@Anonymous wrote:Also wondering if these cards would show up on the Amex prequal page?
They've replaced all of the cards that normally show up on my offers page. Too much blue! 100,000 points sounds like a lot until you realize that the points are not very valuable. 100,000 Hilton points convert to a measly 10,000 SkyMiles - just seems easier to spend $250 at Shari's Berries through SkyMiles Shopping and pay with an MR-earning card. 
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Also wondering if these cards would show up on the Amex prequal page?
They've replaced all of the cards that normally show up on my offers page. Too much blue! 100,000 points sounds like a lot until you realize that the points are not very valuable. 100,000 Hilton points convert to a measly 10,000 SkyMiles - just seems easier to spend $250 at Shari's Berries through SkyMiles Shopping and pay with an MR-earning card.
I don't think converting to SkyMiles is the best use of Hilton points. That said, I totally agree that Hilton points aren't that valuable; you can probably get $500 value out of 100k points. Certainly nothing like the 100k points you could get for the CSR when it launched, but $500 is nothing to sneeze.
The part about SkyMiles and the endless Shari's Berries offers with both Amex and SkyMiles shopping was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, unfortunately the closest emoji was tongue sticking out. Now where's my sneezy emoji? 
I really don't like the new color scheme. I can barely tell them apart. That said, I will be asking for a new card soon.
Someone asked if the NAF would have an upgrade offer to Ascend in a year. I would think that's very likely since Amex is usually pretty good about upgrade offers.
@K-in-Boston wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:Also wondering if these cards would show up on the Amex prequal page?
They've replaced all of the cards that normally show up on my offers page. Too much blue! 100,000 points sounds like a lot until you realize that the points are not very valuable. 100,000 Hilton points convert to a measly 10,000 SkyMiles - just seems easier to spend $250 at Shari's Berries through SkyMiles Shopping and pay with an MR-earning card.
Lol, yeah I do realize it's not worth as much and could probably get better value elsewhere, but it still seems like a fairly good fit for my spend + travel habits at the moment. As far as the prequal, I'm only seeing PRG, ED, and Platinum come up under my offers (which have been there for months), would the underwriting for Hilton be similar? I have no Amex accounts in my name (an AU on a charge card) so maybe that's why?
@Anonymous wrote:If I apply for the no AF version now, is it likely that there would be a points offer to upgrade to the Ascend in a year or so? I have never had any hilton cards before, and am looking to bank points rather than redeem them this year.
Also wondering if these cards would show up on the Amex prequal page?
Do you currently have any Amex accounts? If so, you can check if you're prequalified. When I click on one of them (while logged into my amex account) it shows pre-approved.
Update: Upgraded to Aspire !!!
I tried earlier and it wouldn't let me. Then, retried again this afternoon using my phone and it looked it went through. Wasn't very hopeful about it until I have the card on my hand but logged on tonight and my account has changed from Ascend to Aspire. The benefits page is also showing the Diamond Status, etc that comes with Aspire.
@Anonymous wrote:
Ugh - Amex. I just app’d for the Aspire card and was instant declined due to my capacity to take on new debt. Lol. I have student loans (granted, a lot, monthly payment of $650) and a mortgage. No other debt. Really starting to get sick of banks being spooked by large federal student loans (seriously, no one will ever pay these back in full - get with it banks).
Should I recon with Amex? I was on the fence about the card anyway, but thought it would be a good reaplcement to the Ritz and switch from Marriott/SPG to Hilton this year. Generally, not the biggest hilton fan, but could be swayed with Diamond status.
A bit off subject but with a 650 payment I am guessing you owe approx. 70k? They certainly will get their money back from you if you are still young as if you care about your credit and you can't get out of student loan you will continue to pay that payment or if you are older you will die with them and it will come out of your estate. That is one thing you can't get out of 
.
Also Amex doesn't recon.. It really comes down to DTI and assuming you debt being SL's, house payment and whatever else such as car payment and CC payments exceed what they are comfortable with with your income whatever that might be.