The Aspire is absolutely jam-packed with value and it’s pretty hard to beat in terms of all the Credits, Diamond Status and Free Night. I plan to add one of these high tier hotel cards like the Aspire or Bonvoy Brilliant in the next year or so. Great video Chase!
It is the #1 Hilton hotel card if you stay at resorts. If you don't, then the Surpass is the number 1 Hilton card. Personally, I think that the Amex Marriott with $650 fee is better value. The dining credit is far easier to use than a 2x $200 resort credit because everyone gots to eat.
No doubt the brillaint card has the easier to use credit. But I think the aspire has more positive value potential which I like. Although yes it is geared towards those who are willing to stay in hilton resorts at least 2x a year
Really nice breakdown of the updates on this card. It’s been on my radar for over a year because my family spends so much time on day passes at the Hilton here in Hawaii as we live here year round. Just still hasn’t made sense with other SUBs on the horizon. Someday haha
BRO I literally have the exact opposite video scheduled to post tomorrow 😂 it’s why I think the ritz is the best hotel card and comparing it to the brilliant and aspire. I just find the ritz easier to use, cheaper, and gives sapphire lounge access (one opening at my home airport soon) but none the less, the aspire is still an amazing card! Great breakdown too 😤
dont get me wrong, the Ritz Carlton is fire. im tryna get that but its just such a pain to get compared to the aspire. still 2 great hotel cards either way
Sapphire Lounge access is one of the reasons I’m working towards the RC card! My home airport will be home to one of the Sapphire Lounges. I got the Bonvoy Boundless late last year, so it’ll be a while before I can product change to RC.
@@ChaseYokoyamaI've got 2 Ritz cards and I want 2 more. Actually, I want 4 more. I also have Aspire. Would get one more, but my P2 is in cobranded popup jail.
@@ChaseYokoyama I've been upgraded about 50% of the timein the US and almost 80% to 90% of the time in Asia. Most suite upgrades are in Asia while US upgrades have been better view, location of the room, etc.
I live in Las Vegas Nevada I only use 2 cards My Hilton Aspire card & Delta Reserve for flights. I hammer down on these cards a lot and I enjoy my AMEX CARDS. And my family and I always use the resort credits so we make sure we get our cards worth🤙🏾
I feel like this card is an example of Amex forcing you to spend the way they want to you spend and then spending in that way to justify the credits offsetting the AF. I might stay at a Hilton hotel a few times a year but there is no way I want to feel obligated to stay at a Hilton resort twice a year and don’t live near enough to a Hilton classified as a “resort” to liquidate the stay.
That's exactly what Amex's playbook is. You see it all over with their monthly credits. They definitely want to bait people into these cards that they are raising the prices on. with that said, its not meant for the people you mentioned and others.
I have the Surpass, most of my points are earned in spend. I have 5 nights booked at Hiltons so far this year. Maybe 1 or 2 flights this year. Surpass has better value for the occasional traveler that I am. I have 2 free nights, 1 for sign up and 1 for 15k spend. Still need to plan those nights.
tell you what, the value has gone up for the surpass as well with those hotel credits and if you can hit the FNA. I mean later down the road you could turn that Surpass into ur 2nd Aspire card
Aspire card is still undoubetdly the best hotel card out there! With the new updates though, it's not as easy to make the decision to keep 1, 2, or even 3 of these cards like it was in the past. The Ritz Card is also great, but definitely not quite on the same level as the Aspire. Great overview video on this card Chase!
I got more use out of the old airline credit. My wife and I travel at least 6 times a year, And actually I was a little surprised at all. The hilton properties that are considered resorts. I already have clear and priority. Pass with other credit cards. Thank you for the video. And overall I'd like the change hilton has made
Hell yeah, the Aspire is still very powerful in my opinion. Considering Travel Bank + $300+ at least FNC and $400 resort credit which is not too hard to use from the Resort properties I’ve seen, diamond status etc, it’s an easy card to keep in most people’s arsenal. One day I Aspire to get the Aspire, one day 😅. Ritz is ok too, but I think Aspire destroys it haha, aside from its infinity priority pass guests. Great video Chase!
