Amex makes huge changes to its Hilton credit cards

Hilton offers some of the best credit cards for travel loyalist, with the opportunity to earn automatic elite status, complimentary breakfast, upgrades, bonus points, statement credits and more.

Two Hilton credit cards — the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — just went through some major changes. These updates bring higher annual fees, but also better perks. They’re also offering increased welcome offers for a limited time.

Before we dive into the changes, the increased welcome offers on these two cards include:

So what exactly are these changes and how will they impact cardmembers? Spoiler alert: If you’re able to take advantage of all of the new perks, it more than offsets the increase in annual fees.

The Amex Hilton Surpass — well known for extending complimentary Gold elite status to all cardmembers — is increasing its annual fee to $150 per year (see rates and fees), up from $95 per year. But even with a $55 increase, you still might find that the fee is worth it for the benefits alone.

Before we dive into the Amex Hilton Surpass’ changes, many existing perks are staying put. In addition to complimentary Gold status, cardmembers will continue to be able to earn Diamond elite status when spending $40,000 on the card within the calendar year. Additionally, you’ll still be able to earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on the card within a calendar year.

However, starting Feb. 1, 2024, cardmembers will no longer receive the 10 free yearly visits to Priority Pass airport lounges.

One of the better new perks being added to the Amex Hilton Surpass is that cardmembers will now be able to receive up to $200 in statement credits annually. This can be used towards spending at any property within the entire Hilton portfolio, and is doled out in up to $50 in statement credits every quarter.

Fully maximizing these credits require four Hilton stays per year, but even if you only stay once a year, you’ve nearly offset the annual fee increase. And if you’re able to complete three or more stays per year, that ultimately covers the Amex Hilton Surpass’ entire annual fee.

Hilton is adding a new bonus category to the Amex Hilton Surpass, where you can now earn 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases. Since this isn’t a very common category amongst travel reward credit cards, it’s a great way to earn bonus points on many everyday purchases.

Aside from this new category, card members will still earn 12 points per dollar on Hilton purchases; 6 points per dollar on U.S. restaurant, supermarket and gas station purchases; and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.

Cardmembers will now also receive complimentary National Car Rental Executive status. This status allows you to earn free rental days faster, the option to select a fullsize car or above and pay the midsize rate, as well as the opportunity to receive a guaranteed upgrade (on fullsize through luxury vehicles). Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.

Learn more about and apply for the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card.

Despite being one of the more expensive travel rewards credit cards, it has always been easy justify the annual fee on this card. But with the annual fee increasing to $550 per year — from $450 per year — is this $100 fee worth it? We think so.

Before we dive into the changes, many of the Amex Hilton Aspire’s best features are staying put. It still continue to offer Diamond elite status, which is Hilton’s top tier status level. You’ll still receive an annual free night award on every account anniversary, plus the opportunity to earn an additional night after spending $60,000 on the card per calendar year.

That said, the card is also losing its Priority Pass membership starting Feb. 1, 2024. So if you rely on the card for airport lounge access, it will soon be time to consider another card, like The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Up until now, the card offered $250 in annual Hilton resort credits. However, starting on Jan. 1, 2024, the Hilton Amex Aspire will instead offer up to $400 in resort credits. While this is a $150 increase in the amount of statement credits one can receive, it’s divided out semi-annually. This means you’ll be able to earn up to $200 in statement credits between January and June every year, and then another up to $200 in statement credits between July and December. Cardmembers who had the Amex Hilton Aspire prior to Oct. 19, 2023 will still receive this benefit through Dec. 31, 2023.

This makes maximizing the credits slightly more tricky — especially since it’s only eligible at resort properties — but, it can still help offset the annual fee.

Cardmembers will no longer receive $250 in annual airline fee credits as this is being replaced with up to $200 in annual statement credit towards airfare. However, cardmembers who had the Amex Hilton Apsire prior to Oct. 19, 2023 will still receive this benefit through Dec. 31, 2023.

While this might look like a downgrade, the new credit can now be made on any flight purchase made directly with the airline or through amextravel.com — it’s no longer limited to airline incidentals with your selected airline.

Hilton is adding a new benefit where you’ll earn a free night after spending just $30,000 on the card, making it even easier to earn a free night on a yearly basis. This is not replacing the free night earned after spending $60,000 on the card, but instead adding another award opportunity.

Ultimately, this means that cardmembers can earn up to three free nights per year — one automatically after your account anniversary, another after spending $30,000 on the card within the calendar year and a third after spending $60,000 total on the card within the calendar year.

These free night awards can be redeemed at most properties costing up to 150,000 points per night. This includes high-end properties in expensive destinations like the Maldives, New York and others.

Cardmembers will now be able to receive CLEAR Plus membership. Once you pay for your membership with your Hilton Aspire Card, you’ll earn up to $189 in statement credits per year. CLEAR Plus membership currently costs $189 per person, although there’s some discounts for additional family members.

Similar to the changes happening with the Hilton Amex Surpass card, Amex Hilton Aspire cardmembers will also receive complimentary National Car Rental Executive status.

This status allows you to earn free rental days faster, the option to select a fullsize car or above and pay the midsize rate, as well as the opportunity to receive a guaranteed upgrade (on fullsize through luxury vehicles).

Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club program is required. Terms apply.

As long as you pay for your monthly cell phone bill with your Amex Hilton Aspire card, you’ll be covered in the case of theft or damage. With this new cell phone protection benefit, you can file up to two claims per 12-month period (with a $50 deductible), up to a maximum of $800 per claim.

Although this is a perk that we are starting to see offered amongst many credit cards, if you don’t already have a card with this particular coverage, this a great added perk.

While an increased annual fee is never a positive change, the newly added benefits can help offset the fee immensely. Of course you’ll need to ensure you can utilize all of the statement credits to make the annual fee worthwhile, but for those that are able to do so, you should come out ahead.

On the Amex Hilton Surpass side, with a $55 annual fee increase, you’ll receive an additional up to $200 in statement credits and increased earnings on all of your online purchases. If you stay at Hilton properties often enough, these changes will work to your advantage.

For Amex Hilton Aspire members, the $100 annual fee increase puts the card more on par with other luxury cards in the travel rewards space. You’ll receive Diamond elite status and a free night on your cardmember anniversary year. Plus, the included up to $200 in airline credits are also extremely easy to utilize as well.

For many, these three perks alone make paying the annual fee worthwhile. Add on the up to $400 in Hilton resort credits, CLEAR Plus credit, National Club Executive status and cell phone protection, the Amex Hilton Aspire is still a top travel rewards credit card.

Looking for the best overall credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored chose as its best credit cards currently available.

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