The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (review) is arguably the single the most lucrative hotel credit card. For quite some time, I’d say that this card has been in the “too good to be true” category. There’s an update, as the card has just undergone a full refresh, and now has a higher annual fee, plus changes to benefits.
For many, the card won’t be as lucrative as it used to be, but I think the value still checks out. Let’s go over all the details (there are also changes coming to the Hilton Surpass Card, which I’ll cover in a separate post).
In this post:
Hilton Aspire Card annual fee increasing to $550
The annual fee on the Hilton Aspire Card has been increased to $550 per year, which is a $100 increase over the previous $450 annual fee. That of course stings, but isn’t surprising, as this is a similar trend we’ve seen with other Amex cards in recent years.
What’s not changing about the Hilton Aspire Card
What’s not changing about the Hilton Aspire Card? As before:
- The card offers Hilton Honors Diamond status for as long as you have the card, with no spending requirement
- The card continues to offer an annual free night award on your account anniversary every year, plus an additional one if you spend $60,000 on the card in a calendar year
- The card is maintaining the same rewards structure, earning 14x points on Hilton purchases, 7x points on flights, rental cars, and restaurants, and 3x points on all other purchases
Just about everything else about the card is changing, so let me emphasize that the following benefits are being taken away (but new perks are being added, as I’ll cover below):
- As of February 1, 2024, the card no longer offers a Priority Pass membership
- The card no longer offers a $250 annual Hilton resort credit; those who had the card prior to October 19, 2023, will still receive this benefit through December 31, 2023
- The card no longer offers a $250 annual airline fee credit; those who had the card prior to October 19, 2023, will still receive this benefit through December 31, 2023
The good news is that some really valuable perks are being added to the card, so let’s go over those…
Hilton Aspire Card adds $400 Hilton resort credit
The Hilton Aspire Card now offers up to $400 in statement credits annually toward spending at Hilton resorts. This is awarded semi-annually, meaning you get $200 in statement credits every six months for purchases made directly with Hilton resorts on your card.
This replaces the previous $250 annual Hilton resort credit. So if you spend at least $200 at a Hilton resort at least once every six months, you’ll come out significantly ahead here. Keep in mind that any spending counts — so you could redeem points for your stay, and then use that credit for dining, spa services, etc.
Hilton Aspire Card adds $200 flight credit
The Hilton Aspire Card now offers up to $200 in annual statement credits toward flights. This is awarded quarterly, so you get a $50 credit toward flight purchases made either directly with an airline or through amextravel.com, when using your card. There’s no need to designate a specific airline, but rather any eligible airline purchase would qualify.
For practical purposes, I’d consider this to replace the airline fee credit that the card previously offered.
Hilton Aspire Card offers up to three free night awards
Historically the Hilton Aspire Card offered one free night award on your account anniversary per year, plus an additional free night award if you spent $60,000 on the card in a calendar year. The card now offers yet another free night award if you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year.
So if you spent $60,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’d earn a total of three free night awards, each of which can be redeemed at a property costing up to 150,000 points.
Hilton Aspire Card $199 CLEAR Plus credit
The Hilton Aspire Card now offers a CLEAR Plus credit of up to $199 per calendar year, when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership with your Hilton Aspire Card. This is a perk we see on several premium Amex cards, so it’s not surprising to see it added here as well.
Hilton Aspire Card National Emerald Club Executive status
The Hilton Aspire Card now offers complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above), in the United States and Canada. Card members must enroll through their online account using their card.
Hilton Aspire Card cell phone protection benefit
The Hilton Aspire Card is the latest premium card to get cell phone protection. With this, you can be reimbursed the cost to repair or replace your damaged phone, for a maximum of $800. You can file two claims per 12-month period, with a $50 deductible per approved claim.
My take on these Hilton Aspire Card changes
As I said above, I’ve considered the Hilton Aspire Card to be too good to be true for quite some time. I was expecting there would eventually be changes to the card, especially with Amex having recently modified much of its card portfolio, so I’m not surprised to see this.
