The Hilton HHonors® Surpass(SM) Card from American Express

[NJUPINTHEAIR]

Originally Posted by seoulmanjr

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~

I don't think your interpretation is correct.

I believe that a non-stand alone gas station would be something like a Costco or some warehouse club that also has gas pumps and give their members a break on gas. I think those gas stations do not earn the extra bonuses and that is what they meant.

Edit -- I see that MarkMColo alos agrees!

[NJUPINTHEAIR]

Originally Posted by 4BandE

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 is true and what is especially true of this observation is that an additional $20,000 spend on the HHonors AMEX to go from Gold to Diamond, will yield you at a minimum another 60,000 HHonors points (minimum 3 points/$1.00), thus more than making up for the devaluation.

IMHO, although I don't like to see devaluations, this is pretty minimal, especially since it applies only to Category 6 properties. Marriott already has devalued their rewards program this year.

[general45]

Just "upgraded" my current AEHH card. It took about 5 minutes and my effective date is 2/17/2009. It was nice to get a rep that actually knew what was going on.

[Sabre1]

Originally Posted by general45

Just "upgraded" my current AEHH card. It took about 5 minutes and my effective date is 2/17/2009. It was nice to get a rep that actually knew what was going on.

What did you say to the rep? I mean, how did you tell them you knew about it?

Also, did you ask if you'll receive the sign up points and bonus stay points as an existing card holder?

[Sabre1]

Originally Posted by sdcarver

1. Did you get confirmation on the following?

1. "Only first-time Hilton HHonors Cardmembers will earn up to 40,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points. Cardmembers who have previously earned a first-purchase bonus from any Hilton HHonors Card from American Express earn the incremental difference of up to 40,000 Hilton HHonors bonus points." - how does this work exactly?

2. 18 months of Cardmembership, earn 2,500 HHonors bonus points for each of your first eight stays at Hilton Family hotels when you charge $100 or more to your Hilton HHonors Surpass Card for each of those eight stays.---do these count for new card members only or for those who upgrade to Surpass?

3. You will receive 500 Hilton HHonors bonus points for each qualifying stay at a participating Hilton Family hotel when the stay is booked online at any Hilton Family hotel website and paid for with the Card.---is this in addition or replacing the old AMEX online booking bonus?--I think I know the answer, but hey its worth a try

Thank You,
sdcarver

I just spoke with a rep named Lacey. She checked with a supervisor regarding these questions, and at this point they don't have a definitive answer.

She told me that on the 10th they will have all the information to answer these type of questions. The cards go live on 2/17.

Usually sign-up bonuses are eligible on a per card product line basis (Lacey agreed with this). The Surpass is definitely a new line, thus IMO, we should be eligible to get all the new sign-up bonuses if we convert an existing account into a Surpass account. If not, then we'd be better off applying for a new Surpass card and keeping the existing account or trashing it (whatever you prefer).

I also asked how they would calculate the 2009 spending if you upgrade from an existing card, and she told me it was her understanding that they would base the spending on January 1st of this year, not the date you convert to the new Surpass card. If you instead apply for a Surpass card without converting an existing account, it will go by the account opening date.

Anyhow, I'm going to wait until the 10th when they have definitive answers before converting or applying. Wouldn't want to screw myself out of 40-60,000 bonus points by being too hasty!

[general45]

Originally Posted by Sabre1

What did you say to the rep? I mean, how did you tell them you knew about it?

Also, did you ask if you'll receive the sign up points and bonus stay points as an existing card holder?

I mentioned that I heard about a new HH Amex card call "Surpass" and would I be able to upgrade my current account to the new card. She said she in fact had heard about the card and would be able to accomodate my request.
After being put on hold for 2 minutes, she came back on and said I was all set. She told me that I would receive up to 40,000 points, this being based on my original bonus.
It was really that simple.
One more concern on something that Sabre1 mentioned. Make sure you have enough of a credit score to open up a new account. AMEX has always restricted the amount of accounts you had in the past, but in todays economy, have become especially cautious in opening up new accounts when one has other accounts with them.
In the past they would open a new account if you lowered your credit on one card and switched it to a new card. You cannot do that anymore.

[mnredfox]

Tis a sad sad day. The days of loyalty programs are going away, and they are simply turning into revenue generation machines via CC spend. I don't mind the CC's out there today, but everything is turning into getting status by ponying up the money.

We saw this happen with the airline cards - just look at DL with the MQM promos via Amex, and shortly NWA had the same.

I guess for us true Diamonds, we have to put up with the faux diamonds who happen to cough up the cash. I'm not worried about inflated ranks, I think time will tell and not that many people will spend. It's just more sad to see when loyalty programs go to the highest spender, not the one who has true loyalty.

