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Amex Hilton (Aspire and Surpass Only) CC Changes

brp said:
From the pictures of Casa Mani, it looks fairly different. We may have to check it out in April when we do have a stay at the Andaz for a concert in Napa.
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FYI:
“The former Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley (located at 1075 California Blvd, Napa, CA) has been rebranded and renovated. It is now called Casa Mani Resort Napa Valley, Curio Collection by Hilton.
This change was announced by Hilton in late 2025, with the property debuting under its new name and as part of the Curio Collection in early 2026. It underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation to reflect the Curio brand’s focus on distinctive, immersive experiences. Multiple sources, including Hilton’s official site, TripAdvisor, and Napa Valley listings, explicitly note it as “formerly Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley.”
It’s still part of the Hilton portfolio (so Hilton Honors benefits apply), but no longer operates as an Embassy Suites property. The rebranding included updates to design, amenities, and overall vibe to better suit the upscale wine country setting.”
 
Reddart said:
FYI:
“The former Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley (located at 1075 California Blvd, Napa, CA) has been rebranded and renovated. It is now t the called Casa Mani Resort Napa Valley, Curio Collection by Hilton.
This change was announced by Hilton in late 2025, with the property debuting under its new name and as part of the Curio Collection in early 2026. It underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation to reflect the Curio brand’s focus on distinctive, immersive experiences. Multiple sources, including Hilton’s official site, TripAdvisor, and Napa Valley listings, explicitly note it as “formerly Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley.”
It’s still part of the Hilton portfolio (so Hilton Honors benefits apply), but no longer operates as an Embassy Suites property. The rebranding included updates to design, amenities, and overall vibe to better suit the upscale wine country setting.”
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We stayed at the Casi Mani 2 weekends ago. It’s a nice place, very clean and modern, they really paid attention to the small details on the upgrades. No SPA services currently but did let us know they are adding SPA services. (Don’t recall when). Charges 26 a day for parking, which you pay outside on a QR code. Only negative is there is a freeway on one side which you can hear from the bedroom, so pick a room on the other side.

Used our $100.00 Resy credit at a Filipino restaurant Carabao, only has 12 tables.
 
HuskerATL said:
A Carabao is a water buffalo which I have eaten many times in the Philippines. A bit tough but not terrible. I like Filipino restaurants though
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But, I may not be the best judge of food though because I have also eaten eel, fresh water snails, 14 day old duck eggs, pig intestines in blood sauce, sea urchins, minnow hash browns, dog, and many dishes in between....in the Philippines...:)
 
Shouldn't be a problem with Aspire because the credit is not for flight incidentals but instead for flights.

$200 Flight Credit​

Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline, through AmexTravel.com, or through the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.‡

Benefit Details​

Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, for a total of up to $200 back each year, on flight purchases made directly with an airline, through AmexTravel.com, or through the Amex Travel App™ using your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.‡
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HuskerATL said:
We book cheap refundable to credit flights on Delta. Once the credit hits, we cancel the flight.
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They don’t claw back the credit?
 
HuskerATL said:
But, I may not be the best judge of food though because I have also eaten eel, fresh water snails, 14 day old duck eggs, pig intestines in blood sauce, sea urchins, minnow hash browns, dog, and many dishes in between....in the Philippines...:)
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I eat Filipino food frequently, but they none of those listed except the chocolate meat. lots of adobo, pancit, lumpia, beef steak, caldareta and sinigang.
 
Monkeyboy said:
I eat Filipino food frequently, but they none of those listed except the chocolate meat. lots of adobo, pancit, lumpia, beef steak, caldareta and sinigang.
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Those are very traditional Filipino dishes and what we eat often in the States, since my wife is a Filipina, but when I was in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and trips to the Philippines, I got/get the full experience...:)
 
I didn't immediately see my Elara resort credit in January for MF. Saw that some were told to wait 8-12 weeks to see the credit. I patiently waited 12 weeks. I started a chat today and quickly got the credit with no questions asked. Said will post to my account within 5 business days.
 
HuskerATL said:
Those are very traditional Filipino dishes and what we eat often in the States, since my wife is a Filipina, but when I was in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and trips to the Philippines, I got/get the full experience...:)
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My wife is as well, but never been to PI.
 
Monkeyboy said:
My wife is as well, but never been to PI.
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You can ask her about balut, dinuguan, kissing snails in coconut milk.. Don't remember the name but you basically kiss them to get the meat out, and aso adobo... Not really adobo but similar...iyam in Catanduanes (Bicol) where I lived for 2 years in the Peace Corps. But only had it once and it wasn't my favorite. Love the local small crabs in coconut milk and malunggay....
 
HuskerATL said:
You can ask her about balut, dinuguan, kissing snails in coconut milk.. Don't remember the name but you basically kiss them to get the meat out, and aso adobo... Not really adobo but similar...iyam in Catanduanes (Bicol) where I lived for 2 years in the Peace Corps. But only had it once and it wasn't my favorite. Love the local small crabs in coconut milk and malunggay....
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I am familiar with balut and dinuguan, not the others.
 
Eric B said:
Just checked my AMEX Hilton benefits and can't find anything specific to balut, etc.....
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Per some rumors, AmEx may be considering a 'credit' for $1, every week for balut or dinogan, but must be activated in the app every week, and only at 'curated' list of 'Aspire' restaurants (jk)...
Mahalo/Salamat!
 
mountainboy said:
Per some rumors, AmEx may be considering a 'credit' for $1, every week for balut or dinogan, but must be activated in the app every week, and only at 'curated' list of 'Aspire' restaurants (jk)...
Mahalo/Salamat!
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Do we actually have to eat the balut or can we just order it and cancel it like a Delta flight? I tried it during a port visit in Subic Bay in the 80s and that was enough for me!
 
Just signed up for a surpass card, can I make a 50.00 payment in my timeshare even if I don’t have a current balance?
 
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