Question
I am currently looking at the Hilton HHonors card.... with AMEX you get 10,000 points after your first purchase. However i noticed this morning that Citibank is offering the same card (Visa) with 15,000 points after your first purchase.
Is there any difference between the AMEX Hilton and the Citibank Hilton (Visa)??
They both appear to be free... do both cards offer the same benifits?
Answer
The two cards have different earning ratios.
The AMEX HH Card earns:
3 points per $ spent
5 points per $ spent at various locations including HH hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, etc.
The Citi HH Card earns:
2 points per $ spent
3 points per $ spent at HH hotels
There also seems to be a difference in the HH status you get with each of the cards. With AMEX you get Gold after you spend $20k and with Citi you get Silver automatically. I really haven't heard of many people getting the Visa here on FT other than to just get the sign-up bonus since the earnings ratios are not as good.
http://www.citicards.com/cards/wv/cardDetail.do?screenID=933
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/cda/dynamic.jsp?name=Hilton&type=intProduct
Answer
Since they are both no annual fee, the best deal is to get them both.
Then use the AmEx wherever possible with the Visa as a backup to use if you can't use the AmEx.
Answer
with Citi you get Silver automatically.
Amex gives you Silver every year as well. I believe Citi's is only the first year.
You will be automatically enrolled in the award winning Hilton HHonors program at the Silver VIP status for the duration of your Cardmembership
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/cda/dynamic.jsp?name=Hilton_List&type=intBenefitList#Hilton%20HHonors%20Member%20Be nefits_Hilton_SD
After the first year's complimentary Hilton HHonors Silver VIP membership, the standard qualifying nights or stays are required to maintain this membership level. Please see HHonors program Terms and Conditions.
https://www.accountonline.com/ACQ/DisplayTerms?sc=FPSHW2E6%202HIB1R5VB0W&app=UNSOL&siteId=hhonors&langId=en&BUS_TYP_CD=consumer&DOWNSELL_LEVEL=0&BALCON_SC=&B=S&DOWNSELL_BRANDS=
Answer
Get them both, though I think the citibank issuing the Hilton card is different from THE citibank we generally know.
Answer
I am currently looking at the Hilton HHonors card.... with AMEX you get 10,000 points after your first purchase. However i noticed this morning that Citibank is offering the same card (Visa) with 15,000 points after your first purchase.
Is there any difference between the AMEX Hilton and the Citibank Hilton (Visa)??
They both appear to be free... do both cards offer the same benifits?
No. They do not have the same benefits. They are two different credit cards from two different card issuers. You should read the card benefits on the issuer's website. The AMEX is a better card in terms of rewards and most benefits. However, the Citi card comes with Visa Sigature benefits. See www.visasignature.com.
Answer
If you plan to get both why not get the HH AMEX and the American airlines MC. If you are going to have two hits on your FICO score, why not get the maximum points.
AA/MC after $250 spend = 20,000 AA miles Xfer to HH ($25) = 40,000 HH then cancel or keep card as first year is fee free.
AMEX HH 10k sign-up bonus for a total of 50k HH.
Answer
Another benefit w/ AMEX HH:
Upgrade to HHonors Gold VIP for one year when you make eligible charges of $20,000 or more annually to your Card (on a calendar basis).
Earn 2,500 HHonors bonus points for each of your first four eligible stays at participating Hilton Family hotels, when the stay is paid for with your Hilton HHonors Platinum Credit Card from American Express.
Answer
I wasnt aware of the AAdvantage World Mastercard. This would be a much better deal then the Visa HHonors. However it is $85 a year.
I guess i could get it to earn the rewards and cancel it before the year is up.
Do a lot of people do this?
Answer
There should be an offer for the AA/Citi MC where you can get the first year free. It's still 20K signup, then you have to spend $750 in the first four months.
I wasnt aware of the AAdvantage World Mastercard. This would be a much better deal then the Visa HHonors. However it is $85 a year.
I guess i could get it to earn the rewards and cancel it before the year is up.
Do a lot of people do this?
Answer
I've had the AA/Citi MC card for about 5 years now and have never paid the annual fee. When it posts to my account each year I call them and say that I'm thinking of cancelling my card due to the fee. Each time they've taken the fee off of my account. It may be due to how I use the card. I end up doing about $85-100K per year and never carry a balance.
Answer
I think i will apply for the AMEX Hilton card as well as the AA card.
I have applied for a few cards over the last month. Discontinued old cards and got a few new ones. I dont want to dent my credit score by applying for to many cards at once.
I just purchased a home and new car... so i wont need to apply for any loans any time soon. But i would rather be safe
Answer
...end up doing about $85-100K per year ...
Satisfy my curiousity, why would you put that charge volume on Citi AAdvantage Mastercard rather than Starwood Amex?