gbplesh

Question folks - I upgraded to Surpass last month, just in time to break 40k spend barrier. I already was awarded the 50k points and I just got email I was Diamond from Hilton a week ago, but still no AF. If I downgrade back to fee free, will they take Diamond away or am I good to go there through March 2016?

dajoip

So just to be clear, it's possible to (1) upgrade from the AMEX Hilton to the Surpass, (2) complete the minimum spend and gain the 50k bonus, and (3) then downgrade again, without having to pay the AF? Just want to be sure there are data points for this, and there's really no reason not to do it...

beckoa

Especially if Diamond is on the line... I'm not sure I'd risk it. Heck $75 for a year of Diamond...

BrlDsguise

Annual fee is prorated if you downgrade so no need to be overly worried about it.

jerryhze

Does buying Amex gift card count as qualified spend toward the upgrade bonus spending requirement?

josephstern

Did for me two years ago.

godsquare

Anyone receives an offer to upgrade to AMEX Surpass while holding AMEX Surpass?

beckoa

Oh from a basic Hhonors AMEX?

geclub1

They did not take my Diamond away.

godsquare

From any cards. fee-free HHonors, Delta, etc.

I currently have fee-free HHonors that will reach 1 year mark soon (and is likely to receive an upgrade offer).

I am wondering if it is a good idea to apply for Surpass card first (to get 80k points) and then upgrade the fee-free later (for another 50k points) because I am not sure whether getting the surpass will exclude you from the upgrade offer or not.

travelinfoo

Amex has become very stingy with their bonus offers. If you receive one for upgrading, they usually will offer you the difference from the initial offer and the new offer. So if you take the 80K offer, you will not be eligible for the 50K upgrade. If you get the 50K, you may still be able to receive the 30K difference later. This is for all their PUBLIC offers.

I have had a no-fee Hilton for 15+ yrs. When I originally got the card, I received some bonus points for meeting the spending goal. When I upgraded to the Surpass, Amex refused to give me the entire bonus points as I had received points previously. Instead, they gave me the difference from the original offer (from 15+ yrs ago!) and the current offer. I didn't remember the original but the CSR had it in their records (5000 points) and refused to give me the entire amount.

Before the current offer of automatic Gold w/AF payment, I would drop to no-fee once the bonus point spending was met. In the past, Amex would send targeted upgrade offers to upgrade. I got 2 of them over 5 yrs. The last time 6 months ago, they tried to deny the points by saying I had already received them previously and it was a one time offer for upgrading. However, the offer had no exclusionary language and was not open to the public (came as an offer on my Amex account page w/my name on the offer). I argued that 1) the offer should not have been directed to me if I was not eligible 2) Amex should have had the exclusionary language in the offer. Amex granted me the entire points as a courtesy because they failed to put the exclusionary language in. I'm sure they have corrected their mistake by now.

liw5215

Upgraded no fee AX Hilton to Surpass version last month, made $3000 purchase ( $1K regular and $2K AX GC), statement closed yesterday, no 50K bonus points!!!! Anybody had similar experience?

BTW, I did the same upgrade last year and got 50K bonus points.

josephstern

Amex offers are once-per-lifetime for personal cards now.

Sounds like last year was your one time.

stupidzbu

damn.. even for these upgrade deals?

they are really cracking down on the churners!

exmike

Not true. I downgraded my surpass. One week later checked and offered the upgrade bonus. Spent 3k. Got the bonus. So ymmv