We use the free night at Waldorf in Cabo, MX at over $1000 per night. Now that I can earn 2 extra nights after spending 60K plus the points that you earn from the spend. Basically a free week at hotels costing $1000+ per night!
With the lack of Priority Pass I don’t think the Hilton Aspire makes much sense. The Hilton Surpass is a solid choice, unless Diamond status means a lot to you then stick with the Hilton Surpass for $150 it still provides solid rewards categories!
If the airline credit was broken into two credits @ $100 bi-annually rather than four @ $50 each quarter it would have been a lot better. I get lounge access + companion and Clear from the Platinum, so getting my +1 a Clear membership with a second card is good. Why pay for Apple Care when the insurance is part of a card's perks? I used the Platinum cellphone protection (which is identical) twice, once for a broken screen and once for a stolen iPhone. Even better was the broken one was close to being replaced anyway, so it paid for a chunk of the new phone.
very good points. May I ask how easy was the insurance process when your phone was stolen? Also another reason why I pay for Apple care is because I do not pay for my phone bill.
@@ChaseYokoyama Not difficult at all to do the claim form. Just make sure to keep/get as much documentation as possible (receipts, police report, etc.), it makes things easier.
A $550 annual fee credit card with no lounge access is just crazy. What this tells me is that theirs another annual increase ($650) coming to this card that will include unlimited Priority Pass Select access.
@@ChaseYokoyama Yes, I actually see them either giving us back that Priority Pass at no extra cost, or by increasing the annual fee again to $650 which would include unlimited Priority Pass access like that of the Bonvoy Brilliant which is a $650 annual fee card with unlimited Priority Pass access. Like I said before, a $550 annual fee card with no lounge access is just crazy!
Just grabbed the Venture X and not planning on doing any traveling until spring break, so I'll wait to grab this card. My 1 year mark with the boundless is coming up and looking forward to a product change to the ritz carlton card.
No doubt this is the best hotel card. I'm also still going to use the Platinum for centurion lounge access. I know it's all the rage these days to ditch Amex, but if you can't handle that fee (or don't want to) and don't get value from it, then that's not the points system for you. I'm all in Amex, but I use BofA cash back setup for when I'm not traveling.
traveled through Nashville this past weekend...had a long layover. Would have been nice to have access to a lounge there...but no Passport Lounge and no Centurion Lounge. More often than not due to time, distance from gate, or lack of lounges, I don't get as much value from this perk as I'd hope
Ya very true. sometimes the lounge is too busy, its not opened, or some other reason. It isn't always a guarantee to use the lounges every trip to the airport.
If you pay with points and getting the 5th night free paying with those points, could you still use your free night certificate stacked with this stay (assuming standard award room is available for your entire stay)?
Yes you can add the FNC to your stay before or after the 5 consecutive night stay booked with points. Keep in mind that using the FNC will NOT count toward Hiltons 5th night free benefit.
My plan was to add the Aspire to complete my Hilton trifecta, but with the recent changes my focus is product changing my Marriott Boundless to the Ritz Card in September. It’s a much better hotel card IMO with the priority pass perks alone.
Dude, I'm going to the Maldives, guess how I'm using my free day :D Of course they have to have room for me to use it, but I'm using it at an off time.
I value the new airline credit at $100, I can get cheap flights to Vegas twice a year. I fully value the resort credit as there are a good amount of results around the $200 a night range in Arizona. I value the free night at $500 minimum a night. So $800 a year in value without diamond status. It’s a good card but you definitely need to stay at Hilton and fly to justify it.
I have no personal experience but this reddit thread seems to state that you do earn the 14x points. www.reddit.com/r/amex/comments/re6kh3/help_on_points_earning_hilton_aspire_for_wedding/
There is no Hilton Resort near my home (at least 5 hr drive) - so unlikely to use 2 times a year. Question - 1.0 The Semi annual $200 is it strictly calendar year - Jan 1 to June 30th & Next from July 1 to Dec 31st IF YES (verified) can the credit be claimed in 1 trip - Ie Do the Resort Booking June 30th ($200 claim) & 2nd Night of July 1st ($200 claim) = Total 2 night stays in one shot & get $400 back ?
