So Long, Soirée! Dining with your Card's Travel Credit
Final days to utilize temporary card perk for meal coverage; instructions provided herein.
In the current COVID-19 landscape, credit card companies are bending over backwards to keep their cardholders satisfied, especially regarding travel restrictions. Amex's latest moves involve additional benefits for two of their popular hotel cards: the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Get the scoop on how to make the most out of these limited-time deals, as we delve into using restaurant purchases for travel credits on your American Express cards.
A Taste of Hilton Aspire
With the Hilton Aspire card, both you and your authorized users can reap up to a total of $250 in Hilton resort statement credits each cardmember year. This statement credit is not limited to incidental charges like meals and spa treatments but can be applied to room rates, taxes, and now, your favorite bites!
Thanks to the pandemic, you can now use your resort credit without leaving your own living room. Eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, are now accepted until August 31, 2020.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: A Delicious Experience
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card offers an up to $300 statement credit when you make eligible purchases at participating Marriott properties. Remember, this isn't just for hotel stays – it extends to dining at Marriott restaurants as well!
With so much extra flexibility, it's the perfect time to indulge your taste buds and maximize your card's benefits!
How the Statement Credit Appears
I, myself, utilized a portion of my Hilton Aspire card's resort credit earlier this year at the lavish Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa. Although I spent a majority of my credit before travel came to a screeching halt, I still had about $30 in remaining resort credit. To my delight, I discovered I could use the remainder towards delectable dining experiences.
In June, I spent $10.34 through Grubhub on my Hilton Aspire card. To my amazement, the charge was credited to my Amex account as a "Hilton Resort Credit" within two days!
It's fantastic to see the perk functioning as intended and the statement credit appearing swiftly. Let this tantalizing taste let you appreciate the value that lies within your travel credits and make that reservation you've been holding off on!
Remember, these benefits end on August 31st, so be sure to savor those meals and lock in those purchases before the time runs out. Ain't no party like a restaurant-filled lockdown party!
Beyond the Bite: Other Amazing Perks of the Hilton Aspire Card
The Hilton Aspire card doesn't stop at dinner; it offers an abundance of other benefits that make this card a must-have in your wallet, even with its $450 annual fee. My favorite feature: the weekend free night certificate!
Last year, I utilized my weekend night certificate at the Waldorf Astoria Berlin during the Berlin Marathon weekend when cash rates were more than $400 per night. The certificates don't expire and can now be used on any night of the week, making them even more valuable.
Bonus points earned through eligible purchases will also count towards elite tier qualification and lifetime Diamond status. Other worthwhile perks include Hilton Honors Diamond status – complete with free breakfast, lounge access, upgrades, and more - and up to $250 in annual airline fee credits.
The Final Course: Bottom Line
If you're an owner of the Hilton Aspire card or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant, don't let those credits go to waste! This is the ideal opportunity to indulge in scrumptious delicacies while enjoying every cent of your benefits. With the expansion of this dining benefit, it increases the value proposition of both cards exponentially, regardless of whether you travel around the globe or just venture to the door for a takeout order.
Grab your wallet, make your reservations, and don't miss out on this limited-time offer! Your taste buds will thank you.
[1] Source: "10 Ways Your Credit Card Can Help You During the Pandemic," Bankrate, April 28, 2020, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/ways-your-credit-card-can-help-you-during-the-pandemic/
- News reports are highlighting the expanded benefits of the Hilton Aspire and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express cards, as credit card companies adapt to the travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.
- These changes include the use of travel credit for restaurant purchases on both cards, allowing cardholders to utilize up to $250 in Hilton resort statement credits and up to $300 Marriott statement credits for dining expenses.
- Finance experts are suggesting that this could be a valuable period for cardholders to invest their travel credits in restaurant purchases, particularly in Guide reviews of high-quality dining establishments.
- For instance, one reviewer reports using their Hilton Aspire travel credit to pay for a takeout order from Grubhub, which was credited back to their account as a "Hilton Resort Credit" within two days.
- Meanwhile, those with an interest in investing could potentially capitalize on the situation by researching the best credit card rewards programs, considering those offering travel rewards or credit card rewards for dining expenses.
- As travel rewards become more desirable in the post-pandemic era, businesses offering travel or dining rewards, such as hotels, restaurants, or gas stations, may also want to consider partnering with credit card companies to capitalize on consumer interest in these rewards programs.
