Breaking: AMEX Is Issuing 2 New Hilton Cards (and Refreshing 2 Old Ones!)

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If you’re a fan of Hilton hotels, you’re going to want to sit down for this!

AMEX will introduce 2 Hilton credit cards, and refresh their 2 current Hilton cards on January 18, 2018.  We don’t have all the details yet, but I’ll tell you what we know so far!

AMEX Hilton Cards Coming Soon

Link:   Hilton Honors Credit Cards

Earlier this year, it was possible to sign-up for 4 different Hilton credit cards.  But a few months ago, the 2 Citi Hilton cards were discontinued.

But on January 18, 2018, we’ll have 4 Hilton credit cards again!  We don’t know what the sign-up bonuses will be.  But here’s a rundown of the details we know of so far.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire is the premium Hilton credit card.  It comes with a $450 annual fee, but the benefits of the card can more than make up for it:

• 14 Hilton points per $1 at Hilton hotels and resorts
• 7 Hilton points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, select car rental agencies, and US restaurants
• 3 Hilton points per $1 on other purchases
• Automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status for as long as you hold the card
• 1 annual weekend night at any Hilton hotel or resort
• 1 weekend night at any Hilton hotel or resort after spending $60,000 on the card in a calendar year
• Priority Pass membership (no details yet)
• $250 airline incidental fee credit
• $250 Hilton resort statement credit
• $100 credit at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts when booking the “Aspire Card package” (not sure what this is yet)
• NO foreign transaction fees

The travel credits are great if you’re able to use them.  But some folks may end up spending money they wouldn’t have otherwise just to take advantage of them.

That said, automatic Hilton Diamond Elite status sounds pretty great! 😉

If you’re a big spender, you’ll get many of the same benefits with the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card as you would with the AMEX Hilton Aspire.  But the $95 annual fee is much lower.

You’ll get:

• 12 Hilton points per $1 at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio worldwide
• 6 Hilton points per $1 on U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service producers and U.S. purchases for shipping
• 6 Hilton points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, select car rental agencies, and US restaurants
• 3 Hilton points per $1 on other purchases
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
• Earn Hilton Honors Diamond status after spending $40,000 in purchases within a calendar year
• 1 annual weekend night at any Hilton hotel or resort after spending $15,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year
• Another weekend night at any Hilton hotel or resort after spending $60,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year
• 10 Priority Pass lounge passes
• NO foreign transaction fees

The Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card is the refreshed version of the Hilton Honors™ Surpass® Card from American Express.  But the annual fee has been increased to $95.

You’ll get:

• 12 Hilton points per $1 at Hilton hotels and resorts
• 6 Hilton points per $1 at US supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations
• 3 Hilton points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• 10 Priority Pass lounge passes
• Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status
• Earn Hilton Honors Diamond status after spending $40,000 in purchases within a calendar year
• 1 weekend night at any Hilton hotel or resort after spending $15,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year
• NO foreign transaction fees

We don’t yet know if this card will be considered a new “product”.  But if it is, you’ll be able to earn the sign-up bonus on this card even if you’ve already opened the AMEX Hilton Surpass!

This no annual fee card is virtually unchanged.  The only addition is NO foreign transaction fees.

You’ll also get:

• 7 Hilton points per $1 at Hilton hotels and resorts
• 5 Hilton points per $1 at US supermarkets, gas stations, and restaurants
• 3 Hilton points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• NO foreign transaction fees

We don’t know if this card will be considered a new product, either.  But if it is, you can earn the sign-up bonus on this card even if you’ve already opened the previous Hilton Honors™ Card from American Express.

If the 2 refreshed AMEX Hilton cards are in fact considered different card products, it’s a good idea to open the 2 current AMEX Hilton cards before January 18, 2018.  Before their sign-up bonuses disappear forever!

Note:   If you have the no annual fee Citi Hilton Honors card, your card will be changed to the Hilton Honors American Express Card.  And if you have the Citi Hilton Honors Reserve card, you’ll be changed to the Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card.

Bottom Line

AMEX is introducing 2 new Hilton cards, and refreshing their 2 current Hilton cards.

This is great news, because it means more options for folks like us in the miles & points hobby.  And more opportunities to earn valuable sign-up bonuses!

Some of these details are unverified, and we do NOT have any information on what the sign-up bonuses will be.  But I’ll keep you up to date as we learn more!