While I’d consider these changes to be negative on balance, dare I say that I think they could have been worse? Here’s how I’m now approaching the card, and how I justify the $550 annual fee:
- The Hilton Diamond status and anniversary free night award are more or less worth the annual fee to me, as I consistently redeem the free night awards at really expensive properties
- The increase in the Hilton resort credit to $400 is awesome, though I’m not someone who has historically stayed at Hilton resorts twice per year, so I guess I need to work on that
- The $200 annual flight credit is pretty straightforward; at a minimum, I can book a flight of just over $50 each quarter with American, and then I can always cancel the flight and use the value as a flight credit
- The CLEAR credit, National Emerald Club status, and cell phone protection, are all things that are nice to have, but aren’t things I necessarily value, given that they’re offered with quite a few other cards as well
- For those who spend a lot on credit cards, I think an argument could be made for spending $60,000 per year on this card now; you’ll earn a minimum of 180,000 Hilton Honors points, plus two incremental free night awards, worth up to 300,000 Hilton Honors points, so that’s a solid return for everyday spending
Bottom line
The Hilton Aspire Card has undergone a major refresh. The card’s annual fee has been increased by $100, to $550, and we’ve also seen the card’s benefits overhauled. The card now offers up to $400 in annual Hilton resort credits, up to $200 in annual flights credits, a CLEAR Plus membership, National Emerald Club status, cell phone protection, and the ability to earn more free night awards with spending.
At the same time, we’re seeing the elimination of the Priority Pass membership, the $250 annual airline fee credit, and the $250 annual Hilton resort credit.
For most people, these changes will be negative. However, they could have been much worse, and personally I think the value proposition of the card still checks out. And to those who stay at Hilton resorts at least twice per year, I think the value of the card may just have improved.
What do you make of these Hilton Aspire Card changes?
For those who have the Aspire Card prior to the change: I paid a check bag fee with the Aspire Card (on Oct 26) thinking that I still have just a bit over $100 of the airline fee credit left for 2023. A few days later, the credit for the airline fee (from the old benefit) came in AND the $50/quarter airline credit also showed up. So I basically made $50 in that check bag...
For those who have the Aspire Card prior to the change: I paid a check bag fee with the Aspire Card (on Oct 26) thinking that I still have just a bit over $100 of the airline fee credit left for 2023. A few days later, the credit for the airline fee (from the old benefit) came in AND the $50/quarter airline credit also showed up. So I basically made $50 in that check bag fee.
I wonder would that happen to the Resort credit as well? Let's say I still have the $250/yr credit not used yet for 2023. If I charge $250 at any Hilton resort before the end of the year, would I get the $250 credit from the old benefit plus the $200 (per half year) new credit as well?
I had something similar happen. Spent 47 and got both the airline and incidental credit
1) $400 resort credit - unclear if this works any different to previous $250 credit. If the same, then should be viewed at worst as $50 decline in value (for those that will only visit 1 Hilton Resort per year) but there are likely many people who will be able to use the full amount
2) $200 Airline credit - while annoying to break up into quarterly credits, at least it is easier to...
1) $400 resort credit - unclear if this works any different to previous $250 credit. If the same, then should be viewed at worst as $50 decline in value (for those that will only visit 1 Hilton Resort per year) but there are likely many people who will be able to use the full amount
2) $200 Airline credit - while annoying to break up into quarterly credits, at least it is easier to use as can apply to fare, not just incidental charges. While some may have strategies to previous credit, imagine many did not. I see this as neutral if not a slight positive
3) Increase in max free night awards - this may have meaningful value to some, especially if you can charge large amounts to spend categories without bonuses. For example, if you pay taxes with this CC - you would accrue 180k points (worth ~$900) while paying a fee of ~$1100, so net $200 cost for 2 certificates, which could be valuable as would allow for a 3 night stay at a high value property. Of course non-fee spending preferable and would make more sense, as long as no negative arb with spending categories (such as travel, dining, etc)
4) I guess some may find value in Clear and other new benefits, although doubt moves the needle. Loss of Priority Pass may not matter to many who have other CC that offer same benefit
Yes, an increase by $100 and some additional hoops to jump through to maximize value - but still seems worth it based on benefits. If get full use of airline credit + 1x resort fee credit -> cost would be $550 - $200 - $200 = $150 for a free night certificate and Diamond Status
The whole game of credit card benefits was the difference between what we pay and what we end up using. If you could use the $250 airline benefit before, then it was whether you thought a "free night" for $200 was a deal. For many, it was, and the rest was gravy even if I only traveled once a year.