Yes, those are the dates for the semi annual credits. Theoretically yes that strategy should work. However I asked Amex for clarification and they said "The transaction date may differ from the date you made the purchase if, for example, there is a delay in the merchant submitting the transaction to us or if the merchant uses another date as the transaction date. This means that in some cases your purchase may not earn the statement credit benefit for the benefit period in which you made the purchase. For example, if an eligible purchase is made on December 31st but the merchant processes the transaction such that it is identified to us as occurring on January 1st, the January statement credit would be applied."
Am I still eligible to get welcome bonus points for Hilton Aspire even I already have AMEX Platinum? Or am I not eligible since I already have an AMEX card?
I think the Hilton cards revamp is step one in getting more people on board with Platinum. And I think step two is going to be making the USA Platinum more similar to the Canadian version, where they been experimenting with different strategies.
If the Conrad Hilton and the Hilton Airport Manila are considered resorts, this card will be worth it. That and the lifetime Diamond status that always gets me a complementary upgrade in Asia...
The No. 1 rule to maximize Hilton free night is book early. You can only use a FNC when there is standard rate available. You also did not mention Hilton awards, which with aspire, accumulates ridiculously fast (both my wife and I travel for biz to accumulate points). The way that this works flawless for our annual 6nights family vacation is to book a WA(grand Wailea and Los Cabo’s have been our favorite 😍 ) 10-12 mo. early. One on FNC and the rest 5 on 440k points. For that reason, I wouldn’t want Hilton to change the FNC to a 2-3 nights at mid tier hotels, since those will depart our current experiences with WA. Ritz and Brilliant 85k FNC is pain to use in high end resorts. I buy $50 united bank every quarter to use the flight credit. Hotel credits were easy to use since we live near a Hilton ski resort 😊. This card works perfect for our family lifestyle. However I do agree it does not apply to everyone.
It is the #1. First and foremost, FNA doesn't have point or category cap, then there's the highest hotel status. Nowadays even Marriott Titanium isn't that uncommon and devalues just as much as Diamond does. Hilton Diamond gives you breakfast and suite upgrade eligibility. No other hotel card can give you this. Unless you're a frequent traveler (who gets other hotel status easily), Aspire beats all other hotel cards.
One thing to keep in mind is the FNA does have a category cap, it’s limited to “Standard” rooms, and they can’t be redeemed for “Premium” rooms, so just have to make sure the room you’re wanting to book is Standard. Just so happens that Standard rooms are very common, but I’ve been limited in the past with my FNCs for this.
Only because im trying to go for titanium status this year 😅 so that means ive got to stay at Marriott a whole bunch this year. So for everyone else that is tryna hit Marriott status its also the year of Marriott! Or if you like Marriott it can be the year for you as well
@@ChaseYokoyama For what it’s worth, 2024 can be the year of Marriott also because of the recently announced benefits of the Marriott-MGM partnership. And at least for me, 2024 can be the year of Marriott because I’ll be eligible to product change to the Ritz Carlton card before the year is over!
@@ChaseYokoyama probably as I watch most of your videos. But the traditional recommendations do nothing it seems to change it...ie put more spend on the card, use incognito windows, apply via a different device, etc
After downgrading to Hilton Honors white card, when 2 months later upgrading back to Surpass, I requested a white card. I'm really tired of all these dark cards. "No one's asked for that Sir." "Well I think it's a refreshing design and you should consider it."
whats up Fog! long time no see 🙏🏽 but ya I dont like how this card looks so bland now. I want them to have their own personality. and this one seems so bland. But of course card design is one of the last things I worry about when it comes to credit cards. especially one that I leave in my desk drawer
Hmmm🙄🙄🤔🤔 I just downgraded Surpass to Honors, then 2 months later back to Surpass😂 Upgraded Gold -> Platinum simultaneously. I think the new Surpass 4 x $50!= $200 Hilton credits work well with Platinum. Hilton works hard to have their hotels everywhere, including within driving distance of where people live. Hilton wants people to do short getaways nearby home as well. Aspire should be 2 x $100 = $200 Airline credits. Because Hilton didn't do this someone else may do THIS: 4 x $50 Hotel/ Car Rental. Make it flexible, and you'll stimulate car rentals in a different way: For driveable getaways.
