Amex Hilton (Aspire and Surpass Only) CC Changes

[mountainboy]

*My head hurts looking at this but glad I have this to track, for now...
May simplify & remove some of these over time...
Too many darn cards/credits/coupons...
(yes, AI did not include the Oura credit & I am sure many others too)...

 

[brp]

Suggest folks may create their own using your favored AI for your specific cards/use case & share tips, so all of us may benefit...
TY!

My favorite AI is me, so I make sure to create these things myself to be sure there are no issues.

Cheers.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

fired up copilot on excel to create a worksheet.

I have no spreadsheet since I don't have a plethora of cards to track. That idea I replied to sounds cool, but I think it may create more headache than time-saving, given that on lines 22 - 25, it got Aspire #s wrong I think. Aspire is the only one I can quality control and I think AI got it wrong, which doesn't surprise me at all.
I don't see any equations that use columns C & D, but the airline vs hotel seems mis-sized

 

[Eric B]

... issues such as replying inside of the quotes...?

 

[WaikikiFirst]

re: "My favorite is me" ... IDK how well the latest, greatest, secret PRO versions of AI work, but for the chatbots etc that I have used, "Artificial" Intelligence is some real spin on reality. Reality = FAUX Intelligence.
Likewise, the term "hallucinates" for AI is some over-the-top spin, trying to give it an "anthro" feel. FAUX Intelligence doesn't "hallucinate". It is frequently wrong. There is a big difference between being wrong and hallucinating.

 

[HuskerATL]

re: "My favorite is me" ... IDK how well the latest, greatest, secret PRO versions of AI work, but for the chatbots etc that I have used, "Artificial" Intelligence is some real spin on reality. Reality = FAUX Intelligence.
Likewise, the term "hallucinates" for AI is some over-the-top spin, trying to give it an "anthro" feel. FAUX Intelligence doesn't "hallucinate". It is frequently wrong. There is a big difference between being wrong and hallucinating.

Stuff like this is why you can't trust AI. This was in my google news feed when the 4th quarter of the bowl game just started....and VA was up 13 - 7...and the game ended VA 13 - MO 7...and they wonder why folks don't believe the news....If news outlets want to be taken seriously, then they need to triple check anything that is released to the public.

 

[brp]

... issues such as replying inside of the quotes...?

I manipulate the underlying codes a lot and this happens some times. It was fixed before I even saw this post. All good.

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

Just received the FNC notification email and noticed the excluded properties link. I am not sure if I have ever looked at it but it looks like it is basically HGV properties, with a few others.

https://www.hilton.com/en/p/promotions/free-night-reward-property-exclusions/

 

[Zenichiro]

Just received the FNC notification email and noticed the excluded properties link. I am not sure if I have ever looked at it but it looks like it is basically HGV properties, with a few others.

https://www.hilton.com/en/p/promotions/free-night-reward-property-exclusions/

That’s strange since it says those hotels do not offer standard award rooms but some of them actually do like Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf. So not sure how accurate that is. I think you can apply a FNC as long as there is standard award availability and I’ve seen some HGV with that in the past.

 

[Eric B]

That’s strange since it says those hotels do not offer standard award rooms but some of them actually do like Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf. So not sure how accurate that is. I think you can apply a FNC as long as there is standard award availability and I’ve seen some HGV with that in the past.

The one on the list is "Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast Towers, Curio Collection," not "Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio Collection by Hilton." It probably indicates a portion of the resort that is excluded (maybe the sunsuites) from having standard award rooms available. It does seem odd to have it listed that way though as it doesn't show up as a separate resort on the Hilton website.

 

[Zenichiro]

The one on the list is "Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast Towers, Curio Collection," not "Sunseeker Resort Florida Gulf Coast, Curio Collection by Hilton." It probably indicates a portion of the resort that is excluded (maybe the sunsuites) from having standard award rooms available. It does seem odd to have it listed that way though as it doesn't show up as a separate resort on the Hilton website.

Yes I saw that as well. Must be some kind of residences or something. However, strange it’s not bookable.

 

[Eric B]

Yes I saw that as well. Must be some kind of residences or something. However, strange it’s not bookable.

AI said it was the sunsuites, but I couldn't find any reference for that. Those are bookable but only as premium awards.

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

AI said it was the sunsuites, but I couldn't find any reference for that. Those are bookable but only as premium awards.

This is a resort that Allegiant Airlines sold to Blackstone last year.

Blackstone Real Estate to Acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant Travel Company for $200 Million

Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that funds affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate have agreed to acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant for $200 million. With 785 rooms spanning 22 waterfront acres on the Gulf Coast of Florida...

newsroom.allegiantair.com

 

[Zenichiro]

This is a resort that Allegiant Airlines sold to Blackstone last year.

Blackstone Real Estate to Acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant Travel Company for $200 Million

Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that funds affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate have agreed to acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant for $200 million. With 785 rooms spanning 22 waterfront acres on the Gulf Coast of Florida...

newsroom.allegiantair.com

Yes, I know, I had a look at it when it was purchased. Largest pool in Florida supposedly. Blackstone/Hilton got a steal on that one for sure. That is why I was surprised it was listed on the FNC exclusion as I had already saw they had standard rooms. Several of these places are going with residences lately so that makes sense.

I was just looking at a place in Costa Rica, Botanika Osa Peninsula Costa Rica Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton for Christmas 2026 and it also has residences they are trying to sell. Kinda competing with low end Waldorf is my assumption.

 

[HuskerATL]

Yes, I know, I had a look at it when it was purchased. Largest pool in Florida supposedly. Blackstone/Hilton got a steal on that one for sure. That is why I was surprised it was listed on the FNC exclusion as I had already saw they had standard rooms. Several of these places are going with residences lately so that makes sense.

I was just looking at a place in Costa Rica, Botanika Osa Peninsula Costa Rica Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton for Christmas 2026 and it also has residences they are trying to sell. Kinda competing with low end Waldorf is my assumption.

Sounds similar to the residences at the Hilton/HGVC Vilamoura which you can still buy or rent for a week from an owner. Good option if you want to stay there but can't get into the HGVC.

 

[Eric B]

Yes, I know, I had a look at it when it was purchased. Largest pool in Florida supposedly. Blackstone/Hilton got a steal on that one for sure. That is why I was surprised it was listed on the FNC exclusion as I had already saw they had standard rooms. Several of these places are going with residences lately so that makes sense.

I was just looking at a place in Costa Rica, Botanika Osa Peninsula Costa Rica Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton for Christmas 2026 and it also has residences they are trying to sell. Kinda competing with low end Waldorf is my assumption.

There are a fair number of them in Costa Rica that are selling residences/fractionals. Los Altos (SLH) is one of them - stayed there using Hilton Honors points and would recommend it - very convenient to Manuel Antonio park. I've heard good things about the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica, too; not as good as Pedregal, but they're trying to get there.

 

[HuskerATL]

The Double tree isn't bad by San Jose. I have stayed there for work many times.

 

[brp]

The Double tree isn't bad by San Jose. I have stayed there for work many times.

Is this the one near the airport? If so, I agree. We've never stayed there (we live very close), but we had been parking with them for a number of years and now park
across the street (Spothero). We've been in the hotel a number of times, and it looks very nice.

Cheers.

 

[mountainboy]

The Double tree isn't bad by San Jose. I have stayed there for work many times.

I believe @HuskerATL is referring to San Jose Costa Rica (from the recent thread posts context) & not San Jose Bay Area, California @brp although could be just me misunderstanding...
TY & HNY!

Is this the one near the airport? If so, I agree. We've never stayed there (we live very close), but we had been parking with them for a number of years and now park
across the street (Spothero). We've been in the hotel a number of times, and it looks very nice.

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

Is this the one near the airport? If so, I agree. We've never stayed there (we live very close), but we had been parking with them for a number of years and now park
across the street (Spothero). We've been in the hotel a number of times, and it looks very nice.

Cheers.

Yes, between the airport and San Jose. Nice rooms and property plus a great breakfast.

On one of my work trips, I took our son, who was 13 at the time. I arranged excursions for him through the hotel and the bus picked him up while I was working. I look back on it now and wonder if that was the smartest thing to do. He met a teacher from CA on the bus and ended up hanging out with her on one of the excursions.

My Costa Rican colleagues always treat me fantastic when I go there. They always have me over for dinner with great food. They know that I like pour over coffee and have be a traditional Costa Rican pour over with the wood base, wire holder, and sock to pour through.

 

[HuskerATL]

I believe @HuskerATL is referring to San Jose Costa Rica (from the recent thread posts context) & not San Jose Bay Area, California @brp although could be just me misunderstanding...
TY & HNY!

Oh .. Yes. Costa Rica.

I had a similar thing happen with a Bowling Green trip. I mentioned that I was going to Bowling Green to a colleague and they said that they were going also. I told them that I was staying at the Hampton Inn and was going to the Hooters not too far from the hotel. He commented that he would meet me there. I was sitting in the Hooters waiting for him and then he called asking where I was at. I said at the Hooters... He said that he is at the bar and I am not there. Then he asked which Bowling Green...I said Kentucky... He was in Ohio....

 

[Zenichiro]

Sounds similar to the residences at the Hilton/HGVC Vilamoura which you can still buy or rent for a week from an owner. Good option if you want to stay there but can't get into the HGVC.

A couple years ago we stayed at WA Park City for five nights, off season in July. Our room wasn’t ready and check-in was taking forever, so I told them we’d go into town and to call me when it was ready. I kind of joked that they owed me an upgrade anyway.

About an hour later they called and said the room was ready and they’d upgraded us to a one-bedroom suite. Then they said for $100 more per night, they could give us a two-bedroom bi-level suite. I took it.

This was at the WA Residences. I didn’t know that at the time and kind of stupidly called down to ask why several cabinets in the bathroom and main bedroom were locked. They told me that was the owner’s storage.

I ended up meeting the neighbor next door, who was also an owner from Dallas. He said he bought about 10 years earlier for around $600k, and when he’s not there the hotel splits the rental income with him.

Anyway, just thought it was interesting from the topic of residences.

 

[HuskerATL]

A couple years ago we stayed at WA Park City for five nights, off season in July. Our room wasn’t ready and check-in was taking forever, so I told them we’d go into town and to call me when it was ready. I kind of joked that they owed me an upgrade anyway.

About an hour later they called and said the room was ready and they’d upgraded us to a one-bedroom suite. Then they said for $100 more per night, they could give us a two-bedroom bi-level suite. I took it.

This was at the WA Residences. I didn’t know that at the time and kind of stupidly called down to ask why several cabinets in the bathroom and main bedroom were locked. They told me that was the owner’s storage.

I ended up meeting the neighbor next door, who was also an owner from Dallas. He said he bought about 10 years earlier for around $600k, and when he’s not there the hotel splits the rental income with him.

Anyway, just thought it was interesting from the topic of residences.

Very interesting. I saw an add for a 2 bedroom at Vilamoura for 550k euros....

I met an owner there, from Ireland, and he said that when they don't use it, they give the weeks to Hilton to rent out. Nothing like living in a Hilton in the Algarve...

 

[brp]

I believe @HuskerATL is referring to San Jose Costa Rica (from the recent thread posts context) & not San Jose Bay Area, California @brp although could be just me misunderstanding...
TY & HNY!

And that's on me for not reading all of the context. But the Doubletree San Jose (CA) Airport is also very nice

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

And that's on me for not reading all of the context. But the Doubletree San Jose (CA) Airport is also very nice

Cheers.

I thought that it was pretty cool that you lived in CR....