Considering My AMEX Options: Questions

[Anonymous]

Could change in the future, but at this moment I believe that Diamond is currently Hilton's top status.
The good news is that any U.S. resident with a social security number, a good credit score, and the willingness to pay $450 can get Diamond status through Amex Aspire.
The bad news is that any U.S. resident with a social security number, a good credit score, and the willingness to pay $450 can get Diamond status through Amex Aspire.
With Diamond status it is possible but absolutely not guaranteed to get a room upgrade.
In the U.S. there will be increased competition for such perks from cardmembers that received Diamond status from Amex Aspire.
Overseas you will be competing with other travelling U.S. residents that have Aspire.
Europeans traveling in Europe might have Gold status from a credit card or head in bed nights but no Diamond from Amex Aspire for Europeans.

[wasCB14]

I'm surprised Hilton hasn't created a new tier already to separate the revenue elites from CC geeks.

[simplynoir]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

I'm surprised Hilton hasn't created a new tier already to separate the revenue elites from CC geeks.

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I'm surprised they even offered it in the first place knowing they would make the revenue peeps upset.

[Anonymous]

"I'm surprised Hilton hasn't created a new tier already to separate the revenue elites from CC geeks."

Me too.
That is why I put all manner of qualifiers around my statements for benefit of people in the future reading this thread.

[Anonymous]

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@simplynoir wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:
If you are certain you will be traveling overseas, the Amex Aspire card will have greater value than if you would be traveling exclusively in the U.S.
Less competition for status perks from other U.S. residents with newly minted Aspire Diamond status.

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I hadn't read elsewhere about especial value for overseas travel, so thank you for that. But I'm also confused about your last statement -- wouldn't I too be considered "newly minted"? I don't follow.

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He simply means the card awards Diamond status on a product that was only introduced last year. New is relative but you get the idea.

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I truly did not get it. But after reading was's post and now yours, I understand it to mean it's a relatively new benefit and exclusive to US cardholders thus less likely to face competition for potential benefits overseas. Makes good sense. I'm glad I asked.

[jdbkiang]

It’s not technically exclusive to US customers. It’s simply that US customers have easier access to Diamond status because of the card. Foreign Hilton customers can still get Diamond status through actual stays and meeting the requirements. Of course, this is far less likely, that’s why there’s less competition overseas.

For now, it’s a great benefit, especially overseas, but like others pointed out, it may not last. The more popular the card becomes, the more likely it will be nerfed.

[NRB525]

If you plan to travel to europe, perhaps Hilton or Bonvoy would be useful over there, but I'd have to suggest considering Chase Sapphire, Preferred or Reserve. Many of the hotels available over in europe are not US brands, and a card like CSR will give you points for those, and has more acceptance as a VISA. The SUB on CSR / CSP can also be more easily ( clearly ) applied to use on those hotel stays, though one would need to check the Chase booking app to see how that works.

Another similar option is the US Bank Altitude Reserve. For hotels, similar earnings, perhaps easier redemption, although the question of whether non-US hotels trigger the Real Time Rewards, it perhaps does not.

[Anonymous]

The value between Marriott and Hilton is going to come down to you as others have said. I'm currently Marriott Platinum and enjoy it. I receive upgrades pretty frequently and have been in some very nice suites in the U.S. and in both Mexico, Europe and Indonesia. 

As far as spending $450/$550 for an annual fee, it comes down to if you can make use of the card. Make sure you can use the airline credit, uber credit, and Saks Fifth credit (personal Platinum) that comes with the card. Next, will you make use of the Centurion Lounges, Delta Skyclub Lounges, and Priority Pass Lounges. Another thing is the purchase/return protection... will you put big ticket items on the card? 

My first AMEX Card was in April 2015 and they gave me an AMEX Everyday with a $500 CL. I could not get that thing raised the whole time I had it. I eventually applied for the SPG Card and Delta Gold on the same day in March 2016 and got approved for both with a $1k limit. The SPG Card now has a $6k limit and the Delta Platinum (I upgraded it) still sits at $1k. I picked up several other AMEX cards that same year including the Platinum, PRG, and Everyday Preferred (SL $2k now $6k). So overtime, if you choose to stick with AMEX, they will start to treat you well (or at least better). 

All of their co-branded cards can easily be downgraded to the lowest version of the same family. Hilton has a no annual fee card while downgrading Marriott/SPG cards will still cost you $95-$99 per year. 

[HeavenOhio]

@Anonymous, personal charge cards report like any other card. They affect your AAoA, AoYA (if applicable), AoOA (if applicable), and number of accounts that are considered new.

What's different from a revolver is how utilization is handled. Most FICO scores ingore charge cards for utilization purposes. The important exception is the Experian FICO 98 family. That's the classic score used for mortgages and its auto and bankcard counterparts. With these scores, the highest reported balance is used as your limit, meaning your utilization will be computed by dividing your current balance into your highest balance.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I'm pretty sure I stiffed Amex for a couple grand a long long (more than 20 years) time ago. But in July 2018 I was approved for a BCE w/500 CL. Note: no "steps" email was sent. 

At Days 61, 91, 151 & 183 I was denied a CLI.  Yesterday, 191 days after opening the account, I got an email saying they've raised my limit to 1k. 

They've also now (wasn't before -- I check periodically) made me pre-approved for most of their CC's (all the co-branded plus the charge cards). I plan to take them up on their offer once I decide what card(s) makes most sense for me.

I walked the same path and in two years, my exporsure with Amex is more than 150k.  Just be patient.  I encourge you to utilize more in the beginning.

But first I have a couple of questions for the Amex pros:

* Is it true the charge cards don't report to the CRAs unless there's a default? If so, then no affect on my AAoA (thus absolutely no reason not to get one)?

I think you are confused with Business charge cards.  Yes Biz cards do not report to personal.

* Is there a no-brainer preference between the Marriott/Starwood properties & reward programs value vs Hilton? I'm not a for-work traveler but would like to hit Europe or Asia once in 2019 & possibly NYC as well. Both plans look appealing to me, assuming I can figure out how to use one.

Hilton Diamond does not have much value unless you stay at high end properties like Conrad or Waldorf.  At other properties, including Hilton and Curio, you may get some points and/ or water bottles.

Marriot Silver is a joke.  If you are thinking about the status, dont even bother with silver.   If you are considering hotels, I would recommend Intercontinental Ambassador.  For 200 bucks, you get upgrades at Intercontinental each time.  And it will be IHG Platinum.  Just google search for benefits.

* Is it worth spending the $450 if only a casual traveler?

Yes, if you stay at Conrad / Waldorf.   Now I am getting upgrade button, when I book those properties without asking.  For other Hilton family, big NO from my experience.

And there are not many good Hilton family in Northern / Eastern Europe.

* Am I likely to get a scuzzy SL even if I app for one of the "better" co-branded cards and spend the $450?

Depnding on your credit....  I took me a little time to realch 100k with Amex and I spent more than 100k the first year.

* How do they collect the $450 -- put it on your 1st statement?

I think..... Yes.  I got Aspire last Apr.  15k SL and growing.

* Can either of those traveler cards be easily downgraded (without hassle/penalty) if I decide travel is not so important in 2020 or beyond?  Yes

* Any other Amex advice is also appreciated. Feel free to point out something I've not considered.

Use a lot and pay off on time as usual.  Amex will keep offering your more.  On top of my current exposure, I have 35k loan offer @9.99% APR sitting there for a while.

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