topic Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts? in Credit Cards

Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 01:12:54 GMT

Hey Folks,

I just applied for and approved for a targeted offer for 100k HH points for the no af card. I like the Hilton brand, another no AF card could be help for util ratio and the signup bonus is equivlent to $500 back after $1000 in purchases soooo no brainer.

I was curious if anyone has had experience with this or the AF cards for Hilton and what your thoughts are.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 01:24:03 GMT

I like the card.
Make sure you search through "Amex Offers" under benefits for the card.
If you find cash back offers for products or services that you were going to purchase regardless of offer, then your annual fee would not be zero. It would be negative.
If you later decide to upgrade the card to Ascend or Aspire you can do so while keeping card history.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 01:29:41 GMT

I have the no AF one as well. I like it, I use it often since I stay in Hilton’s frequently. When I want to build up points fast I use it for restaurants and gas.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

redpat — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 01:38:14 GMT

Same, no AF because gold status comes w/ Amex plat.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

Credit-hoarder — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 02:23:06 GMT

I've gotten 3 email offers within the last few weeks plus numerous times while in incognito mode with the same 100k pt./$1000 spend in 3 mos. for the no AF Hilton card. They must want me to have it awful bad for some reason! Might take them up on it after I complete my SPG SUB near the end of this month. Lots of Hampton Inns in my area.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 04:46:36 GMT

@Credit-hoarder wrote:
I've gotten 3 email offers within the last few weeks plus numerous times while in incognito mode with the same 100k pt./$1000 spend in 3 mos. for the no AF Hilton card. They must want me to have it awful bad for some reason! Might take them up on it after I complete my SPG SUB near the end of this month. Lots of Hampton Inns in my area.

Haha nice, I got at least 2 in the mail before I caved. They must think I don't own a computer or something. Do you like SPG brands more? Ive been wanting to like Marriotts but I just enjoy Hilton brands.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

red259 — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 06:28:08 GMT

@CBartowski wrote:
Hey Folks,

I just applied for and approved for a targeted offer for 100k HH points for the no af card. I like the Hilton brand, another no AF card could be help for util ratio and the signup bonus is equivlent to $500 back after $1000 in purchases soooo no brainer.

I was curious if anyone has had experience with this or the AF cards for Hilton and what your thoughts are.

I have the ascend and aspire. I got the ascend card when it was the surpass. then I downgraded to a no AF hilton card and ended up upgrading back to the ascend because of an upgrade offer. After a year I will downgrade it again because I am likely to keep the aspire. For me I was going to keep the hilton no AF until I needed the slow to apply for another amex revolver. I did not find the hilton no-AF card to be very useful since I'd rather use my CSR for hotel charges. Beyond the SUB or helping with util I don't really care for the no-af card. The acend gives gold status which can have some value, but right now I have the aspire which I am finding pretty useful. Between the different credits and the free annual weekend night the aspire may stay in my wallet until they devalue it somehow.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

Credit-hoarder — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 08:23:40 GMT

@CBartowski wrote:
@Credit-hoarder wrote:
I've gotten 3 email offers within the last few weeks plus numerous times while in incognito mode with the same 100k pt./$1000 spend in 3 mos. for the no AF Hilton card. They must want me to have it awful bad for some reason! Might take them up on it after I complete my SPG SUB near the end of this month. Lots of Hampton Inns in my area.
Haha nice, I got at least 2 in the mail before I caved. They must think I don't own a computer or something. Do you like SPG brands more? Ive been wanting to like Marriotts but I just enjoy Hilton brands.

I currently don't have a preference for either one b/c at the moment I haven't had any recent stays in either Marriotts or Hiltons--but the closer I get to retirement and afterward it might be a different story. Also even though the points aren't worth a whole lot--it's easy to rack up so many doing every day stuff on both cards. I ship a lot of stuff b/c of my eBay business and the SPG biz gives 4x on shipping expenses.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 01:06:47 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@CBartowski wrote:
Hey Folks,

I just applied for and approved for a targeted offer for 100k HH points for the no af card. I like the Hilton brand, another no AF card could be help for util ratio and the signup bonus is equivlent to $500 back after $1000 in purchases soooo no brainer.

