Amex Hilton (Aspire and Surpass Only) CC Changes

[1Kflyerguy]

I am trying a different approach this year. I have stays at both Elara and WA Dana Point in the next 45 days, both of which should trigger the Aspire credit. I used my Surpass card for my meal this year, which triggered the $50 Hilton credit as expected. I usually only use the Surpass for grocery and online shopping enough to collect the free night cert. The MF payments nice and early in the year will give me a head start on earning the FNC, and I can still collect the Aspire credit from planned spend.

 

[Reddart]

I am trying a different approach this year. I have stays at both Elara and WA Dana Point in the next 45 days, both of which should trigger the Aspire credit. I used my Surpass card for my meal this year, which triggered the $50 Hilton credit as expected. I usually only use the Surpass for grocery and online shopping enough to collect the free night cert. The MF payments nice and early in the year will give me a head start on earning the FNC, and I can still collect the Aspire credit from planned spend.

I have an upcoming stay at OO, which is on the list. Not sure I would organically spend $200 there for 3 days. Are there fees to staying there with an HGVC booking?

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I have an upcoming stay at OO, which is on the list. Not sure I would organically spend $200 there for 3 days. Are there fees to staying there with an HGVC booking?

I have not stayed at OO. In Hawaii, you get some taxes, and I often charge meals or drinks to the room. I'm not sure if I'll reach $200 at Elara since it's winter, and I won't be using the full bar of similar. We won't have a car for parking (I'm not sure if they charge for that). However, at the Waldorf, I am sure I will incur some food and drink charges, and my wife has already mentioned that she plans to book the spa.

 

[GT75]

Are there fees to staying there with an HGVC booking?

No. There is a $15/day parking fee if you have a second car.

 

[HuskerATL]

I have an upcoming stay at OO, which is on the list. Not sure I would organically spend $200 there for 3 days. Are there fees to staying there with an HGVC booking?

You can eat at the restaurant and charge to the room...I have heard that there is some deluxe "room service"....it may be cash only though but you can try to charge to the room...

 

[magmue]

I haven't seen it trigger for my Kingsland, yet, and I don't have a good feeling about it.

Same boat. I paid most of Kingsland on 12/19, and no reimbursement yet. I paid the rest off on 1/5.

Looking at my Quicken records, I see I had to call last year - they paid both the 2024 credits on 4/16/25.

In my experience, they either pay it quickly or need a nudge. And the CS folks are always very nice, but I believe they have been instructed not to fix it unless 8 weeks has passed. So I might as well wait until mid March before I nudge.

 

[Reddart]

Yeah I got the “8-10 weeks” line from them when I just enquired.

 

[Zenichiro]

You guys are checking from the primary account correct? Sometimes you don’t see statement credits on the AU account.

 

[Reddart]

No, definitely checking on both Aspire primary accounts in my case.

 

[mountainboy]

I have not stayed at OO. In Hawaii, you get some taxes, and I often charge meals or drinks to the room. I'm not sure if I'll reach $200 at Elara since it's winter, and I won't be using the full bar of similar. We won't have a car for parking (I'm not sure if they charge for that). However, at the Waldorf, I am sure I will incur some food and drink charges, and my wife has already mentioned that she plans to book the spa.

WA Monarch Beach is excellent! Nice private beach, they take you to in their shuttle (or can walk/run to)...
They have a beachfront cafe; likely can charge to room... Also have a store, next to the spa, where you can use your HH Diamond benefit credit (cheap BF eats), just like at WA Grand Wailea.... If you park, can also charge (= Aspire credit).

I have used my Aspire credit on the HI taxes (on HGVC HI stays) in '25 (& shall be doing so again in '26 for both H1 & H2)..
Mahalo!

 

[1Kflyerguy]

WA Monarch Beach is excellent! Nice private beach, they take you to in their shuttle (or can walk/run to)...
They have a beachfront cafe; likely can charge to room... Also have a store, next to the spa, where you can use your HH Diamond benefit credit (cheap BF eats), just like at WA Grand Wailea.... If you park, can also charge (= Aspire credit).

I have used my Aspire credit on the HI taxes (on HGVC HI stays) in '25 (& shall be doing so again in '26 for both H1 & H2)..
Mahalo!