@@ChaseYokoyama I would agree on the other three Hilton cards. Not the Aspire, that should keep its high-end certificate. Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business having a mid-tier FNA would be nice.
depends where you want to stay: there are way more Marriott hotels in Japan compared to Hilton and Hyatt. However the Hilton Aspire card is solid because you get diamond status which is usually way better internationally than diamond status in the US. the marriott equivalent would be the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant which I think is harder to justify than the Hilton Aspire. I've also stayed at non chain hotels in Japan and used my Chase Sapphire Preferred of my Amex Platinum. The CSP earns 2x and I had an expedia offer. and the amex platinum only earns 1x but I had an expedia offer as well.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Wish rhe "resort" credit could be eligible at all Hilton properties. I don't want to be forced to stay at a Hilton Resort
we all know Amex isnt THAT generous 🥹
The Aspire is absolutely jam-packed with value and it’s pretty hard to beat in terms of all the Credits, Diamond Status and Free Night. I plan to add one of these high tier hotel cards like the Aspire or Bonvoy Brilliant in the next year or so. Great video Chase!
Couldn't agree more. the card can easily make itself worth it
It is the #1 Hilton hotel card if you stay at resorts. If you don't, then the Surpass is the number 1 Hilton card. Personally, I think that the Amex Marriott with $650 fee is better value. The dining credit is far easier to use than a 2x $200 resort credit because everyone gots to eat.
No doubt the brillaint card has the easier to use credit. But I think the aspire has more positive value potential which I like. Although yes it is geared towards those who are willing to stay in hilton resorts at least 2x a year
haha, I just applied and got the Surpass card. super happy@@ChaseYokoyama
Really nice breakdown of the updates on this card. It’s been on my radar for over a year because my family spends so much time on day passes at the Hilton here in Hawaii as we live here year round. Just still hasn’t made sense with other SUBs on the horizon. Someday haha
fair enough. if theres a juicy SUB somewhere else sometimes you just gotta get a taste of it.
I'm always debating Surpass vs. Aspire. I mostly stay at low-end Hiltons, but may change someday. Thanks!
ya the new Surpass can be really good for the low-end HIlton goers tho. actually could be better for those types of hiltons than the aspire card
@@ChaseYokoyama agreed 👍
You’re better if using a cash back card…unless you’re staying frequently
Get both, and business too. I have all 3.
@@yurig2530 definitely an option lmao
The $365 credit given in $1 daily increments can be a Starbucks credit that can’t be used on drinks! And the credits expire at the end of each day! 😆
we're calling it right now!
😂 760 hotel credit in $2 daily increments expires each day
BRO I literally have the exact opposite video scheduled to post tomorrow 😂 it’s why I think the ritz is the best hotel card and comparing it to the brilliant and aspire. I just find the ritz easier to use, cheaper, and gives sapphire lounge access (one opening at my home airport soon) but none the less, the aspire is still an amazing card! Great breakdown too 😤
dont get me wrong, the Ritz Carlton is fire. im tryna get that but its just such a pain to get compared to the aspire. still 2 great hotel cards either way
Sapphire Lounge access is one of the reasons I’m working towards the RC card! My home airport will be home to one of the Sapphire Lounges. I got the Bonvoy Boundless late last year, so it’ll be a while before I can product change to RC.
@@VincentPascual I feel you! That’s one of the main reasons I’m working towards it too. It’ll feel like forever but will definitely be worth it!
@@VincentPascual consider yourself lucky
@@ChaseYokoyamaI've got 2 Ritz cards and I want 2 more. Actually, I want 4 more. I also have Aspire. Would get one more, but my P2 is in cobranded popup jail.
I still like my Aspire no question. Upgrades alone have paid for it before i even use the credits! Quality video Chase!!
Out of curiosity, how many of those upgrades were in the US vs International?
@@ChaseYokoyama I've been upgraded about 50% of the timein the US and almost 80% to 90% of the time in Asia. Most suite upgrades are in Asia while US upgrades have been better view, location of the room, etc.
