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(Rumored) Is American Express Releasing a New Hilton Credit Card, The Ascend, After the First of the Year?

Mark Ostermann
Mark Ostermann

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New American Express Hilton Ascend Card Rumors

New American Express Hilton Ascend Card Rumors

There have been rumors swirling for a couple of weeks (or a year) about a new Hilton card being released by American Express.  This would make sense with Amex getting total control of the Hilton portfolio starting January 1, 2018.  The original rumors were that American Express would be releasing an ultra premium card with a large annual fee and Hilton Diamond status.  This does not seem to be the case according to TravelinPoints.

Rumored Details of the Offer

TravelinPoints’ post offers the following details on the card:

  • Available January 1, 2018
  • Earning structure is the same as the Surpass card
    • 12x Hitlon Hotels
    • 6x Grocery, US Gas, US Restaurants
    • 3x Everywhere else
  • Comes with Hilton Gold Status, Diamond after 40k in spend.
  • No foreign exchange fees
  • Free weekend night after spending $15,000 within a calendar year
  • Priority Pass with 10 free visits
  • $95 annual fee

We are not sure how accurate these details are since a screenshot etc. is not provided in the post.

 

New American Express Hilton Ascend Card Rumors

Other Evidence That The Card is Real

DoctorofCredit offers a few more tidbits that make the Hilton Ascend card feel like more than a rumor.

  • American Express filed a trademark for ‘Ascend’ on July 18th, 2017 (serial number: 87532331)
  • One of DoC’s Amex sources said they could not comment on it and to “take that how you will”.
  • One of the DoC readers said that an Amex chat rep said the card is not available yet when he inquired about it.

Thoughts/Conclusion

Introducing a new co-branded Hilton card would make a lot of sense for American Express to coincide with them taking over the entire Hilton portfolio. This would replace the two cards being discontinued by Citibank and could help recoup some of the revenue Hilton would be losing because of it.  It would also be cement the announcement of the exclusive partnership.

I believe a new card will be released by American Express and Hilton, it makes too much sense not to.  But, if the terms being reported by TravelinPoints are true the Ascend card does not make a ton of sense to me.  It sounds too similar to the Surpass card.  It would have the same earning structure and comes with the same status.  While I think the $20 increase in annual is worth it for the free night perk, no foreign transaction fees, and 10 priority pass entries. I don’t know why anyone would get the Surpass version vs the Ascend card.  It seems like the Ascend will simply cannibalize Surpass members.  The reported terms do seem like a mix between the Reserve and Surpass card.  I think a Hilton Diamond card would make more sense.

We will see soon enough if the terms are correct or if the Ascend card is real.  It would be nice to be able to get a new Hilton sign up bonus if it is true!

 

What do you think about American Express introducing a new card?  Does it make sense?  Are you planning on signing up if it is released?

 

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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Mark Ostermann
Mark Ostermann
Mark Ostermann is a father, husband and miles/points fanatic. He left the corporate world after starting a family in order to be a stay at home dad. Mark is constantly looking at ways to save money and stay within budget while also taking awesome vacations with his family. When he isn't caring for his family or taking a weekend trip, Mark is working towards his goal of visiting every Major League Baseball ballpark.

Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

9 COMMENTS

  1. I just received a notice from American Express that my Citi Hilton Honors card was being replaced with HILTON HONORS AMERICAN EXPRESS ASCEND CARD and can confirm from the disclosures that the rumors of the point accumulation tiers, 10 priority pass lounge visits, No FOREX, $95 annual fee, and free weekend night are true with the caveat that the free weekend night is upon reaching $15,000 annual spend threshold…

  3. It makes sense. You can’t have a premium card with a foreign transaction fee ala Surpass, just too much foreign travel. I was hoping for this. Question: will AMEX claw back 100,000 points from Surpass offer if you jump before a year is up–or even after?

    • No way they could – only thing they may do is say they are the same product but I highly doubt they would do that either. I would get the Surpass before the end of the year if you haven’t had it just in case this replaces it. There is always a small chance doing that would make you ineligible for the Ascend bonus though.

  4. I applied for the Surpass card today and received an email saying “Enjoy Your New
    Hilton HonorsTM Surpass® Card from American Express Membership!”

  5. I applied for the Surpass under the promotion for 100k points and a free night with the next annual fee that ended today. When I received an email confirmation from AMEX it said congrats on being approved for the ASCEND card. Posted pics of the email on Flyertalk a couple of days ago.

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