Programs: UA 1K, AA Exec Plat, SPG Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Silv, PC Plat Amb, Fairmont Premier
Posts: 7,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by seoulmanjr
Just got off the phone with American Express -- the CSRs have received all information about the Surpass card, but had to call around because they weren't sure it had been released/launched yet. They said I was the first person to call and get one ever.
I was able to upgrade my card over the phone. On 2/18/09 (which I think is the launch date), they will mail me replacement cards for me and my wife (add'l cardmember). Our card numbers won't change and we can keep using our current cards in the meantime. I will see the $75 fee reflected on my next bill and I won't get Diamond status until I've charged over $40k on the new card (not retroactive).
peace,
~Ben~ <-- $40k in charges from HHonors Cubic Zirconia
Programs: DL DM AA PLAT HH Diamond SPG Plat Marriott SLVR Hertz PC
Posts: 5,262
Quote:
Originally Posted by gj83
I'll have to crunch the numbers to see if this is worth it to me to get the 3 extra points per $ to offset the $75 annual fee.
I'm already diamond on my own through stays and right now mainly just use my HH AMEX for Hilton stays and grocery stores.
I like not having an annual fee so I will probably stay with the normal HH AMEX and not switch to the Surpass.
That is the only thing I see also. If I did not make Diamond, maybe be another story. At least with Hilton flooding the elites will not hurt as bad as other programs where top tiers fight for upgrades or suites.
So, can any of the Diamond folk comment on how the jump from Gold to Diamond worked for them - i.e. what are the incremental benefits in actuality (rather than on paper).
Programs: CO Platinum HHonors Diamond Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,313
Quote:
Originally Posted by joediver
This may be a dumb question but I never noticed it before in the current terms....what exactly are "stand-alone gas stations"?
I believe it refers to spots like "Joey's Gas 'N Lube" or whatever which isn't a franchise. Franchises such as Exxon, BP, Shell, etc are not "stand alone." I don't think it has to do with the architecture.
Just my best guess....
peace,
~Ben~
__________________
Robin: "What do you think, Ben?"
Me: "There's time for thinkin' when we're dead! Let's go!"
This does sound like an interesting card. I am currently HHonors Gold based on the $20000 AMEX spend. I'd pretty much have to put all my credit card spending on Hilton to get to $40000. I'm not willing to do that -- especially since the devaluation of the AXON award took away the only thing I really liked in the HHonors program. In fact, I was thinking of cutting back my Hilton AMEX spending because, with the AXON devaluation, remaining HHonors Gold wasn't "good enough" for me to heavily use the card.
I guess my strategy here will be to use my current Gold status for a year and then, when it expires, pay the $75 for Surpass to be instant gold for next year.
Programs: UA Preimier Gold.; SPG Gold;Avis PS;Aloha Silver (RIP); HA Premier; HH Gold
Posts: 340
Quote:
Originally Posted by iahphx
This does sound like an interesting card. I am currently HHonors Gold based on the $20000 AMEX spend. I'd pretty much have to put all my credit card spending on Hilton to get to $40000. I'm not willing to do that -- especially since the devaluation of the AXON award took away the only thing I really liked in the HHonors program. In fact, I was thinking of cutting back my Hilton AMEX spending because, with the AXON devaluation, remaining HHonors Gold wasn't "good enough" for me to heavily use the card.
I guess my strategy here will be to use my current Gold status for a year and then, when it expires, pay the $75 for Surpass to be instant gold for next year.
Do you not stay at Hilton properties much? As a Hilton user, the change in AXON awards isn't really a deal breaker for me since the differential is only 20K, which can be acquire pretty easily with some creative stays/spending.
This may be a dumb question but I never noticed it before in the current terms....what exactly are "stand-alone gas stations"?
Actually, it does mean your typical Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc. I'm not sure about places like a 7-11, and definitely does not include Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, or Costco.
Sorry I didn't get more answers!