@@ChaseYokoyama All domestic, the times I've been upgraded are...2 jr suites one bigger room and one higher floor/better view.
@@titiung very helpful to know. 50% aint too bad in the US
@@Dr.Boombatz clutch that you got those suites in the US!
I live in Las Vegas Nevada I only use 2 cards My Hilton Aspire card & Delta Reserve for flights. I hammer down on these cards a lot and I enjoy my AMEX CARDS. And my family and I always use the resort credits so we make sure we get our cards worth🤙🏾
ayooo love to hear that 🔥 make them cards work for you!
I feel like this card is an example of Amex forcing you to spend the way they want to you spend and then spending in that way to justify the credits offsetting the AF. I might stay at a Hilton hotel a few times a year but there is no way I want to feel obligated to stay at a Hilton resort twice a year and don’t live near enough to a Hilton classified as a “resort” to liquidate the stay.
That's exactly what Amex's playbook is. You see it all over with their monthly credits. They definitely want to bait people into these cards that they are raising the prices on. with that said, its not meant for the people you mentioned and others.
Yeah. These credit card influencers are clearly unreliable to be objective. card is a Hilton qrtly coupon book.But in plastic form. 👎
Also just saw in the fine print that the $400 hotel credit does not apply to advance/non refundable purchases which is BS.
@@ChrisD1865 damn for real?? So u can’t even get the lowest rate. 😂🤣😑😒. Amex is gross
I have the Surpass, most of my points are earned in spend. I have 5 nights booked at Hiltons so far this year. Maybe 1 or 2 flights this year. Surpass has better value for the occasional traveler that I am. I have 2 free nights, 1 for sign up and 1 for 15k spend. Still need to plan those nights.
tell you what, the value has gone up for the surpass as well with those hotel credits and if you can hit the FNA. I mean later down the road you could turn that Surpass into ur 2nd Aspire card
Aspire card is still undoubetdly the best hotel card out there! With the new updates though, it's not as easy to make the decision to keep 1, 2, or even 3 of these cards like it was in the past. The Ritz Card is also great, but definitely not quite on the same level as the Aspire. Great overview video on this card Chase!
yessir Stan! and I know you like them Marriott cards too 👍🏽
I got more use out of the old airline credit. My wife and I travel at least 6 times a year, And actually I was a little surprised at all. The hilton properties that are considered resorts. I already have clear and priority. Pass with other credit cards.
Thank you for the video. And overall I'd like the change hilton has made
at least it sounds like you could still use all of the new flight credit AND resort credit. thank you for watching!
Hell yeah, the Aspire is still very powerful in my opinion. Considering Travel Bank + $300+ at least FNC and $400 resort credit which is not too hard to use from the Resort properties I’ve seen, diamond status etc, it’s an easy card to keep in most people’s arsenal.
One day I Aspire to get the Aspire, one day 😅.
Ritz is ok too, but I think Aspire destroys it haha, aside from its infinity priority pass guests.
Great video Chase!
That's a very aspirational goal of yours 🧠 I hope you can acquire the aspire
We use the free night at Waldorf in Cabo, MX at over $1000 per night. Now that I can earn 2 extra nights after spending 60K plus the points that you earn from the spend. Basically a free week at hotels costing $1000+ per night!
gah damn. yall be treating yourselves real nicely 😱 love to hear about those redemptions 🔥
Resort credit go towards room rate? I thought it just towards spa, dinner etc in resorts?
It goes toward the room rate as long as it's NOT prepaid or advance rates.
Hilton sells points at 0.5 cents and redemption is 120,000 on the Hilton card so it can only be valued at $600
With the lack of Priority Pass I don’t think the Hilton Aspire makes much sense. The Hilton Surpass is a solid choice, unless Diamond status means a lot to you then stick with the Hilton Surpass for $150 it still provides solid rewards categories!
ya it sucks that such a premium travel card removed the priority pass benefit.
