Amex Hilton Changes

[ljmiii]

To my knowledge yes...but we've never hit that 60K spend!

(And sad news about the CSR...the last round of changes already make having the card feel like clipping coupons).

 

[Eric B]

there are rumors about major changes coming to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which would probably lead us to dump the card and go exclusively Amex Aspire and Surpass.

So with that said I want to confirm the FNC benefits with the cards. We have a his and hers Surpass and Aspire.

Surpass - FNC at $15k spend per cy

Aspire - FNC per cy, another FNC at $30k spend per cy, and a third at $60k spend per cy.

Is this correct?

So if apportioned optimally that could be 8 FNCs per year for $150k annual spend?

That looks correct to me. Whether it's really optimal depends on what other credit cards you've got and what the spend is on, of course.

I've seen the rumors about the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Might wind up giving that one up, too. A lot of the coupon benefit items aren't that valuable to me and I've already got plenty to keep track of.

 

[brp]

I haven't seen the CSR rumors, but I'll wait until something concrete shows up before making any decisions. I did look at some rumored changes and I do see some positive benefits (more points for travel), but the rumored fee increase is steep.

CHeers.

 

[frank808]

Surpass - FNC at $15k spend per cy

Aspire - FNC per cy, another FNC at $30k spend per cy, and a third at $60k spend per cy.

Is this correct?

So if apportioned optimally that could be 8 FNCs per year for $150k annual spend?

I mainly use my Hilton Cards for MF spend. Used to use Surpass to charge $30K in MF. Then stays at Hilton brands use the Aspire for HH points.

Would rather get 2%-5% on non Hilton spend with other credit cards. The $120K spend for the Aspire would earn me 4 more FNC. Without any credit card purchase optimization I would get minimum $2400 in cash using non hilton credit cards. I have been getting about $1050 cash (for $30k spend) vs one FNC+minimum 90k HH points. I take the cash unless I have a Hilton stay coming up in a year that would cost more than $500 a night though YMMV.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[letsgobobby]

I mainly use my Hilton Cards for MF spend. Used to use Surpass to charge $30K in MF. Then stays at Hilton brands use the Aspire for HH points.

Would rather get 2%-5% on non Hilton spend with other credit cards. The $120K spend for the Aspire would earn me 4 more FNC. Without any credit card purchase optimization I would get minimum $2400 in cash using non hilton credit cards. I have been getting about $1050 cash (for $30k spend) vs one FNC+minimum 90k HH points. I take the cash unless I have a Hilton stay coming up in a year that would cost more than $500 a night though YMMV.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

not sure i follow all your math but wouldn't you get four FNCs PLUS all the cash back categories vs the minimum $2400 on 2% cash back cards? We do get $600 per FNC in any case.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We have heard the CSR rumors. We are 2 player. Was already planning to kill one CSR and get SUB on Sapphire Preferred to replace. The DD credit coupons are a PITA.

Priority Pass is nice and we use but rumors of resort fees will kill that pronto.

We are 2 player Aspire and Surpass so 4FNCs for $15k spend each. Will keep those for now. Also will not spend $60k for 2 FNC.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

DP: I received 14x on Hilton Aspire at KBC, Maui.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

I did not attempt using a Hilton AMEX card at the Modern because DEX EU exchanges never works for Hilton nor for travel.

My Chase Sapphire registered Modern as a HIlton Hotel and I received 3x for travel on CSR.

 

[JohnnyO]

I did not attempt using a Hilton AMEX card at the Modern because DEX EU exchanges never works for Hilton nor for travel.

My Chase Sapphire registered Modern as a HIlton Hotel and I received 3x for travel on CSR.

View attachment 111231

So do you wish you tried to use your Hilton Amex based on this?

Edit: Sorry said with and meant wish. I fixed it.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

So do you with you tried to use your Hilton Amex based on this?

No did not try because I wasn't sure I would get Hilton points credit.

I used Sapphire Reserve and it qualified as a hotel travel expense points. When DeX EU takes exchange and tier fees it qualified for neither card so I use a general 2% cashback card for those transactions.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

PSA: Q2 credits on Surpass and Aspire Hilton and airfare Credits expire at the end of this month. Get those credits!