I was curious if anyone has had experience with this or the AF cards for Hilton and what your thoughts are.
I have the ascend and aspire. I got the ascend card when it was the surpass. then I downgraded to a no AF hilton card and ended up upgrading back to the ascend because of an upgrade offer. After a year I will downgrade it again because I am likely to keep the aspire. For me I was going to keep the hilton no AF until I needed the slow to apply for another amex revolver. I did not find the hilton no-AF card to be very useful since I'd rather use my CSR for hotel charges. Beyond the SUB or helping with util I don't really care for the no-af card. The acend gives gold status which can have some value, but right now I have the aspire which I am finding pretty useful. Between the different credits and the free annual weekend night the aspire may stay in my wallet until they devalue it somehow.

Are you able to make the 450$ AF worth it for a hotel card, especially having a CSR as well? I make monthly trips and stay in hilton hotels but theyre typically only 2-4 nights at a time, which adds up but I don't know if I could get positive value from a 450$ AF while also having other AF cards, curious how you make it work.

Thanks!

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 01:08:06 GMT

@Credit-hoarder wrote:
@CBartowski wrote:
@Credit-hoarder wrote:
I've gotten 3 email offers within the last few weeks plus numerous times while in incognito mode with the same 100k pt./$1000 spend in 3 mos. for the no AF Hilton card. They must want me to have it awful bad for some reason! Might take them up on it after I complete my SPG SUB near the end of this month. Lots of Hampton Inns in my area.
Haha nice, I got at least 2 in the mail before I caved. They must think I don't own a computer or something. Do you like SPG brands more? Ive been wanting to like Marriotts but I just enjoy Hilton brands.
I currently don't have a preference for either one b/c at the moment I haven't had any recent stays in either Marriotts or Hiltons--but the closer I get to retirement and afterward it might be a different story. Also even though the points aren't worth a whole lot--it's easy to rack up so many doing every day stuff on both cards. I ship a lot of stuff b/c of my eBay business and the SPG biz gives 4x on shipping expenses.

Fair enough. That's a pretty decent perk for sure. Good luck in soon to be retirement.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

red259 — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 03:27:30 GMT

@CBartowski wrote:
@red259 wrote:
@CBartowski wrote:
Hey Folks,

I just applied for and approved for a targeted offer for 100k HH points for the no af card. I like the Hilton brand, another no AF card could be help for util ratio and the signup bonus is equivlent to $500 back after $1000 in purchases soooo no brainer.

I was curious if anyone has had experience with this or the AF cards for Hilton and what your thoughts are.
I have the ascend and aspire. I got the ascend card when it was the surpass. then I downgraded to a no AF hilton card and ended up upgrading back to the ascend because of an upgrade offer. After a year I will downgrade it again because I am likely to keep the aspire. For me I was going to keep the hilton no AF until I needed the slow to apply for another amex revolver. I did not find the hilton no-AF card to be very useful since I'd rather use my CSR for hotel charges. Beyond the SUB or helping with util I don't really care for the no-af card. The acend gives gold status which can have some value, but right now I have the aspire which I am finding pretty useful. Between the different credits and the free annual weekend night the aspire may stay in my wallet until they devalue it somehow.
Are you able to make the 450$ AF worth it for a hotel card, especially having a CSR as well? I make monthly trips and stay in hilton hotels but theyre typically only 2-4 nights at a time, which adds up but I don't know if I could get positive value from a 450$ AF while also having other AF cards, curious how you make it work.

Thanks!

