Jun 12, 2013, 11:05 am
Last edit by: vah4883
Limited-time offers
Hilton HHonors American Express card. 80,000 points for spending $2,000 in 3 months; no annual fee. Ends May 31, 2017
Hilton HHonors American Express Ascend card. 100,000 points for spending $3,000 ; $95 annual fee.
Hilton HHonors American Express card application page. 75,000 points for spending $1,000 in 3 months; no annual fee.
Public offer expired Feb 1, 2017 (this link brings up a page: "This campaign has expired. Thank you for your interest."), but Refer a Friend links still active. This one has the referral ID stripped out.
Citi HH Visa 40K application page (spend $1K/4 mos.)
Ongoing offersPublic offer expired Feb 1, 2017 (this link brings up a page: "This campaign has expired. Thank you for your interest."), but Refer a Friend links still active. This one has the referral ID stripped out.
Citi HH Visa 40K application page (spend $1K/4 mos.)
- This offer does not contain an explicit 24-month restriction.
If you apply using this link & are not instantly approved, DO NOT CALL CITI.
Calling in risks alerting Citi to the offer and having it withdrawn.
Amex HH Surpass Card
FlyerTalk discussion thread: The Hilton HHonors® Surpass(SM) Card from American Express Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card
Flyertalk discussion thread: Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card Citi HH Visa 60K application page. You can also apply by calling 1-866-615-2274.
Flyertalk discussion thread: Citi Hilton HHonors VISA [60k-75k, read Wiki to choose] Basic Amex HH Card
FAQ- Annual fee: $75, no first-year waiver.
- Signup bonus: 75K points for spending $3K in the first 3 months.
- Earning: 12 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend; 6 points/$ at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations; and 3 points/$ on everything else.
- Elite status: Hilton Gold status for as long as you have the card and Diamond status after $40,000 in annual spend.
- Booking bonus: 500 bonus points for every stay (including award stays) booked directly with Hilton & guaranteed with the card
- Important limitation on this offer: "Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
FlyerTalk discussion thread: The Hilton HHonors® Surpass(SM) Card from American Express
- Annual fee: $95, no first-year waiver.
- Signup bonus: 2 free weekend nights after $2500 in spend within four months. These free nights are valid at all Hilton redemption categories, including Waldorf Astoria properties.
- Anniversary bonus: 1 free weekend night each year after $10,000 in spend.
- Earning: 10 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend, 5 points per dollar on air and car rental, and 3 on everything else.
- Elite status: Hilton Gold status for as long as you have the card and Diamond status after $40,000 in annual spend.
- No foreign currency transaction fees.
- Important limitation on this offer: "Weekend Night Certificates offer is not available if you have had a Citi Hilton HHonors Card account that was opened or closed in the past 24 months.."
Flyertalk discussion thread: Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card
- No annual fee.
- Signup bonus: 60K points for spending $1K in the first 4 months
- Earning: 6 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend; 3 points/$ at U.S. supermarkets, drugstores & gas stations; and 2 points/$ on everything else.
- Elite status: Hilton Silver status for as long as you have the card.
- Fast track To Gold status: After four qualifying stays within your first 91 days of cardmembership, receive Gold status through the end of the following calendar year.
- Important limitation on this offer: "Hilton HHonors Bonus Points offer not available if you have had a Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card account that was opened or closed in the past 24 months."
Flyertalk discussion thread: Citi Hilton HHonors VISA [60k-75k, read Wiki to choose]
Offer for 50K points (spend $750/3mos.) + $50 credit for first purchase: Make a dummy reservation on Hilton site. Offer will appear on page before final booking. (Cannot be linked to directly.)
Offer for 50K points (spend $750/3mos.)
Offer for 50K points (spend $750/3mos.)
- No annual fee.
- Earning: 7 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend; 5 points/$ at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations; and 3 on everything else.
- Elite status: Hilton Silver status for as long as you have the card and Gold status after $20,000 in annual spend.
- Booking bonus: 500 bonus points for every stay (including award stays) booked directly with Hilton & guaranteed with the card
1. Are these cards churnable?
As of May 1, 2014, Amex will not give a signup bonus to card applicants who have held the card in the past ~7 years, even if the applicant has never earned a previous signup bonus for it. However, it is still possible to upgrade an existing Hilton Amex to the Surpass card to earn a bonus (and reportedly to do this more than once by later downgrading & then upgrading again). The best strategy is to earn a Surpass signup bonus first, and only afterward pursue the upgrade bonus(es).
