Upgrade to Surpass Honors AmEx: Earn 50,000+ bonus points
Mar 17, 2017, 3:50 am
#316
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
I have done the up and down many times and always received the bonus BUT the last time I did IT ---AMX invoked "the once in lifetime" and no matter what I tried I COULD NOT GET THE POINTS--
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
Mar 17, 2017, 5:40 am
#317
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
Mar 17, 2017, 7:53 am
#318
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
did up grade on Sept 28 2016 ( i do not remember if it had once in lifetime, I watch for that so I think it did not have )
finished spend end of DEC points never showed on Jan statement or my online profile
I down graded in Feb
anyone get the points after my dates?
finished spend end of DEC points never showed on Jan statement or my online profile
I down graded in Feb
anyone get the points after my dates?
Mar 17, 2017, 7:59 am
#319
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
Thank you Moorea and Carl Christensen. Please, if you wouldn’t mind, when upgrading and downgrading, do you contact AmEx and ask them for such action? Do you have to wait for AmEx to offer?
I believe the entire reason for this discussion and the answer to your question is: in order to get repeat sign-up bonuses. Reports here indicate that with each upgrade TO Surpass, the account holder gets (another) 50,000 point sign-up bonus. Some people consider the repeat sign-up bonus to be worth the $95 annual fee. With each downgrade to the no annual fee card, one sets oneself up to upgrade (and get another sign-up bonus) in the future. It’s essentially churning (which AmEx has effectively ended) without repeat applications. Apparently AmEx has no limits on the number of times or frequency with which one can upgrade and downgrade these cards.
I believe the entire reason for this discussion and the answer to your question is: in order to get repeat sign-up bonuses. Reports here indicate that with each upgrade TO Surpass, the account holder gets (another) 50,000 point sign-up bonus. Some people consider the repeat sign-up bonus to be worth the $95 annual fee. With each downgrade to the no annual fee card, one sets oneself up to upgrade (and get another sign-up bonus) in the future. It’s essentially churning (which AmEx has effectively ended) without repeat applications. Apparently AmEx has no limits on the number of times or frequency with which one can upgrade and downgrade these cards.
Of course, I have been a bit lax and am late on this cycle. Last 50k bonus posted 7/2016 so I'm at 9 months this time. Partly because there was the churnable citi 75k link that I was burning through.
Mar 17, 2017, 9:20 am
#320
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,223
Not sure this is the correct thread for this, but my husband referred me for my own Surpass and I'm supposed to get 100,000 pts after meeting the spend and he's supposed to get 20,000 for the referral. With the ability to combine points starting in April (unless that has changed) that works out great for us.
Mar 17, 2017, 10:30 am
#321
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 540
Not sure this is the correct thread for this, but my husband referred me for my own Surpass and I'm supposed to get 100,000 pts after meeting the spend and he's supposed to get 20,000 for the referral. With the ability to combine points starting in April (unless that has changed) that works out great for us.
Mar 17, 2017, 7:16 pm
#323
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
I have done the up and down many times and always received the bonus BUT the last time I did IT ---AMX invoked "the once in lifetime" and no matter what I tried I COULD NOT GET THE POINTS--
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
The language on the offers clearly states *if you have ever had this card* you are not eligible for the bonus points.
Mar 18, 2017, 6:18 am
#324
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
I have done the up and down many times and always received the bonus BUT the last time I did IT ---AMX invoked "the once in lifetime" and no matter what I tried I COULD NOT GET THE POINTS--
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
if want Hilton pts --better off getting Hawaiian air 50k that converts to 75k Hilton - they also have a Hwn biz card --
https://www304.americanexpress.com/p...dit-card/36205?
As a data point, I just recently had an upgrade offer on my no annual fee card for 75,000 bonus points. Completed the spend three days ago, points posted to my Honors account yesterday. I have previously applied* for the Surpass card, received the sign up bonus, and canceled. I have also previously gone through the upgrade/downgrade cycle with the same card I just upgraded (I don't have exact timeline info).