For sure, the family travelers who traveled infrequently and paid the $450 because it was...
The whole game of credit card benefits was the difference between what we pay and what we end up using. If you could use the $250 airline benefit before, then it was whether you thought a "free night" for $200 was a deal. For many, it was, and the rest was gravy even if I only traveled once a year.
For sure, the family travelers who traveled infrequently and paid the $450 because it was a net positive, now have to think, "wait, I'm pre-paying $550 to keep track of whether or not I topped up my $50 quarterly?" Are there really that many $50 fares to buy and refund into airline credits? Between buying and refunding, that's 8 actions a year for something that took 1 action just earlier this year!
Before the free night was, "can I get more value than $200/night" (450 annual fee - 250 airline benefit). Now? It's $350 (550 annual fee - 200 airline credit). Lol. Come on bruh. Hilton's ain't that nice (save a few luxury urban or tropical island redemptions sometimes)
Only question is, which card to switch it to? Ben, please do a post on what the alternatives are, b/c you can probably just recycle the other ones.
Was a keeper, now nope. What I hate most about the changes is not the net value possible, but how much mental energy it will take. Now we have tasks to complete every quarter for $50, and now we have to plan trips every 6mo to a Hilton resort. I'm just over amex coupon booking. On top of this, Diamond ain't what it once was. This card is good for the SUB or hopefully upgrade offer, otherwise it's a no for me, dawg.
Do the users of the old version of the card who just paid the 450 annual renewal fee , get a double dip on resort spending ? 250 until December 31, 2023 and then 400 in 2024? Totaling 650?
This sounds awesome, but too good to be true .
For those who has the Aspire Card already before the change: I paid a check bag fee with the Aspire Card (on Oct 26) thinking that I still have just a bit over $100 of the airline fee credit left for 2023. A few days later, the credit for the airline fee (from the old benefit) came in AND the $50/quarter airline credit also showed up. So I basically made $50 in that check bag...
For those who has the Aspire Card already before the change: I paid a check bag fee with the Aspire Card (on Oct 26) thinking that I still have just a bit over $100 of the airline fee credit left for 2023. A few days later, the credit for the airline fee (from the old benefit) came in AND the $50/quarter airline credit also showed up. So I basically made $50 in that check bag fee.
So I am wondering would that applies to the Resort credit as well. Let's say I still have the $250 credit not used up yet for 2023, and if I made a charge in a Hilton resort before the end of 2023, would I get the $250 from the old credit plus the $200 credit from the new benefit?
"The $200 annual flight credit is pretty straightforward; at a minimum, I can book a flight of just over $50 each quarter with American, and then I can always cancel the flight and use the value as a flight credit".
Can you exp[ain this? If you cancel I'd think your $50 credit would be taken back.
No - if he books the $50 ticket and waits past the 24 hour free cancellation period he would be given the option of canceling for a flight credit usable within 12 months of booking
Yeah this totally makes no sense what Ben said. Plus I have to make 4 flight ressy, cancel 4 and on top, it's not like airlines sell 50 dollar flights. You think fraud detection at the airline will notice I cancel 4 flights per year? Lol.
You have to remember that there are 2 entities you are dealing with, Amex and AA. When you cancel the flight and acknowledge you want the refund as flight credit AA will do so and never communicate back to amex because there is no reason to. Amex doesn't care because they made their sale and collected their fee from AA and probably would rather not do a refund tbh. AA probably benefits as well for...
You have to remember that there are 2 entities you are dealing with, Amex and AA. When you cancel the flight and acknowledge you want the refund as flight credit AA will do so and never communicate back to amex because there is no reason to. Amex doesn't care because they made their sale and collected their fee from AA and probably would rather not do a refund tbh. AA probably benefits as well for not losing your transaction and can gain opportunity cost of gaining interest or lending that money out and better still if you forget to use the credit and it expires. I bet a lot of money is left on the table because of that. So likely AA won't talk to amex to try to get the fee back with a cancelation.
