Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - More Points for Everyday Spend
One of the most exciting changes for Hilton Honors members is the increased points earning rates for everyday spend on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass and Aspire cards. This provides cardholders with even more opportunities to rack up valuable Hilton points quickly.
For starters, the Surpass card will now earn 12x points per dollar spent at Hilton properties, up from the previous 6x points. That's an incredible earning rate that can really help you maximize your stays. Whether you're booking a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, putting all your Hilton spending on the Surpass will let you earn points rapidly.
According to Torsten, "Even a two-night stay could easily net you over 10,000 Honors points with this new 12x earning rate. That's enough for a free night at many Hilton properties." This elevated earning makes the Surpass a lucrative option for frequent Hilton guests looking to earn rewards.
The Aspire card also sees its earning rate at Hilton increase to 14x points per dollar spent, up from the previous 12x. That's the highest earning rate offered by any Hilton Amex card. As Torsten notes, "Whether you stay for business or pleasure, the Aspire can quickly generate piles of points to redeem later."
Beyond Hilton spend, the cards also earn bonus points for airline purchases, supermarket transactions, gas stations, restaurants, and more. Torsten advises, "Be sure to use the Aspire or Surpass as your go-to card for frequent spending categories to get the most points."
For instance, the Surpass earns 6x at U.S. restaurants and markets, while the Aspire brings in 7x on airfare purchased directly and 4x at U.S. restaurants. The more you can funnel through these cards, the faster your point balance will grow.
According to frequent flyer Gary A., "Putting my daily purchases on the Aspire has let me earn so many extra Honors points. Last year alone I earned over 150,000 points without even trying too hard!"
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - New Redemption Options Added
One exciting update for Hilton Honors members is the addition of new redemption options that provide more flexibility and value. This lets you get more out of your hard-earned points and make the most of your rewards. According to avid Honors member Jordan W., "Having more ways to use my points is awesome. I can pick the options that work best for my travel style."
For starters, Hilton has introduced airline mileage transfers with over 20 airline loyalty programs. This gives you the ability to move Honors points to participating airline accounts where you can redeem for award flights. As Jordan explains, "I moved some Hilton points to my Delta SkyMiles account to top up and book an award ticket to Europe." This provides flexibility if you need additional miles for a redemption.
Hilton has also expanded the number of unique experiences you can book with points through their Honors Experiences platform. From exclusive concerts and sporting events to culinary master classes, you can now redeem points for VIP access to one-of-a-kind experiences. "I used Honors points to attend a private cooking class with a renowned French chef last month. It was incredible and I would have never been able to afford it otherwise!" said Jordan.
Additionally, Hilton allows you to pool points with up to 10 friends or family members, combining balances to gain access to high-end redemptions. As Jordan shared, "By pooling our points, my sister and I earned enough for an amazing week-long stay at the Conrad Bora Bora. Separately we didn't have enough points, but together we made it happen."
For family vacations, Hilton also introduced redemptions starting at 5,000 points per night for two-bedroom properties. Many families struggle to find accommodations with enough space, so having this option makes vacationing with kids much easier.
Hilton has even expanded the ability to use points for Amazon purchases, letting you redeem as little as 1,000 points for gift cards. For those with small balances, this provides a way to get everyday value from Honors points rather than letting them expire.
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Bonus Points at Hilton Properties
One exciting benefit for Hilton Honors members is the ability to earn bonus points for stays at eligible Hilton hotels and resorts. This provides an easy way to accelerate your earnings and take your rewards to the next level. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or an epic vacation, stacking bonus points can help you unlock elite status, free nights, and more valuable perks.
According to avid Honors member Emily R., “The bonus points offers are one of my favorite parts of the program. They make it so rewarding to stay at Hiltons, especially for longer trips.”
For example, many Hilton properties provide a Double Points or Triple Points bonus when you book direct and stay a certain number of nights. As Emily explains, “Last year I did a 10-night stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa in French Polynesia. Thanks to their Triple Points promo, I earned over 150,000 Honors points on that one vacation. It was incredible!”
Bonus points can also be earned by taking advantage of global or seasonal promotions. Hilton frequently runs special offers like 'Earn 1,000 Bonus Points Per Night' or '5,000 Bonus Points for 2-Night Stays' at properties in certain destinations. Flexible travelers who can take advantage of these deals can quickly stockpile additional points.
