Update 11/6/19: Deal is still dead. Multiple readers in the comments confirm that this application appears to be going properly for those who applied when it was live, and we should not be hit with any annual fee charge for the first year.
Update: DEAD.
Original Post:
There’s a new link that’s surfaced which is apparently waiving the $450 annual fee on the Hilton Aspire American Express card. These premium cards rarely waive the annual fee first year; you can get a huge value from all the benefits for a full year with no fee.
Direct Link to offer (requires login)
The signup bonus is the same at 150,000 points after $4,000 in spend. Some people are considering signing up even if they get the pop-up (which warns them that they aren’t eligible for the bonus) just the benefits for a full year with no fee.
The fee waiver is not showing on the main application page, only in the Rates & Fees page. Be sure to confirm that you are seeing the $0 fee, and also take screenshots in case you have to fight this one. Hopefully they’ll honor it without issue.
READ: American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Full Card Review – $450 Annual Fee
Hat tip to readers James and HN and Reddit
Did anyone receive the free night for the second year?
The $450 annual fee just appeared for 2021. Has anyone been able to obtain a fee reduction due to current travel restrictions? Also will a cancellation jeopardize the 150,000 points that posted under the original offer? Thanks in advance.
I was offered 20,000 MR points (not hilton points, which was odd) or a $40 statement credit to pay the fee and keep the card.
Definitely could be worth it for people who still travel.
I really doubt they will try to claw back the points.
Nope, i just downgraded the card.
Looks like the annual fee will post on the 12/6 stmt. Does changing the closing date now delay that and thereby get more use in Jan (if we plan to downgrade)? Or is the fee pro-rated anyway, so it doesn’t matter that much?
Points posted today for me as well
Points posted today. This deal was the best ever!!!!
Just a fellow lurker here. Wanted to add that I finally got my bonus points posted to my account finally as of today. Its weird, coincidentally I also booked a hotel for tonight just yesterday. Wondering if that triggered it in any way lol I only called once about the points in December and they mentioned I would get it in January. Guess you just have to be patient. Glad I found thus blog good shiz guys
166k points posted for me today, about a month after meeting the minimum spend requirement! Hooray!
Bonus posted – 2 months after meeting spend. Didn’t chat or call about it. This was the best deal, thanks DoC for covering it 🙂
My bonus points just posted today. I chatted 3 consecutive days with Amex on line complaining about the lack of transparency in the process. After day 3 they posted. Could be coincidental but it has been less than one month after the statement close when I met min spend. Don’t be afraid to complain unless you did do gift card spend.
Also got free night about a month ago and did get airline benefit at end of last year.
However, same trick I used for airline didn’t work this year. I put partial airline ticket spend on gift card and balance on cc last year and it triggered benefit. Not so when I tried again in January.
Thank you for sharing. I’m still waiting for my points.
I am also under review. I place a ticket with Hilton guest services and got a scary email.
Dear XXXX,
Upon further research with Amex, we have been advised that your account is being reviewed. Per our Card Member Agreement (CMA), We may change the terms of this reward program at our discretion. If you violate or abuse this Reward program, you may forfeit some or all your points / miles. Card Members can view the offer terms in the original Card application.
I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you. Should you have any additional questions or concerns regarding this please contact the American Express Customer Service Center directly. Thank you for your continued loyalty to Hilton Worldwide and the Hilton Honors program.
Amex review = Are they looking for gc’s purchases?