For a $450 AF I so far have gotten the following. $250 in airline credits in 2018 & again in 2019. A SUB of 150k Hilton points and a free weekend night certificate which I often use at hotel rooms that go for $500+. I also get diamond status. On top of that I am planning a trip where I should be able to use the $250 resort credit, so for me the card pays for itself clearly in the first year. In subsequent years I think it will pay for itself with the free night and airline/resort credits. In terms of the CSR I keep it because it is the only card that allows me to transfer points to travel partners since the rest of my UR cards are non-AF. On top of that I easily use the $300 travel credit. I use the CSR for travel expenses and I believe it offers better travel protection than amex does. In the future I plan on getting another chase card that allows me to transfer points to travel partners at which point I may get rid of the CSR if I have the Aspire or Amex plat (I have the amex business plat and given recent changes I need to reconsider whether I will keep the card I am leaning towards getting rid of it) since both give me lounge access. For now the aspire has value on its own that take care of the AF at least for me.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 03:41:24 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@CBartowski wrote:
@red259 wrote:
@CBartowski wrote:
Hey Folks,

I just applied for and approved for a targeted offer for 100k HH points for the no af card. I like the Hilton brand, another no AF card could be help for util ratio and the signup bonus is equivlent to $500 back after $1000 in purchases soooo no brainer.

I was curious if anyone has had experience with this or the AF cards for Hilton and what your thoughts are.
I have the ascend and aspire. I got the ascend card when it was the surpass. then I downgraded to a no AF hilton card and ended up upgrading back to the ascend because of an upgrade offer. After a year I will downgrade it again because I am likely to keep the aspire. For me I was going to keep the hilton no AF until I needed the slow to apply for another amex revolver. I did not find the hilton no-AF card to be very useful since I'd rather use my CSR for hotel charges. Beyond the SUB or helping with util I don't really care for the no-af card. The acend gives gold status which can have some value, but right now I have the aspire which I am finding pretty useful. Between the different credits and the free annual weekend night the aspire may stay in my wallet until they devalue it somehow.
Are you able to make the 450$ AF worth it for a hotel card, especially having a CSR as well? I make monthly trips and stay in hilton hotels but theyre typically only 2-4 nights at a time, which adds up but I don't know if I could get positive value from a 450$ AF while also having other AF cards, curious how you make it work.

Thanks!
For a $450 AF I so far have gotten the following. $250 in airline credits in 2018 & again in 2019. A SUB of 150k Hilton points and a free weekend night certificate which I often use at hotel rooms that go for $500+. I also get diamond status. On top of that I am planning a trip where I should be able to use the $250 resort credit, so for me the card pays for itself clearly in the first year. In subsequent years I think it will pay for itself with the free night and airline/resort credits. In terms of the CSR I keep it because it is the only card that allows me to transfer points to travel partners since the rest of my UR cards are non-AF. On top of that I easily use the $300 travel credit. I use the CSR for travel expenses and I believe it offers better travel protection than amex does. In the future I plan on getting another chase card that allows me to transfer points to travel partners at which point I may get rid of the CSR if I have the Aspire or Amex plat (I have the amex business plat and given recent changes I need to reconsider whether I will keep the card I am leaning towards getting rid of it) since both give me lounge access. For now the aspire has value on its own that take care of the AF at least for me.

Fair enough, thanks for laying it out! I plan on using the card mainly for gas as that is the one hole in my card game here and the Aspire doesn't have that category. However, I agree it definitely looks like it can pay for itself. Hopefully if the rumored Amex Green gets its makeover maybe I'll upgrade.

Thanks again!

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 04:14:30 GMT

I have it as well but I haven’t really used it since hitting the SUB. I’ll rather use my Citi Premier for hotel charges as I feel I get better value out of that. With that being said, Hilton is certainly my preferred brand. I think eventually I will get the Aspire card but definitely not until I pay off the BT on my ED card.