If the airline credit was broken into two credits @ $100 bi-annually rather than four @ $50 each quarter it would have been a lot better. I get lounge access + companion and Clear from the Platinum, so getting my +1 a Clear membership with a second card is good. Why pay for Apple Care when the insurance is part of a card's perks? I used the Platinum cellphone protection (which is identical) twice, once for a broken screen and once for a stolen iPhone. Even better was the broken one was close to being replaced anyway, so it paid for a chunk of the new phone.
very good points. May I ask how easy was the insurance process when your phone was stolen? Also another reason why I pay for Apple care is because I do not pay for my phone bill.
@@ChaseYokoyama Not difficult at all to do the claim form. Just make sure to keep/get as much documentation as possible (receipts, police report, etc.), it makes things easier.
@@bonwatcher thanks. that is good to know
Honest review, keeping Chase as my cc RUclipsr.
appreciate you for that 🙏🏽
A $550 annual fee credit card with no lounge access is just crazy. What this tells me is that theirs another annual increase ($650) coming to this card that will include unlimited Priority Pass Select access.
well i hope that wont happen 😳
@@ChaseYokoyama Yes, I actually see them either giving us back that Priority Pass at no extra cost, or by increasing the annual fee again to $650 which would include unlimited Priority Pass access like that of the Bonvoy Brilliant which is a $650 annual fee card with unlimited Priority Pass access. Like I said before, a $550 annual fee card with no lounge access is just crazy!
What hotel card would you recommend for Japan?
New airline fee still triggers United Travel Bank, just fyi.
The travel bank always came in clutch for those incidental fees 🤫 🔥
@@ChaseYokoyama WN PGGM is even better.
Just grabbed the Venture X and not planning on doing any traveling until spring break, so I'll wait to grab this card. My 1 year mark with the boundless is coming up and looking forward to a product change to the ritz carlton card.
damn you got some nice card additions in the pipeline. and congrats on the Venture x. thats a good pickup for sure
How do you book the free night? Do you still have to call them?
yes, you still need to call Hilton
What are the start and end dates for each quarter, first and last day of the month?
It is January 1st through March 31st, April 1st through June 30th, July 1st through September 30th, and October 1st through December 31st
No doubt this is the best hotel card. I'm also still going to use the Platinum for centurion lounge access. I know it's all the rage these days to ditch Amex, but if you can't handle that fee (or don't want to) and don't get value from it, then that's not the points system for you. I'm all in Amex, but I use BofA cash back setup for when I'm not traveling.
I love me some Amex too 🫶🏽 dont see myself ditching them anytime soon
traveled through Nashville this past weekend...had a long layover. Would have been nice to have access to a lounge there...but no Passport Lounge and no Centurion Lounge. More often than not due to time, distance from gate, or lack of lounges, I don't get as much value from this perk as I'd hope
Ya very true. sometimes the lounge is too busy, its not opened, or some other reason. It isn't always a guarantee to use the lounges every trip to the airport.
If you pay with points and getting the 5th night free paying with those points, could you still use your free night certificate stacked with this stay (assuming standard award room is available for your entire stay)?
Yes you can add the FNC to your stay before or after the 5 consecutive night stay booked with points. Keep in mind that using the FNC will NOT count toward Hiltons 5th night free benefit.
My plan was to add the Aspire to complete my Hilton trifecta, but with the recent changes my focus is product changing my Marriott Boundless to the Ritz Card in September. It’s a much better hotel card IMO with the priority pass perks alone.
that Ritz Carlton card is crazy good too. its just a PITA to get. Im working on getting that too. Jealous u can get it before me 😢
Free night reward, 2 adults and 2 children in a standard room cover with the reward? Or must be 2 adults only in a standard room?
i would recommend booking a room that says it can fit 4 people. For example a double bed room.
Dude, I'm going to the Maldives, guess how I'm using my free day :D
Of course they have to have room for me to use it, but I'm using it at an off time.
that sounds sick! 🔥
Best video to argue for and/or against the Aspire.
Os it acually a black color or blue?
In person its a really really really dark blue. Definitely not black but very dark.
Hilton. For the Stay. 🥇AMEX Hilton Aspire🥇 Thanks for the info + video!
Boom! Thank you JImmy! 🔥 Hilton Aspire FTW (although we gonna still make 2024 the year of marriott)
I value the new airline credit at $100, I can get cheap flights to Vegas twice a year. I fully value the resort credit as there are a good amount of results around the $200 a night range in Arizona.
