Hilton HHonors - "Restriction on Welcome Bonus Points" - Double app AMEX Surpass and AMEX HHonors

So I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer for on Google or on FT thus far. I'm hoping one of you could clarify.

I recently app'd and was approved for two AMEX cards that give HHonors points as the Bonus. One is the Surpass and the other is their standard HHonors card.

In the packet of info included with both cards, there is a section titled "Restriction on Welcome Bonus Points" which states:

You may receive Welcome Bonus Points for opening a Card Account. If you open another Card Account with a higher Welcome Bonus Points award, you will only get the difference between the first and second awards.

I haven't seen any of the blogs mention this stipulation before, so I didn't hesitate to app for both in the same churn. I'm curious if anyone has personal experience or 1st-hand knowledge of how this stipulation plays out. I have already activated and hit the minimum spend on the standard AMEX Hhonors card for 50k points. I have held off activating the Surpass until I know what to expect.

Should I activate the Surpass now too, before the month ends and the 50k hits on the regular card? Or should I wait until the 50k posts and then activate it? Will it matter either way?

The answer to these questions is a potential 50k difference in my future HHonors balance from this churn. The Surpass should give 60k miles after meeting all the spend requirements, but if I really only get the difference between the two, it'll only be 10k.

Thanks for your input!! I'm new to a lot of this, but it's been a fun learning curve.

So I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer for on Google or on FT thus far. I'm hoping one of you could clarify.

I recently app'd and was approved for two AMEX cards that give HHonors points as the Bonus. One is the Surpass and the other is their standard HHonors card.

In the packet of info included with both cards, there is a section titled "Restriction on Welcome Bonus Points" which states:



I haven't seen any of the blogs mention this stipulation before, so I didn't hesitate to app for both in the same churn. I'm curious if anyone has personal experience or 1st-hand knowledge of how this stipulation plays out. I have already activated and hit the minimum spend on the standard AMEX Hhonors card for 50k points. I have held off activating the Surpass until I know what to expect.

Should I activate the Surpass now too, before the month ends and the 50k hits on the regular card? Or should I wait until the 50k posts and then activate it? Will it matter either way?

The answer to these questions is a potential 50k difference in my future HHonors balance from this churn. The Surpass should give 60k miles after meeting all the spend requirements, but if I really only get the difference between the two, it'll only be 10k.

Thanks for your input!! I'm new to a lot of this, but it's been a fun learning curve.


Applied for Surpass first about six months ago; got 60K after spend threshold. Applied for regular AmEx a bit over a month ago. Hit the $750 spend in a few days and was awarded another 40K points; 100K total. Just don't mention it to AmEx, and don't "link" your two accounts on-line. I only view my Surpass account on-line; my regular AmEx is viewed via "snail-mail."

That's a slightly different scenario though. My cards were obtained at the exact same time.

That's a slightly different scenario though. My cards were obtained at the exact same time.

True, but the cards are processed in two geographically different areas, and it seems the two places don't communicate very well. If you don't link your cards on the AmEx web-site, you should be fine. When (and if) you need to call AmEx, call the specific phone number for each card printed on their reverse side. Do this, and the points will post without incident.

True, but the cards are processed in two geographically different areas, and it seems the two places don't communicate very well. If you don't link your cards on the AmEx web-site, you should be fine. When (and if) you need to call AmEx, call the specific phone number for each card printed on their reverse side. Do this, and the points will post without incident.

Wish I knew that, I only got the difference.

True, but the cards are processed in two geographically different areas, and it seems the two places don't communicate very well. If you don't link your cards on the AmEx web-site, you should be fine. When (and if) you need to call AmEx, call the specific phone number for each card printed on their reverse side. Do this, and the points will post without incident.

thanks for the advice!! i didn't link them, so I'll post an update in a few months when the points post!

thanks for the advice!! i didn't link them, so I'll post an update in a few months when the points post!

Here's another tip, if you want the points ASAP, buy $750 worth of gift cards. I bought grocery store, movie theater and my usual restaraunts. I hit the bonus spend requirement in less than a week; my points posted within a couple of weeks...still spending my gift cards though :rolleyes:

Amazon Payments works well too :) The Surpass spend is 3k, that's why it'll take me a little longer.

i never did post the update, but both of these cards signup bonuses did post! i have now added the Surpass card to my online Amex account for easier management.

i never did post the update, but both of these cards signup bonuses did post! i have now added the Surpass card to my online Amex account for easier management.

Awesome! Thanks for the update. Will be doing this myself during my next AOR.

if u open another card account with a higher welcome bonus points award, you will only get the difference between the two.

Question is does this apply to Citi and Amx cards or will u get both bonus points award ?? Help.

Amex and Citi have nothing to do with one another. Bonus points for different vendors are not going to impact each other.

nalees. Had u done this with both cards ?

has anyone received points on both Citi and Amx cards ?

Yup...