Hilton AmEx cards

[Nowaker]

yes I was just seeing if the club enrollment would be treated any differently. Has anyone received resort credit for club enrollment even for an eligible resort?

Yes, I did at Blvd. Enrollment (speaking of this $617 fee in 2021 and $625 in 2022) is the same as regular MF. Same biller - the HOA.

 

[letsgobobby]

anyone know if Marbrisa MF billed by Grand Pacific is eligible for 14x on Aspire?

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

yes I was just seeing if the club enrollment would be treated any differently. Has anyone received resort credit for club enrollment even for an eligible resort?

I was able to use the Credit for the Activation Fee and MF's at Valdoro.

 

[Nowaker]

(UPDATE 12/30/2022) Here's a quick summary what MFs the $250 resort credit applies to:

- Colorado - Valdoro Breckenridge - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2883666
- Hawaii BI - Bay Club - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2662498
- Hawaii BI - Kinds Land - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2662604
- Hawaii BI - Kohala Suites - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2662757
- Hawaii Oahu - Lagoon Tower - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2881753
- Hawaii Oahu - Grand Islander - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2881753
- Hawaii Oahu - Hokulani - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2881753
- Las Vegas - Boulevard - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2662516 + myself
- Las Vegas - Flamingo - myself
- Las Vegas - Paradise - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2881853
- Orlando - Tuscany - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2875135
- Orlando - SeaWorld - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2875135
- UK - Craigendarroch Lodge - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2874996
- (only 100% confirmed cases where we received actual credit)

Questioned:

- ...

Doesn't apply:

- NYC - 57th West - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2662507, https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2875081
- Las Vegas - Trump - https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/hilton-amex-cards.324894/post-2881776

 

[summergirl]

can anyone confirm or deny if paying MF for NYC The Residences counts for the $250 credit? don't see that on the list above either way. this will probably determine whether we upgrade our current HH Amex. Thanks!

 

[frank808]

$10K per month. Not per quarter or year. Are you spending more than that in a month?

If so, you shouldn't be using a zero benefit PenFed card, using a regular 2% cashback card doesn't pay that much. Rather, Hilton Business will give you TWO free night certificates for $60K/year spend (my cert is worth $599 on average) and 180,000 HH minimum (assuming regular 3x category, but there are some at 6x) for a $95 AF, and has good benefits (extended warranty - EW, purchase protection - PP). Another $15K on Hilton Surpass for free night cert and 45,000 HH minimum for another $95 AF, and again with EW & PP. That's $75K spent. Add Aspire $60K for two night certs (one from MF) and another 180,000 HH for $450 AF, or $200 AF when accounted for $200 resort credit that applies to MFs, and with EW & PP.

Looked into Alliant since it is not geo fenced anymore like you said.

I do not want to open another checking account with them. Then make a direct deposit into checking account every month plus keep a $1k balance to get 2.5% on credit card. To many hoops to jump through for an extra $50 bucks a month. Just not worth it to me over Penfed. Over $10k month it drops down to 1.5% so would be at a lost with my Penfed monthly spend. Don't want to keep too many cards in wallet. Penfed, Costco, Brilliant (for monthly $25 food credit) and Amex green. Most likely downgrading Brilliant to $95 Amex when AF comes due. Just don't see the value anymore with the $350 AF(after the $300 restaurant credit redeemded $25 monthly). To much of a hassel to use every month. Liked the $300 Marriott credit as I can ise it in one transaction. 85k cert is nice but I don't think it is worth $255 over the Amex $95 AF card with 35k certificate.

Wife and I both have individual Amex Hilton Amex Business cards. We spend $15k on each card then sock drawer them. Use the Aspire for our annual MF. Am thinking might cancel after this year as I would rather have $300 than a FNA and 45k HIlton Honors pesos. We already receive 4 FNA annually from our Aspire cards.

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[brp]

can anyone confirm or deny if paying MF for NYC The Residences counts for the $250 credit? don't see that on the list above either way. this will probably determine whether we upgrade our current HH Amex. Thanks!

While I can't comment on this property, I can deny that W. 57th works for this, i.e. no credit for W. 57th MF. While this is not the same property, it is in the bHC family. So, while not exact, a partial data point.

Cheers.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Wife and I both have individual Amex Hilton Amex Business cards. We spend $15k on each card then sock drawer them. Use the Aspire for our annual MF. Am thinking might cancel after this year as I would rather have $300 than a FNA and 45k HIlton Honors pesos. We already receive 4 FNA annually from our Aspire cards.

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What does FNA mean? Has Aspire devalued their benefits? We are considering adding a second Aspire this spring.

 

[ljmiii]

What does FNA mean?

Free Night Award

 

[natarajanv]

What does FNA mean? Has Aspire devalued their benefits? We are considering adding a second Aspire this spring.

Free Night Award?


