouldn't be able to organically use the credit.
Jun 20, 23, 8:09 pm
#95
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 846
I was able to product change my no annual fee Hilton to a 3rd Aspire in May. I've already utilized the airline credit and plan to use all the resort credits ($250.00 x 3) in a couple weeks, so I am happy they haven't made any changes. However, both the Platinum and Brilliant were $450 before having their annual fees increased. I fully expect Amex to raise the Aspire so it is at parity with their other premium cards.
According to rumors, the airline credit is being changed to $50.00 per quarter. When Amex announced changes to the Brilliant, there was a period where current card holders got the new benefits before renewal. We're already nearly within the 3rd quarter, July 1st. As you said, nothing.... I don't expect them to make any changes until the beginning of the 4th quarter, October 1, at the earliest.
However, considering the current card provides a $250 annual airline incidental credit, I fully expect the changes to become affective before January 1, 2024, to prevent new and existing cardholders from maximizing the benefit under the current terms.
According to rumors, the airline credit is being changed to $50.00 per quarter. When Amex announced changes to the Brilliant, there was a period where current card holders got the new benefits before renewal. We're already nearly within the 3rd quarter, July 1st. As you said, nothing.... I don't expect them to make any changes until the beginning of the 4th quarter, October 1, at the earliest.
However, considering the current card provides a $250 annual airline incidental credit, I fully expect the changes to become affective before January 1, 2024, to prevent new and existing cardholders from maximizing the benefit under the current terms.
Last edited by diesteldorf; Jun 20, 23 at 8:14 pm
Jun 21, 23, 7:03 am
#98
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 .56 MM, United & Admirals Clubs (spousal), Marriott Platinum
Posts: 13,885
I would rather they keep the annual fee the same. 
Jun 22, 23, 4:50 am
#99
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,277
Good luck with that; Amex still has an overcrowding issue with Centurions even with the guest access change. Barring Hilton walking away unless it goes in at contract renewal, I can't see Amex allowing it.
Jun 22, 23, 5:34 am
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 1,888
Jul 9, 23, 4:58 pm
#101
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 48
Can anyone confirm that once you hit a benefit threshold for the year, you no longer see it in your account dashboard? I got the card in January and saw my $250 resort credit a few weeks later after spend at a Hilton. About to use the card again on an upcoming trip with a Hilton stay so wanted to refresh my memory on the other benefits I have for this year and there's two "progress" tiles on my account dashboard: the airline fee credit progress bar toward $250 and the free night reward progress bar toward $60,000 spend.
Just wondering if I don't see the $250 resort credit as "$250 of $250" or something because I achieved it, or if it's because it's no longer a benefit (related to the rumors?)
Just wondering if I don't see the $250 resort credit as "$250 of $250" or something because I achieved it, or if it's because it's no longer a benefit (related to the rumors?)
Jul 9, 23, 5:19 pm
#102
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 7,966
Can anyone confirm that once you hit a benefit threshold for the year, you no longer see it in your account dashboard? I got the card in January and saw my $250 resort credit a few weeks later after spend at a Hilton. About to use the card again on an upcoming trip with a Hilton stay so wanted to refresh my memory on the other benefits I have for this year and there's two "progress" tiles on my account dashboard: the airline fee credit progress bar toward $250 and the free night reward progress bar toward $60,000 spend.
Just wondering if I don't see the $250 resort credit as "$250 of $250" or something because I achieved it, or if it's because it's no longer a benefit (related to the rumors?)
Just wondering if I don't see the $250 resort credit as "$250 of $250" or something because I achieved it, or if it's because it's no longer a benefit (related to the rumors?)
But if you scroll down further there'll be a link to "your benefits" and it's still listed there. I think it's because we've already used it. Maybe someone who hasn't used theirs yet can tell us what they see.
Jul 9, 23, 8:10 pm
#103
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Programs: Delta , Hilton (Diamond), Hertz (gold), AA (plat)
Posts: 40
--josh
Jul 9, 23, 8:39 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 55
InterestingI received my Aspire card June 2nd and only looked at my account via the app. Online shows much more but I do not see a tracker for $250 Resort Credit. I do have the Free Night Award Tracker ($60,000) but thats the only one. Am I missing something or need to log into a different AmEx Aspire portal?
Jul 12, 23, 5:50 pm
#105
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 912
I don't think I used mine, at least I hope not (I did use mine in 2023 but I had made sure to do a credit deposit to use it up before my AF), and I don't have any meter showing. I honestly don't think they ever had a meter for the resort credit. It is kind of a bummer, you just have to be aware of when you used it and your AF, which of course no one remembers EXACTLY when haha.
