Hilton co-branded card upgrade/downgrade [Consolidated]
May 5, 2019, 12:15 pm
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
First, if you have no trouble getting to the $3000 spend in time, then isn't 150k better than 125k?
Second, I presume you're referring to 150k for the upgrade. In that case, if you're trying to stay under Chase's 5/24 (and BofA's and Barclay's possibly similar restrictions), isn't an upgrade (which doesn't count as a new card) better than an application from scratch (that does count as a new card)?
So everyone has to judge based on their own situation as to which is better for them.
May 6, 2019, 9:18 am
#138
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,606
DP anybody who upgraded their NAF HH Amex to Ascend or Aspire can get a new NAF card and another 75k bonus for spending $1000.
While I can't say for sure the 75K will post my wife ( who upgraded to Ascend in Sept 2018) was approved for the NAF card last night without any pop up messages about the bonus
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ameri...edium=facebook
While I can't say for sure the 75K will post my wife ( who upgraded to Ascend in Sept 2018) was approved for the NAF card last night without any pop up messages about the bonus
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ameri...edium=facebook
Last edited by flyer4512; May 8, 2019 at 3:30 pm
May 8, 2019, 6:27 am
#139
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: STL
Programs: Hyatt Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 521
Hi all,
I just upgraded my card to the Aspire for the $150k points. However, my terms stated I had to spend $4k . I see others mention they have to spend $3k.
Also, I got upgraded to Diamond status the next day after I upgraded my card ( I see others mention it takes 7-10 days) when I told Hilton chat that I had a stay coming in two days.
I just upgraded my card to the Aspire for the $150k points. However, my terms stated I had to spend $4k . I see others mention they have to spend $3k.
Also, I got upgraded to Diamond status the next day after I upgraded my card ( I see others mention it takes 7-10 days) when I told Hilton chat that I had a stay coming in two days.
May 8, 2019, 9:23 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
My dad downgraded his Surpass to free Hilton card a little before Ascend was introduced (about 2 yrs ago), and he’s yet to receive any upgrade offers. The strange thing is that he still gets emails from Hilton (not AMEX) telling him of the benefits of *his* Ascend card (which he’s never had). Hilton must not have been notified that he downgraded his card, hence no offers. Conversely, my wife, my mom and I have all gotten upgrade offers and we’ve all downgraded from Surpass.
May 8, 2019, 3:31 pm
#141
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,606
My dad downgraded his Surpass to free Hilton card a little before Ascend was introduced (about 2 yrs ago), and he’s yet to receive any upgrade offers. The strange thing is that he still gets emails from Hilton (not AMEX) telling him of the benefits of *his* Ascend card (which he’s never had). Hilton must not have been notified that he downgraded his card, hence no offers. Conversely, my wife, my mom and I have all gotten upgrade offers and we’ve all downgraded from Surpass.
May 10, 2019, 8:09 am
#142
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PHL
Posts: 10,060
I have 2 free Amex hilton - 1 was applied years ago. 1 was applied last year and downgraded from Ascend. I saw the offer upgrade to aspire for both, but I want the ascend upgrade offer. I don't get any email and I can't see any upgrade to ascend on both online. I called the CS just now, she can see an upgrade offer to ascend 3k spend 150k on the old one. Yay. I need to find that card in my drawer somewhere 
edit: How long will Amex process the upgrade? The CS said it's approved however I need 1-2 days for the card upgrade so I can start my spending. There's a big spending I need to do for sunday.
edit: How long will Amex process the upgrade? The CS said it's approved however I need 1-2 days for the card upgrade so I can start my spending. There's a big spending I need to do for sunday.
Last edited by 9Benua; May 10, 2019 at 8:39 am
May 11, 2019, 5:36 am
#143
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: USA
Posts: 165
Took the upgrade Thurs PM, Friday AM it showed Ascend
The upgrade happens v fast, hours. I was in the same boat. Had a 3k bill to pay. Had the offer last month, didn't do it then, looked for it this week, wasn't there, did online chat. Rep said he'd make a note in my file that I wanted the $95 150k w/ 3k, and provided # to call: 800-528-4800 (24/7) . Finally got around to calling and was v easy to upgrade. Spend now done, and I thought I'd be tossing the card in my drawer too. But might just do the 15k spend to get the free weekend. Weighing pros/cons of it. It would only be 12k more spend. That 12k would be headed to my 2% Fidelity or CIti card or 2x Membership points on my Blue or 1.5% (resulting in ~3%?)Chase Unlimited & if the free night is used in Hong Kong or $$ city, a good bang for buck.
