American Express has made changes to two of its Hilton co-branded cards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. The Surpass card now has a higher annual fee of $150, an increase of $55 from the previous fee. However, it also offers new benefits such as 4 Hilton points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases and a statement credit of up to $200 annually for Hilton purchases. The Aspire card also has a higher annual fee of $550, a $100 increase, but it now provides a quarterly airfare statement credit of $50 and additional statement credits for eligible purchases at participating Hilton resorts.
These changes come with both positive and negative aspects. While the increased annual fees may seem unappealing, the added benefits such as bonus point earning categories and statement credits for Hilton purchases and airfare can compensate for the higher costs. However, the removal of Priority Pass lounge access on both cards is a drawback for cardholders who valued this perk. Overall, the refreshes to these credit cards offer a mix of advantages and disadvantages, and individuals should evaluate whether the new benefits align with their travel and spending preferences.
In conclusion, American Express has made updates to its Hilton co-branded credit cards, introducing new benefits and increasing the annual fees. The Surpass card now offers bonus point earning categories and a statement credit for Hilton purchases, while the Aspire card provides a quarterly airfare credit and additional statement credits for Hilton resort purchases. However, the removal of Priority Pass lounge access might disappoint cardholders. Ultimately, individuals should consider their travel and spending habits to determine if the new benefits outweigh the higher costs.