May 26, 2014, 3:09 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 155,000 points for spending $3,000 in 3 months; $95 annual fee. Offer Expires Apr. 17, 2024
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 170,000 points for spending $3,000 in 3 months; $95 annual fee. Expired Jan 17 2024
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 130,000 points for spending $4,000 in 4 months; $95 annual fee. OFFER EXPIRED AUG 28.
Hilton HHonors American Express Ascend card. 75,000 points for spending $2,000 in 3 months+ 25,000 points after additional $1000 in 6 months; $95 annual fee.
Note: For existing Surpass card holders, AMEX verbally confirmed that on or after 20 January 2018, card holders can call in and request cards be converted to Aspire - while maintaining the same credit card number, balance limits, PIN, etc.
Card features:
Check your application status
Linking AmexAscend Surpass to your Hilton Honors account.Many (most?) have reported that a new Hilton Honors number gets assigned by Amex even when they put their existing Hilton Honors number in the application, and it can take several weeks to get this worked out. However, the key to making things go smoothly seems to be an exact match of your name and address between Amex and Hilton, including adding your middle initial to your Hilton Honors account if you use it on your Amex. When everything matches, an Amex rep should be able to update the account number, it should "go through" immediately, and the correct Hilton account number will be reflected on the Amex website in about 2 days.
Is the AmexAscend Surpass churnable?As of May 1, 2014, Amex will not give a signup bonus to card applicants who have held the card in the past ~7 years, even if the applicant has never earned a previous signup bonus for it. However, it is still possible to upgrade an existing Hilton Amex to the Ascend Surpass card to earn a bonus (and reportedly to do this more than once by later downgrading & then upgrading again). The best strategy is to earn a Ascend Surpass signup bonus first, and only afterward pursue the upgrade bonus(es).
For information on other Hilton-branded credit cards, see the wiki at Ongoing offers for Hilton cards issued by Amex or Citi
- Important limitation on this offer: "Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
Note: For existing Surpass card holders, AMEX verbally confirmed that on or after 20 January 2018, card holders can call in and request cards be converted to Aspire - while maintaining the same credit card number, balance limits, PIN, etc.
Card features:
- Annual fee:
$95$150, no first-year waiver. - Earning: 12 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend; 6 points/$ at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations; 4 points for online retail purchases (as of 2023); and 3 points/$ on everything else.
- Elite status: Hilton Gold status for as long as you have the card and Diamond status after $40,000 in annual spend.
- Booking bonus: 500 bonus points for every stay (including award stays) booked directly with Hilton & guaranteed with the card
Check your application status
Linking Amex
Is the Amex
For information on other Hilton-branded credit cards, see the wiki at Ongoing offers for Hilton cards issued by Amex or Citi
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express (formerly called Ascend)
Apr 7, 2016, 8:39 am
#46
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
I just called the Diamond line to check on my tier expiration date, last year I qualified via spend on Surpass and I ended up qualifying with stays anyway as well. According to the Diamond line my current expiration date is March 31, 2018, so I guess I'm good until at least 2017 before I worry about it (or I may wait until 2018 and just spend a bunch starting 1/1/18 to get it via spend as quickly as possible).
Apr 11, 2016, 2:00 pm
#48
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
I could not find a answer to this,
so I currently have the no annual fee version of AMEX Hilton HHonors card, I received the sign-up bonus for this card. I had this card for less than a year, so I have never upgraded this card to surpass card.
Now, can I apply for the surpass card and received the 100K current offer? I never had the surpass card before.
If the surpass card and the no-fee card are considered two different products, then I should be able to receive the 100k sign-up bonus on the surpass card, but I just want to make sure.
Thanks!
so I currently have the no annual fee version of AMEX Hilton HHonors card, I received the sign-up bonus for this card. I had this card for less than a year, so I have never upgraded this card to surpass card.
Now, can I apply for the surpass card and received the 100K current offer? I never had the surpass card before.
If the surpass card and the no-fee card are considered two different products, then I should be able to receive the 100k sign-up bonus on the surpass card, but I just want to make sure.
Thanks!
You can also wait until your card is over a year old and upgrade it, but risk the bonus being lower, although it could go higher at some point as this has been the trend.
Apr 11, 2016, 2:04 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Same situation here. My no-fee Amex Hilton is only a few months old. Last night I signed up for the 100k offer on the $75 Amex Surpass. I got approved and my Amex account page reflects the addition of the new card.
Once I get the physical card, I'll charge $3k and verify I get the 100k HH points. To be continued ... will report back.