I actually just booked a hotel in Atlanta for Super Bowl weekend using all points. I was able to get 3cp which is awesome considering Hilton points are normally worth .05 cents. The room was going for $3600 for 2 nights and I got it for 120k points! . Hilton points aren’t worth much but you can certainly find value, especially during peak periods. Not to mention, they are extremely easy to earn.

Re: Hilton Honors AMEX, No AF Thoughts?

CBartowski — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:34:06 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I have it as well but I haven’t really used it since hitting the SUB. I’ll rather use my Citi Premier for hotel charges as I feel I get better value out of that. With that being said, Hilton is certainly my preferred brand. I think eventually I will get the Aspire card but definitely not until I pay off the BT on my ED card.

I actually just booked a hotel in Atlanta for Super Bowl weekend using all points. I was able to get 3cp which is awesome considering Hilton points are normally worth .05 cents. The room was going for $3600 for 2 nights and I got it for 120k points! . Hilton points aren’t worth much but you can certainly find value, especially during peak periods. Not to mention, they are extremely easy to earn.

Nice! Congrats on that, that's a perfect application for these points, well done! I'm looking forward to seeing how much I can make with this, maybe elevate to the Ascend for the Gold status and free breakfast at all hotels.

Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

CBartowski — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 03:00:32 GMT

Few things about the HH no AF card I just received:

-When I applied for the card I did not give my HH number as I had to apply over the phone and forgot to give it, yet it still ended up on the front of the card as the linked HH account, very excited for that (I'm clearly a simpleton)

-However, they started me at perhaps the lowest credit limit I've gotten since my first card when I was in high school...$1000! I have 800 credit score and all my other cards at 10k or over, up to $30k. Is this just because I am a relatively new AMEX customer? Has anyone had similar experiences?

Re: Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

wasCB14 — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 03:17:22 GMT

$47.5k in CL from Chase suggests a decent income. Your scores suggests you have utilization under control.

How old is your (Rose) Gold card? $1k is definitely a bit unusual for your profile. Amex isn't really known to be sensitive about new accounts, if you even have a few.

Re: Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

Gunnerboy — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 04:31:34 GMT

Interested in this thread. I'm about to apply for the no-AF verson, and am concerned about a low SL. This would be my first AMEX revolver, but I have a long history with them.

Re: Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 04:26:43 GMT

I just got approved last month as well for 1k. Was a little disappointed to say the least. I had my gold card for 3 and a half months when I applied and used it quite a bit while paying it off several times a month. I know that isn't much history but I figured I would've gotten more as I had gotten approved for bigger limits from every other card I've gotten in the last 4 months.

I will give it next month and go for my 61 day cli and hopefully jump to 3k.

Re: Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

jdbkiang — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 11:22:26 GMT

I got the card just for the 100K SUB at $1K spend as well, but it isn't very useful for me after that. The Ascend isn't really useful either, if you have an Amex Gold and maybe a gas card.

But the Aspire is an extremely beneficial card to have. I have the CSR as well, so even if we count the PP from the Aspire as $0, the $250 airline, $250 resort, and Diamond status are already enough to cover the AF. The SUB and extra $250 airline for the first year is just icing on the cake. Of the 3 personal Hilton cards, I'd really only keep the Aspire because I'm already committed to UR/MR. However, if I stayed at Hilton's extremely often, I'd just nab all 4 Hilton cards and rack up HH points by the thousands. My last stay at the Hilton was a one-nighter at a Conrad for $170 which got me upgraded to an executive suite, lounge access, and nearly 9000 points.

Re: Hilton No AF initial thoughts...same experiences?

CBartowski — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:10:16 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
$47.5k in CL from Chase suggests a decent income. Your scores suggests you have utilization under control.

How old is your (Rose) Gold card? $1k is definitely a bit unusual for your profile. Amex isn't really known to be sensitive about new accounts, if you even have a few.

My util is under 1-3% I believe at last check. The Rose Gold is admitedly very new (2 statements but spent quite a bit and paid on time).