If you're thinking of getting this card, don't wait! The elevated welcome offer ends on January 17th. Use my referral link to help support the channel! americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/MATTHKsKDE?xl=cp19 (180K Offer)
I got approved for the Aspire after a couple months with the Surpass. A bit concerned because my status is still showing as Gold even though my status jumped instantly with the Surpass card. I'm wondering if having two cards has caused some wires to be crossed or if it's just not instant every time. Because I tend to fly Southwest, another great option for that airline is to book some flights from LAX to Vegas since that seems like the cheapest fare on the market. You get reimbursed a flight credit if you cancel.
I would perhaps try chatting with Amex and or Hilton. My guess is the Surpass gold status is just over riding the new diamond status. I bet a quick chat or phone call would get that sorted out! Those cheap flights are another great option! I do wish the flight credit was $100 semi annually and not $50 quarterly.
Thanks for the information provided. There were some good pieces of information. The one fallacy was where you commented on how the effective fee is -ve some amount if you book a standard room in the Maldives. That comparison can only be made for people actually going there and staying there only 1 night. Clearly that would not be applicable to almost 99% of the population or thereabouts
Totally agree, and I would not recommend going for one night to the Maldives hahaha. But it's not a fallacy if you are going for 3 or 4 nights using points or dollars, and then book an additional night with the FNR, it would still give you the same effective annual fee. Or you could use the FNR for a stay at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad in the states for just one night. Some of those range from $500-$1,000 a night which would give you the same amount of value. The Best value would be to use points and book 4 nights which gives you a 5th night free, then use the FNR for the 6th night! Thanks for commenting!!!
You can use the free night reward for any amount that is allowed in the room. If the room can sleep 5 or 6 and it is still a standard room redemption, you can use it!
My best redemption was last year. I used the free night reward on the Aspire card at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale. The room was over $700 if I recall and we got upgraded with the Diamond status. Then my wife and I used points to stay at the Bakers Kay Resort in Key Largo. The cash rates for the room were around $600 with standard redemptions of 95,000. I transferred those points from Amex during one of the transfer bonuses they run. It only cost about 115,000 MR points for three nights. It came to about 1.5-1.6 cents per point. I haven't stayed at the Oceana Santa Monica, but it looks super cool! I would love to some day!
Do you have to be staying at the resort to use the new credit or can you just use the aspire to pay for dinner at the onsite restaurant at a resort and get the credit?
So I just read through the terms and conditions and they do state that to receive the credit you must charge the restaurant bill or activity bill to your room and pay for the room with you Aspire card. If you don't charge it to the room, you'll still get 14x back but not the credit.
Friend of mine moved down from Platinum to Gold after he picked up the Aspire. He’s had a mixed experience and said it’s really market (region) driven. For example he was stuck at SEA-TAC last year on like an 8hr delay and was able to access the Alaska lounge as a platinum holder…would’ve been a very different experience w/out it
I always use the credit toward the room rate. The fine print say which rate you CAN'T use but otherwise apply for the room rate. I have the card for the pass 4 years.
@@Spend.Earn.Travel.I believe it does work on room rate. It won't work on prepaid, nonrefundable rates though. So just use it to pay your room at checkout
If you're thinking of getting this card, don't wait! The elevated welcome offer ends on January 17th. Use my referral link to help support the channel! americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/MATTHKsKDE?xl=cp19 (180K Offer)
This is my second year holding the Aspire Card. Such great value. Definitely a keep forever card!
I've had my aspire card for a few years now! Don't regret it one bit!
Pretty sure the flight credit now can be used for flight ticket now instead of incidental
True. And the united travel bank triggers the credit.
My favorite credit card and by far the best hotel card in the game.
Agreed!!
I got approved for the Aspire after a couple months with the Surpass. A bit concerned because my status is still showing as Gold even though my status jumped instantly with the Surpass card. I'm wondering if having two cards has caused some wires to be crossed or if it's just not instant every time.
Because I tend to fly Southwest, another great option for that airline is to book some flights from LAX to Vegas since that seems like the cheapest fare on the market. You get reimbursed a flight credit if you cancel.
