Is the Hilton Ascend Credit Card Worth It?

Just saw a Youtube video that recommended the Amex Hilton Ascend credit card that can be linked to the Wyndham Diamond status and then linked to Caesars Diamond status Rewards card that has many benefits to it. $95 annual fee. Is this worth the effort to get this card? Or is the devil in the details? I see it isn’t in your recommended credit cards.

[Editor's Note: We handed this one off to our LVA Travel Game bloggers, Michael Trager and Mike Friedman, who cover the world of loyalty programs and award travel, which includes credit card points and bonus offers.]

Thanks for the question! It has become increasingly rare for us to be able to say, "Yes, it really is that easy," so this answer is particularly fun to write.

The Hilton Ascend (which is actually called the Hilton Surpass card now, although the name has gone back and forth a few times) is actually a great card. Both my wife and my parents have one (we're a divided household; I'm a Marriott guy.).

Bonuses are good. The current 125,000 point sign-up bonus is a temporary boost over the normal sign-up bonus, which is in the 75,000 point range. I value Hilton points at a minimum of 0.4 cents each (although you should be able to do better), so the sign-up bonus is worth about $500. You'll also get anywhere from 3-12 points per dollar spent, depending on where you are using it. Spend $15,000 in a year and you'll get a free weekend night, while $40,000 in annual spending gets you Hilton Diamond status.

But you're guaranteed Gold status just by having the card, and that's the key. Wyndham has traditionally matched Hilton Gold members to its own Wyndham Diamond status, and that status can then be matched to Caesars to get you Diamond. We've dedicated a post to the process and we're happy to answer any other questions that you have.

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Comments

Pat Higgins Apr-24-2020

Big Tex

All of that is good information--getting the Caesar's diamond card is a real benefit.  But the wife and I have taken a little different approach as it works best for us.  Our basic credit card is a visa SWA card for the airline miles.  It keeps us in their upper level for our flights as we often take 6 family members for extended trips with only one ticket purchased.  

In addition we have joined an organization called Founders Card.  When purchased you automatically get the Caesar's Diamond card--no resort fees and no parking fees. This alone covers the cost of the card.  As many may or or may not know, with the diamond card you do get a $100 celebration dinner once a year, an annual ride for 2 on the big wheel, several free shows for 2 at Caesar's properties, a 3 night stay at the Atlantis Resort (which includes some additional free activities).  I recommend anything that will get you a Diamond Card.

Leonard Accardi Apr-24-2020

Cost of FoundersCard

The FoundersCard is a membership card designed for company owners, entrepreneurs and innovators who travel often. To own the card, expect to pay an annual fee of $395 with no initiation fee if you use the code FCVIPFINDER. Otherwise, you'll pay a $595 annual fee with a $95 initiation fee. (Mar 28, 2020)

Sandra Ritter Apr-24-2020

Really? I didn't know

Not sure if I'll be going to LV this year, given what's going on, where I get most of my points for Diamond status, so paying $395 or $595 for a FoundersCard seems like a very reasonable way to get to Diamond status (if I'm reading this correctly). It might be the way to go every year. I am a business owner if it is a business card.

David Apr-24-2020

Other side

There is a big old notice up on Wyndham's site today saying that status matches are not being offered at this time, check back soon.  I'm one of those people who could've taken advantage of this, but never signed up, my biggest issue was that to continue status match at Wyndham there was a stay requirement at Wyndham in the first 90 days (don't travel that much).  Then the next question was well if I didn't stay the requirement at Wyndham to continue diamond status, then do I lose the Diamond status at Caesars, then if you lose that status what happens to the $100 anniversary celebration benefit.  Finally, which Caesars Diamond status? Regular, Plus or Elite?  Could never get a straight answer and for me at least it seemed a bit to much for what might be a temporary benefit to go from Platinum to Diamond.

Question of the Day - 24 April 2020

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