Amex New 2021 Benefits for HH Cards
Jan 22, 2021, 9:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Amex New 2021 Benefits for HH Cards
Just received the email yesterday that Amex is continuing to offer a spend bonus toward elite status with HHonors into 2021. Specifically:
To me, this reads as all points earned on the card count towards elite status in 2021. There’s no differentiation like 2020’s promo where $1000 in spend earned 1000 elite qualifying base points, so ideally Diamond can be had with $20,000 in non-bonus category spend.
More details on the website here:
https://covid.hilton.com/#modal-enjo...-express-cards
Enjoy More Flexibility and Value with Hilton Honors American Express Cards
Card Members now have more time to turn everyday spend into Elite Status faster and use Free Weekend Night Rewards any night of the week. Terms Apply.“1. Earning Base Points toward Elite Qualification and Lifetime Diamond Status
The Bonus Points earned from eligible purchases on your Hilton Honors American Express Card that post to your Hilton Honors account through December 31, 2021 (“Promotion Period”) will be considered Base Points. Base Points count toward Elite tier qualification through the calendar year ending December 31, 2021 and Lifetime Diamond Status. There is no limit to the number of Bonus Points that will be counted as Base Points during the Promotion Period.”To me, this reads as all points earned on the card count towards elite status in 2021. There’s no differentiation like 2020’s promo where $1000 in spend earned 1000 elite qualifying base points, so ideally Diamond can be had with $20,000 in non-bonus category spend.
More details on the website here:
https://covid.hilton.com/#modal-enjo...-express-cards
Jan 22, 2021, 9:58 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Just received the email yesterday that Amex is continuing to offer a spend bonus toward elite status with HHonors into 2021. Specifically:
1. Earning Base Points toward Elite Qualification and Lifetime Diamond Status
The Bonus Points earned from eligible purchases on your Hilton Honors American Express Card that post to your Hilton Honors account through December 31, 2021 (“Promotion Period”) will be considered Base Points. Base Points count toward Elite tier qualification through the calendar year ending December 31, 2021 and Lifetime Diamond Status. There is no limit to the number of Bonus Points that will be counted as Base Points during the Promotion Period.
To me, this reads as all points earned on the card count towards elite status in 2021. There’s no differentiation like 2020’s promo where $1000 in spend earned 1000 rite qualifying base points, so ideally Diamond can be had with $20,000 in non-bonus category spend.
More details on the website here:
https://covid.hilton.com/#modal-enjo...-express-cards
1. Earning Base Points toward Elite Qualification and Lifetime Diamond Status
The Bonus Points earned from eligible purchases on your Hilton Honors American Express Card that post to your Hilton Honors account through December 31, 2021 (“Promotion Period”) will be considered Base Points. Base Points count toward Elite tier qualification through the calendar year ending December 31, 2021 and Lifetime Diamond Status. There is no limit to the number of Bonus Points that will be counted as Base Points during the Promotion Period.
To me, this reads as all points earned on the card count towards elite status in 2021. There’s no differentiation like 2020’s promo where $1000 in spend earned 1000 rite qualifying base points, so ideally Diamond can be had with $20,000 in non-bonus category spend.
More details on the website here:
https://covid.hilton.com/#modal-enjo...-express-cards
David
*: except for those merchants that don't welcome AMEX...looking at you Costco...
Jan 22, 2021, 10:01 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Jan 22, 2021, 10:39 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Jan 23, 2021, 5:41 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Jan 23, 2021, 5:17 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Just confirmed this with my January Amex statement closing. All of the points earned (including bonus categories like grocery stores and restaurants) count towards elite status.
Looks like I might try and shoot for Diamond with spend on the card this year.
Looks like I might try and shoot for Diamond with spend on the card this year.
Feb 2, 2021, 5:24 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
I haven’t even really been following this, but noticed the same for my January statement. For those of us with the Business or Surpass Amex who were going to spend $15k anyway for the free night cert, it’s likely that with a mix of bonus category and regular spending, that $15k alone will be enough for Diamond.
Feb 16, 2021, 8:41 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,399
Huh, I just noticed this was a thing, too.
"Diamond status is 48,784 Points away!
You’ve earned 11,216 Base Points this year."
and it's only mid-February and I have 0 stays. neat.
"Diamond status is 48,784 Points away!
You’ve earned 11,216 Base Points this year."
and it's only mid-February and I have 0 stays. neat.
Feb 16, 2021, 11:05 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rockin' the Bakken
Programs: Several
Posts: 978
Either way, it's a good way to secure diamond for 2022 without staying at an HH property this year. I'm still gold with HH since they did the elite extension, but I focused on Hyatt last year and will likely this year for actual stays. I'd prefer Hilton for their international footprint, but even 2021 is looking like international travel will be difficult so securing diamond for 2022 seems like the next best option without having to focus on Hilton stays this year. Then again, most places that I'm looking for domestic travel this year do not have a Hyatt around so Hilton will still get my business.
Feb 25, 2021, 3:00 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,611
All Amex Surpass Points Count towards Diamond Status!
I also noticed a $10 credit on a Panera take-out order. $10 off each month in 2021 for restaurant spend on the personal card. Business cards gets a discount on cell phone and internet service instead..
Also, 10,000 bonus points on every $5,000 in spend by June 30, 2021. Amex is really trying hard this year!
Feb 27, 2021, 8:54 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,057
Not consequential in my case, but I thought I'd post it before others are counting on these ...
Feb 28, 2021, 3:06 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
Just a cautionary note in case you are planning on these 10k points to count towards status ... they do NOT! Got 30k bonus points credited this a.m. and they did not count towards status or LT points.
Not consequential in my case, but I thought I'd post it before others are counting on these ...
Not consequential in my case, but I thought I'd post it before others are counting on these ...
Feb 28, 2021, 3:29 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
Programs: *G
Posts: 17,399
It says bonus points from purchases. Wouldn't surprise me that signup bonus doesn't qualify. Would make it way too easy, too.
Feb 28, 2021, 3:34 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: NOVA
Programs: IHG Rewards Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, UA/DL/AA Back of the plane...
Posts: 4,612
agree - didn't even think about new card member points. I just think the 10k for 5k spend sounds like a spend bonus. But I have been wrong before (too many times!)
Feb 28, 2021, 5:29 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,402
My working hypothesis is that if the commissions for travel/points blogs are higher for the Aspire than Surpass/NAF. If anywhere from $2500ish (Surpass Hilton spend) to $20k (noncategory) gets Diamond, that makes the Aspire less of a slam dunk.