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[CalGalTraveler]

Thanks all. FWIW...although more nights are deemed "premium rewards" I am still finding high value with the free night standard award. The $250 Airline credit and $250 Resort Credit with MF payments more than cover the cost of the $450 card so I consider the Free Night Award a bonus. We would like to get 2 free nights a year so are seeking to add another.

Not so much value with our capped Amex Bonvoy and IHG cards which have devalued over the years. But they still work for airport positioning nights and college visits. Once those free nights don't work we will cancel them.

Even the Amex offers are less valuable. However they still cover the cost of the AF so need to factor that in as well.

 

[HuskerATL]

We have the Aspire and the Platinum Amex so coordinate their benefits. Using the fine hotels $200 credit on the platinum Amex right now at Loews Hotel but next time we will partner the credit for a night at Waldorf Astoria and the free night from the Aspire. The platinum fine hotel credit comes with a $100 hotel use credit, free breakfast for two, upgraded room, early check in and late check out so we can use the two for a cheap weekend at Waldorf.

 

[letsgobobby]

We have the Aspire and the Platinum Amex so coordinate their benefits. Using the fine hotels $200 credit on the platinum Amex right now at Loews Hotel but next time we will partner the credit for a night at Waldorf Astoria and the free night from the Aspire. The platinum fine hotel credit comes with a $100 hotel use credit, free breakfast for two, upgraded room, early check in and late check out so we can use the two for a cheap weekend at Waldorf.

I'm only a little tempted by the platinum since there is no Centurion lounge at my home airport. But can you explain how you are using/combining the $200 credit with all the benefits you describe?

 

[HuskerATL]

I'm only a little tempted by the platinum since there is no Centurion lounge at my home airport. But can you explain how you are using/combining the $200 credit with all the benefits you describe?

We don't have a centurion lounge in ATL but we fly Delta the most and if you have the Platinum card you get into Delta lounges free plus you get the priority pass. I got the AU cards for my wife and two sons so they get into the Delta lounges free also.

There is a Fine Hotels benefit of the card. When you book a hotel in that collection with the platinum, you get the $200 credit on the card immediately. Then, when you check in you get the other benefits at the hotel. We booked Loews in late December for today. The credit came from lasts years credit so now we have 2023 also to use. We could really do both. For example, we could have used the 2022 credit at the end of 2022 to reserve a room in 2023 and then in 2023 reserved another night there to get back to back or even add another night with the Aspire card if we stayed at a Hilton chain.

On this night, they are paying us to stay at Loews since the room is $280. We received the $200 cc credit but then get the $100 credit to use for dinner or spa and then free breakfast for two.

 

[brp]

There is a Fine Hotels benefit of the card. When you book a hotel in that collection with the platinum, you get the $200 credit on the card immediately. Then, when you check in you get the other benefits at the hotel.

I've not used this since this doesn't count as an eligible night for hotel benefits for the given chain. OTOH, Hyatt is the only one where accumulated nights actually matter. For the others, status is granted by a credit card. The status benefits would not apply. But $200 can make up for a lot of status benefits

When staying at non-Hyatt, I should look into using this.

Also, I'd want to see their rate versus the member rate I get. The couple of times I've looked, the Amex site was higher, so the benefit isn't really $200. But only a few looks so far.

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

I've not used this since this doesn't count as an eligible night for hotel benefits for the given chain

Why wouldn't it, if you are staying in a chain hotel? I don't think you can add your hotel membership number to your Amex profile, why I don't know because you can add your flight and car rental but, if you get to the hotel and asked them to add your membership number at check-in or go into the website for the chain, can't you add your membership number there and get credit for the stay? I haven't tried it and we are at Loews now which isn't our loyalty program but I could try that for Waldorf, etc. with our HH number but, since we are Diamond both through our Elite Premier level and the Aspire card, we don't care about the stays being logged but it is still good to have the Diamond status at the hotel for those perks.

 

[Nowaker]

since we are Diamond both through our Elite Premier level and the Aspire card, we don't care about the stays being logged

It still matters for milestone bonuses. The first 10K HH is at 40 nights (but due to the currently running promotion, 1 night is counted as 2, so 20 nights), and then every 10 nights (5 nights).

Still, bookings using "free night certificates" from Hilton cards are considered a direct Hilton booking. They show up on Hilton.com, are manageable there, except for booking/cancellation needing to be on the phone. But it's HH who you call and not Amex.

 

[brp]

Why wouldn't it, if you are staying in a chain hotel?

The rules for all the chains are very explicit about excluding anything booked through an alternate channel from credit or benefits. Individual hotels may override that and grant them anyway, but it is clearly stated. And this is a third party channel.

Cheers.

 

[brp]

It still matters for milestone bonuses. The first 10K HH is at 40 nights (but due to the currently running promotion, 1 night is counted as 2, so 20 nights), and then every 10 nights (5 nights).