@Randy, the credit would be held on account by American as a flight credit to be used later. As long as Ben books a flight on American later, he can use the credit.
Pretty sure they crunched the numbers and know the more onerous the steps for the credits, the less people participate. If I travel 1x a year, he old benefits were still super useful. Travel bank, lounge, status for breakfast in Europe, and free night.
Now I have to buy travel bank 4x a year, lose the lounge, and what, find a Hilton resort? This is a hard pass. Save the 550 and just buy a...
Pretty sure they crunched the numbers and know the more onerous the steps for the credits, the less people participate. If I travel 1x a year, he old benefits were still super useful. Travel bank, lounge, status for breakfast in Europe, and free night.
Now I have to buy travel bank 4x a year, lose the lounge, and what, find a Hilton resort? This is a hard pass. Save the 550 and just buy a nice free night of hotel in Europe
At least I can get 2 quarters of 50 bucks before my renewal date.
Forgot to mention that Centurion lounge access
Huh? Not on this card.
You're thinking of delta amex reserve. Lol you're like me too many cards to juggle.
Quite honestly while I think the annual fee was going to increase eventually, I think this happened faster than it should have. I'm not directing this at any one person, blog, etc but the fact that so many kept saying this card should be more expensive or you're getting way more benefits than the fee pretty much encourages the CC company to think about it. We would be fools to think that they're not reading...
Quite honestly while I think the annual fee was going to increase eventually, I think this happened faster than it should have. I'm not directing this at any one person, blog, etc but the fact that so many kept saying this card should be more expensive or you're getting way more benefits than the fee pretty much encourages the CC company to think about it. We would be fools to think that they're not reading comments to get people's sentiments on changes. Hopefully, enough people will drop this card or express how it's not really worth it now so that amex will loosen some requirements. They don't really know. They're just trying to see how the public respond. If we at least change the credit frequency down that's still a win for consumers.
People should be aware that Hilton resorts does not mean any Hilton branded hotel. You need to look up on their site the ones that they consider Hilton resorts.
I can probably still use most of these credits but I will need to do more homework to track it all. I'm just glad they didn't go back to monthly grubhub credits which was a pain to remember with my other 10 monthly crefits.
How does the "once every six months" aspect of the $400 resort credit work? Is it pegged to the calendar (January-June, then July-December)?
It seems like it wouldn't be that difficult to plan a vacation over the June-July boundary...
My prediction: To get the $200 credit twice, it will need to be two separate stays. For example, you would have to check-out of stay #1 on June 30 and check-in for stay #2 on July 1.
Perhaps, but I doubt this: the old credit (and, if I understand correctly, this one too) works on any spending, not just hotel stays. You could eat in the hotel restaurant and it counts.
Now, I think you're probably right about the hotel stay itself, because it's charged at a single point in time (on checkout, generally). But for incidentals...
I'm not sure what hotels you stay at that don't also charge incidentals at a single point in time at checkout...
Yes it's one credit Jan-June and July - Dec.
I finally got the actual email from Amex, and can confirm that it is (as Luis said) one credit Jan-June, one July-Dec.
Here's the fine print:
"""Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually (January through June; and July through December), for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account."""
This will be...
I finally got the actual email from Amex, and can confirm that it is (as Luis said) one credit Jan-June, one July-Dec.
Here's the fine print:
"""Basic Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card Members can receive up to a total of $200 in statement credits semi-annually (January through June; and July through December), for up to $400 back annually for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts on their Card Account."""
This will be easy to maximize (of course, lots of other people will probably come to that conclusion too :-/).
For me, the changes appear to be a positive.
Yes, I used the prior incidental fee credit for Travel Bank, but I'm not a big fan of flying United b/c I lack status.
The "additional" resort fee credit should work great for me -- I try to vacation in Asia in Feb. and Nov., and love to stay at a Hilton resort property. Even if I can't get there, a "staycation" at Resorts...
For me, the changes appear to be a positive.
Yes, I used the prior incidental fee credit for Travel Bank, but I'm not a big fan of flying United b/c I lack status.
