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Amex Hilton Aspire

Julian926

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Anyone considering the Amex Hilton Aspire card? It's automatic Diamond status with loads of benefits. However, the $450 annual fee may draw some people away.
 

Talent312

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It has decent benefits, but you're getting HHonors pesos for your $$.
IMHO, Chase's Sapphire Reserve's travel points offer better flexibility.
 

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It has decent benefits, but you're getting HHonors pesos for your $$.
IMHO, Chase's Sapphire Reserve's travel points offer better flexibility.

I got the CSR but wouldn't mind adding this if I can get a return on spend. It's too bad the Resort statement fee doesn't include HGVC. There are a few resorts around me.
 

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I will get it. It’s a no brainer for my situation.
 

Tamaradarann

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I got the CSR but wouldn't mind adding this if I can get a return on spend. It's too bad the Resort statement fee doesn't include HGVC. There are a few resorts around me.

Do you that the HGVC resorts don't count for the resort credit? What are the Hilton Resorts? Aren't the Hiltons just Hotels?
 

CalGalTraveler

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Hmm...I wonder if you place room charges on HGVC at HHV or Kingsland (e.g. restaurants, activities) if they would count toward the $250. For Amex offers in the past, this has worked.
 

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Hmm...I wonder if you place room charges on HGVC at HHV or Kingsland (e.g. restaurants, activities) if they would count toward the $250. For Amex offers in the past, this has worked.

I asked that question and it won't. The 250 resort credit only applies to the Hilton Resorts. There aren't that many Hilton resorts if you take a look at the list.
 

CalGalTraveler

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I asked that question and it won't. The 250 resort credit only applies to the Hilton Resorts. There aren't that many Hilton resorts if you take a look at the list.

HHV and Hilton Waikoloa are on the resort list. Amex systems often cannot tell the difference. I recall that it worked prior to the spin-off. Would love to see this tested.
 

Julian926

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I think HHV is just the Rainbow tower - the non-HGVC, hotel.
 

CalGalTraveler

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Yes it is. But the Amex systems may not be able to tell the difference. You can place restaurant purchases and activities at HHV on your HGVC room. If AMEX recognizes this as a credit, we will definitely pick up this card.
 

Julian926

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Could be worth a try. Would love to see someone test it. :)
 

Helios

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I asked that question and it won't. The 250 resort credit only applies to the Hilton Resorts. There aren't that many Hilton resorts if you take a look at the list.
Any idea if restaurant charges paid directly with the card at this places would count. Sometimes I use my Citi Prestige for the 4 night benefit and I could pay for room charges with the Amex for the $250 credit.
 

Tamaradarann

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I think HHV is just the Rainbow tower - the non-HGVC, hotel.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel side includes the Kalia Tower, Tapa Tower, Diamond Head Tower, and Ali Tower as well as the Rainbow Tower. The Timeshare side is the Lagoon Tower, Grand Waikakian, Grand Islander and also I believe 6 floors of the Kalia Tower.
 

Tamaradarann

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Yes it is. But the Amex systems may not be able to tell the difference. You can place restaurant purchases and activities at HHV on your HGVC room. If AMEX recognizes this as a credit, we will definitely pick up this card.

We also charge all of our restaurant, bar, ABC and other stores that let you to our room when we are at a timeshare at the HHV and get 12 points per dollar on those charges. However, those are charges under the Hilton property umbrella as they are in the Hilton Honors Reservation System.

However, the definition of "Hilton Resort" for the purposes of the $250 credit may be different.
 

hurnik

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If they don't count the HGVC as "resorts", then, IMO, it's not worth it.
$450 and if you get the other stuff covered, you're paying $250/year for the card.
You'd have to spend a LOT (IMO) to get $250 worth of HHonors points that are worth $0.005/point to justify the $250 fee fee.
But I guess if you do travel a lot and do spend time in actual Hilton resorts, then obviously it would be a no-brainer.

I *may* get the card later if there's a decent sign-up bonus and they waive the fee for the first year.
But we'll see.

I'm still hoping eventually the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the 100k offer again, but I doubt it. DEFINITELY not worth it for the measily 50k points. I can save a ton of money and get the same offer on the CSP I think.
 

CalGalTraveler

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CSR is a superior card hands down to the Hilton. We like it for the medical evacuation benefit which I don't believe the Hilton card offers.

FYI we just paid part of our maintenance fees for W57 and it counted as 3x lodging for CSR
 

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I am leaning towards getting the new Aspire card, but am waiting to see the final details. I enjoy being Diamond, and find reasonable value in that based on my travel. I have also had plenty of great trips with Hilton points so still value there.

I have read a few posts that stated the $250 credit would apply to any Hilton property. If that was true, the card become much more valuable, as I certainly spend that with Hilton every year. If its limited to specific hotels or resorts, then it harder to justify. I have stayed at many of those, and probably stay again, just not every year.
 

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A new Marriott/SPG premium card is expected soon and will compete with this card. Will wait to determine the best bonus offer and perks before deciding which card to get. DH just cancelled his HH Surpass so he can be a "free agent" on bonus offers.
 

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can we just eat at Hilton Village hotel restaurants and pay with Amex Hilton Aspire card? this will trigger Amex system $250 resort credit card.
 

1Kflyerguy

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can we just eat at Hilton Village hotel restaurants and pay with Amex Hilton Aspire card? this will trigger Amex system $250 resort credit card.

That would be nice, but its not clear if that would will work yet.
 

frank808

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I think HHV is just the Rainbow tower - the non-HGVC, hotel.
There is also the Alii and Tapa tower that are not hgvc. Also most of Kalua tower is non hgvc.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

CalGalTraveler

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It appears that the charges must be attached to a room charge. See article below by DrofCredit.com.

I know that charges at HHV Starbucks in Kalia, restaurants, some activities and even Beni Hana can be billed to your HGVC room. I know this worked last summer for an AMEX offer of $200 off $1000 in Hilton Hawaii charges booked to our HGVC room. However process may have changed since then.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/amer...view-450-annual-fee/#250_Hilton_Resort_Credit

upload_2018-1-12_14-29-57.png
 
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Helios

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I *may* get the card later if there's a decent sign-up bonus and they waive the fee for the first year.
But we'll see.

Good luck with them waiving the fee for a new card. Maybe if you have the Centurion card. Perhaps if you ask nicely if you have both the Plat Personal and Plat Biz (I may try this now that I think about this...).

I think they will have a decent sign-up bonus.
 

Helios

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can we just eat at Hilton Village hotel restaurants and pay with Amex Hilton Aspire card? this will trigger Amex system $250 resort credit card.
This is question also.
 
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