We stayed there last year while visiting friends and Disney. But did not actually spend much time on the property. This year, we are staying at the Disney Resort while visiting the parks, then moving over to WA's Monarch Beach for a couple of days. This time, I hope to actually get down to the beach and try the beachfront cafe.

Recently, it's been hit or miss for my Elara of Kingsland MF to trigger the credits automatically, but the credits always seem to trigger automatically from organic spend at one of the listed resorts. We are back at KL in the fall, so that should use up my 2nd half credit.

 

[Zenichiro]

We stayed there last year while visiting friends and Disney. But did not actually spend much time on the property. This year, we are staying at the Disney Resort while visiting the parks, then moving over to WA's Monarch Beach for a couple of days. This time, I hope to actually get down to the beach and try the beachfront cafe.

Recently, it's been hit or miss for my Elara of Kingsland MF to trigger the credits automatically, but the credits always seem to trigger automatically from organic spend at one of the listed resorts. We are back at KL in the fall, so that should use up my 2nd half credit.

This might be my next WA we are looking to visit when we get out to the west coast.

 

[mountainboy]

This might be my next WA we are looking to visit when we get out to the west coast.

Loved the 4th of July fireworks from our own balcony, right next to launch area, at the resort. Really nice staff. Beach was super crowded; not sure if all the young folks were actually staying at WA or somehow sneaked in. Was crazy busy at the beach that day, esp as private area (with complimentary WA beach umbrellas & beach chairs), with rack rates of 1800/night, although we used our FNC...

 

[Zenichiro]

Loved the 4th of July fireworks from our own balcony, right next to launch area, at the resort. Really nice staff. Beach was super crowded; not sure if all the young folks were actually staying at WA or somehow sneaked in. Was crazy busy at the beach that day, esp as private area (with complimentary WA beach umbrellas & beach chairs), with rack rates of 1800/night, although we used our FNC...

Yes I was just going to say I thought the beach was private in that area but I assume it’s hard to police.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

FWIW... Just like Mexico, all beaches in California are public. However vendors can have chair and umbrella areas that are private.

 

[Jace]

Waited until Jan 1 to pay my HGV Dues on my Surpass card , already earned my FNC for the year as well.

We had ultimate redemption over XMas / NY , got 6 nights at Park City Waldorf Astoria points + FNC for 2 rooms , they upgraded to a 2 Bedroom Residence which had a going rate of $3,800/night for busy holiday ski weekend! Hit the jackpot in almost $25k in reward value.

 

[Zenichiro]

Waited until Jan 1 to pay my HGV Dues on my Surpass card , already earned my FNC for the year as well.

View attachment 120509


We had ultimate redemption over XMas / NY , got 6 nights at Park City Waldorf Astoria points + FNC for 2 rooms , they upgraded to a 2 Bedroom Residence which had a going rate of $3,800/night for busy holiday ski weekend! Hit the jackpot in almost $25k in reward value.

WA Park city was the best upgrade I have ever had as well. Really great property.

 

[Jace]

WA Park city was the best upgrade I have ever had as well. Really great property.

If only Park City had snow this year

 

[brp]

If only Park City had snow this year

Indeed. we're going to Alta later this year (no snowboards allowed) and hoping for snow.

Cheers.

 

[Sapper]

Might the difference on whether Elara triggers the $200 be whether it’s HGVC Elara (listed as a Hilton resort) vs bHC Elara (not listed as a Hilton resort)?

 

[Reddart]

Might the difference on whether Elara triggers the $200 be whether it’s HGVC Elara (listed as a Hilton resort) vs bHC Elara (not listed as a Hilton resort)?

It could be, not sure if bHC Elara triggers the credit, but my classic HGVC Elara has in the past.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Yes I was just going to say I thought the beach was private in that area but I assume it’s hard to police.

There are no private beaches in California; all beaches are considered public. You can own the land near the rear of the beach, allowing many homes and resorts to claim that area for the exclusive use of their guests. And of course, some people and resorts do push the limits and take actions to limit public access or use of the beach.

 

[brp]

There are no private beaches in California; all beaches are considered public. You can own the land near the rear of the beach, allowing many homes and resorts to claim that area for the exclusive use of their guests. And of course, some people and resorts do push the limits and take actions to limit public access or use of the beach.

The big issue here is the right-of-way to get to the beach, In some cases the nearest access can be pretty far away making the beach, for all intents and purposes, private. But, yes, it is not.

Cheers.