Amex Hilton Aspire

[llandaff]

I'm assuming the resort credit would be triggered by HGVC Hilton Hawaiian Village maintenance fees. Can someone confirm?

 

[frank808]

My Kohala Suites MF triggers the rebate. If it is one of the resorts listed, it will trigger the fees. I think, the only way that it would not, would be paying the MF for an eligible resort. But transaction is processed by HGVC in Orlando and doesn't list the resort.

Sent from my SM-T377P using Tapatalk

 

[giowop]

FYI My credit just came back for my Southwest air purchase of less than $100. Hi bought the ticket maybe Wednesday and the reimbursement came through Friday? I immediately had my wife apply for the aspire card so we are going to be those double wielding people now!. I earn 15,000 points for the referral, she will earn 150,000 bonus after spending minimum, and we will use her card to pay next year’s maintenance fees. They are also running a 3-point HH bonus for referrals on money spent for the next three months or whatever.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[amirh]

FYI My credit just came back for my Southwest air purchase of less than $100. Hi bought the ticket maybe Wednesday and the reimbursement came through Friday? I immediately had my wife apply for the aspire card so we are going to be those double wielding people now!. I earn 15,000 points for the referral, she will earn 150,000 bonus after spending minimum, and we will use her card to pay next year’s maintenance fees. They are also running a 3-point HH bonus for referrals on money spent for the next three months or whatever.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I assume you know not all resort MF trigger the reimbursement but if not, here it is. I own Craigendarroch Lodges and have to call it over the phone instead of paying over the web to get it coded as Hilton and trigger the credit back.

 

[GT75]

FYI My credit just came back for my Southwest air purchase of less than $100.

Mine also just came back for an upcoming flight. I purchased an SW gift card in order to get the remaining cost just under $100. Since this worked, I will need to repeat the process. And once again, thanks to TUG for helping me out.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We used that technique as well. When our flights were cancelled because of Covid, we purposefully requested travel credits to avoid AMEX clawback. Those travel credits will now be turned into points with no expiration...worked out well in the end.

 

[Wgk101]

Will this work on delta aswell

 

[letsgobobby]

Am only on page 2 of this thread but I have the Amex HHonors card, if I pay the HGVC MF with this card will I earn the Hilton rate (7x)? Alternatively I can run it on my CAR, which if it codes as a hotel/travel and earns 3x, is clearly a better option.

 

[frank808]

Am only on page 2 of this thread but I have the Amex HHonors card, if I pay the HGVC MF with this card will I earn the Hilton rate (7x)? Alternatively I can run it on my CAR, which if it codes as a hotel/travel and earns 3x, is clearly a better option.

What do you mean by run it on your CAR? I hope you CAR runs and it would be better in my opinion also

Do you mean CSR? Yes mf will code as travel. Better to get the Amex HH Aspire and get 14 points per dollar for your HGVC MF payments. CSR gets you 4.5% and Aspire will get you 7% rebate.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[letsgobobby]

CSR. Stupid auto correct. Thanks

 

[letsgobobby]

What was the final word on MF being reimbursable as Hilton credit? I own Lagoon and Marbrisa.

 

[frank808]

Lagoon and Marbrisa are listed as qualified resorts. Should qualify for the $250 aspire credit. Get a seperate aspire card for wife.

Between wife and I we have 4 different Aspire cards. We get paid $200 annually and get 4 nights free at any Hilton resort that has standard rooms available. Well right now certificates from last year and this year are good for any night. It is usually a weekend night for free.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[brp]

Will this work on delta aswell

Yes, there are ways on Delta, but they're somewhat different. Check out the flyertalk thread on the topic (Delta specific).

Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2020-21) - FlyerTalk Forums

American Express | Membership Rewards - Airline fee $250/$200/$100 reimbursement reports: DL only (2020-21) - So I'm use to getting Delta gift cards in $50 increments with this benefit. So I'm looking at a $262 flight, if I book this flight online and use a $50 gift card I'll probably trigger...

www.flyertalk.com

Cheers.

 

[letsgobobby]

I have had an Amex Hhonors card for years, am I eligible to upgrade to the Aspire and get some or most of the bonus points; or is it better to apply separately?