*To be distinguished from "upgraded to"
Last edited by MarkMColo; Mar 18, 2017 at 11:56 am
Mar 18, 2017, 9:50 am
#325
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
How exactly did do “it” the last time? Was there an upgrade offer on your no annual fee card, or did you use this link --
https://www304.americanexpress.com/p...dit-card/36205?
The upgrade being discussed in this thread (using the link above or an offer on your existing no annual fee card) does not have the *if you ever had this card language*.
As a data point, I just recently had an upgrade offer on my no annual fee card for 75,000 bonus points. Completed the spend three days ago, points posted to my Honors account yesterday. I have previously applied* for the Surpass card, received the sign up bonus, and canceled. I have also previously gone through the upgrade/downgrade cycle with the same card I just upgraded (I don't have exact timeline info).
*To be distinguished from "upgraded to"
https://www304.americanexpress.com/p...dit-card/36205?
The upgrade being discussed in this thread (using the link above or an offer on your existing no annual fee card) does not have the *if you ever had this card language*.
As a data point, I just recently had an upgrade offer on my no annual fee card for 75,000 bonus points. Completed the spend three days ago, points posted to my Honors account yesterday. I have previously applied* for the Surpass card, received the sign up bonus, and canceled. I have also previously gone through the upgrade/downgrade cycle with the same card I just upgraded (I don't have exact timeline info).
*To be distinguished from "upgraded to"
I never actually applied outright for the Surpass card.
Mar 18, 2017, 10:51 am
#326
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
How exactly did do “it” the last time? Was there an upgrade offer on your no annual fee card, or did you use this link --
https://www304.americanexpress.com/p...dit-card/36205?
The upgrade being discussed in this thread (using the link above or an offer on your existing no annual fee card) does not have the *if you ever had this card language*.
As a data point, I just recently had an upgrade offer on my no annual fee card for 75,000 bonus points. Completed the spend three days ago, points posted to my Honors account yesterday. I have previously applied* for the Surpass card, received the sign up bonus, and canceled. I have also previously gone through the upgrade/downgrade cycle with the same card I just upgraded (I don't have exact timeline info).
*To be distinguished from "upgraded to"
https://www304.americanexpress.com/p...dit-card/36205?
The upgrade being discussed in this thread (using the link above or an offer on your existing no annual fee card) does not have the *if you ever had this card language*.
As a data point, I just recently had an upgrade offer on my no annual fee card for 75,000 bonus points. Completed the spend three days ago, points posted to my Honors account yesterday. I have previously applied* for the Surpass card, received the sign up bonus, and canceled. I have also previously gone through the upgrade/downgrade cycle with the same card I just upgraded (I don't have exact timeline info).
*To be distinguished from "upgraded to"
yes i used the link last time and one other time also in past had upgrade offer on my acct ---- but -I BELIEVE when i applied last time "if ever had ...." was not in t/c
Mar 18, 2017, 12:34 pm
#327
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
I can't look at the application from the link because I already have the Surpass card. I hadn't heard of the language being there before, that's why I was wondering if the link might be different from having an offer on your account.
Mar 18, 2017, 12:37 pm
#328
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
Thank you for the info. So I believe, in my case I had applied (long time ago) for the no AF card. I then upgraded (like 7+ years ago) to the Surpass card. So if I gather correctly, I can *downgrade* to the no AF card, wait for an offer to upgrade to Surpass and still get the bonus points?
I never actually applied outright for the Surpass card.
I never actually applied outright for the Surpass card.
Mar 18, 2017, 3:18 pm
#329
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Mar 19, 2017, 7:36 pm
#330
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors Diamond, SPG, IHG, AA, SWA
Posts: 84
I currently have a Surpass, which I've met the spend on and received the bonus points, but it's only been open for about a month.
I will finish the spend on my NF Amex, which I just received last week, in the next few weeks.
When should I cancel my Surpass to start the clock on my upgrade window for my NF Amex? Is there a minimum time I should keep it open to stay off of their radar?
I will finish the spend on my NF Amex, which I just received last week, in the next few weeks.
When should I cancel my Surpass to start the clock on my upgrade window for my NF Amex? Is there a minimum time I should keep it open to stay off of their radar?