May 26, 2014, 3:09 pm
Last edit by: rrgg
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 155,000 points for spending $3,000 in 3 months; $95 annual fee. Offer Expires Apr. 17, 2024
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 170,000 points for spending $3,000 in 3 months; $95 annual fee. Expired Jan 17 2024
Hilton HHonors American Express Surpass card. 130,000 points for spending $4,000 in 4 months; $95 annual fee. OFFER EXPIRED AUG 28.
Hilton HHonors American Express Ascend card. 75,000 points for spending $2,000 in 3 months+ 25,000 points after additional $1000 in 6 months; $95 annual fee.
Note: For existing Surpass card holders, AMEX verbally confirmed that on or after 20 January 2018, card holders can call in and request cards be converted to Aspire - while maintaining the same credit card number, balance limits, PIN, etc.
Card features:
Check your application status
Linking AmexAscend Surpass to your Hilton Honors account.Many (most?) have reported that a new Hilton Honors number gets assigned by Amex even when they put their existing Hilton Honors number in the application, and it can take several weeks to get this worked out. However, the key to making things go smoothly seems to be an exact match of your name and address between Amex and Hilton, including adding your middle initial to your Hilton Honors account if you use it on your Amex. When everything matches, an Amex rep should be able to update the account number, it should "go through" immediately, and the correct Hilton account number will be reflected on the Amex website in about 2 days.
Is the AmexAscend Surpass 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 Ascend 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 Ascend Surpass signup bonus first, and only afterward pursue the upgrade bonus(es).
For information on other Hilton-branded credit cards, see the wiki at Ongoing offers for Hilton cards issued by Amex or Citi
- Important limitation on this offer: "Welcome bonus offer not available to applicants who have or have had this product."
Note: For existing Surpass card holders, AMEX verbally confirmed that on or after 20 January 2018, card holders can call in and request cards be converted to Aspire - while maintaining the same credit card number, balance limits, PIN, etc.
Card features:
- Annual fee:
$95$150, no first-year waiver. - Earning: 12 HHonors points per dollar on Hilton spend; 6 points/$ at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets & gas stations; 4 points for online retail purchases (as of 2023); 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
Check your application status
Linking Amex
Is the Amex
For information on other Hilton-branded credit cards, see the wiki at Ongoing offers for Hilton cards issued by Amex or Citi
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card from American Express (formerly called Ascend)
Apr 27, 2017, 8:31 am
#182
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Apr 28, 2017, 1:33 pm
#184
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,223
Apr 29, 2017, 9:55 am
#187
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,223
Hit the spend April 7
Bonus points in account April 12
First statement closed April 14, received regular spend points
I don't know if it helped, but we have a very long, strong relationship with Amex.
Apr 30, 2017, 11:06 am
#188
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EP; WN CP;UA SILVER; MARRIOTT TITANIUM; HH DIAMOND; IHG PLAT; RADISSON PLAT; HYATT GLOBAL
Posts: 1,938
Please don't scold me on this question, since I have researched and can't get an answer. I even called AMEX and the clueless rep doesn't have an answer. I HUCA and was told to call Hilton, yeah right.
1-I just upgraded my NO AF to SURPASS, does this card now get the new benefit of a free anniversary night?
2-My SO currently has the Surpass and AF came up. Does this existing SURPASS get the new benefit of a free anniversary night? If not I will downgrade and wait to Upgrade.
Thanks!
1-I just upgraded my NO AF to SURPASS, does this card now get the new benefit of a free anniversary night?
2-My SO currently has the Surpass and AF came up. Does this existing SURPASS get the new benefit of a free anniversary night? If not I will downgrade and wait to Upgrade.
Thanks!
Apr 30, 2017, 2:12 pm
#189
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
I think the plastic is irrelevant as your account number does not change. What I do not remember is whether it is tied to the following statement or the next business day upon approval. I recommend you use chat or an SM to find out for sure as it relates to you account, if you have not already done so.
Apr 30, 2017, 2:17 pm
#190
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
I think the plastic is irrelevant as your account number does not change. What I do not remember is whether it is tied to the following statement or the next business day upon approval. I recommend you use chat or an SM to find out for sure as it relates to you account, if you have not already done so.
May 1, 2017, 11:37 am
#191
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
Need an opinion on using this card in Europe. It has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, but with 12 pts per $, the fee wipes out about half that (by my calculations) leaving a net of about 6 points (by value) per $ when used at Hiltons. Would you all use this card for a Hilton stay in Europe? The only transferable point card I have is the SPG which will be my main card while in Europe.
May 1, 2017, 3:17 pm
#192
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 265
I need some help. Just got my first annual fee from my Amex Hilton Surpass.
1. Did my offer back then have 1 free weekend night on the first anniversary (regardless of spend)? Is there a place I can find out if mine did/didn't offer that?
2. If so, when does that weekend night become available for me to use?
I have a trip next month that it could be very useful for. I thought the offer had a free weekend night on the first anniversary, but now I am not sure.
Thank you!
1. Did my offer back then have 1 free weekend night on the first anniversary (regardless of spend)? Is there a place I can find out if mine did/didn't offer that?
2. If so, when does that weekend night become available for me to use?
I have a trip next month that it could be very useful for. I thought the offer had a free weekend night on the first anniversary, but now I am not sure.
Thank you!
May 1, 2017, 3:19 pm
#193
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: AA, Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton
Posts: 501
Need an opinion on using this card in Europe. It has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, but with 12 pts per $, the fee wipes out about half that (by my calculations) leaving a net of about 6 points (by value) per $ when used at Hiltons. Would you all use this card for a Hilton stay in Europe? The only transferable point card I have is the SPG which will be my main card while in Europe.
I find the Surpass near useless in Europe.
I find the Citi no-fee card to be preferable in some instances.
There is often a bonus for points per spend (+3), and sometimes it overlaps with seasonal bonuses (spend $750 get 7500 points). There's also a spend $1000 a year and get 10,000 bonus points every year. I was able to combine all of these for a 3night stay in EU for $1100, where I paid the FTF and got 17,500 bonus points plus 9 points per dollar.
May 1, 2017, 3:20 pm
#194
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,435
Need an opinion on using this card in Europe. It has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, but with 12 pts per $, the fee wipes out about half that (by my calculations) leaving a net of about 6 points (by value) per $ when used at Hiltons. Would you all use this card for a Hilton stay in Europe? The only transferable point card I have is the SPG which will be my main card while in Europe.
May 1, 2017, 3:28 pm
#195
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
Without stating it, you seem to assume 0.5¢ per point, which is the common number provided on FlyerTalk. In that case, I would do the calculation as you did (although a more precise calculation would be a net of 6.6 points per dollar). Given the information you provided, I would use the Surpass card in your situation. If I could meet the required spend by making already-planned purchases, I would consider get another card with transferable points, no foreign transaction fee, and a good sign-up bonus, especially if there was a first year annual fee waiver.