I love credit cards so much!

[Haley R]

I have been toying with the idea to stay at a Hilton top tier resort at some point in the future, and would think having the Aspire at the same time as my stay would be my best bet. I have a long term plan to get all the Hilton bonuses over the next 2-3 years and, when ready to redeem for a big stay, get the Aspire to use for on property benefits/status perks. @calypso726 would be better for this kind of question though!

My problem is our trip is in 8 months so I'm just worried we won't have enough time to get 414,000 points.

 

[SBWB48]

@SBWB48 - I screwed up the quote but my reply is in your post. WU MOs and Meta cards.

Thanks! Do your S&Ss check the card when you buy a MO? I know mine ask for an ID when I buy VGCs, so never tried to even get a MO and usually just go to WM. I have two Giants nearby, so would make it easy to buy VGCs at one and liquidate at another if the cashier doesn't ask for an ID on MO purchases...

 

[disneymagicgirl]

People will need to update their links - but you'll find them here.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DISchurners/comments/98u7i0/official_amex_referral_thread/

Currently I show 4 offers of interest available:

• AMEX Hilton Honors - 100,000 Hilton pts. after spending $1,000 within 3 months
• AMEX Hilton Honors Ascend - 150,000 Hilton pts. after spending $3,000 within 3 months
• AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire - offer 1 - 150,000 Hilton pts. after spending $4,000 within 3 months
• AMEX Hilton Honors Aspire - offer2 - 100,000 Hilton pts. PLUS a free weekend night after spending $4,000

EDIT: There's also a Biz Card offer but I can't generate a link for that so I'm unsure what it is. (looks like it's 125k maybe...)

EDIT2: If you are using a support link, make sure it's for the best offer. Not all the links are updated and AMEX probably won't match you if you use a link for a lower offer.

Thx! Updated. Both our hilton biz links went from 125k/$5k spend to 125k/$3k spend.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks, that is a lot to consider. I would be worried that it would take a long time to get all of those points and the room would be gone. What do you think?

I think that is definitely a risk here for you. And you said using URs is nonrefundable so its not like you can even do that and then see how it plays out and cancel....I'm not sure what to say on this one

 

[mom2elal]

I've been thinking about different ways to pay for our WDW trip with points other than URs at a Disney resort, and I'm wondering, if we stay at a Hilton using either Hilton points or UR points, will they still recognize the fact that we're diamond?

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thx! Updated. Both our hilton biz links went from 125k/$5k spend to 125k/$3k spend.

That's a nice change on the MSR (considering how torturous some people find AMEX MSRs to be!)

 

[Judique]

Ha, funny you should bring this up. Last week, we were given the first room right off the elevators. Yeah, no! I hate being there, soooooooooooo much noise from the DME luggage carts and beeping trucks. So the next day they moved us to the 2nd to the last room in the resort LOL. I knew we would end up as far to the end as possible when we asked to move. It was really nice though. Seems like a horrible walk, but I measured it, it was only .13 miles. We are fine with the extra walk though, and it's great for going to DHS. Although walking there was a major pain on this trip!

They have tried twice to give me that elevator room and again to give me the HC room right across from it. (This is over 18 years so not a huge deal in many many trips.) But, once I started coughing and gasping as soon as I got into the room, and couldn't barely speak when I went back to the desk - they had used some cleaner in there probably to cover up a smoker and it set of my allergies almost immediately. Another time it was overwhelming cigarette stench. That at least has gotten better I think since they banned smoking.

Last trip back in January had a few 'skyliner' obstacles on my walk to DHS, but over all it wasn't bad. Has it gotten worse? We are there in 6 weeks.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

AMEX clawback situation worth following:

https://www.reddit.com/r/churning/comments/9hecnv/daily_discussion_thread_september_20_2018/e6byryx/

Summary:
This user earned signup bonuses from the AMEX Ameriprise Gold, AMEX Green (personal), & AMEX Biz Gold Rewards cards on 2/15/18, 1/22/18 and 9/30/17 respectively. They have had the MRs sitting in their account since then. They DID NOT do MS (Manuf. Spend) to earn these bonuses.

