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“It’s a very rich gravy” I love your channel! Saludos desde 🇲🇽 approved last month for Hilton aspire and Brilliant Bonvoy Amex cards. I’m enjoying my $250 restaurant credit and my $300 restaurant on my brilliant!
As a Diamond member you are also guaranteed a room in any Hilton property as long as you reserve at least 48 hours in advance. This is a very valuable benefit. No more wondering if there is a vacancy.
Hi Prince of Travel! This Hilton Aspire video is yet by far the best one I've seen. A quick question-would I trigger both $250 hotel credit and $100 property credit if I stayed 2 nights at the Conrad hotel/resort? Or, is it just one or the other? Thanks!
Correction: 10:26 14x ADDITIONAL points, per dollar, per stay (not 'total'), as a Diamond member. 34x points, per dollar, per stay, total... as a Diamond member... which really is an awesome perk of this card. :)
Great video. That's amazing value, especially the Diamond status. I'll be losing my Marriott Platinum Elite at the end of this month, so the timing for this couldn't better. I've got the Amex Delta Platinum that I've been thinking of getting rid of. Does Amex do product switches so I could switch to the Hilton Aspire?
You can upgrade/downgrade within the same family of cards, but I don't believe you can switch from the Delta family to the Hilton family, so it'd have to be a new application.
@@PrinceofTravel Since Amex is having issues with their online application system, I called in and was approved on the spot. I will have the card in time for a 5nt stay at a Hilton resort for an upcoming conference. I should also be able to dig into that first $250 credit. My freshly minted Diamond status appeared on my Hilton Honors account within what seemed like an hour. Crazy fast, anyhow. So long Marriott Bonvoy! Hellllooooo Hilton Honors.
Great video! I've been living in Europe for the last 2 month and this card has been very good to me. So good that I went ahead and got the 2 lower cards, so I can upgrade them next year and have 3 Aspire cards.
With instant Hilton Diamond status you also have the ability to elite status match with certain hotel chains (ie Choice, Wyndham, Best Western, and others), neat little caveat about hotel loyalty programs.
Interesting as it sounds, I'm a Gold member and was allowed to have 4 additional guests for breakfast at the top tier Waldorf Astoria DIFC. Seems to be an unwritten rule however you nothing by asking them :)
Does you know, with the US Hilton Aspire AmEx, can you use the free weekend night and the $250 resort credit in conjunction with each other? As in book the free night in a resort and then use the $250 credit towards a second night in the same place? I am also wondering if they extended the "weekend" night to be any week night through to 2022 (I know they were in late 2020, not sure if that is still happening)? I'm trying to see if I can accomplish this: 1 Free "weekend" night award. 1 Free night via a $250 resort credit 2 Free nights charged to my points 5th Night Free (per the standard 5th night free promo most Hiltons run.)
They're giving away diamond because its not that valuable. The room "upgrade" is usually just a standard room on the "executive" floor. I've only ever once gotten a larger room - in Canada actually. The only reason to be diamond is if you want the lounge access, but those are only at Hilton locations anyway (none of the other Hilton family chains). Or a breakfast, which quality varies a great deal between properties.
Hey Ricky, great video as usual! Out of curiosity, is air canada and/or Turkish Airlines eligible for the $250 credit? Or is it just american airlines like delta and united?
With the Hilton aspire you have a hard time getting upgrades in the states. In Canada with the only way being Diamond is legitimate stays you definitely feel the rewards there better. Also, you can combine the free Hilton card with this one, which has better earnings categories except they always say American purchases only. Grocery stores, dining, gas , all American
another awesome video Ricky! Now I am really thinking of getting into the US credit card game. Two questions for you: 1) Can both Hilton Honors and Hilton Aspire cards be held at the same time? I am asking because I remember you recommended applying the Hilton Honors card as the first US card since it does not charge an annual fee. 2) Just curious about the wallet(s) you use. I have so many cards and I am not sure if there are any good wallets able to hold 10 cards and coins also..
1) Yes, in fact I'm currently holding both! Getting the no-fee Hilton as the first card makes sense as it has no annual fee, but keep in mind that the Aspire is also worth keeping around for the long term, and if the product ever changes, you could always downgrade it to the no-fee version too to maintain the credit history impact. 2) I use a Fossil wallet that's overflowing at the seams with plastic and badly in need of replacement.