In August 2016, Citi began inserting language into applications and landing pages requiring a 24-month wait from the date of the opening or closure of any Citi Hilton card. Previously, the Citi Hilton Signature Visa and Reserve cards were on separate clocks for each applicant. Now there is a single 24-month clock reset by open/close of either type of card. For more info, see the wiki at Citi Hilton HHonors VISA [60k-75k, read Wiki to choose].
2. I have met the spending. When will my bonus post?
For Amex cards, the bonus will post a few days after meeting the spend. The points from the actual spend will post after statement is generated. For Citi products, bonus points post only at statement close.
3. What happened to the Amex drugstore category spending bonus?
Changes to Hilton Amex cards as of May 2013 are explained here:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...at-we-thought/
4. What is the link to upgrade from no fee card to Surpass card for 50,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months?
This link redirects to this landing page. Application page.
You need to be logged into your Amex account first, then click on the link above, then click Upgrade. (This does not work for all people. It is suspected that only people that have had the no-fee card for at least one year are able to upgrade to the Surpass card.) There is generally no hard pull on your credit report for upgrading.
5. Does having one of these Hilton cards preclude me from successfully earning the signup bonus on a different one?
No. All four cards are separate products. Having (or having previously had) one of them has no effect on your bonus eligibility for the others--but note, as discussed in FAQ #1, that opening or closing any Citi Hilton card will affect your eligibility for any new Citi Hilton card bonus.
As of May 1, 2014, Amex will not give a signup bonus to card applicants who have held the card in the past ~7 years, even if the applicant has never earned a previous signup bonus for it. However, it is still possible to upgrade an existing Hilton Amex to the Surpass card to earn a bonus (and reportedly to do this more than once by later downgrading & then upgrading again). The best strategy is to earn a Surpass signup bonus first, and only afterward pursue the upgrade bonus(es).
In August 2016, Citi began inserting language into applications and landing pages requiring a 24-month wait from the date of the opening or closure of any Citi Hilton card. Previously, the Citi Hilton Signature Visa and Reserve cards were on separate clocks for each applicant. Now there is a single 24-month clock reset by open/close of either type of card. For more info, see the wiki at Citi Hilton HHonors VISA [60k-75k, read Wiki to choose].
2. I have met the spending. When will my bonus post?
For Amex cards, the bonus will post a few days after meeting the spend. The points from the actual spend will post after statement is generated. For Citi products, bonus points post only at statement close.
3. What happened to the Amex drugstore category spending bonus?
Changes to Hilton Amex cards as of May 2013 are explained here:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/viewfr...at-we-thought/
4. What is the link to upgrade from no fee card to Surpass card for 50,000 after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months?
This link redirects to this landing page. Application page.
You need to be logged into your Amex account first, then click on the link above, then click Upgrade. (This does not work for all people. It is suspected that only people that have had the no-fee card for at least one year are able to upgrade to the Surpass card.) There is generally no hard pull on your credit report for upgrading.
5. Does having one of these Hilton cards preclude me from successfully earning the signup bonus on a different one?
No. All four cards are separate products. Having (or having previously had) one of them has no effect on your bonus eligibility for the others--but note, as discussed in FAQ #1, that opening or closing any Citi Hilton card will affect your eligibility for any new Citi Hilton card bonus.
Ongoing offers for Hilton cards issued by Amex or Citi
Apr 14, 2017, 12:22 pm
#1171
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,784
I still see the offer, good until 5/31. Since I have upgraded via this route several times ( as recently as April 2016) and always received the bonus I would have never even looked for the new wording.
Instead of upgrading my dad to a surpass I got him another Arrival.
Instead of upgrading my dad to a surpass I got him another Arrival.
Rats......
Apr 14, 2017, 12:24 pm
#1172
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
Well I finally went to upgrade and now it says that I cannot. I am going to call in.
Apr 14, 2017, 12:41 pm
#1173
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,606
I wouldn't say all but unless you get targeted for an upgrade it seems so.
I'll keep our cards in case the offers change or a targeted offer comes along plus we actually get use of our Gold status so if timed right that is $75 for 2 years of Gold.
Apr 14, 2017, 3:10 pm
#1174
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 63
Reposting here:
So I never had a Surpass card before, but I do have the no annual fee Hilton Honors Amex. On my account it shows I am eligible for an upgrade with 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (no free night included)
Here the link for the terms without once in lifetime exclusion: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...200-WOC0000467
My question is whats the best option here
1) Apply for the free night version only
2) Apply for the upgrade only
3) Apply for free night first and then upgrade the no-annual fee card?
Will the upgrade in the third option even work for that case since the system may see that I just applied for a surpass. Would I even get all the bonuses (200K + free night).
Has anyone tried this?