The 100k points were clawed back (25k, 25k, 50k) with the following wording in an email: “We recently noticed point accrual or redemption activity on your Membership Rewards program account that indicates an effort to obtain or use points in a manner that is not appropriate.”

The user says they recently cancelled their BGR when the 2nd year AF was charged. They did cancel the Ameriprise Gold card after just 5 months (which was probably a dumb move) but that was likely 2 or 3 months ago at this point.

Very odd situation...has me a little spooked since I have 70k MRs and my wive has 190k MRs right now...would hate to have them clawed back.

EDIT: FYI my summary takes into account all of the comments made by this user so you don't have to read the whole string.

WHOA WHOA WHOA! It is definitely not OK to take away someone's points they legitimately earned. What in the world!? So any company can just decide too bad for you. We are taking your points back!? What!? Unbelievable.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

The Aspire is the one that gives you all the cool benefits I think though. This would be a really tough choice for me if I were in your position. I'd still say having each of you get a Hilton Biz and the 125k points is a great plan. That combined with an Aspire or Ascent would get you the 414k points for your room. Good Luck - Lots to consider!!

I agree with the 2 biz cards, fore sure, as I mentioned before. Then use URs to pay for the missing nights if you choose that over Aspire. If you choose Aspire over CSR, then save URs for another trip. The biz cards are a no brainer to me.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

WHOA WHOA WHOA! It is definitely not OK to take away someone's points they legitimately earned. What in the world!? So any company can just decide too bad for you. We are taking your points back!? What!? Unbelievable.

For those that haven't seen the SCARY DARK side of AMEX...

They have this wording in their applications:
“If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with the welcome bonus offer in any way or that you intend to do so (for example, if you applied for one or more cards to obtain a welcome bonus offer(s) that we did not intend for you; if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it; or if you cancel or return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount), we may not credit Membership Rewards Points to, we may freeze Membership Rewards Points credited to, or we may take away Membership Rewards Points from your account. We may also cancel this Card account and other Card accounts you may have with us.“

AND They have been known to literally clawback points right out of your account with no warning. They also have frozen people's points (ALL OF THEM) while they "investigate" things. I typically get my points with AMEX and get them OUT because of some of the horror stories I've read (although I'd always assume what I've done with them is on the up and up!)

 

[Judique]

Another thing to consider is that going for the PRG first will lessen your chances of getting targeted for, or pulling the 100k MR Platinum offer if you haven’t done so already.

Okay - crisis averted! Back on track! I need to go under 5/24, get whatever I might want from Chase and then come back and get more Amex, starting with the Plat and then all things gold and green and gray and blue.

Meanwhile concentrate on Amex offers (I was targeted for the 6/4 in $2K and $1K) Freedom quarters, Amtrak points (and offers) and some Hyatt points.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Thanks, that is a lot to consider. I would be worried that it would take a long time to get all of those points and the room would be gone. What do you think?

I have no idea if it works or not, but you could reserve the room directly through Hilton on a cash ressie (refundable of course) and when you get the points you can call and see it they can convert it to a points reservation. Maybe research that route.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I've been thinking about different ways to pay for our WDW trip with points other than URs at a Disney resort, and I'm wondering, if we stay at a Hilton using either Hilton points or UR points, will they still recognize the fact that we're diamond?

Your status travels with you. You just won't earn points.

 

[elgerber]

They have tried twice to give me that elevator room and again to give me the HC room right across from it. (This is over 18 years so not a huge deal in many many trips.) But, once I started coughing and gasping as soon as I got into the room, and couldn't barely speak when I went back to the desk - they had used some cleaner in there probably to cover up a smoker and it set of my allergies almost immediately. Another time it was overwhelming cigarette stench. That at least has gotten better I think since they banned smoking.

Last trip back in January had a few 'skyliner' obstacles on my walk to DHS, but over all it wasn't bad. Has it gotten worse? We are there in 6 weeks.

Oh yeah...the entire walking path from the park to not far from the bridge, has been moved. It juts way out into the parking lot and then back over. It's got tall walls on the side, so when it's hot, it's horrible and when it's crowded you cannot move.