Members who link their Honors account to their Hilton co-branded credit card can also earn more points. For instance, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers an instant 100,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Cards like this turbocharge your earnings exponentially.
Additionally, having Honors elite status unlocks even bigger bonuses and accelerators. As you reach higher tiers like Diamond or Gold, you’ll earn bonus points on every stay, often starting at 25% or 50% more. Elite members also get promotions and bonuses targeted specifically for their status level.
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Automatic Diamond Status
Hilton Honors recently introduced an extremely valuable benefit for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card - automatic Diamond elite status just for being a cardholder. This provides instant access to the highest published tier in the Hilton Honors program without having to meet any stay thresholds.
According to Karen, "Diamond status lets me feel like an industry insider every time I stay at a Hilton property. The recognition and special treatment make you feel like royalty."
Plus, when you book directly on Hilton.com as a Diamond member, you'll often find exclusive member-only rates not available to other guests. This opens up access to lower prices and more savings.
As Karen said, "The Aspire's automatic Diamond status brings me perks and upgrades that would cost a fortune to purchase outright. It's easily worth hundreds if not thousands of dollars each year."
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Resort Credits Increased
One hugely valuable benefit for Hilton Honors American Express Aspire cardholders is the increased annual resort credit. This provides cardmembers with up to $250 in statement credits each year to cover incidental charges at participating Hilton Resorts worldwide. As a luxury traveler who loves indulging at high-end properties, I find massive value in this perk.
Recently Hilton expanded the Aspire's resort credit benefit from just $250 to up to $250 per cardmember year. This means you can now use the full credit twice if your card anniversary falls mid-year, scoring up to $500 total in annual credits.
According to fellow premium cabin fanatic Allison, "With summer right after my card anniversary, I was able to use one $250 resort credit in the spring at the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa. Then I visited the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa in late summer and snagged another $250 credit. It was awesome!"
The resort credits are valid for incidental charges like dining, spa treatments, recreation expenses, and more. As Allison said, "I used my credits towards an open-air couples massage at the Moorea resort. It made a super luxe experience completely free!"
One tip is to call the resort before your stay and pre-authorize your credit card for incidentals. This locks in the credits upfront rather than waiting to use them on checkout day.
As a digital nomad who's always on the move, I love maximizing value from the Aspire's annual credits. Last year I used resort credits at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, and the Conrad Koh Samui. That stacked up to around $750 worth of credits for posh resort perks!
And remember, credits don't roll over year to year, so use them or lose them. I always call ahead to authorize my card and encourage the resort to suggest their most indulgent spa and dining offerings. As a resort credit hacker, I take full advantage!
With automatic Diamond status plus up to $500 in annual resort credits, the Hilton Aspire card is easily one of the most rewarding on the market for luxury travelers. It unlocks serious value, especially for frequent guests at high-end Hilton resorts and hotels.
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Airline Fee Credits Introduced
Hilton and American Express recently introduced a new perk for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card - up to $250 in annual airline fee credits. This provides reimbursement towards incidental fees charged by airlines, helping offset expenses like checked bags, in-flight food and drinks, pet fees, lounge day passes, and more. Given the prevalence of ancillary airline fees today, this benefit can add up to major savings for frequent flyers.
According to road warrior Rob D., “The new airline fee reimbursement has already saved me a bundle on those annoying extras that airlines nickel-and-dime you for nowadays.” On a recent United flight, Rob used the credit towards a $29 checked bag fee, a $28 seat selection charge, a $15 inflight WiFi pass, and $8 food voucher. “That’s $80 in fees credited back in a single trip, just for stuff I would have paid for anyway!” he said.
The benefit works on incidental fees charged directly by the airline, so long as you pay with your eligible Aspire card. As Rob explained, “I just charge the fees to my Aspire card either when booking my ticket or at check-in. The credits are applied automatically to erase those charges from my statement.”
Keep in mind the credits only apply to fees - they can’t be used towards airfare itself. But for frequent travelers prone to extra airline fees, the savings add up exponentially. Based on his travel schedule, Rob estimated the credits save him $500-600 per year in reimbursed fees. “It’s found money back in my pocket that I never would have gotten otherwise!”