I value the free night at $500 minimum a night.
So $800 a year in value without diamond status. It’s a good card but you definitely need to stay at Hilton and fly to justify it.
There we go. $800 = positive value and music to my ears.
Does anyone know if you can get the 14x points with the Aspire for a Hilton ballroom booking (for wedding reception)?
I have no personal experience but this reddit thread seems to state that you do earn the 14x points. www.reddit.com/r/amex/comments/re6kh3/help_on_points_earning_hilton_aspire_for_wedding/
There is no Hilton Resort near my home (at least 5 hr drive) - so unlikely to use 2 times a year. Question - 1.0 The Semi annual $200 is it strictly calendar year - Jan 1 to June 30th & Next from July 1 to Dec 31st IF YES (verified) can the credit be claimed in 1 trip - Ie Do the Resort Booking June 30th ($200 claim) & 2nd Night of July 1st ($200 claim) = Total 2 night stays in one shot & get $400 back ?
Yes, those are the dates for the semi annual credits. Theoretically yes that strategy should work. However I asked Amex for clarification and they said "The transaction date may differ from the date you made the purchase if, for example, there is a delay in the merchant submitting the transaction to us or if the merchant uses another date as the transaction date. This means that in some cases your purchase may not earn the statement credit benefit for the benefit period in which you made the purchase. For example, if an eligible purchase is made on December 31st but the merchant processes the transaction such that it is identified to us as occurring on January 1st, the January statement credit would be applied."
in Asia, Gold status is enough... no need to force stay in a Hilton resort 2x a year
Am I still eligible to get welcome bonus points for Hilton Aspire even I already have AMEX Platinum? Or am I not eligible since I already have an AMEX card?
Yes, you are still eligible to get the welcome bonus on the Aspire
@@ChaseYokoyama thank you!!
I don't want my credit cards made of metal. What's the point? It just weighs down my wallet.
Ya the material doesn't matter too much.
I think the Hilton cards revamp is step one in getting more people on board with Platinum.
And I think step two is going to be making the USA Platinum more similar to the Canadian version, where they been experimenting with different strategies.
Amex is definitely moving towards a different benefits / credits model
Which hotels are better? Hilton or Marriott? That’s my question
a big part could be where you usually travel to.
@@ChaseYokoyama Pittsburgh, Chicago, Dallas, are my top destinations lol
If the Conrad Hilton and the Hilton Airport Manila are considered resorts, this card will be worth it. That and the lifetime Diamond status that always gets me a complementary upgrade in Asia...
ya its crazy how the Conrad in Manila isn't considered a "resort". if you already got lifetime Diamond status then you chillen haha.
The No. 1 rule to maximize Hilton free night is book early. You can only use a FNC when there is standard rate available. You also did not mention Hilton awards, which with aspire, accumulates ridiculously fast (both my wife and I travel for biz to accumulate points).
The way that this works flawless for our annual 6nights family vacation is to book a WA(grand Wailea and Los Cabo’s have been our favorite 😍 ) 10-12 mo. early. One on FNC and the rest 5 on 440k points. For that reason, I wouldn’t want Hilton to change the FNC to a 2-3 nights at mid tier hotels, since those will depart our current experiences with WA.
Ritz and Brilliant 85k FNC is pain to use in high end resorts.
I buy $50 united bank every quarter to use the flight credit.
Hotel credits were easy to use since we live near a Hilton ski resort 😊.
This card works perfect for our family lifestyle. However I do agree it does not apply to everyone.
Grand Wailea is an amazing hotel! 🫶🏽 It sounds like you heavily optimize your hilton cards and it sounds amazing the be able to travel for biz
I prefer the Aspire card cause I prefer Hilton Properties over Marriott Properties.
then the aspire is a great card to love
It is the #1. First and foremost, FNA doesn't have point or category cap, then there's the highest hotel status. Nowadays even Marriott Titanium isn't that uncommon and devalues just as much as Diamond does. Hilton Diamond gives you breakfast and suite upgrade eligibility. No other hotel card can give you this. Unless you're a frequent traveler (who gets other hotel status easily), Aspire beats all other hotel cards.