@@PrinceofTravelCanadian, I 'am new to US card and I didn't look at your video Getting "US Credit Cards for Canadians" yet but do you recommend to start with the no-fee Hilton and 6 month later apply to this one ? I'am still reading all your info on your web site and Wow ! I found your web site just a week ago but even I do 'travel hacking' since a year, you got all the info I was searching for. I like the way you summarized the info.
The 54x is not perfectly correct, as you get base points for each dollar without taxes, while you get the 14x for the full amount charged, which makes the total even higher. As I just got the card and the first transactions in foreign currency don't have any points shown in the app: so you get those points only in USD charges or all over the world independent on the currency?
Hi Ricky, thanks for the awesome and informative video. I recently used your guide to get my first Hilton Honor card (used your referral for 24/7 Parcel and all). It took some time but it's finally on its way. Once I get this Hilton Honor card, do I use it for a year before applying for the Hilton Aspire? or Should I upgrade my existing Hilton Honor card? Thanks again.
You can apply for a second US Amex after about six months of having your first card, and you could make that the Hilton Aspire. You could also potentially upgrade the existing Hilton Honors card to the Aspire in the future, but you should only do so after having gotten the Aspire directly, since that way you can get the bonus twice!
@@PrinceofTravel Thanks for your response, Ricky! Just for clarity, does this mean that I should apply for Aspire after 6 months and once I reach about a year or so with Aspire, cancel and upgrade my existing AMEX Hilton Honors? Thanks again.
Well that's the question I'm asking myself. Is Diamond Status Worth It? Many Americans have this status, it is too easy to achieve. This reduces the availability of suites in hotels and lounges.
I've always been curious. If you have any mid or high end hotel status e.g. Hilton Aspire card for diamond status, does the people working at the front desk of the hotel know if you have this status level because you have a certain credit card (compared to status based on spend/paid nights)?? Was wondering if some people don't get upgrades even with status because hotel knows that you have it because of a CC and not because you necessarily stay at the hotel brand often. Does anyone know? Thanks.
Hi PoT, I think you are really good at explaining things-with graphics and all... I want to request a video from you; I recently attained the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold card, and I am confused on how I can maximize the best value with this card. First of all, I cannot seem to understand how the points and the elite nights work. I read or misread in the exceptionally long rules & restriction section on Chase’s site about the points and the elite nights and I’m more confused. Therefore, can you make a video showing how to get the best value, or if it has any real value? Keep in mind that I do not have the finances or credit history to qualify for the high-end trifecta cards from Chase and/or AMX. I’m hoping you can help those of us who cannot get those cards, with a combination of no annual fee cards that can help with hotel and travel. Just to give you an idea of where I am in the “card game;” I already own the top cards from CapitalOne: the Savor card (annual fee waived-I was “grandfathered in”), the Ventured card ($95 fee), the Quicksilver card (no fee), Bank of America Cash Rewards card (no fee), Chase Business Preferred Ink card ($95 fee), and the card I’m asking about; the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold (no fee). I really can’t afford another annual fee card at this time. Thanks for doing these kinds of videos, they are so helpful.
Hey there. Long time fan, first time caller. Any advice on the issue of being asked for an adress, including a zip code when applying for the amex aspire?! Long time bonvoy card holder... but obviously have a Canadian home address. Thanks!
So if I find hotel for 50k points a night. Could I book 3 nights with my 150k bonus and tag on the free weekend night for a total 4 nights of stay? Excuse my ignorance but this would trigger the 5th free night offer as well?
5th night will be free if you’ll stay consecutively and using all points. Let’s say 50k points per day, instead of using 250k points total. You only need to use 200k points to cover the room, taxes and fees. Reminder, room should be standard. -tony from hilton honors customer care rep.😊
We will start a petition to make air Canada a partner of the airline incidental free, hopefully it won’t be an issue after their new alliance with chase
Thanks Sebby. As a result of your informative videos I have converted my Marriott Bonvoy to The Ritz Carlton card and upgraded my base Hilton American Express to the Aspire. Now looking forward to taking advantage of all the benefits which will more than cover the annual fee for each!