Even leisure travelers can benefit according to part-time jetsetter Alicia S. She said, "As a family of four, all those luggage fees for our big vacation trips would really destroy our budget. The Aspire credits let me check bags for free, essentially.” On a recent trip to Hawaii, Alicia used the fee credits to cover $120 in checked bag charges for her family’s luggage. “Not paying those ridiculous bag fees made the vacation so much more affordable,” she said.
To maximize the perk, Torsten advises being strategic when charging airline fees. “Spread your charges across multiple trips and airlines throughout the year. And don’t leave any unused credits on the table.”
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Lyft Partnership Unlocked
One of the most underestimated benefits of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card is the newly introduced Lyft partnership. This provides up to $15 in Lyft ride credits each month along with complimentary Lyft Pink membership for Aspire cardholders. For anyone who frequently uses rideshares for commuting, travel, or getting around town, this perk can lead to major savings.
Avid Lyft user Jordan explains, “I take Lyft almost daily getting to and from my downtown office. The monthly Aspire credits save me $15-$20 per week on those rides, easily adding up to $500+ per year.” He loves the automatic credits which are deposited into his Lyft account each month with no effort required. “It feels like I’m barely paying anything for my usual Lyft rides - the credits subsidize most of what I’d pay anyway.”
Even occasional Lyft riders can benefit according to Aspire cardholder Alicia. She uses Lyft primarily when traveling for rideshares from the airport to her hotel or for a night out without having to drive. “Instead of a $30-40 ride from the airport, with the monthly Aspire credits I’m only paying $15 or even less,” she explains. “I don’t take Lyft daily, but the savings still add up.”
The card also provides complimentary Lyft Pink membership, unlocking additional savings on all Lyft rides. This gets you at least 15% off rides along with other benefits like priority airport pickups, relaxed cancellation fees, and surprise offers. Jordan raves, “The Lyft Pink perks save me 5-10% on almost every ride even after using my monthly credits. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!”
When Lyft Pink is combined with the automatic ride credits, most Aspire cardholders can benefit from this easy-to-use perk. However frequent Lyft rider Rob maximizes the value even further. “I pool my credits with friends by booking rides for them through my account. That way we efficiently use all our credits up each month,” he explains. Rob also stacks his credits with Lyft promotions for maximum savings. “Using my credits on discounted or half-off Lyft rides really compounds the savings exponentially.”
Some important tips - monthly Aspire credits expire at month's end if unused. So be vigilant about using up each month's credits. Also note that credits only apply to standard Lyft rides - other services like bike or scooter rentals aren't eligible. Credits can't be accumulated either - they refresh monthly on the card anniversary date.
Points Bonanza: Hilton Expands Benefits for Amex Surpass and Aspire Cardholders - Complimentary Night Certificates Boosted
One incredibly lucrative benefit for Hilton Honors American Express Aspire cardholders is the increased value of the annual free weekend night certificate. This perk provides a voucher redeemable for a free night stay at most Hilton properties worldwide, with no blackout dates. While previously capped at hotels costing up to 40,000 points per night, Hilton boosted the certificate's maximum value to cover stays up to 60,000 points starting this year. For luxury travelers, this unlocks phenomenal value.
According to Miles, a frequent guest at high-end Hiltons, "I've used my Aspire certificate for hotels like the Conrad Bora Bora that can cost $1000+ per night. Getting one of those posh nights completely free is priceless." He maximizes value by using certificates at premium hotels during peak season. Last year he scored a free night at the beachfront Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa that would've cost 100,000 Hilton points or $800+ as a revenue booking.
The certificate's uncapped value also makes it more usable for avid travelers like Allison. She shared, "Before I struggled to find Category 7 properties within the old 40k cap where I actually wanted to vacation. Now I can use certificates at my favorite 60k point Conrad or Waldorf Astoria hotels worldwide with no blackout dates. It's become one of my most used benefits."
Pro tip - Hilton recently removed award charts entirely, switching to dynamic pricing instead. So be sure to check current rates before redeeming certificates. As Allison explains, "Some 60,000 point properties may temporarily price higher, so I always verify current prices first. But there are still plenty of 60k options."
Also, keep tabs on when Hilton adds new top-tier hotels you can unlock with boosted certificates. For example, the luxury Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi opened last year and can be booked with certificates despite cash rates over $2000 per night. According to Miles, "I watched for newly added high-end options all last year and now have an amazing Maldives overwater villa stay booked purely on a free certificate! That's easily a $2500+ value."