So get a his and hers Aspire primarily for the reimbursement on the MFs up to $250 at each resort, the free Hilton night anywhere and use it somewhere très cher, and the $200 airline reimbursement, and that justifies the $450 fee? I don't really accumulate HHonors points so even at 14x (worth 7 cpp) it might be preferable to put the balance of the MF on our CSR (worth 4.5 cpp) because the latter is easy cash back. $3000 in MF minus $500 in credits = $2500*14= 35,000 HH vs 7500 UR on CSR which is worth $112.5 cash back toward travel. Can I consistently find a Hilton room worth more than $112.5 with 35,000 points?

We already have his and hers CSR primarily for the Priority Pass access, which is very valuable at our home airport because it has a decent restaurant which is great before and after flights. We also have a US Bank Altitude which I've never figured out how to optimize and keep meaning to dump but don't (basically this card works well for those who pay using an ewallet like Apple Pay, that maximizes points but I don't have NFC on my phone so I can't take advantage of that). Anyway that adds up to $1500 in credit card fees already ($1300 this year because of the CSR fee reduction) which is about $575 ($375 this year) net of travel credits but excluding all other benefits. So the Aspire definitely needs to carry its own weight as I already have excellent travel insurance and Priority Pass access (better than Amex).

Also I keep wanting to get the Amex Plat for Centurion Lounge access, but in the age of COVID this is obviously not worth it since the clubs are mostly closed (though apparently reopening in some locations and some iteration this month) and we don't have a CL at our home airport anyway. But our next closest airport does and we often connect through there...

I'd really be thinking about using these free Aspire nights to extend our HGVC stays in Hawaii if I can't get rooms using my HGVC trader in club season. They wouldn't be TS rooms but at least we'd have a room in the same general location.

 

[frank808]

With the $450 annual fee for Aspire you get $250 Hilton rebate and $250 airline rebate.

So if you have at least $250 in MF at an eligible resort and $250 in airline charges then the Aspire is a no brainer. You would be getting PAID $50 and getting a FREE night at any Hilton hotel. It does not get any better than that.

Wife and I hold Chase cards that provide better access to Priority Pass lounges and travel protection. But we hold 4 Aspire cards because I love getting paid $200 and 4 free nights at Hilton hotels every year.

We pay a lot in annual fees for credit cards. But the fees we pay are definitely worth it for the perks we get from paying those fees. Examplep the Marriott Brilliant card it is $450 annually. But we get $300 rebate for paying our Marriott MF. Leaves me with $150 annual fee for a 50k points free night certificate. I would have spent more than $150 for the free night anyway so it is a win in my book. Of course if you have no use for a hotel room it is not worth it to get the card.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[brp]

With the $450 annual fee for Aspire you get $250 Hilton rebate and $250 airline rebate.

So if you have at least $250 in MF at an eligible resort and $250 in airline charges then the Aspire is a no brainer. You would be getting PAID $50 and getting a FREE night at any Hilton hotel. It does not get any better than that.

Wife and I hold Chase cards that provide better access to Priority Pass lounges and travel protection. But we hold 4 Aspire cards because I love getting paid $200 and 4 free nights at Hilton hotels every year.

We pay a lot in annual fees for credit cards. But the fees we pay are definitely worth it for the perks we get from paying those fees. Examplep the Marriott Brilliant card it is $450 annually. But we get $300 rebate for paying our Marriott MF. Leaves me with $150 annual fee for a 50k points free night certificate. I would have spent more than $150 for the free night anyway so it is a win in my book. Of course if you have no use for a hotel room it is not worth it to get the card.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Very similar here.

I have Chase Sapphire Reserve for Priority Pass (and $300 annual credit). We each have Aspire for exactly the reasons mentioned, I have Bonvoy Brilliant. Now, I may lose the night due to COVID, but we shall see. I also have a $95 Marriott card for a 35K night. Then mrs. brp has Hyatt for status.

We also pay a lot in fees and get back more than we pay, typically.
Cheers.

 

[letsgobobby]

although kind of silly that ES Waikiki isn‘t included. only ES on the list.