I would perhaps try chatting with Amex and or Hilton. My guess is the Surpass gold status is just over riding the new diamond status. I bet a quick chat or phone call would get that sorted out!
Those cheap flights are another great option! I do wish the flight credit was $100 semi annually and not $50 quarterly.
Thanks for the information provided. There were some good pieces of information. The one fallacy was where you commented on how the effective fee is -ve some amount if you book a standard room in the Maldives. That comparison can only be made for people actually going there and staying there only 1 night. Clearly that would not be applicable to almost 99% of the population or thereabouts
Totally agree, and I would not recommend going for one night to the Maldives hahaha. But it's not a fallacy if you are going for 3 or 4 nights using points or dollars, and then book an additional night with the FNR, it would still give you the same effective annual fee. Or you could use the FNR for a stay at a Waldorf Astoria or Conrad in the states for just one night. Some of those range from $500-$1,000 a night which would give you the same amount of value.
The Best value would be to use points and book 4 nights which gives you a 5th night free, then use the FNR for the 6th night!
Thanks for commenting!!!
Fallacy? Really?
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?
You can use the free night reward for any amount that is allowed in the room. If the room can sleep 5 or 6 and it is still a standard room redemption, you can use it!
Do I need to select United as my airline for the flight credit?
No you don't! Infact since the revamp, the option to select an airline no longer exist.
Can you share you favorite Hilton redemptions? Have you stayed at the Oceana Santa Monica? I might want to stay there this spring
My best redemption was last year. I used the free night reward on the Aspire card at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale. The room was over $700 if I recall and we got upgraded with the Diamond status. Then my wife and I used points to stay at the Bakers Kay Resort in Key Largo. The cash rates for the room were around $600 with standard redemptions of 95,000. I transferred those points from Amex during one of the transfer bonuses they run. It only cost about 115,000 MR points for three nights. It came to about 1.5-1.6 cents per point.
I haven't stayed at the Oceana Santa Monica, but it looks super cool! I would love to some day!
for the honors card, is there anything stopping you from upgrading straight to the aspire instead of going to the surpass first?
I don’t think so. I would ask Amex through their chat on the website and see!
Will you get the flight credit on Delta’s gift card?
I don't believe so. Delta codes that transaction differently and it won't trigger the credit.
Will the 100,000 bonus points increase my membership from gold to diamond?
You already get diamond status with this card
Do you have to be staying at the resort to use the new credit or can you just use the aspire to pay for dinner at the onsite restaurant at a resort and get the credit?
So I just read through the terms and conditions and they do state that to receive the credit you must charge the restaurant bill or activity bill to your room and pay for the room with you Aspire card. If you don't charge it to the room, you'll still get 14x back but not the credit.
@@Spend.Earn.Travel. Ok cool thanks for your help.
Anyone recommend getting this card if I already own the Plat? Been thinking about this card a lot lately.
I currently have both the Platinum Card and the Aspire Card. I would say if you can make use of your credits and benefits on both cards then yes!
Friend of mine moved down from Platinum to Gold after he picked up the Aspire. He’s had a mixed experience and said it’s really market (region) driven. For example he was stuck at SEA-TAC last year on like an 8hr delay and was able to access the Alaska lounge as a platinum holder…would’ve been a very different experience w/out it
Has anyone tried the (Annoying) $50 quarterly Airline credit for ....say Airline Gift Card & gotten refund ?
I have used it a few times to fund my United Travel Bank. Is the credit not working for you?
And the Hilton resort credit can be used for nightly fee as well right?
Unfortunately neither of the credits can go towards the room rate. There are a few lines in the terms and conditions that rule it out.
I always use the credit toward the room rate. The fine print say which rate you CAN'T use but otherwise apply for the room rate. I have the card for the pass 4 years.
@@Spend.Earn.Travel.I believe it does work on room rate. It won't work on prepaid, nonrefundable rates though. So just use it to pay your room at checkout
@@jaxpon2010can you please explain how to use the credit as just got the card few days ago.thx