Still, bookings using "free night certificates" from Hilton cards are considered a direct Hilton booking. They show up on Hilton.com, are manageable there, except for booking/cancellation needing to be on the phone. But it's HH who you call and not Amex.

Yup. Our FNA stays are always counted as Hilton and we get out benefits, mainly lounge access and free breakfast (Europe, mainly). The credits to get HH don't matter to us as we have way a lot of those. Executive Lounges do matter, though.

Cheers.

 

[HuskerATL]

The rules for all the chains are very explicit about excluding anything booked through an alternate channel from credit or benefits. Individual hotels may override that and grant them anyway, but it is clearly stated. And this is a third party channel.

Cheers.

Interesting. We have always gotten the benefits and, at times, have not booked directly through Hilton.

 

[HuskerATL]

Executive Lounges do matter, though.

Yes, especially at places like Conrad internationally. There is often an executive floor and lounge.

 

[letsgobobby]

We don't have a centurion lounge in ATL but we fly Delta the most and if you have the Platinum card you get into Delta lounges free plus you get the priority pass. I got the AU cards for my wife and two sons so they get into the Delta lounges free also.

There is a Fine Hotels benefit of the card. When you book a hotel in that collection with the platinum, you get the $200 credit on the card immediately. Then, when you check in you get the other benefits at the hotel. We booked Loews in late December for today. The credit came from lasts years credit so now we have 2023 also to use. We could really do both. For example, we could have used the 2022 credit at the end of 2022 to reserve a room in 2023 and then in 2023 reserved another night there to get back to back or even add another night with the Aspire card if we stayed at a Hilton chain.

On this night, they are paying us to stay at Loews since the room is $280. We received the $200 cc credit but then get the $100 credit to use for dinner or spa and then free breakfast for two.

American Express Platinum Review: Luxury Isn't Cheap - NerdWallet

The Platinum Card from American Express offers solid rewards and outstanding perks, but its hefty annual fee can't be ignored.

www.nerdwallet.com

here it sounds like the credit is either the $100 or the early check in etc, as they are different collections of hotels.

 

[HuskerATL]

I will post a picture of the letter that you get when you check in. It is all of the above. We are using it right now.... At the Loews in ATL. We reserved it in December to use up our 2022 credit, even though the stay is in 2023. I already have the $200 credit on the card from the $280 reservation. When we checked in, they give you a letter with your benefits:
- $100 credit to be used for food, drinks, and/or parking
- Free premium wifi (cost is $14.95 normally)
- $30 credit for two for breakfast ($60 total)
- Room upgrade if available and we were upgraded
- early check in at noon (we showed up about 12:30, the room wasn't ready but got it about 1)
- late check out at 4

Nice deal. In essence, they are paying us to be here but, the Old Fashioned is $17 and a ribeye is $40 so easy to blow the $100 credit.

 

[HuskerATL]

Here is the letter that you get at check in:

 

[Nowaker]

I will post a picture of the letter that you get when you check in. It is all of the above. We are using it right now.... At the Loews in ATL. We reserved it in December to use up our 2022 credit, even though the stay is in 2023. I already have the $200 credit on the card from the $280 reservation. When we checked in, they give you a letter with your benefits:
- $100 credit to be used for food, drinks, and/or parking
- Free premium wifi (cost is $14.95 normally)
- $30 credit for two for breakfast ($60 total)
- Room upgrade if available and we were upgraded
- early check in at noon (we showed up about 12:30, the room wasn't ready but got it about 1)
- late check out at 4

Nice deal. In essence, they are paying us to be here but, the Old Fashioned is $17 and a ribeye is $40 so easy to blow the $100 credit.

Wow, this is a great benefit! Sounds like a good value.

Gotta rethink Amex Plat again as I was never convinced by Amex Plat benefits to provide significantly more than the annual fee - and this is my benchmark for keeping a card with AF.

• $240 Digital entertainment meh, our friends group of 3 pool together all streaming services, and Hulu/Disney is already covered by other friend
• $155 Walmart+ meh - but there could be a value in Paramount+ included, but it's meh since it's an ad-supported version and I have the version that is sanity-friendly (no ads)
• $189 CLEAR credit meh - because I'm not eligible
• lounges meh - I don't travel too much for it too matter, plus my Priority Pass is enough
• $300 Equinox meh - because I live rural and have my own workout room
• $15 x 12 + $20 Uber / Uber eats meh - no Uber in my area, so it's only for vacations that we don't drive to and don't rent a car
• $200 airline credit meh - because I have AA and Delta low-AF cards that provide free bags, and I'm not a seat upgrading dude. And besides bags or seats, I don't know what else there is to spend money on. Internet didn't count as incidental charge - it was charged by Viasat directly. Look below how I used my 2x $250 credit on Aspire before EOY, but it's nothing I would ever buy myself so the usefulness is questionable.