The "additional" resort fee credit should work great for me -- I try to vacation in Asia in Feb. and Nov., and love to stay at a Hilton resort property. Even if I can't get there, a "staycation" at Resorts World in LV is always in the cards.
The loss of Priority Pass means nothing to me. I have so damn many cards that offer it, and my Citi Prestige PP membership blows the AMEX version outta the water.
There are plenty of complaints in the comments, but I think many changes to programs or cards have typically been FAR worse than this. It's still a "no brainer" keeper card for me.
I have used my resort credit + my airline incidental credit, so if I get a chunk of either between now and Dec. 31, it's a nice bonus!
Well, since I already have Priority Pass with the Amex Platinum Business card and I'm an HGVC timeshare owner, this is a slight improvement in my book. I'm losing the benefit I already have (PP lounges) and gaining $150 in resort credit that I always use 100% of.
Wish this $400 resort credit was instead good for ANY hilton hotel. Being in NJ the nearest resort if I dont play a vacation far enough away is a Hilton resort in Ocean City, MD which dont like too much.
On other hand just recently used up my $250 flight fee credits so again receiving another $50 within the same annual fee is nice.
I guess the $200 question is - will the flight credit work on gift cards or travel bank?
$50 a few days ago (I think before the new plan) with Travel Bank & credited today. Gift cards are doubtful.
Just logged into amex and my flight credit was reset too. I think I'll give it a few weeks before I try using the 50 dollars. They really need to add a tracker for the resort fee. All these credits, will actually start having to track it on a spreadsheet.
Spent a few nights at London Hiltons this summer. The Diamond status for me and my wife: free breakfast ($20-$25 a head) countless times. And we could often eat and drink enough in the EL to not need dinner.
I do not do resorts or pay for air travel thru Amex, so this may no longer b viable.
I too stayed a very nice Hilton in London too. Also recently a stay in Frankfurt. If you're like me the free food/drinks certainly would make one miss being diamond! Frankfurt's free breakfast would easily cost $50/person.
For an hour with American Express on the phone they have removed any tracking of your resort or airline credits for this year and yet they have posted the new airline credit which doesn't even start till next year.
This call was 5 different people all blaming Hilton even though it is the amex website.
Also was told resort credits that was supposed to expire with your card anniversary are now going to...
For an hour with American Express on the phone they have removed any tracking of your resort or airline credits for this year and yet they have posted the new airline credit which doesn't even start till next year.
This call was 5 different people all blaming Hilton even though it is the amex website.
Also was told resort credits that was supposed to expire with your card anniversary are now going to end at the end of the year.
If anyone made plans for next year where they're going to use those credits you cannot anymore.
The main reason I got the card was for Priority Pass. The gold level is nice, but not terribly important to me, and I almost always use miles to pay for flights. When paying for flights, I generally use Sapphire. Thus, it's time to look for a new card. Perhaps it's time to upgrade the Sapphire to Reserve.
I’m in a similar boat. I dropped the Amex Platinum to save on fees earlier this year so the Aspire has been my card for lounge access. I’m considering the Capital One Venture X alongside the Sapphire Reserve though, especially with the lower fee.
The main reason I got the card was for Priority Pass. The gold level is nice, but not terribly important to me, and I almost always use miles to pay for flights. When paying for flights, I generally use Sapphire. Thus, it's time to look for a new card. Perhaps it's time to upgrade the Sapphire to Reserve.
Any thoughts on whether the new airline credit might still work at $50 per quarter for United Travel Bank? I know the terms and conditions of the card state airfare only but this usage was always outside the strict terms and conditions of the card before which stated incidentals. Also, the Travel Bank purchases code on my statements appearing like a ticket. Would be curious what people think there.
P2 took out the card 10/10/2023. Earlier this week I tried $50 Travel Bank test and was credited this morning. Also the transaction posting on Amex had UA ticket, Houston, TX. So far looks good. If Travel Bank quits working, then I have no idea where to go to get $200 credit.
Buy actual plane tix. I would assume you fly at least every few months as would most people on this site? I'll have to see if its possible to book a flight well in advance in Q1 wait for q2 to upgrade to 1st class for example and use that next $50.