Once I get the physical card, I'll charge $3k and verify I get the 100k HH points. To be continued ... will report back.
Apr 11, 2016, 2:06 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Apr 11, 2016, 4:05 pm
#52
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 109
Thanks for the reply! I already applied and was approved for the surpass card.
Now the question is, when the no fee card reaches the 1st year anniversary, and assuming that I get the upgrade offer. Will I still be able to upgrade and receive the points? Or do I have to close the surpass card before that?
Now the question is, when the no fee card reaches the 1st year anniversary, and assuming that I get the upgrade offer. Will I still be able to upgrade and receive the points? Or do I have to close the surpass card before that?
Yes you can do this as it is a separate product. So you can have both the no fee and fee card open and get the bonus on both. Since your no fee card is less than a year old it is ineligible for the upgrade due to the CARD act.
You can also wait until your card is over a year old and upgrade it, but risk the bonus being lower, although it could go higher at some point as this has been the trend.
You can also wait until your card is over a year old and upgrade it, but risk the bonus being lower, although it could go higher at some point as this has been the trend.
Apr 11, 2016, 4:07 pm
#53
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
In the past you could do what you are asking.
The one constant in this hobby/game is the banks change/tweak the rules constantly. What the conventional wisdom was in the past does not apply to the big three issuers (AMEX being one) in many cases today. What holds true today will most likely be ancient history in March of 2017.
Apr 11, 2016, 4:15 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Thanks for the reply! I already applied and was approved for the surpass card.
Now the question is, when the no fee card reaches the 1st year anniversary, and assuming that I get the upgrade offer. Will I still be able to upgrade and receive the points? Or do I have to close the surpass card before that?
Now the question is, when the no fee card reaches the 1st year anniversary, and assuming that I get the upgrade offer. Will I still be able to upgrade and receive the points? Or do I have to close the surpass card before that?
Last edited by isle-hawg; Apr 11, 2016 at 4:22 pm
Apr 13, 2016, 9:19 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: KEWR
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, National Exec, GE/Nexus
Posts: 501
) I'll miss it for nostalgia's sake - any reason why I should hold onto it? I currently have Amex Plat, Surpass Hilton, and no-fee Hilton (spend on no-fee will go to 0).
Apr 13, 2016, 10:55 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 109
Well, I spent 3k on the new surpass card as soon as I received the card, the 100k points posted already.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
Apr 13, 2016, 1:45 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,057
Well, I spent 3k on the new surpass card as soon as I received the card, the 100k points posted already.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
I think you have already agreed to pay the $75 fee and most likely it will still show up on the first bill. Why not be happy with the 100k points you just got. Maybe even consider using the card for some charges and giving AMEX some business in exchange for the value you have received.
I have read some comments questioning claw back of points, but I would support AMEX taking your points back if you proceed with that strategy. I realize you have met the minimum spend but put yourself in their shoes.
Just my 3 pennies.
Apr 18, 2016, 9:45 am
#58
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,057
I applied for this card on 4/10 for the 100K point offer. Due to website issues, I ended up submitting 2 apps. I called on 4/11 and had them cancel one. Still sitting in In Process status. I called again on Friday and spoke with a rep. He said he would try to get it approved within 24 hours. Still sitting in In Process. I have a 5 nights booked at a Hampton in a couple of weeks.
Has anyone else had delays like this? I have an excellent CR and wondering what it takes to get them to approve someone.
If I do get the card can I update the existing reservations to be guarantee with it?
Has anyone else had delays like this? I have an excellent CR and wondering what it takes to get them to approve someone.
If I do get the card can I update the existing reservations to be guarantee with it?
Apr 18, 2016, 2:11 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Well, I spent 3k on the new surpass card as soon as I received the card, the 100k points posted already.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
The 1st statement is still two weeks away, and the annual fee has not yet posted.
Can I cancel the card at this point to save $75? I am a diamond member, so this card does not offer any added benefit to me anyway.
I think of this hobby as a marathon, not a sprint. I think it best to keep cards open for at least 8 months to not make it so blatantly clear to banks that I am in it solely for the sign up bonus and some how get on their radar in a bad way. This is my recommendation to you as well.
Should you decide to keep it for some all all of the remainder of its fist year, you may want to consider actually using it for future HH spend at 12X or Gas Stations, Restaurants and grocery stores at 6X.
Apr 19, 2016, 12:08 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, HGVC, WN RR, National Exec, Avis Preferred
Posts: 1,057
While I still await approval for my new HH Surpass card, I received an offer in the mail today from AMEX for a Platinum card for my very small business with a possible 250,000 point bonus????