My fear is that as our programs go this route, we will start to see a sick devaluation of points as soon as we rack up a lot. It's their way of screwing us all.

[seoulmanjr]

Originally Posted by mnredfox

Tis a sad sad day. The days of loyalty programs are going away, and they are simply turning into revenue generation machines via CC spend. I don't mind the CC's out there today, but everything is turning into getting status by ponying up the money.

We saw this happen with the airline cards - just look at DL with the MQM promos via Amex, and shortly NWA had the same.

I guess for us true Diamonds, we have to put up with the faux diamonds who happen to cough up the cash. I'm not worried about inflated ranks, I think time will tell and not that many people will spend. It's just more sad to see when loyalty programs go to the highest spender, not the one who has true loyalty.

My fear is that as our programs go this route, we will start to see a sick devaluation of points as soon as we rack up a lot. It's their way of screwing us all.

Nothing like PC where you can buy Gold Ambassador status for $150 and renew it yearly for $100. At least with this it requires someone to spend a huge amount on the card and, likely, make them a more frequent Hilton guest if it's the program they feel "married" to. I sign up for PC Ambassador whenever I need a weekend BOGO cert to save some cash on a Fri-Sun stay somewhere.

peace,
~Ben~

[catonis]

I have a trip starting on 2/14 and would love to be gold. I'd pay the $75 in a heartbeat. I currently have the Amex HH card. I called today and was told that the surpass card would be unavailable until early March.
It seems that some people here are being told that it can work. Even if it went into effect on the 17th, I'm not sure how that would work out for me- I'm staying at Marco Island from the 14th-20th. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kanerf]

I doubt there will be that many spending 40K in this economy who can't afford to be Diamonds on their own any way. There have also always been rumors of a seperate level for high corporate spenders that get Diamond or better bennies without meeting the tradtional requirements, something like UA's Global Service. I am just interested in the card based on the extra points for me. I put about 10K on my HHonors Amex last year and it was almost all hotel stays.

If this is anything like the Delta Reserve that came out last year, they will flood the mailboxes of current holders of the HHonors card with offers to get the card, so I would not worry about having to call in to apply.

[iahphx]

Originally Posted by NJUPINTHEAIR

This is true and what is especially true of this observation is that an additional $20,000 spend on the HHonors AMEX to go from Gold to Diamond, will yield you at a minimum another 60,000 HHonors points (minimum 3 points/$1.00), thus more than making up for the devaluation.

IMHO, although I don't like to see devaluations, this is pretty minimal, especially since it applies only to Category 6 properties. Marriott already has devalued their rewards program this year.

Well, it's kind of a cumulative thing for me.

Without the great AXON, there isn't an award on the Hilton chart that particularly appeals to me. The Starwood chart is just WAY more appealing -- particularly the excellent Cash & Points options. You take away the extra bonus for restaurant purchases on the Hilton AMEX, and devalue the best award, and the program's just not very interesting to me. I like being Gold when I stay at full service Hiltons, but that's only a few times a year.

[troyintn]

Originally Posted by iahphx

Well, it's kind of a cumulative thing for me.

Without the great AXON, there isn't an award on the Hilton chart that particularly appeals to me. The Starwood chart is just WAY more appealing -- particularly the excellent Cash & Points options. You take away the extra bonus for restaurant purchases on the Hilton AMEX, and devalue the best award, and the program's just not very interesting to me. I like being Gold when I stay at full service Hiltons, but that's only a few times a year.

I agree with likeing SPG for reward stays better/ more resorts more upscale properties etc. The issue is it is just so hard to use your points with SPG. With hilton I have never had an issue useing points, I may have to use a force two or three times a year, but I can . WIth SPG thye have a lot of conventions where the hotel jsut syas they are sold out and they opne up rooms a day or two a head of time. I am on the road 200 + days a year and normally book awards a month or two out. I also like to go to big events in a city or hit it during peak time. So it is not alwyas that simple.

[super-mileage-fan]

I have never had a problem using my SPG points.

Hilton and Starwood earn my business (free stays and paid stays) because I get status and points through cc spending. If it weren't for that status, I probably wouldn't even stay at those hotels. The loyalty programs are great.

The Surpass card looks very interesting...

[PhilC]

Originally Posted by Sabre1

I also asked how they would calculate the 2009 spending if you upgrade from an existing card, and she told me it was her understanding that they would base the spending on January 1st of this year, not the date you convert to the new Surpass card.

So there is still hope! For those who upgrade their existing card, when you get your statement, please report back whether your spending carried over, thanks!

[ucsbgrad86]

I wonder if they will look back at previous year spending and allow those that have spent over $40k in the previous year to get upgraded to Diamond. Especially since they are allowing those that just join to get Gold status for the first year without having to meet the $20k spend...

That would be nice