According to the T&Cs, if you opened card before 10/19, you still qualify for the previous $250 incidental credit through end of 2023. So unclear if it works for the new change or if was being credited via old benefit. Would be good if there is datapoint from someone you opened after 10/19.
So airline credit can be used on any airline even international?
Yes, I just got my 4Q 2023 $50 credit from a $54 checked bag fee from ZIPAIR (Japanese cheap airline). I thought that the quarterly $50 flight credit was only for booking flight tickets, and I am glad that I was wrong. So, yes, it works on any airline, even international, even the smaller, less well-known airlines! So this new $200 flight credit is much better than the old $250 airline incidental fee credit in...
Yes, I just got my 4Q 2023 $50 credit from a $54 checked bag fee from ZIPAIR (Japanese cheap airline). I thought that the quarterly $50 flight credit was only for booking flight tickets, and I am glad that I was wrong. So, yes, it works on any airline, even international, even the smaller, less well-known airlines! So this new $200 flight credit is much better than the old $250 airline incidental fee credit in that the former doesn't restrict you to one of the eight US major airlines and it seems to include both flights and incidentals (although I am not totally sure about this one yet, as my spent on the ZIPAIR could be miscoded in my favor this time as a flight booking. I need to try it a few times on the larger airlines.)
I have a feeling a lot of the changes here will eventually make its way to the Amex Platinum card. E.g. airline credits. FHR $200 credit will be split up into 2 semi annual credits...
Would be nice to get some advanced notice for changes like this. Why can’t they start with new calendar year in 2024? I just got yhe card a few months ago and haven’t used much benefits yet
Does anyone know if the new quarterly airline credit can be used for seat upgrades?
Checked my account and it now shows the $50 quarterly airline credit. Got the card in January so should have $250 credit still. AmEx agent on chat tells me that I still have my balance left but I’m not trusting that. Time to test it I suppose.
I assume this card is metal now? Thinking about ordering the new design
Maybe I missed it, but are the resort credit and/or the airline credit on a calendar year or card annual basis? For example before and after new years you could get all your resort credit. Obviously the airline would take a little more effort.
The new benefits are already posted to my account. So to answer my questions, resort credit is card year and airline credit is quarterly calendar year basis.
I keep reading and a correction. Seems both benefits are calendar based. Resort is January thru June & July thru December. Great for me.
Can I use the resort credit (for dinner/drinks) even if I’m not staying at a Hilton resort?
Wondering if I can use it when I’m staying *near* a resort, such as when I’m in Hawaii at a condo.
Agree the second Hilton resort stay will be tough to use.
No. "Incidental charges (including charges made at restaurants, spas, and other establishments within the hotel property) must be charged to your room and paid for with a Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card for the benefit to apply." You need a room booking to use it.
Not true. I've been able to buy Hilton gift cards at the hotel or spa when not staying there, in Hawaii, just as AB suggests.
That's surprising because the terms for these kinds of things usually require you to make the charge to your room rather than a new charge to your card.
I am wondering whether the Resort credit is only for incidentals or is it good for room charges too.
It is definitely good for room charges too.
Not a fan of this. I got the card this past year after avoiding it for a long time. I don't mind them dropping PP since you can get that elsewhere. I don't stay at resorts frequently, so $250 that I can use during my one resort stay a year is better than $200 every 6 months. Also, while the $50 quarterly flight credit has some value, the quarterly nature of it means I won't maximize the value. This card is not a keeper anymore for me.
Yes, exactly my thoughts as well. The real value for me was Diamond status, for the free breakfast for 2 and executive lounge with guests. I can make an argument for that saving me $100 a day.
More marginal now
Can you book a stay beginning on June 29th and ending on July 2nd and get both $200 credits?
@lucky
I’m a little confused. You report that existing resort credits of $250 will go away on December 31, 2023 which is what I also see on the Amex website. However, my existing resort credits on my 2 cards expire in March and June 2024 and I planned to use them in January. So if I don’t book a trip and complete it by December 31, 2023 I will lose $50 of value per card...