<a href="https://www.disboards.com/threads/f...from-hollywood-studios.3696913/#post-59548272">FYI, longer walk times on walkway to/from Hollywood Studios...</a>

On the skyliners, I actually would love a standard view room once they get up and running, because we could sit on the balcony and watch them go by.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

For those that haven't seen the SCARY DARK side of AMEX...

They have this wording in their applications:
“If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with the welcome bonus offer in any way or that you intend to do so (for example, if you applied for one or more cards to obtain a welcome bonus offer(s) that we did not intend for you; if you cancel or downgrade your account within 12 months after acquiring it; or if you cancel or return purchases you made to meet the Threshold Amount), we may not credit Membership Rewards Points to, we may freeze Membership Rewards Points credited to, or we may take away Membership Rewards Points from your account. We may also cancel this Card account and other Card accounts you may have with us.“

AND They have been known to literally clawback points right out of your account with no warning. They also have frozen people's points (ALL OF THEM) while they "investigate" things. I typically get my points with AMEX and get them OUT because of some of the horror stories I've read (although I'd always assume what I've done with them is on the up and up!)

OMGosh! I am glad we mostly have cobranded cards. I will be sure not to let the 100k from DH's new plat linger long. That is just insane to me!

 

[MrPTato]

Thanks! Do your S&Ss check the card when you buy a MO? I know mine ask for an ID when I buy VGCs, so never tried to even get a MO and usually just go to WM. I have two Giants nearby, so would make it easy to buy VGCs at one and liquidate at another if the cashier doesn't ask for an ID on MO purchases...

No one has ever asked to see an ID for a MO purchase and I have done $2k at a time. Why go to 2? I usually hit the cashier then go to the service center for my MOs. Maybe I just live on the brink of danger.

Occasionally they will want to see my ID for the purchase of the gift cards but that is it. A lot of the service desks are also lifted so I can barely see the cash register, so they cannot see the pin pad unless they walk out and around.

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Another thing to consider is that going for the PRG first will lessen your chances of getting targeted for, or pulling the 100k MR Platinum offer if you haven’t done so already.

Does this include not being targeted for the 100K biz Plat as well?

 

[Calfan]

My problem is our trip is in 8 months so I'm just worried we won't have enough time to get 414,000 points.

I think that is definitely a risk here for you. And you said using URs is nonrefundable so its not like you can even do that and then see how it plays out and cancel....I'm not sure what to say on this one

I have no idea if it works or not, but you could reserve the room directly through Hilton on a cash ressie (refundable of course) and when you get the points you can call and see it they can convert it to a points reservation. Maybe research that route.

When I booked our rooms at the Palmer House in Chicago (Hilton) for our December Hamilton trip, I was given a points + cash option. Not sure if that is available for your Tokyo Hilton Bay rooms, but you might be able go that route if you don't get as many Hilton points as you need as soon as you need them. I also like the suggestion of having a cash ressie as a backiup and seeing if it can be converted to points or points + cash once you have some points accrued.

 

[SBWB48]

No one has ever asked to see an ID for a MO purchase and I have done $2k at a time. Why go to 2? I usually hit the cashier then go to the service center for my MOs. Maybe I just live on the brink of danger.

Occasionally they will want to see my ID for the purchase of the gift cards but that is it. A lot of the service desks are also lifted so I can barely see the cash register, so they cannot see the pin pad unless they walk out and around.

Ironic isn't it that I have no issues doing 4 swipes at WM, but yet I want to go to two Giants/S&Ss? Though, it's mainly because there needs to be an override key at the cashier for VGCs over a certain amount, so $500 is inevitable...so the same person at the service center would have to come over to the cashier for my VGC. This is why I usually purchase my VGCs at the service desk to avoid holding up the normal cashier lines.

The auto-drain capability has me oh so curious...

 

[MrPTato]

Ironic isn't it that I have no issues doing 4 swipes at WM, but yet I want to go to two Giants/S&Ss?

The auto-drain capability has me oh so curious...

I figure its $.12 more per $500 in MO...well worth the ease...and never any lines either.