 

[SNS02]

I just asked this on Reddit too, but given people here understand the want for Hilton cards would love collective thoughts too. We were on the get 6 Amex Aspires path (3 me and 3 P2). We both had one and last year we both got the surpass and the regular Hilton when there was a bonus and FNC. Now I’m at a year and upgrading. My original plan was upgrade the surpass to Aspire and regular to Surpass then the next year move up the Surpasses to Aspire. But now I’m wondering if thats worth doing. I was thinking doing the 15k certificate another year because of timing I could probably get two to four certificates out of a $150 annual fees. Is that the right move to surpass first then Aspire? Or just move it up? Generally was aiming for just Aspires to get the certificates without much focus on hitting the 15k spend. Having 4 hit in the summer helps with spring break planning, our original Aspire certificates issue in the Fall and that annoys me a bit and is sometimes harder to use those. I may one day cancel those Aspires to reset the clock but we are also in a unique position of having 6 branded Amex cards and I dont want to screw that up haha. For those that dont know, Amex normally only allows 5 branded credit cards (not charge cards) but some people get 6 or 7 approved.

 

[frank808]

I just asked this on Reddit too, but given people here understand the want for Hilton cards would love collective thoughts too. We were on the get 6 Amex Aspires path (3 me and 3 P2). We both had one and last year we both got the surpass and the regular Hilton when there was a bonus and FNC. Now I’m at a year and upgrading. My original plan was upgrade the surpass to Aspire and regular to Surpass then the next year move up the Surpasses to Aspire. But now I’m wondering if thats worth doing. I was thinking doing the 15k certificate another year because of timing I could probably get two to four certificates out of a $150 annual fees. Is that the right move to surpass first then Aspire? Or just move it up? Generally was aiming for just Aspires to get the certificates without much focus on hitting the 15k spend. Having 4 hit in the summer helps with spring break planning, our original Aspire certificates issue in the Fall and that annoys me a bit and is sometimes harder to use those. I may one day cancel those Aspires to reset the clock but we are also in a unique position of having 6 branded Amex cards and I dont want to screw that up haha. For those that dont know, Amex normally only allows 5 branded credit cards (not charge cards) but some people get 6 or 7 approved.

Unless the Surpass spend categories has better return than your other credit cards, I would upgrade cards to Aspire and skip Surpass. I get better return on $15k of non Hilton spend on other cards. That $15k of non bonus spending gets you 45k Hilton Honors points. Using another card, I get a minimum of $300 cash for regular spending. Both Aspire and Surpass get you the FNC, but Aspire has no spend for it. Both cards get you $50 annually over the annual fee if you can use the Hilton and airline credits(Aspire).

For me, it boils down to $300 in my pocket or 45k HH points. I chose the cash, so have 4 aspires (2 Aspires for myself and 2 for wife). We are also in the same spot as yourself. I have 6 Amex credit card accounts and wife has 7 Amex. We had accounts that were converted/sold to Amex. I would like to cancel the Aspire and apply to synchronize FNC expiration dates also. I also fear of being able to get Aspire approval as we would have 5 and 6 Amex charge cards accounts.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[HuskerATL]

That $15k of non bonus spending gets you 45k Hilton Honors points.

Depends on your spending. Their bonus points have a range. You can't discount the bonus points to justify not getting the card. If I do the $15k at Hilton properties, then it is 180k HH points. If you pay MFs with it, then that is a chunk of it but I do use the Aspire for that for the extra 2x. I still like to balance the Aspire with the Surpass. I use it for higher bonus point spending until the free FNC and then stop using it, other than the quarterly $50 toward MFs.

 

[ljmiii]

My original plan was upgrade the surpass to Aspire and regular to Surpass then the next year move up the Surpasses to Aspire. But now I’m wondering if thats worth doing. I was thinking doing the 15k certificate another year because of timing I could probably get two to four certificates out of a $150 annual fees....

For us the Surpass HHonor yield of 6x spend on $15K of Gas and Groceries plus the $50/quarter on Hilton spend make the card the perfect complement to our Aspire, CSR, and United Infinite Club cards. And toward the end of last year (once we hit caps on other cards) we also took advantage of the Surpass HHonor 4x spend on misc internet purchases. But obviously, YMMV.

 

[frank808]

Depends on your spending. Their bonus points have a range. You can't discount the bonus points to justify not getting the card. If I do the $15k at Hilton properties, then it is 180k HH points. If you pay MFs with it, then that is a chunk of it but I do use the Aspire for that for the extra 2x. I still like to balance the Aspire with the Surpass. I use it for higher bonus point spending until the free FNC and then stop using it, other than the quarterly $50 toward MFs.

The bonus for signing up is once a lifetime usually. For bonus category I mean for grocery, travel, shopping, restaurants and such on annual spending.

For non bonus category the Surpass gets 3 points for every dollar. Spending $15k in non bonus category, you earn 45k HH points. With a 2% card like citi double cash, you will get $300 vs the 45K HH points. Everyone's value is different. Only your situation will decide if 45k HH points is worth more than $300.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[HuskerATL]

The bonus for signing up is once a lifetime usually. For bonus category I mean for grocery, travel, shopping, restaurants and such on annual spending.