@lucky
I’m a little confused. You report that existing resort credits of $250 will go away on December 31, 2023 which is what I also see on the Amex website. However, my existing resort credits on my 2 cards expire in March and June 2024 and I planned to use them in January. So if I don’t book a trip and complete it by December 31, 2023 I will lose $50 of value per card since I will now only be entitled to $200 per card. Is this really legal to reduce a benefit during my existing card membership year? In the past the old benefits would still apply through the end of your existing card membership year and any new benefits would be added immediately but that doesn’t seem to be the case now. Especially with only about 70 days notice and several holidays coming up like Christmas and Hanukkah where it will be much harder to squeeze a trip in to use the benefits I am losing.
Thanks in advance
“The $200 annual flight credit is pretty straightforward; at a minimum, I can book a flight of just over $50 each quarter with American, and then I can always cancel the flight and use the value as a flight credit”.
@Ben: a good idea, but do you think the airlines would eventually find some fine print in their contract of carriage to prevent this? I wouldn’t put it past them. Or is the juice not worth the squeeze?
How would they know? You’re not refunding anything on the card.
I think Southwest may be a better option than AA, because the credits never expire.
I assume the flight credit would apply to taxes and fees on award tickets? That seems like it will be a good use for a chunk of it for me.
I don't give financial companies and airlines enough credit on their IT infrastructure to figure that out for decades.
Yeah, the changes don’t do it for me. Time to downgrade. Stretching the airline incidental fee when I have been using it to transfer to United’s Travel Bank saved me a lot on UA flights. That and the resort fee change just don’t make this card worthwhile anymore. Gotta use up my resort fee and free night by the end of the year. Sad, loved this card.
“The increase in the Hilton resort credit to $400 is awesome, though I’m not someone who has historically stayed at Hilton resorts twice per year, so I guess I need to work on that.”
Obviously, that’s exactly what they want…to get you back in the door again because “you have to make use of that second $200 credit” but in the end, you actually end up spending more money by going back.
CLEAR, National...
“The increase in the Hilton resort credit to $400 is awesome, though I’m not someone who has historically stayed at Hilton resorts twice per year, so I guess I need to work on that.”
Obviously, that’s exactly what they want…to get you back in the door again because “you have to make use of that second $200 credit” but in the end, you actually end up spending more money by going back.
CLEAR, National and cell phone coverage are BS add ons and redundant with other cards, as you said.
I’ll have to see how the airline credits pan out for me, but I still think I prefer the current $250/year with the same airline. This just adds more hoops to jump through, with the possibility of not utilizing the full amount if you don’t travel in a quarter….(obviously their whole point).
Overall, a step down while the price goes up.
I have an existing Aspire card, and have already used the $250 airline fee credit this year. When I logged into my AMEX account today, I already see the tracker for $200 flight credit and it shows I have used $0 of $50 this quarter. It previously used to show that I have used $250 of $250 airline incidental credit for this year. So, it seems that the airline credit has been changed already for...
I have an existing Aspire card, and have already used the $250 airline fee credit this year. When I logged into my AMEX account today, I already see the tracker for $200 flight credit and it shows I have used $0 of $50 this quarter. It previously used to show that I have used $250 of $250 airline incidental credit for this year. So, it seems that the airline credit has been changed already for existing card holder. I wonder what those of us who were yet to use the $250 credit for this year see in their tracker.
Secondly, given that the new credit applies to any airlne, I wonder if paying award taxes/fees using Aspire would trigger that credit. If yes, that would be easy to use.
I logged in and see the same. What’s annoying for me is that I’d used none of the $250 yet given that I reasonably assumed I had until 12/31 to use it. Instead I just get the quarterly $50 for the remainder of 2023, effectively taking $200 of net benefit away from me this calendar year. I had no need to use it sooner. It frustrates me that they’d make these changes with no advance warning rather than implement them on 1/1.
I guess I lucked out - have used my $250 already and now have the $50 to spend this quarter on a flight.
I was waiting to use my 250 in December too :( So unfair.
The $250 airline fee credit for existing cardholders should still be usable thru 12/31 per terms: "This benefit is only available through December 31, 2023 for Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members approved prior to October 19, 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, the $250 Airline Fee Credit will no longer be available. " You probably just won't see tracker showing online anymore is all.