 

[JudyS]

I recently got a Hilton Business card by Amex. The signup bonus was almost as good, and the annual fee is only about $95. There have been some sign-up offers for the Hilton Surpass card, too.

I haven't stayed on Hilton points yet, but Homewood Suites seem like a decent value. Now that he's used to timeshares, my husband wants a two-room suite with cooking facilities!

Also, if you have Amex Reward Points, Amex is currently offering a ratio of 2.8 Hhonors points per 1 Amex point. I think the deal run through the end of the month.

 

[frank808]

although kind of silly that ES Waikiki isn‘t included. only ES on the list.

Hilton Embassy Suites is listed as a resort that the credit works at. It is on the resort list.

Hilton Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $274 per night
Details Book

Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort
Honolulu, HI, United States
Details Book

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Kihei, HI, United States
Details Book

Hilton Waikoloa Village
Waikoloa, HI, United States
Details Book

Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki – Beachwalk
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $342 per night
Details Book

DoubleTree by Hilton Alana – Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $217 per night
Details Book

Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations
Hawaii, United States
From $303 per night
Details Book

The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
Details Book

Ho’olei at Grand Wailea
Kihei, HI, United States
Details Book

Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
Details Book

Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, United States
Details Book

Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations
Hawaii, United States
From $441 per night
Details Book

Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
From $412 per night
Details Book
Offers

 

[letsgobobby]

Hilton Embassy Suites is listed as a resort that the credit works at. It is on the resort list.



Hilton Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $274 per night
Details Book



Hilton Hawaiian Village® Waikiki Beach Resort
Honolulu, HI, United States
Details Book



Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Kihei, HI, United States
Details Book



Hilton Waikoloa Village
Waikoloa, HI, United States
Details Book



Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki – Beachwalk
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $342 per night
Details Book



DoubleTree by Hilton Alana – Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI, United States
From $217 per night
Details Book



Kings’ Land by Hilton Grand Vacations
Hawaii, United States
From $303 per night
Details Book



The Grand Islander by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
Details Book



Ho’olei at Grand Wailea
Kihei, HI, United States
Details Book



Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
Details Book



Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village
Honolulu, United States
Details Book



Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations
Hawaii, United States
From $441 per night
Details Book



Hokulani Waikiki by Hilton Grand Vacations
Honolulu, United States
From $412 per night
Details Book
Offers

apologize, i wasn’t clear. i’m talking about the free night certificate:

Free Night Reward Property Exclusions

hiltonhonors3.hilton.com

 

[frank808]

You can use it at Hilton Hawaiian Village in one of the non HGVC units.

Better location than ES but the room you will get is smaller than the hotel room at HHV.

You can do what I do. I use the free night certificates for a nice weekend stay at Grand Wailea. Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for a nice 3 day holiday weekend. I am actually using my free nights for Feb 12-15 at Grand Wailea. Nights during that weekend for the same standard room are running $800+ a night. Now if I didnt have a cert would I pay to stay there? Probably not, but I would be in Maui and paying at least $500 a night.

Is there a nice expensive property near you that you can use certificate at?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[letsgobobby]

You can use it at Hilton Hawaiian Village in one of the non HGVC units.

Better location than ES but the room you will get is smaller than the hotel room at HHV.


Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Do you mean the room is smaller than the ES room?

I'm sure we can find something, it just happens to be the one place we would almost certainly have no trouble using it.

 

[frank808]

Sorry yes. Meant the HHV room would be smaller than the room at ES.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Ckhawaii]

Has anyone had any luck with Ocean Tower with a MF credit? From what I remember last year, I don’t think I got a credit, but we might of used the 250 credit that year at the Hilton Los Cabos.

 

[brp]

New benefit for Aspire card - $20/month dining credit through 2021

American Express Adds New Benefits To Hilton, Marriott, Delta Cards - View from the Wing

American Express has gone to great lengths to add value to their cards during the pandemic. Since they rely heavily on travel spend and travel partnerships, with people traveling less customers might think about switching away. But by adding in lucrative temporary benefits it's well worth...

viewfromthewing.com

Cheers.