American Express may launch a new premium hotel card (their first) that would give some nice elite benefits – but at what cost? Find out about this potential Amex Hilton Diamond card!
The Amex Hilton Diamond Card – A New Premium Hotel Card?
The classic Waldorf Astoria in New York
On the Chase side, we have the Ritz-Carlton card that commands a $450 annual fee and several premium perks in addition to the hotel benefits. Now, it seems that American Express is at least strongly thinking about entering the premium hotel card market – and doing so with the Hilton Diamond card.
According to Doctor of Credit, a reader recently filled out a survey that gave some interesting details on something called the Hilton Diamond card. It gives some interesting perks like, of course, Hilton Diamond status as well as many other benefits. Here is what the details show:
- $395 annual fee
- 14 Hilton points per dollar spent at Hilton properties
- 7 Hilton points per dollar at:
- US restaurants
- car rental agencies
- airfare purchased directly from airlines
- 3 Hilton points on all other purchases
- 500 Hilton points when booking Hilton hotels online with the Hilton Diamond card
- Receive complimentary Hilton Diamond status
- Receive Hilton Diamond+ status with $60,000 in annual spending on the card
- Receive Priority Pass lounge membership for free entry
- $250 annual travel credit
- 1 free night annually when you spend $12,000 in a year on the card
Courtesy of Doctor of Credit
Analysis
Some of those things follow other Hilton card offerings to some extent so it is not a surprise to see them on a premium Hilton Diamond card. What is surprising is the inclusion of something called “Diamond+” which is a status that is not currently offered (at least publicly). It is also surprising that the annual free night is not just given to cardholders with the hefty $395 annual fee.
Sign-Up Bonus?
There is no mention of a sign-up bonus but I would guess it would have to be a minimum of 150,000 Hilton points (since the $75-fee Hilton Surpass card often offers 100,000 points). But, I think far more likely would be 2 free nights (possibly 3) and likely available on any night instead of being restricted to weekend nights like the Hilton Reserve. I base this on the fact that the details do not put the “weekend” term on the free night for annual spend.
If this card comes out, it would be available to everyone and should make a lot of people interested in it. If it comes with 3 free Hilton nights, it could be a great offering. Hilton nights can cost 95,000 points per night during peak time so such a bonus would equal 285,000 Hilton points at the maximum usage. Not a bad sign-up bonus!
Would you get the Amex Hilton Diamond card if it does come out? What kind of sign-up bonus would you want to see?
I doubt many would be excited for free Hilton Diamond status…as far as I can tell from earning it thru credit card spend on the Surpass this past year, it’s basically like Gold but with slightly more points. Very rare to get suite upgrades. Not worth the 40k in spend in my opinion but wanted to try it out.
I have gotten a couple of nice upgrades – even at Waldorfs – but Gold was always sufficient enough for me. Unless they take away free breakfast! 🙂
I’d need more details about the airline credit. If it’s open like the sapphire reserve I’d go for it. If it’s like the Ritz Carlton, I might just keep the card the first year.
How does the Ritz Carlton’s airline fee credit work? The Amex Premier Rewards $100 credit does work like the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit so I’m thinking this one would as well
Anybody have any clue what Diamond+ would entail? How much does Diamond get devalued if there’s another new tier? (Remember Spire Elite… although IHG Platinum was pretty much useless to begin with.)
To my knowledge, this card’s mention of it was the first. I am honestly not surprised, though, given how they have been practically giving away Diamond status for almost a year. This is very much like IHG and Platinum and then Spire status.
Would this automatic diamond status count towards the 10 year lifetime status requirement?