For non bonus category the Surpass gets 3 points for every dollar. Spending $15k in non bonus category, you earn 45k HH points. With a 2% card like citi double cash, you will get $300 vs the 45K HH points. Everyone's value is different. Only your situation will decide if 45k HH points is worth more than $300.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

Let me be rephrase. I was talking about the multiplier on spending not the sign up bonus.

It is 12x HH points on Hilton spending so 180k HH points if you spent $15k at Hiltons.

There is a range of multipliers for it not just 3x. For example, 6x for gas, groceries, and restaurants. 4x on online purchases, etc

Actually better than the Aspire on some non-Hilton purchases... But the same for others.

Surpass is on the left, Aspire on the right

 

[frank808]

For us the Surpass HHonor yield of 6x spend on $15K of Gas and Groceries plus the $50/quarter on Hilton spend make the card the perfect complement to our Aspire, CSR, and United Infinite Club cards. And toward the end of last year (once we hit caps on other cards) we also took advantage of the Surpass HHonor 4x spend on misc internet purchases. But obviously, YMMV.

For gas we use the Costco card for 5% but is capped at I think $7k of gas purchases. For groceries we get 5% back also. Equation for me with Surpass on the $15k spend is $750 in cash or 90k HH points. Though I dont spend $15k in those 2 categories annually. I value $750 more than the 90k HH points.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[HuskerATL]

We also use the Amex Preferred Blue card, which has a low annual fee. But, Kroger card the most for the fuel points.

 

[frank808]

Let me be rephrase. I was talking about the multiplier on spending not the sign up bonus.

It is 12x HH points on Hilton spending so 180k HH points if you spent $15k at Hiltons.

There is a range of multipliers for it not just 3x. For example, 6x for gas, groceries, and restaurants. 4x on online purchases, etc

Actually better than the Aspire on some non-Hilton purchases... But the same for others.

Surpass is on the left, Aspire on the right

View attachment 111764

Yes I think we are saying the same thing. I would rather use the Aspire for Hilton MF to get 14x points instead of Surpass 12x.

For categories like 6x gas, groceries and restaurants I get 3% to 5% in cash with other cards rather than using Amex Surpass. Because other cards offer better rebates in these categories (3%-5%) I only will use Aspire card or Surpass card for HGVC maintenance fees. If I am just using the Amex card for MF, I would rather use the Aspire for 14x instead of Surpass 12x per dollar spent.

I get 5% for using citi card at costco gas station. If I spent $15k with Surpass for fuel it would be 90k hh points while with citi Costco I could get $750. Equation boils down to $750 using citi costco or 90k HH points using Surpass. Of course YMMV depending on what you value more.

In my case it boils down to $15k spend to get a FNC with surpass while with Aspire the FNC is part of annual fee. The max rebate using Surpass for that $15k annual spend to get FNC would be 90k HH points on the 6x category vs using other cards to receive a max rebate of $750 cash on that same $15k spend.

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@SNS02 We have 2 Aspires and 2 surpasses (2 player). With the Surpass 15k you can time the certificate issuance date when you complete the 15k. So we have 2 Aspires that re-issue in the summer. We are going to push the 2 Surpass payments to finish later in the year to allow for Summer and Fall Travel. We have not upgraded to Aspires because we like the lower AF on the Surpass.

 

[HuskerATL]

Actually, I do spend the $15k for the Surpass FNC, which I have already done for this year, that can be valued up to $2k, if used at the correct place. Last year we had 4 FNCs, 1 earned from the Surpass, 1 free and 1 earned from my Aspire, and 1 free from my wife's Aspire. But groceries and gas mostly at Kroger using the Kroger card and then online Costco using the Costco card. We have actually never been in the local Costco here... Or gotten gas there but did just fill up both cars, that require premium gas, at Kroger's for about $2.60/gallon. We take both cars and park on both sides of the pump, then fill both up to maximize the discount.

 

[ljmiii]

For gas we use the Costco card for 5% but is capped at I think $7k of gas purchases....

Definitely a better option if you live somewhere near a Costco that sells gas. My parents love filling up their vehicle at Costco.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Since we have rooftop solar and an EV for town driving (free) we now only use our ICE vehicles for long road trips so we rarely buy gas.

 

[frank808]

Since we have rooftop solar and an EV for town driving (free) we now only use our ICE vehicles for long road trips so we rarely buy gas.

Costco card gives 4% back on EV charging!

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk