Amex Hilton Changes

[Sandy VDH]

I paid part of my MF for Bay Club to complete my $200 AMEX Aspire credit for July to Dec. While Bay Club is not specifically on the list of resorts, it still did indeed provide a refund for the resort credit.

I paid the SA that was earlier this summer on my AMEX card as well, and I did earn the resort credit on that spend too.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

Might want to check Amex rules regarding SUB. If you already have Aspire as primary, I have read that when you apply for Surpass Amex, will not give you the SUB for it. That new rule is maybe a little over a year old. I haven't researched further because I already have two Aspires as primary. One Aspire was product changed from Surpass to get both SUB originally years ago.

Not just Amex. I do not qualify with Barclay's bank or Bank Of America for credit card. They do not like my profile. Also 800+ with excellent credit, low credit utilization, no negative marks on report, good assets, etc. But Amex, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, Navy Fed, etc approves credit cards with high enough credit lines to purchase a new Tesla if I want to. Some banks do not like certain credit profiles and i dont know why.

While wife has credit cards from Bank of America and Wells Fargo

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Not sure if I was an exception, but I can share that I have had an Aspire for years, pretty much since it was introduced. I added a Surpass mid 2024, and received the SUP for that card, which was 70K points and a FNC. I am using the Surpass almost exclusively for groceries, and we spend enough that should generate a FNC every year. My wife has no interest in play the Credit Card game. I have a variety of cards and systems, and at this point I am at about the maximum cards I want to track and work for points.

 

[HuskerATL]

I paid part of my MF for Bay Club to complete my $200 AMEX Aspire credit for July to Dec. While Bay Club is not specifically on the list of resorts, it still did indeed provide a refund for the resort credit.

I paid the SA that was earlier this summer on my AMEX card as well, and I did earn the resort credit on that spend too.

I don't think that list is accurate. I think that they just pull the list from the Hilton site with the resort filter on which has nothing to do with what credits for Amex.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

I don't think that list is accurate. I think that they just pull the list from the Hilton site with the resort filter on which has nothing to do with what credits for Amex.

Possibly true, though now that they have specific list of eligible resorts, you have a solid basis for complaint if you don't get the credit, and a much weaker complaint when a resort not on that list does not trigger the credit...

 

[GT75]

I have a variety of cards and systems, and at this point I am at about the maximum cards I want to track and work for points.

At the beginning of 2023, I had only an Aspire card (related to Hilton). After following another similar thread a year ago, I added a Surpass card for myself and an Aspire card for my spouse. I am not sure that I can babysit any more Hilton cards to ensure that I get all of the credits.

 

[HuskerATL]

At the beginning of 2023, I had only an Aspire card (related to Hilton). After following another similar thread a year ago, I added a Surpass card for myself and an Aspire card for my spouse. I am not sure that I can babysit any more Hilton cards to ensure that I get all of the credits.

I agree, it is a lot of work trying to maximize the benefits of multiple cards

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

At the beginning of 2023, I had only an Aspire card (related to Hilton). After following another similar thread a year ago, I added a Surpass card for myself and an Aspire card for my spouse. I am not sure that I can babysit any more Hilton cards to ensure that I get all of the credits.

I’m in the process of dropping a couple of Southwest Chase cards and recently added a JetBlue and United card to our portfolio due to some market travels. Its become a part time job to keep track of all the credits and timings.

 

[GT75]

Its become a part time job to keep track of all the credits and timings.

I agree and then add in the timing for HGVC bookings. It almost makes it full-time.

 

[HuskerATL]

I agree and then add in the timing for HGVC bookings. It almost makes it full-time.

Some people are too busy traveling in their retirement years to deal with booking vacations and dealing with CCs ...

 

[GT75]

Some people are too busy traveling in their retirement years to deal with booking vacations and dealing with CCs ...

And some people get to go to exotic places for work such as Addis Ababa.

 

[letsgobobby]

For Surpass it says 6x for “US restaurants and dining including takeout” . Any data points on what is typically included/not included? Doordash, ubereats, domino’s delivery, etc?

For Aspire it says 7x for “purchases directly from select major car rental companies listed at americanexpress.com/rewards-info” which lists:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• E-Z
• Fox
• Hertz
• National
• Payless
• Sixt
• Thrifty

If I reserve using an aggregator such as Costco but pay the rental car company directly for the rental, it seems like that counts, right?


I was approved for the Surpass with the SUB.

However Mrs. Letsgobobby was approved for the card but without the SUB. We withdrew her application. Has anyone successfully found a SUB they did qualify for after initially being declined the SUB? The card is worth having without the SUB but obviously better with it.

 

[frank808]

Aggregators like costco would work for the 7x. You do not pay Costco but the rental car company directly bills your credit card.

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[ernststarhemberg]

Re: flights, I fly almost exclusively Delta. Used to have an Amex Platinum but swapped it for the Delta Reserve Amex - offers SkyClub (15x annually) and Centurion Lounge access (for Delta-booked flights) and carries the same trip delay and cancellation insurance (highly recommend this in today's travel industry) as the Platinum Amex. Delta reserve also offers 15% discount on Delta tickets purchased with Skymiles, four guest passes to Skyclubs, and a first class domestic companion certificate annually.

Platinum Amex gives 5x Amex points on all airfare, while Delta Reserve gives 3x Delta Skymiles on Delta flights.

I've found the power combo for my itineraries tends to be the Delta Reserve Amex + Amex Green card. Amex Green punches way above its weight for the $150 annual fee - covers the Clear+ subscription ($200 annually) and gives 3x Amex points on nearly all travel-related purchases (airfare, tolls, parking, rental cars, restaurants, hotels, rideshares). So for Delta flights I swipe the Delta Reserve, and for any other airline + any related travel expenses I swipe the Green card. It tends to work out points-wise.

This combo isn't a silver bullet but it gets me about 90% of what I'd want out of the program. Only thing I miss out on is Lounge access if I don't fly Delta, but I will think about coming to terms with that when/if the time comes that my non-Delta travel frequency increases.

 

[HuskerATL]

Centurion Lounge access (

You sure it gets Centurion? I know it gets Delta but wasn't aware of the Centurion. We have it but really only use it to book Delta flights and get the extra miles and the companion ticket. The plat gets those two and PP.

Not sure if we will keep it or not. I have had the Delta platinum for years and upgraded last year to the Reserve, for the SUB, and to try it. Made sense year 1 with the SUB but not sure yet about going forward... May downgrade it. Doesn't really make sense to have it and the Amex Platinum.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

You sure it gets Centurion? I know it gets Delta but wasn't aware of the Centurion. We have it but really only use it to book Delta flights and get the extra miles and the companion ticket. The plat gets those two and PP.

Not sure if we will keep it or not. I have had the Delta platinum for years and upgraded last year to the Reserve, for the SUB, and to try it. Made sense year 1 with the SUB but not sure yet about going forward... May downgrade it. Doesn't really make sense to have it and the Amex Platinum.

Yep, Amex Lounge access as long as you're flying a Delta/affiliate itinerary.

 

[HuskerATL]

Yep, Amex Lounge access as long as you're flying a Delta/affiliate itinerary.

I didn't notice that in the benefits page but we have the Platinum anyway which give us access.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

Agreed it probably doesn't make sense to have the Amex Platinum and the Delta Reserve at the same time unless you fly Delta a ton. If I had to choose only one I'd probably settle for the Amex Platinum even though I'd be missing out on some valuable Delta features like the 15% discount on skymiles purchases and the first class companion certificate (used wisely the companion certificate by itself is probably worth the card's annual fee).

I got the Delta Reserve SUB and am debating on whether to renew in May 2025, or to downgrade it to a Delta Platinum and bump the Amex Green back to Amex Platinum. Or, hell, maybe keep the Delta Reserve and bump the Green to Platinum anyway, but losing the 3x points on hotels/transportation/etc. from the Green would sting. First world problems.

 

[HuskerATL]

15% discount on skymiles purchases

the downgrade to the Delta Plat would get this though...I think. I am pretty sure that I had it before.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

I think it does - gets the same 15% discount and 2,500 MQD jumpstart as the Reserve.

 

[ernststarhemberg]

Only thing to deliberate on is if the extra $300/year for the Reserve is worth the four SkyClub guest passes and the first class companion certificate. Seems like a no-brainer; I just get tired of racking up Amex annual fees even if they do deliver tangible benefits in excess of their dollar value.

 

[HuskerATL]

Only thing to deliberate on is if the extra $300/year for the Reserve is worth the four SkyClub guest passes and the first class companion certificate. Seems like a no-brainer; I just get tired of racking up Amex annual fees even if they do deliver tangible benefits in excess of their dollar value.

The guest passes do come in handy but the first class companion ticket would be handy if I would actually buy a first class ticket to then use it. Our flights tend to be to Europe more than the US...so less helpful. Now that Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska are added, that is actually useful.

 

[Zenichiro]

For Surpass it says 6x for “US restaurants and dining including takeout” . Any data points on what is typically included/not included? Doordash, ubereats, domino’s delivery, etc?

For Aspire it says 7x for “purchases directly from select major car rental companies listed at americanexpress.com/rewards-info” which lists:

• Alamo
• Avis
• Budget
• Dollar
• Enterprise
• E-Z
• Fox
• Hertz
• National
• Payless
• Sixt
• Thrifty

If I reserve using an aggregator such as Costco but pay the rental car company directly for the rental, it seems like that counts, right?


I was approved for the Surpass with the SUB.

However Mrs. Letsgobobby was approved for the card but without the SUB. We withdrew her application. Has anyone successfully found a SUB they did qualify for after initially being declined the SUB? The card is worth having without the SUB but obviously better with it.

Amex Welcome offers are goofy.
The Amex popup doesn’t mean you can’t get approved for the card. Many people have seen the popup and still gotten approved for welcome offer as it seems to be a regional promo.

It just means you’re not eligible for the welcome bonus at that moment.

Try changing web browsers, using incognito mode, and different links to improve your chances of getting approved.

Also maybe wait for the Surpass welcome offer with the free night. Then you can get two the first year with $15k spend. Should also mention that there is a Doctor of credit link for instant approval when the Free night Surpass becomes available.

 

[1Kflyerguy]

a spouse can get the 2nd SUB, right?
bizarre world: our Aspire is in my wife's name. Amex REFUSED me. Wild stuff. I could walk inot a bank and get a loan for, well, lots of money. LOTS. But they refused me on a dinky CC. So my wife got it. I think they refused me b/c I had just cancelled another CC and added another CC, and I blazed my way thru the applctn, saying iirc "I'm retired. I have no income. I don't really spend a huge amount of $$$."
I didn't pay any attention. Who would refuse someone with an 800 score and the amount of assets I have? WHo? Amex. That is who.

Amex has limit of 5 personal and Business credit cards, plus a max of 10 charge cards. Do you happen to already have other Amex cards, is so you might be at their limit. I have read a few blogs that claim they also frown on people with existing cards that get little use. Basically they want give the cards to people that will use them for regular spend, Amex wants the swipe fees from the merchants..

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Do you happen to already have other Amex cards, is so you might be at their limit. I have read a few blogs that claim they also frown on people with existing cards that get little use

I don't, but honestly, in "loyalty" cards I never think about the actual issuer. To me, our Aspire is "that Hilton card", not an amex, so I can't even say my # of amexes. But I have few CCs. I don't chase them.
Yes, I figured that their frown on that plus having just cancelled my Delta (since I don't fly it anymore and finished using my last points) to get a UA card (since for SFO, UA is much more useful) were the 2 reasons for being REJECTED.
But here is an excellent example of how brain-dead these companies processes are. I recently bought HGVC timeshares. I then apply for a HILTON card. Wouldn't an intelligent amex want to think about whether the HILTON card is likely to be the new #1 card for somebody who just bought HGVC timesahres? Maybe? Nah. Too much deep thought required.

 

[GT75]

Amex wants the swipe fees from the merchants..

And I am sure also for the user not to pay off the charges each month. They would I am sure also like late fees on top of that.