Hilton HHonors - Beware - American Express Hilton Honors Promotions - check to make sure you receive

Last week I received an email from Hilton Honors program to apply for an American Express account and earn up to 62,500 points - 20,000 1st purchase, 10,000 first 4 stays, 30,000 when spending $1500 in 3 months and 2,500 when adding a member. I wanted a card to use at Costco and this seemed like a great deal. Applied and received the card the next day - I was impressed.

Then I read the disclosure that came with my new card and it did not include the 30,000 or 2,500 points for spending 1500 or adding a card holder. I called and they stated it was probably not in the system yet so to call next week.

Today I called and they stated they were unaware of that promotion and it did not show up for my account. Luckily, I did print the application page - it shows a copy of an American Express card with my name on it along with the promotion specifics underneath. I had not printed the confirmation page but I went back and saved my history so it will show that it was confirmed even if the page is blank. I told her this and that I felt it was a bait and switch tactic.

The CR stated the company will get back to me within 10 days and I will receive the points - I really hope I don't have to fight for this :(

Just wanted others to be aware of this and to document and print your applications. Then check that the benefits are the same as what you signed on for when you receive the card.

We've never had an American Express card and the lack of knowledge of the promotion by the CSR and the fact that the card was issued without the correct promotion attached has me concerned.

It may benefit you to read through this thread (www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilton-hhonors/872155-amex-hhonors-offer-62-500-points-4.html#post10800646) and my post - I went through the same thing.

Good luck!

Thanks jumpdog - it helps to know someone else went through this and it was resolved. I will update this post when I hear from someone at Am Ex.

I received a letter from Am Express today stating that the offer had expired in November :confused: Huh - I received the e-mail February 11th.

I again called American Express and they stated they did not have that offer for my account and asked for a promotion code - there isn't one in the email -just a link. I asked for a supervisor and after telling my story she asked me to Fax a copy of email to her so hopefully this will be resolved but I'm not holding my breath.

jumpdog - I went back and reread your post and realized you called Hilton Honors and not Am. Express so I'm wondering if I should do that.

I'm on a different promotion but same problem. Be persistant. Some of my points posted. AMEX keeps insisting that the first set of bonus points comes from Hilton not them. Call back talk to a supervisor get their name and phone extension. Keep calling back. You will probably get messages but that's how I got some of my other points posted..the meeting spending limits etc. points. Still waiting on that initial 10,000 points for opening the account. Wish I had seen your offer.

I JUST received the same email offer (up to 62,500 points) on Wednesday! I immediately signed up for the card as I'll be staying in Hiltons for the next six months. Received the card tonight only to find that the insert is offering me only 30k points! I'll have to call AMEX in the morning...

So, I just called Hilton who told me I'd have to call Amex... Called Amex who opened an "inquiry" into the offer I received. We'll see what happens.

After opening an "inquiry" last week, I called on Friday to get the status. I was told by an AMEX rep that my inquiry had been closed and that no further action would be taken.

I told the rep that in my inbox, I had two emails - one offering me 62,500 points and another, from an hour later, confirming my approval from the card. That my inquiry had been closed was not acceptable. I offered to fax her over copies of the emails and she said that would be appreciated.

She then told me that I'd have to wait 6-8 weeks for review of my inquiry. If it takes that long, I'll be very unhappy, but given that my first inquiry was closed within a week gives me some hope that my new one will be reviewed properly.

Again - we'll see what happens. I definitely will not be deleting these emails...

I finally got my 30,000 bonus miles after receiving the standard rejection letter twice. Luckily I had printed a copy of my application page showing the offer and the email. The 30,000 showed up in my account this week after Faxing those documents to a supervisor. Good luck everyone!

FYI - at first I only had points from stays and when I called Hilton Honors discovered American Express opens a new HH account for you. The two were merged so now they are in one account linked to my American Experss.

I finally got my 30,000 bonus miles after receiving the standard rejection letter twice.

Made the $1,500 mark this week... hopefully my 30,000 bonus points aren't too far away!!

After little effort (and fulfilling the bonus requirements) my full 62,500 bonus points posted to my Hhonors account! Great.

One little glitch... the deal said I'd get 2,500 points per stay for my first four stays - a total of 10,000 points. They accidentally gave me 12,500.

I got an email from Hhonors last week letting me know they'd discovered an error and that they'd given me 12,500 instead of 10,000 and would be recouping the 2,500 bonus points that I had not earned.

Well... Instead of recouping 2,500 points, I saw this morning that they recouped 10,000 points! I'm now 7,500 short.

On the phone now trying to get this straightened out. I knew it was too good to be true that it went so seamlessly!

So, after speaking to a very nice rep (and being transferred to her supervisor), we got this *mostly* straightened out. Since I had a net loss of 7500 points, the supervisor I spoke to was super helpful and credited my account with 5000 points immediately. They showed up in my account balance while on the phone.

So, what to do about the remaining 2500 points??

He told me he was only able to give 5000 at a time so we'd have to get "creative" for the remaining points due. He set up a one time "promotion" that would credit my account with 2500 points that would credit after my next stay. I'm not traveling this week but will be staying at a Hilton next week so this shouldn't be a problem.

I was a little concerned... what if the points don't post? He completely understood my concern, especially because of what had previously happened. To placate my concerns, he very nicely gave me his direct line AND email! Anyways, I think my problems may be solved. I'll cross my fingers for the remaining points. :)

So, I applied for this card without noticing the threads here posting about the problems. I received my materials in the mail and the fine print on the printed materials were missing the 30k for $1500 spend portion. I see some threads on folks that have called and complained after the fact, but what's the conventional wisdom on the best course of action at my stage? i.e. card in hand, not yet activated, printed T&C do not match application web page.

I could call a CSR (hilton? amex?), but even if a CSR says I'm good, I wouldn't think that protects me. I could just go ahead and use and complain after the fact (seems to have worked for most folks, but seems a bit riskier?). Any thoughts?

Thanks FT,

what's the conventional wisdom on the best course of action at my stage?

Any thoughts?

I think as long as you still have the promotional material showing what you were offered you should be ok. If it came via email, definitely keep the email (and the confirmation if you applied online). It was surprisingly easy to get it straightened out and the number of points (to me) was defnitely worth it. I think I had to call AMEX customer service.

It did not come via email - I just followed links here. Since I did not read the "problem" threads before seeing the mismatched T&C that i got with the card, I did not think to print out the completed application. however, I have a print out of the offer page as that is still available. I think you are suggesting to just go ahead and activate and use, and argue later if/when I do not get the offered 30k - is that right?

I think you are suggesting to just go ahead and activate and use, and argue later if/when I do not get the offered 30k - is that right?

When I signed up, they sent me a confirmation email. If you got one too, that may help. If I were in your sohes, I would probably activate and argue later but it's possible that it *may* not work. I'll cross my fingers for you though :)

So, I called to ask before activating. When I said that the paper terms in the package did not match the promotion terms, he said "let me check" and then read off the terms I expected. He gave me a couple of codes for locating the promotion if I had to call again on this issue. Everything looked good.

I activated & made some purchases. Did a Hilton stay with the card - I'm not yet up to $1500 spend, and not yet closed a billing cycle. I got the 20k first use points, 2,500 for the stay, and then today I saw a 10,000 "AMERICAN EXPRESS POINT BONUS". Not sure what to make of that. I guess that if I get the 30k when I reach $1500 I'll be happy but I don't know if the 10k portends doom or what. What a screwey promo.