One thing to keep in mind is the FNA does have a category cap, it’s limited to “Standard” rooms, and they can’t be redeemed for “Premium” rooms, so just have to make sure the room you’re wanting to book is Standard.
Just so happens that Standard rooms are very common, but I’ve been limited in the past with my FNCs for this.
Oh ya, all the more reason why the Aspire card is so strong
I used to love the Aspire but the refresh credits are no value to me. The refresh card design looks boring too.
Right?! we need more unique looking cards
Why 2024 the year of marriott?
Only because im trying to go for titanium status this year 😅 so that means ive got to stay at Marriott a whole bunch this year. So for everyone else that is tryna hit Marriott status its also the year of Marriott! Or if you like Marriott it can be the year for you as well
@@ChaseYokoyama For what it’s worth, 2024 can be the year of Marriott also because of the recently announced benefits of the Marriott-MGM partnership. And at least for me, 2024 can be the year of Marriott because I’ll be eligible to product change to the Ritz Carlton card before the year is over!
@@VincentPascual thats a good point
why did you say 2024 is the year of marriott?
that was just a personal goal of mine since I want to try and hit Titanium status this year
Has anyone tried the (Annoying) $50 quarterly Airline credit for ....say Airline Gift Card & gotten refund ?
I charged a United purchase to it last week. We shall see when it gets credited.
ugggh...constantly pop up jailed when trying to get it.
shameless plug but have you watched the video i made about getting out of amex pop up jail? hopefully one of those can work
@@ChaseYokoyama probably as I watch most of your videos. But the traditional recommendations do nothing it seems to change it...ie put more spend on the card, use incognito windows, apply via a different device, etc
@@412foto yuh pop up jail is irritating to say the least. unfortunately the best bet is just waiting it out
@@ChaseYokoyamabeen trying for 6 months...thought maybe not that elevated offer was over a better chance...nope lol
After downgrading to Hilton Honors white card, when 2 months later upgrading back to Surpass, I requested a white card. I'm really tired of all these dark cards. "No one's asked for that Sir." "Well I think it's a refreshing design and you should consider it."
whats up Fog! long time no see 🙏🏽 but ya I dont like how this card looks so bland now. I want them to have their own personality. and this one seems so bland. But of course card design is one of the last things I worry about when it comes to credit cards. especially one that I leave in my desk drawer
@@ChaseYokoyama Yaah...in the drawer😂😂
I don’t care what a credit card looks like
its whats on the inside that matters
Hmmm🙄🙄🤔🤔
I just downgraded Surpass to Honors, then 2 months later back to Surpass😂
Upgraded Gold -> Platinum simultaneously.
I think the new Surpass 4 x $50!= $200 Hilton credits work well with Platinum.
Hilton works hard to have their hotels everywhere, including within driving distance of where people live. Hilton wants people to do short getaways nearby home as well.
Aspire should be 2 x $100 = $200 Airline credits.
Because Hilton didn't do this someone else may do THIS:
4 x $50 Hotel/ Car Rental.
Make it flexible, and you'll stimulate car rentals in a different way:
For driveable getaways.
I think you have a future at Hilton's Marketing Team
Funny, you diss Marriott for 35k/50k certificates. Praise the no limit hilton certificate. Then suggest wish for mid-level hilton certificates. LMFAO.
id be happy about 2 - 3 mid level certs over just 1
@@ChaseYokoyama I would agree on the other three Hilton cards. Not the Aspire, that should keep its high-end certificate. Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business having a mid-tier FNA would be nice.
What hotel card would you recommend for Japan?
depends where you want to stay:
there are way more Marriott hotels in Japan compared to Hilton and Hyatt.
However the Hilton Aspire card is solid because you get diamond status which is usually way better internationally than diamond status in the US.
the marriott equivalent would be the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant which I think is harder to justify than the Hilton Aspire.
I've also stayed at non chain hotels in Japan and used my Chase Sapphire Preferred of my Amex Platinum. The CSP earns 2x and I had an expedia offer. and the amex platinum only earns 1x but I had an expedia offer as well.