Nothing surprising there, even if the rumor is true. We generally expect the programs to announce their future plans in 2018, and it would make sense to roll new credit cards out with that announcement.

3 tiers would follow Hilton.

I'm somewhat rooting for Chase to win this battle, simply because I don't think it's good for the end user long-term if Amex owns the hotel card market by themselves. (The Chase Hyatt is a little minnow compared to these two big fish...)