Targetted 10,000 MR points when spending $500+ at Hilton?
Jul 17, 2018, 11:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Targetted 10,000 MR points when spending $500+ at Hilton?
A couple days ago I redeemed a "earn 10,000 MR points after spending $600+ via AmexTravel" offer. I got that offer by making a ~$950 Hilton stay for late October. I booked a refundable rate via AmexTravel because I wasn't 100% sure of my travel plans but the offer was about to expire. Like three or four days later I got an email saying my platinum card was eligible for a 10,000 MR point bonus when spending $500+ at Hilton "now" through 10/15/18. Now that doesn't cover my travel dates... but it mentions you can hit this spend with more when one transaction and Hilton does have pre-paid rates.... sooo....
It turns out I need to adjust my travel dates by a couple days, which means I need to cancel the AmexTravel Hilton booking. I'm sad I'll miss out on 10k MR points, BUT, maybe I can score the 10k again by just rebooking a pre-paid rate via this Amex Hilton Offer? My question is, does anyone know if this is connected to having already booked a Hilton stay? If I cancel my Amex Travel booking, do you think my card will no longer be eligible for this second offer? Nowhere in the email does it state anything like "Because you recently booked a Hilton stay you qualify for another bonus!" or anything, in fact, these terms seem super lose compared to most Amex offers...
The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.
That's literally all the terms say... so I mean I guess this could even be good on buying Hilton gift cards? Anyone else see this offer or have experience with it?
It turns out I need to adjust my travel dates by a couple days, which means I need to cancel the AmexTravel Hilton booking. I'm sad I'll miss out on 10k MR points, BUT, maybe I can score the 10k again by just rebooking a pre-paid rate via this Amex Hilton Offer? My question is, does anyone know if this is connected to having already booked a Hilton stay? If I cancel my Amex Travel booking, do you think my card will no longer be eligible for this second offer? Nowhere in the email does it state anything like "Because you recently booked a Hilton stay you qualify for another bonus!" or anything, in fact, these terms seem super lose compared to most Amex offers...
To redeem this offer, you must click "Book Now". Offer is available from 7/15/18 until 10/15/18. You must satisfy the spending threshold between the date you redeem this offer and 10/15/18. You may satisfy the spending threshold with more than one transaction. Points will be credited to your Membership Rewards program account within 8-12 weeks after Hilton purchase(s) appears on your monthly billing statement.
Terms and Conditions
To redeem this offer, you must click "Book Now". Offer is available from 7/15/18 until 10/15/18. You must satisfy the spending threshold between the date you redeem this offer and 10/15/18. You may satisfy the spending threshold with more than one transaction. Points will be credited to your Membership Rewards program account within 8-12 weeks after Hilton purchase(s) appears on your monthly billing statement.Terms and Conditions for the Membership Rewards® program apply. Visit membershiprewards.com/terms for more information. Participating partners and available rewards are subject to change without notice.The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. To learn more, go to www.membershiprewards.com/pointsinfo.
Jul 17, 2018, 11:57 am
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Update:
After clicking the enroll button via the link sent to my email I got this follow up email:
No links to the terms again, no additional details, nothing... Should I book a pre-paid rate and hope my plans don't change? Should I try to buy a $500+ gift card from Hilton.com and then book a refundable rate? Should I do either of those before I cancel my AmexTravel booking?
After clicking the enroll button via the link sent to my email I got this follow up email:
You can now start spending at Hilton properties with your Hilton Gold Status! If you spend $500 by October 15, 2018, you will earn 10,000 Membership Rewards Points!
We value your relationship with us. Thank you for using your American Express Card.
Sincerely,
American Express Customer Card
We value your relationship with us. Thank you for using your American Express Card.
Sincerely,
American Express Customer Card
Jul 17, 2018, 12:10 pm
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,957
If I recall correctly, Hilton prepaid stays are centrally billed, which means the card transaction will not be from a Hilton property. I cannot say if that will trigger the bonus.
Jul 17, 2018, 12:23 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Do you know if you can buy Hilton gift cards directly in person at a Hilton property? Do you know if they use a portal like the online website (I think they redirect to buyhiltongiftcards.com or something). Can you even use Hilton gift cards to pay for a stay, or just extra charges that you charge to a room (breakfast, etc).
Jul 17, 2018, 12:42 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Was the email subject line, "acarney, enjoy a special offer through your Hilton Honors Gold Status Benefit" ?
If so, I got a similar offer and email, but my MR point bonus and spend required is different. So I don't think your using the Amex Travel booking had anything to do with triggering this.
If so, I got a similar offer and email, but my MR point bonus and spend required is different. So I don't think your using the Amex Travel booking had anything to do with triggering this.
Jul 17, 2018, 3:36 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Was the email subject line, "acarney, enjoy a special offer through your Hilton Honors Gold Status Benefit" ?
If so, I got a similar offer and email, but my MR point bonus and spend required is different. So I don't think your using the Amex Travel booking had anything to do with triggering this.
If so, I got a similar offer and email, but my MR point bonus and spend required is different. So I don't think your using the Amex Travel booking had anything to do with triggering this.
Jul 18, 2018, 2:52 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Right, which is why this surprises me so much. It came via email, didn't direct me to Amex Travel, and doesn't mention a specific site that it needs to be booked with. Just that the charge must come from Hilton...
Jul 19, 2018, 3:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
I got a similar email offer for 'spend $250 at Hilton get 5000 points'. This was via email and I clicked to sign up, but I also have a current 'spend $250 at Hilton get $50 back' offer in my online offers. Combined it is a pretty sweet deal.
Jul 20, 2018, 2:40 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Anyone confirm if gift card purchases triggers this? Or at least exactly what the gift card purchases codes as? Is it a “Hilton purchase” or something more vague/3rd party-ish?
My hotel dates are still pretty far out (oct 25th... 3 or 4 night stay) and two of the events I want to attend haven’t even announced firm dates yet, I’m just guesstimating based on last year’s dates...
Ideally I would like to lock in this offer via a gift card (purchased at a front desk if needed), lock in a semi-flex rate to ensure I have a room but also give me some wiggle room.
If I can’t do that, I fear a pre-paid rate will screw me over by needing to adjust my stay by a day or two, or it’ll be a day too long etc. OR, if I wait until event dates are announced then room rates will shoot up and MR points won’t outweigh the extra room cost >.<
My hotel dates are still pretty far out (oct 25th... 3 or 4 night stay) and two of the events I want to attend haven’t even announced firm dates yet, I’m just guesstimating based on last year’s dates...
Ideally I would like to lock in this offer via a gift card (purchased at a front desk if needed), lock in a semi-flex rate to ensure I have a room but also give me some wiggle room.
If I can’t do that, I fear a pre-paid rate will screw me over by needing to adjust my stay by a day or two, or it’ll be a day too long etc. OR, if I wait until event dates are announced then room rates will shoot up and MR points won’t outweigh the extra room cost >.<
Jul 23, 2018, 3:25 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
I'm surprised no one has tried to see if gift cards or pre-paid rates work with this, I haven't even seen any of the credit blogs posting a follow up with this.... unless Amex is taking longer then usual to show the points being credited...
Jul 24, 2018, 10:52 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Jul 24, 2018, 3:23 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 378
Jul 25, 2018, 10:48 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 998
Thanks! That's a great data point and probably what I'll have to do. Are your stay dates within the offer window? Mine will be just outside it (very late Oct) but I figure they look at when the charge hits the card and not when the stay takes place...