Hilton Amex Cards. Everything you need to know.

Hilton Amex Cards

Hilton Amex Cards Background

Hilton has ditched their credit card relationship with Citibank and has signed on exclusively with American Express.  In January 2018, Amex will roll out a new portfolio of Hilton cards.  Existing Citi Hilton cardholders will be transitioned to Amex Hilton cards.

Resources

Basics

  • New Card Lineup to be introduced January 18 2018
  • New Cards: Aspire, Ascend Now called Surpass, Business, and a no fee Hilton Honors American Express Card
  • Citi Hilton cardholders will receive their new Amex cards by January 30th 2018.
  • Existing Amex and Citi Hilton cardholders will be transitioned as follows:
Current Card
 New Card
Hilton Honors Card from American Express (no annual fee) Hilton Honors American Express Card: No annual fee (Rates & Fees). The new version will have no foreign transaction fees.
Citi Hilton Honors (no annual fee) Hilton Honors American Express Card: No annual fee (Rates & Fees). The new version will have no foreign transaction fees.
Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express ($95 annual fee) Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: $95 annual fee (Note that this name changed to the Ascend in January 2018 but then changed back to Surpass in July 2019, hence the matching card names here). The new version will have no foreign transaction fees and new benefits. (Update 7/19: The name has changed back to Surpass).
Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card ($95 annual fee) Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Surpass Card: $95 annual fee . If you were putting spend on the card to earn a weekend night award after $10K membership year spend, and your membership year ends after the transition, your spend to-date will transition to Amex and they will honor the free night after $10K spend.

Hilton Amex Card Lineup

On January 18th 2018, Amex will introduce the following lineup of cards: Aspire ($450, See Rates & Fees), Ascend Surpass ($95), Business ($95), and a no fee Hilton Honors American Express Card.  All four cards have no foreign transaction fees and earn Hilton Honors points for spend.  Here are the details:

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Click here for our in-depth review of the Amex Hilton Aspire Card

  • $450 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Hilton Diamond status
  • Earning rate:
    • 14X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
    • 7X on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies and at U.S. restaurants
    • 3X on other purchases
  • $250 Hilton Resort Credit per membership year.  Participating resorts can be found here: hilton.com/resorts.  Pay room charges with your card and you should receive statement credits automatically.
  • $250 Airline Incidental Fee Credit per calendar year.  This appears to work the same as the Amex Platinum card’s $200 airline fee credit.  So, this should be relevant:  Amex airline fee reimbursements. What still works?
  • $100 on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the exclusive Aspire Card package
  • One Weekend Night Reward at a hotel or resort in the Hilton portfolio with your new Card and each year of Card Membership.  Weekend Night Rewards cannot be used at Hilton hotels listed here: HiltonHonors.com/weekendreward.
  • A second Weekend Night Reward after spending $60,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year
  • Priority Pass™
  • Access to 24/7 American Express concierge

Hilton Honors American Express SurpassCard

  • $95 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Hilton Gold status; Diamond status after $40K calendar year spend
  • Earning rate:
    • 12X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
    • 6X at U.S. grocery stores, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations
    • 3X on all other eligible purchases
  • Weekend Night Rewards:
    • $15K calendar year spend = weekend night reward
    • You will receive the reward email within 8-12 weeks after you have met each purchase requirement.
    • Weekend = Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night
    • Weekend Night Rewards cannot be used at Hilton hotels listed here: HiltonHonors.com/weekendreward.
  • 10 free Priority Pass™ Lounge passes per calendar year

Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

  • $95 annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Hilton Gold status; Diamond status after $40K calendar year spend
  • Earning rate: 12X Hilton; 6X US gas stations, 6X US restaurants, 6X US wireless telephone services; 6X US shipping purchases, 6X flights booked directly w/ airline or with amextravel.com, 6X car rentals booked with select car rental companies; 3X everywhere else
    • 12X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
    • 6X on Select Business &Travel Purchases
    • 3X on all other eligible purchases
  • Weekend Night Rewards:
    • $15K calendar year spend = first weekend night reward
    • $60K calendar year spend = second weekend night reward
    • You will receive the reward email within 8-12 weeks after you have met each purchase requirement.
    • Weekend = Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night
    • Weekend Night Rewards cannot be used at Hilton hotels listed here: HiltonHonors.com/weekendreward.
  • 10 free Priority Pass™ Lounge passes per calendar year

Hilton Honors American Express Card

  • No annual fee
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Hilton Silver status;  Gold status after $20K calendar year spend
  • Earning rate:
    • 7X at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
    • 5X at U.S. grocery stores, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations
    • 3X on all other eligible purchases
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