As I checked, $250 flight credit still valid if the card approved before 10/19.
I was just told this in chat with AMEX: I see you have not used the benefit this year, the benefit is still part of your card, you can use it until 12/31
I think the changes are not too bad.
The Clear Credit is good.
The resort credits (2x $200) will take some work to use, but overall if usable pays for the card almost by itself.
I like that the airline credit now will trigger on any airline transaction, but having to use it quarterly means I need to remember to use the card.
Don't quite care about the car rental status or Priority Pass
so when exactly are these changes implemented? the annual fee on our card just hit at the old price. does this mean I have to use the original $250 resort credit by the end of this year?
Interested as well as mine just renewed a few days ago and the trackers now reflect the the new $50 credit for Airfare and I no longer see the $250 resort credit mentioned on the website.
Also, somehow got 10K points on this card for "HIL VI3 LC 10K Offer" which I have no clue about as I haven't used this card in months.
I’m probably out. My wife and I both have this card. One of us might end up keeping it but it’s becoming a ridiculous hassle to use all the credits on the Amex card. It doesn’t feel premium at all.
I'm out. I've always had a challenge using the resort credit even once a year, so the raised fee, addition of $0 value benefits (because I have them on other cards), and subdividing of credits throughout the year (I'm done tracking this shit) means I won't be renewing.
The fact that so many people hold this card, but apparently stay at Hiltons only one or two times a year, show why the changes are made. Ideally if you hold the premium Hilton card, they want you staying many times a year
I don't love the quarterly airline and twice yearly resort credit, but it won't take a ton of effort to buy a travel bank credit every quarter and I probably stay at eligible Hilton's twice a year. The CLEAR credit doesn't help me, but certainly adds value to the card. I'll definitely keep it for the Diamond status and can get enough other benefits to make it worthwhile.
I was looking to sign up for this card... but to me these changes now make it a no
Almost across every card, Amex is basically encouraging people to spend $60K to $75K a year, which is fair I guess. But a different way than a lot of people look at their cards.
I see the changes as a wash - it is harder to maximize with little effort, but it does reward those are more engaged with Hilton and spend on the card more. Ultimately Diamond status, the free night, and maybe one...
Almost across every card, Amex is basically encouraging people to spend $60K to $75K a year, which is fair I guess. But a different way than a lot of people look at their cards.
I see the changes as a wash - it is harder to maximize with little effort, but it does reward those are more engaged with Hilton and spend on the card more. Ultimately Diamond status, the free night, and maybe one or two of the credits still make the card worthwhile. Mario, I think many will just ignore some of the quarterly or half year credits that they don't use.
I'm not sure I see how these changes do more to reward those who are more engaged with Hilton. The only engagement with Hilton it specifically rewards is resort stays, which represent a small portion of their overall portfolio. I don't frequently go to resorts, and when I do, the Hilton properties typically lose out even when factoring in a $250 credit. Reducing that credit to a max $200 per stay doesn't increase the likelihood...
I'm not sure I see how these changes do more to reward those who are more engaged with Hilton. The only engagement with Hilton it specifically rewards is resort stays, which represent a small portion of their overall portfolio. I don't frequently go to resorts, and when I do, the Hilton properties typically lose out even when factoring in a $250 credit. Reducing that credit to a max $200 per stay doesn't increase the likelihood that I'll select a Hilton resort. (And obviously a second credit is worthless to me if I don't even use the first.)
I like the new resort credit.
Keep in mind many regular hilton hotels are on that list so essentially 2 extra free status a year.
Is the flight credit just for flights or also upgrades or incidentals??
The CLEAR credit can be used effective immediately?
And would you be able to use this new Clear credit to add 2-3 extra members to the account that was already paid for on a Platinum ($70 a member, so 2 would be free and a third would really only be $21)? If so, this new benefit gets 4 Clear members for close to nothing when combined with the Platinum, which is pretty awesome.
Wonderful, more premium coupons to add to my premium Amex coupon book. These quarterly and biannual credits are exhausting - intentionally, I'm sure.