Earlier this week, I received an email from American Express detailing exciting “new and enhanced” changes to my Amex Hilton Honors business card.
What’s new:
- 5X points on non-Hilton spending for the first 12 months (then back to 3X thereafter)
- $240 Hilton credit, $60 per quarter
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status
- $195 annual fee beginning 7-1-24 (was previously $95)
What’s going away:
- Free night certificate awards
- 6X points on gas, restaurants, shipping, flights, car rentals, cell phone service
- Priority Pass Select Membership
Why I’m Not Thrilled
My biggest complaint is the annual fee increase. It feels like I’m getting less for more
I know that in theory, I could offset the increase with the $240 in Hilton statement credits. Leana has successfully used her credits on the Hilton Honors Surpass card to pre-pay resort credit, and another reader has had success with buying Hilton gift cards (see this post).
However, I only have 3 upcoming Hilton stays planned, all during my 2 weeks in Europe, and none are at resorts. I booked using points and a free night certificate. All of my hotels already include free breakfast. Sure, I could use the $60 quarterly credit towards dinner at a hotel restaurant. But do I want to go through the hassle of figuring out a way to spend my credit each quarter if I don’t have future stays coming up?
I already have to keep track of spending credits on a few other credit cards. Why add one more to the mix?
My annual fee doesn’t come around until December. So, I do have some time to figure out if this card is worth $195 a year. But if it’s not, I can always cancel it.
Readers, is anyone else not thrilled with the changes to the Amex Hilton Honors business card?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Really bothered me that it changed overnight without some notice! I’d sent the link to my son a few days before all the changes, so he didn’t get it before the link expired. I will be cancelling mine when fee is due. Now with changes to all the Hilton cards, it’s tough to keep track of all the credits and timing on each of them!
@Lynn I agree! I think the credits will be tough to keep track of. It would be easier if it was just one yearly credit instead of by quarters.
I’m still on the sidelines about the Aspire card even with a good AMEX referral bonus for 2-player mode and 175k SUB through 4/17. Benefits were diluted recently (are they done?).
Just wondering if Free Night Certificates are on the way out for Aspire too with the SLH hotels coming into the fold. Of course SLH properties may not even be available for points bookings. We’ll see.
@Peter I understand. The welcome bonus is pretty great though.
I have a feeling there’s going to be some Amex execs scratching their heads at the sudden rash of cancellations on this card.
@projectx I wonder what percentage of people won’t really notice the fee change because they don’t read their emails?
I am going to cancel when my next AF is due. Eliminating the FNC for $15k was the clincher. I was spending towards that and I am about $6k into it. Now I have to spend the other $9k by 6/30 in order to receive it. No way I will make that. Plus I was planning on using that FNC in France next Sept. Even if I was to make the $15k by 6/30 the FNC will expire before I was planning on using it. Not really sure how they can even change the terms mid year but I am sure they have the right in the fine print somewhere. But they will be losing me as a customer for sure because of this.
@Tom Oh, the timing of that sucks. Boo.