catman: are hilton optima cards specifically excluded from this offer? i haven't received the postcard yet, but generally optima cards, even the hilton optima card, has been included in previous amex promotions. it is after all, an amex brand card.

when they did that shop for groceries, shop for gas thing awhile ago - where you got extra membership rewards points - i believe they had a parallel promo for the hilton optima card.

if they don't this time around, then just use your standard amex card, grab the points and (eventually) transfer the balance from membership rewards to a participating airline, then to hilton points. depending on the rate and length of your hilton stay, it may be a wash or you may make out better.

but thanks for the tip. i'll be doing quite a bit of hilton hopping in the next few months and this is certainly an added benefit, especially since my company requires me to use a corporate amex card.