Have you got a Hilton Honors Macquarie Platinum card? If so, no doubt you will have heard that the card is about to be discontinued.
In an email sent out this morning, Macquarie wrote:
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 happens now?
The card and all its features will continue working through until April 30, 2019. Between now and then, the card will be re-issued as a Macquarie Rewards Black Credit Card. As of May 1, you will stop earning Hilton Honors points, and start earning Macquarie Rewards points.
Unfortunately, the standard Macquarie Rewards Black Credit card does not have the ability to transfer to any travel loyalty program. Having said that, there will be an option on the table to switch to a Qantas Points earning card. You will be able to do this once you receive your new card.
Most cardholders will see a reduction in annual fees as a result of the change – down to $249. Those on non standard annual fees (such as no annual fees) should refer to their communication from Macquarie on their situation. For those opting into Qantas Points, there may be an increase, as this option comes with an annual fee of $299.
For those hoping for a new Hilton Honors card, it seems there won’t be one. At least not in the near future. According to Macquarie, Hilton Honors will not be offering a Hilton card in Australia.
However, as a parting gift, holders of the card will have there Hilton Honors status extended until March 31, 2021.
Thoughts
As far as I am aware, the card was the only credit card in Australia directly linked to a hotel loyalty program. While some provide a points transfer option, none have the links into programs that this one did. For now, it leaves us with no cards in this space at all.
As for Hilton more specifically, the card replaced the previous Hilton Premium club. Whether Hilton moves back to something similar, we will likely see in due course. It would be nice to see something for Hilton loyalists.