May 13, 2019, 7:13 am
#144
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: PHL
Posts: 10,060
May 13, 2019, 9:07 pm
#145
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
https://www.asksebby.com/blog/amex-hilton-upgrade-offers-should-you-accept
The method suggested here is insane and I won’t do this.
SITUATION 2: Hilton Honors + Hilton Ascend +Hilton Aspire
• 2018 = Apply for Hilton Honors (A) (welcome offer)
Route 2: Apply + Upgrade
• 2019 = Apply for Hilton Aspire (B) (welcome offer)
•2019 = Apply for Hilton Ascend (C) (welcome offer)
•2020 = Upgrade (C) to Hilton Aspire (#2) (upgrade offer)
•2019 = Upgrade (A) to Hilton Ascend (#2) (upgrade offer)
•2020 = Upgrade (A) to Hilton Aspire (#3) (upgrade offer)
Result =5 4 additional bonuses
In the end I’ll still end up having 4 more sign-on bonuses and lower annual fees. Not bad either and it leave me 1 more room for second Marriott Bonvoy card.
The method suggested here is insane and I won’t do this.
- It takes 3 slots out of 5 allowed by AmEx.
- Hanging to all 3 cards with $450 annual fees offset the benefits gained.
- Closing/Downgrading to no annual fee cards too quickly will risk relationship with AmEx, besides potentially having your points clawed back.
SITUATION 2: Hilton Honors + Hilton Ascend +
• 2018 = Apply for Hilton Honors (A) (welcome offer)
Route 2: Apply + Upgrade
•2019 = Apply for Hilton Ascend (C) (welcome offer)
•2020 = Upgrade (C) to Hilton Aspire (#2) (upgrade offer)
•2019 = Upgrade (A) to Hilton Ascend (#2) (upgrade offer)
•2020 = Upgrade (A) to Hilton Aspire (#3) (upgrade offer)
Result =
In the end I’ll still end up having 4 more sign-on bonuses and lower annual fees. Not bad either and it leave me 1 more room for second Marriott Bonvoy card.
Instead of upgrade, I first signed up Aspire with 150K bonus by checking referral offers here (many members would love to send you referrals). As soon as I hit the spend, I upgraded my no-fee HH card with upgrade offer link within my account for another 150K. As of today, got both bonuses.
Hotel points from AmEx (I also experience the same with Bonvoy) tend to show up merely days once you meet the spending threshold, unlike MR points which usually take at least a full statement period.
Although my upgrade offer to Aspire is gone, I'm sure those links will come back.
May 23, 2019, 5:16 pm
#146
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
Order of operations to get multiple bites at the bonus
So having read through the last few pages of this thread, one thing I am not sure about-- if I have never had a Hilton card from Amex before, and I apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, my understanding is that I would still be eligible for other cards in the family (e.g. Ascend and regular)?
If my understanding is correct, then if I later apply for the regular card, get whatever welcome bonus is on that card, should I expect to receive upgrade offers for that card to Ascend/Aspire? Same for Ascend to Aspire? Or does it only work if I first have the regular card, wait for an upgrade offer, then apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, then accept any upgrade offers?
If my understanding is correct, then if I later apply for the regular card, get whatever welcome bonus is on that card, should I expect to receive upgrade offers for that card to Ascend/Aspire? Same for Ascend to Aspire? Or does it only work if I first have the regular card, wait for an upgrade offer, then apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, then accept any upgrade offers?
May 26, 2019, 11:05 am
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
So having read through the last few pages of this thread, one thing I am not sure about-- if I have never had a Hilton card from Amex before, and I apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, my understanding is that I would still be eligible for other cards in the family (e.g. Ascend and regular)?
If my understanding is correct, then if I later apply for the regular card, get whatever welcome bonus is on that card, should I expect to receive upgrade offers for that card to Ascend/Aspire? Same for Ascend to Aspire? Or does it only work if I first have the regular card, wait for an upgrade offer, then apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, then accept any upgrade offers?
If my understanding is correct, then if I later apply for the regular card, get whatever welcome bonus is on that card, should I expect to receive upgrade offers for that card to Ascend/Aspire? Same for Ascend to Aspire? Or does it only work if I first have the regular card, wait for an upgrade offer, then apply for and receive the bonus for the Aspire, then accept any upgrade offers?
Anything else (like getting the Aspire first) is hard to know for now. See, the Aspire has only been available for a bit over year, and meanwhile Amex has been changing policies lately, so datapoints from the Surpass days are not necessarily valid any more. So datapoints of what you're asking about are likely to be extremely rare and/or too old to necessarily still be valid.
May 27, 2019, 10:50 am
#149
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,957
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card or the Hilton Honors Surpass Card. We may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
