Hilton Honors Macquarie Platinum Card Discontinued

[Jonova]

The end is here for the card. Its a shame, this was a really useful card that was even better for those that got it fee free. I might hang onto the Rewards Black card since there aren't any fees for international transactions.

The email I got today from Macquarie regarding the card.

We’re getting in touch to let you know that from 1 May 2019, your Hilton Honors® Macquarie Platinum Credit Card will no longer be affiliated with the Hilton Honors Program.

The good news is that your card will be replaced with the Macquarie Rewards Black Credit Card – our most rewarding credit card.

What's next?

Before 30 April 2019: Your new Macquarie Rewards Black Credit Card will arrive in the mail. You'll continue to earn Hilton Honors Points on your Hilton Honors Macquarie Platinum Credit Card.

From 1 May 2019: You’ll earn Macquarie Rewards points on your Macquarie Rewards Black Credit Card.

Please note, points are applied when your purchase is processed and posted to your account.

Fees and charges for your new card

We've outlined your new fees and charges below. Your purchase rate, cash advance rate and all other fees and charges will remain the same.

Hilton Honors Platinum Macquarie Credit Card Macquarie Rewards Black Credit Card Effective date
Annual primary cardholder fee $0 $0 Next annual fee date
Annual additional cardholder fee $0 $0 Next annual fee date
International purchase fee 3% 0% 1 July 2019

Thanks for your loyalty

To say thanks for your loyalty, Hilton Honors will extend your current Gold or Diamond Hilton Honors status to 31 March 2021.

Any Hilton Honors Points you have earned will still be valid and subject to the Hilton Honors terms and conditions available at HiltonHonors.com/terms.

Please note that from 1 May 2019 you’ll no longer receive the benefits of the ongoing Hilton Honors program, including reward weekend night certificates, from spend on your credit card.

 

[VPS]

got the same email and then a text about 10 minutes later

 

[k3nnis]

got the same email and then a text about 10 minutes later

What are you guys going to do? Cancel?

Are they giving us black card for no fee until further notice?

 

[earlyriser]

What are you guys going to do? Cancel?

Are they giving us black card for no fee until further notice?

Sounds like the first year is free.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

The only appeal of the Macquarie Black card is the fee free international transactions from 1 July. However:

- the only thing they will get you is Macquarie Rewards, which appear to only convert into eGift cards...
- the possibility exists that they will charge a fee on this based on the previous promotional T&Cs

I'll wait until my status is confirmed through to March 2021 and then cancel. Don't need to be saddled with an extra credit card.

 

[k3nnis]

Sounds like the first year is free.

Are the points of any use? I will probably cancel it

 

[QF WP]

This arrived at 1:10pm and hadn’t seen it before the email:

 

[VPS]

What are you guys going to do? Cancel?

Are they giving us black card for no fee until further notice?

As long as it doesn't cost me I'll keep it. It's getting harder for me to get new cards now due to semi retirement and it will be a backstop if I lose my current CC

 

[gaz1]

I'll wait until my status is confirmed through to March 2021

Can I ask how can you confirm they've done this?

Has anyone asked if you can get the Qantas Black card instead (with the same no fee conditions)?
Seems a lot better than the rewards program with 1:1 earn.

Gary.

 

[kpc]

To say thanks for your loyalty, Hilton Honors will extend your current Gold or Diamond Hilton Honors status to 31 March 2021.

Currently Diamond so if they extend my current Diamond till 31 March 2021....can't complain about that!! I'm assuming but may be wrong that i need to keep the card for this to occur?

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I don't know how they'll confirm it has been done, could be via letter or email, or even just logging in to see "You need 60 nights to retain Diamond in 2021"... Given it's fee free, I'll be holding on to it until at least then.

I'd be surprised if they provide the Qantas Black as a fee free alternative. I have the fee free Citi Signature and if you want QFF points, you have to pay $49 pa for the privilege. I suspect having to pay Qantas for this privilege is the difference between the $249 Black annual fee, and the $299 Qantas Black annual fee, given all the other card features are the same.

 

[earlyriser]

I don't know how they'll confirm it has been done, could be via letter or email, or even just logging in to see "You need 60 nights to retain Diamond in 2021"... Given it's fee free, I'll be holding on to it until at least then.

I'd be surprised if they provide the Qantas Black as a fee free alternative. I have the fee free Citi Signature and if you want QFF points, you have to pay $49 pa for the privilege. I suspect having to pay Qantas for this privilege is the difference between the $249 Black annual fee, and the $299 Qantas Black annual fee, given all the other card features are the same.

I'd pay $50 to use it for a year if that were the scenario. Could be worth asking.

 

[Steady]

got the same email and then a text about 10 minutes later

If I saw the text before the email I would have thought it was a scam - reading the last sentence

 

[drross]

Where do I get one of those cards?

I'll be disappointed if this card goes belly-up.

That being said, an Australian Marriott / SPG card that gave Platinum Elite after 40K spend would help me move on from the loss ...

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

I'd pay $50 to use it for a year if that were the scenario. Could be worth asking.

Sadly, the Macquarie "Millionaire Factory" won't let you get away that cheaply. Reading the FAQ link in the email, it specifically states:

"Can I switch my new credit card from the Macquarie Rewards program to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program?

Yes, you can switch your credit card rewards program to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Once you receive your card in the mail, just give us a call on 1300 150 300. Please note, if you wish to switch your loyalty program to Qantas Frequent Flyer, you will be charged an annual fee of $299 on your next annual fee date."

https://www.macquarie.com.au/dafiles/Internet/mgl/au/docs/faqs/hiltonhelp.pdf

If you have the fee free version, you either swallow the pitiful rewards program for an international transaction fee free card, or pay $299 per year for "valuable" QFF points. Or as I will likely do, drawer the thing until the Diamond status is confirmed and then ditch it. Don't want unused credit limits affecting my credit rating.

 

[Kremmen]

I'm surprised it lasted this long. It was originally $295/year and earns 1pt/$ (4pts/$ at Hilton). For comparison, the equivalent card in the USA (HH Amex Ascend) is USD95/year and earns 3pts/USD (12pts/USD at Hilton). "Australia tax" at its extreme. The free annual fee promo was probably a last gasp to try to obtain more than 10 customers.

 

[DC3]

I'm surprised it lasted this long. It was originally $295/year and earns 1pt/$ (4pts/$ at Hilton). For comparison, the equivalent card in the USA (HH Amex Ascend) is USD95/year and earns 3pts/USD (12pts/USD at Hilton). "Australia tax" at its extreme. The free annual fee promo was probably a last gasp to try to obtain more than 10 customers.

We definitely get the short end in Oz compared to most USA issued credit cards. 10 points/$AU for Hilton Hotel spend on this card would have been fair I think.

Although I always felt a bit ripped-off with this card, it was intended to be my Gold status fall-back down the track once I lose Diamond. And it took me three attempts to actually receive card approval.

 

[drross]

moving onto Citibank

 

[93Revisited]

Very sad to see this card's benefits go - it was a simple and easy way to get to diamond status plus recieve a complimentary award night. I have scoredsuite upgrades on regular occasions and the complimentary breakfast / executive lounge access is a real bonus. I would commend the Parmelia Hilton in Perth where I have never missed out on a suite upgrade.
There is a real marketing opportunity for any card provider that can provide major hotel chain premium status. I live in hope!

 

[woodborer]

There is a real marketing opportunity for any card provider that can provide major hotel chain premium status. I live in hope!

My gut feeling on the demise of the card is that it wasn't achieving the kind of numbers that Hilton/Macquarie had been hoping for it.