Hilton HHonors - How long til AMEX points post?

I just enrolled in HHonors program and ordered both the mastercard and the VISA. I recieved the AMEX 6 days ago. Activated it and started spending the same day. How long till I receive the bonus points and my 3 points per dollar. Do points post after you pay the bill, or when you spend the money. Also how long did it take people to receive the visa card. I want to use 33K points to stay at the Hilton Copenhagen for 2 nights on Nov. 23. I already made a reservation and told them that I would be using the point strecher award. I will need to transfer united or continental miles to bring my account over 33K. When should I initiate the transfer, if I am leaving the country on Nov. 7. Also is there any chance of them pulling the point strecher promotion and me being unable to claim a certificate, even though I already made a reservation for the award. Thanks in advnace for any help.

I have the AmEx and the 3pts per $ posts at the end of the billing period. I have heard of you don't pay your bills on time, the points can be revoked, but I'm not sure. The signup bonus should post no later than your first regular points post, maybe earlier.

As far as I know, the point stretcher rewards have the applicable dates, so they shouldn't pull them on you if they say through 12/31/01. You can book your reservation now and get the points later, just as long as you have the certificate when you get there. I have used a PS cert and I got it on the web-site the same time I called. Hope this helps!

THE BONUS POINTS WILL POST AFTER THE FIRST BILL IS PAID. IF YOU WANT TO TRANSFER AIR MILES, START IT NOW!!! TAKES UP TO A MONTH, SOMETIMES LONGER DEPENDING ON THE AIRLINE. AND AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE RESERVATION BOOKED FOR A POINT STRETCHER REWARD, YOU ARE ALL SET. HOWEVER, I WOULD CALL RESERVATIONS AND DOUBLE CHECK. 1-800-HILTONS. ASK THEM HOW YOU ARE BOOKED, FOR A POINT STRETCHER OR REGULAR POINTS. NEVER HURTS TO DOUBLE CHECK, LOL...YOU WOULDNT WANT TO BE AT THE HOTEL AND FIND OUT THEY BOOKED YOU UNDER A $ RATE!