Planning to do my upgrade with AMEX for a soft pull to the Amex Hilton Aspire card. Hope someone will be able to answer my questions:

1. What is the typical waiting time to receive the free one weekend night certificate after upgrading from Surpass to Aspire?
2. When do I receive my $250 airline credit? Thinking of using Delta airlines as I have a flight in mind. Can I buy an E gift card delta.com website ? If so, can it be any amount of E gift card on delta.com website?
3. For the $250 resort fee, I have a complimentary stay at the Embassy Scottsdale Resort ( won at a charitable organization auction) at a resort on participation list. Can I buy anything with it and charge in room to receive the credit? Such as gift shop items, gift card, if any at checkout desk, and activities I book?
4. Soft pull or hard pull?