Great video! Hello from Toronto here! I have US credit cards and SSN but I don't really have a US address any more. Should I put a friend's US address or is my Toronto address okay?
Are the points transferable? And although it makes sense to keep paying the annual fee, would one still retail the status if they didn’t renew the card?
Hilton points can be transferred for a few airlines, although never at a good ratio. You'd be much better off using them on hotels. You may retain the status for an additional year beyond the year that you earned it, but after that it would expire. It definitely makes sense to keep this card around for the longer term though, as long as they don't change it.
Does the Hilton Honors program guarantee those benefits? I've always heard that, in practice, there is little difference between mid- and top- tier status. Combine that with a lower valuation than even post-SPG Marriott points, is the card still great? While it's amazing to have top tier status with a large international hotel chain, what does that mean in practice? If only AmEx did not have a five card limit. I would strongly consider this card. Maybe one day.
I really wanna get this card but as a Canadian, it's too complicated to get it... Plus the headache of paying it off in US dollars.. idk On another note tho, doesn't this card also provide a $100 hotel credit and no foreign conversation fee?
Apply for the Aspire first, this way you'll be eligible for the signup bonus, and then wait for an upgrade offer on the regular Amex Hilton (after 12 months) hopefully with the points too.
Hey Ricky. How much would it cost to get you to plan a trip for me? It may be sometime next year I’m just wondering because it would make things much easier and I’d get more out of my miles with your help. Thanks in advance!
How about the fees? If I make a transaction in Canada with this card, will I get hit by a conversion fee? What about if the balance is in USD and I pay through my canadian bank acount..will there be fees? Thanks Ricky !
No FX fees on this card (and most of the good US cards), so the only FX impact will be when you convert CAD to USD to pay off your bill. I recommend TransferWise or KnightsBridge for lower (1%) fees.
You'll need to do a Global Transfer to the US. Check out my video/article on Getting US Credit Cards for Canadians for more info. Are you talking about the Canadian Amex Biz Gold? Yes you can get that at any time. The US Amex Biz Gold would have to follow the same procedure.
@prince of travel, How did you manage to get a USA amex card.. as a non usa citizen i keep running into hurtles on amex wanting to verify a bunch of information i cant give them.. Iv followed your blog regarding it gave them a letter head to verify my "address" but they are also wanting tax return filings or pay stubs..
If that happens - either try arguing your case that as a newcomer to the US you have neither a tax return nor a pay stub, or simply try again in a few months and there's a good chance the documents won't be asked.
Thanks for the video. Personally, I don't think this card is a very good card, mainly because of $450 annual fee. I believe there was a promo last november for FYF on this card, but I unfortunately did not hear about it until too late. One must factor in the opportunity cost of getting this card versus something like hilton honor no annual fee for 100k hilton points (for free), or delta gold 60k delta miles (first year free), or amex green 45k MR (for $150 annual fee). The extra benefits on the card are mostly niche, for people who plan to travel to high end properties: resort credit, free night, diamond status, point multiplier. The airline fee itself is hard to use, by many data points online. I would jump on a FYF offer, but I'm not sure when that would come around. For $95, I can also get 150k hilton points with hilton surpass, saving me $355 in exchange for losing the extra benefits.
Hilton should make this AMEX card available in more worldwide markets like Asia Pacific and Europe. They should also make this high annual fee card in metal since it's a premium card IMO
@@newbeetle98 Fair, I'd generally aim for Conrad or Waldorf Astoria properties to redeem, although I do agree that the selection seems more limited than Marriott
@@PrinceofTravel Hilton just denied me booking Waldorf Astoria in shanghai by using free night(aspire)certificate, i didnt see this property was on the exclusion list. any advice? hiltonhonors3.hilton.com/en/promotions/weekend-reward.html
There's so much popping when you move. You need to move your mic from there because everytime you move, there's a pop. (nevermind, i realized it was the music in the background).
You know what, I have found that I get upgraded much less at Hiltons as a Diamond than at Bonvoys as a Platinum/Titanium. But if I had to choose between instant effortless top-tier status and status that I actually need to maintain, I know which one I'm choosing every time.