So I never had a Surpass card before, but I do have the no annual fee Hilton Honors Amex. On my account it shows I am eligible for an upgrade with 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months (no free night included)
Here the link for the terms without once in lifetime exclusion: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/c...200-WOC0000467
My question is whats the best option here
1) Apply for the free night version only
2) Apply for the upgrade only
3) Apply for free night first and then upgrade the no-annual fee card?
Will the upgrade in the third option even work for that case since the system may see that I just applied for a surpass. Would I even get all the bonuses (200K + free night).
Has anyone tried this?
Apr 14, 2017, 3:22 pm
#1175
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
Apr 19, 2017, 10:31 pm
#1176
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Rochester, MN
Programs: UA Silver, Hilton HHonors Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,830
I upgraded from the no fee Hilton Amex to the Surpass about a month ago. 100k offer. Hit spend, a few days later bonus points deposited.
According to the terms of the upgrade offer, I have 45 days to revert my card back to the no fee Hilton Card if I so choose. If I do that, to avoid the annual fee on the new Surpass, do I risk a clawback of the 100k upgrade points?
According to the terms of the upgrade offer, I have 45 days to revert my card back to the no fee Hilton Card if I so choose. If I do that, to avoid the annual fee on the new Surpass, do I risk a clawback of the 100k upgrade points?
Apr 20, 2017, 9:49 am
#1177
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,879
Yes. Would not risk it.
Apr 20, 2017, 3:06 pm
#1178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,603
I received an email today from HH / Amex for the 80,000 points bonus. No annual fee. I assume that the 80,000 pts will transfer to my HH account and that I can use them for lodging at HH properties when inventory is available.
What's the catch? Is the catch that spending $ with this card prevents me from earning points on another card? What else am I missing?
Thanks
Michael
What's the catch? Is the catch that spending $ with this card prevents me from earning points on another card? What else am I missing?
Thanks
Michael
Apr 20, 2017, 4:35 pm
#1179
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New York
Programs: Navy A-4 Skyhawk, B727 FE/FO, S80 FO, B757/767 FO, B737 CA
Posts: 1,342
I received an email today from HH / Amex for the 80,000 points bonus. No annual fee. I assume that the 80,000 pts will transfer to my HH account and that I can use them for lodging at HH properties when inventory is available.
What's the catch? Is the catch that spending $ with this card prevents me from earning points on another card? What else am I missing?
Thanks
Michael
What's the catch? Is the catch that spending $ with this card prevents me from earning points on another card? What else am I missing?
Thanks
Michael
Apr 20, 2017, 9:12 pm
#1180
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,606
I upgraded from the no fee Hilton Amex to the Surpass about a month ago. 100k offer. Hit spend, a few days later bonus points deposited.
According to the terms of the upgrade offer, I have 45 days to revert my card back to the no fee Hilton Card if I so choose. If I do that, to avoid the annual fee on the new Surpass, do I risk a clawback of the 100k upgrade points?
According to the terms of the upgrade offer, I have 45 days to revert my card back to the no fee Hilton Card if I so choose. If I do that, to avoid the annual fee on the new Surpass, do I risk a clawback of the 100k upgrade points?
I suggest waiting a few months before you switch back.
Have you ever had the Surpass card before ? If so was this a targeted mailer for the upgrade ? The new upgrades all seem to have the if you ever had a surpass card before wording that denies the bonus.
Apr 21, 2017, 10:58 am
#1181
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
You can revert back to the NAF card at any time and get a pro rated refund on the AF.
I suggest waiting a few months before you switch back.
Have you ever had the Surpass card before ? If so was this a targeted mailer for the upgrade ? The new upgrades all seem to have the if you ever had a surpass card before wording that denies the bonus.
I suggest waiting a few months before you switch back.
Have you ever had the Surpass card before ? If so was this a targeted mailer for the upgrade ? The new upgrades all seem to have the if you ever had a surpass card before wording that denies the bonus.
Apr 21, 2017, 6:07 pm
#1182
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,606
My offer showed up in my account. In a banner at the top of the page and in my offers down below. Fortunately, I screenshotted the whole T&C plus saved a .pdf version that has no mention of the 'no previous card' verbage. I suspect I may have to fight for the bonus (I've had a Surpass before) but with the screenshots, I will take this to the wall if I have to.
Good luck, Amex owes me 50K in referral bonuses that I never received
Jun 1, 2017, 6:26 am
#1183
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Moderator action
Thread closed for restructuring. For now please join discussion in these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-2018-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...ki-choose.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...erve-card.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ds-2018-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...ki-choose.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...erve-card.html