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)
Jan 9, 2018, 3:26 pm
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
Jan 13, 2018, 4:45 pm
#497
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, HH DIA, Hertz PC, GE + Pre✓, Amazon Super Special Prime
Posts: 1,008
Just got off the phone with Amex re: getting my 40K spend upgrade to Diamond processed. Wanted to see I could add some encouragement to them getting it processed faster for some upcoming travel. No dice: 12 weeks after the qualifying transaction is the prescribed window of time that it takes, though they mentioned it could be done faster than that. Who knows.... Anyone have recent DP's on that upgrade to Diamond from gold after meeting spend on the card? Info is appreciated!!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Jan 13, 2018, 5:22 pm
#498
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Programs: UA Prem, HH Diamond, Alaska MVP
Posts: 99
Just got off the phone with Amex re: getting my 40K spend upgrade to Diamond processed. Wanted to see I could add some encouragement to them getting it processed faster for some upcoming travel. No dice: 12 weeks after the qualifying transaction is the prescribed window of time that it takes, though they mentioned it could be done faster than that. Who knows.... Anyone have recent DP's on that upgrade to Diamond from gold after meeting spend on the card? Info is appreciated!!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Will be super interested to see what comes together.
I've recently been looking at switching to marriott and am holding off until I see what changes are in store both with the cards and the HHonors program.
Jan 13, 2018, 7:50 pm
#499
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
Jan 13, 2018, 8:24 pm
#500
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BNA/SAN
Programs: DL PM 1.5 MM , Hilton Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 754
I've been sliding my excess stays over to Marriott for the past year to get top tier with both. The main reason I haven't gone all in with Marriott is I want to see what changes are in store with their program once the merger with SPG is complete.
Jan 13, 2018, 10:59 pm
#501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
David
Jan 14, 2018, 5:16 am
#503
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
Jan 15, 2018, 12:40 pm
#505
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hilton - Diamond, IHG - Spire Amb
Posts: 901
Just got off the phone with Amex re: getting my 40K spend upgrade to Diamond processed. Wanted to see I could add some encouragement to them getting it processed faster for some upcoming travel. No dice: 12 weeks after the qualifying transaction is the prescribed window of time that it takes, though they mentioned it could be done faster than that. Who knows.... Anyone have recent DP's on that upgrade to Diamond from gold after meeting spend on the card? Info is appreciated!!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Also asked about any bonus offers, measly 5k for adding an AU and then $250 spend in 90 days. Nothing else.
BUT, she did mention that the Jan 18th date will have the rollout of the new Aspire card in addition to "other bonus offers" due to their new exclusive relationship with Hilton. So give them a call after the 18th and see if you can get some goodies!
Jan 15, 2018, 1:48 pm
#507
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Jan 15, 2018, 2:39 pm
#508
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,843
Pretty sure I already have a Priority Pass physical card in some sock drawer somewhere from my Surpass card. (never used it because the CSR and Amex Plat cards were offering free access)
Jan 15, 2018, 3:00 pm
#509
Join Date: May 2009
Location: EUG
Programs: AS MVP, AA MM, HH Diamond, MR Gold
Posts: 8,220
Yes, but that one was for $20 something per visit. How is the person in the lounge supposed to know what deal you have and from what source? This one would have to be free, and limited to 10 visits. I'm sure there has to be a new card/vouchers for that.
Jan 15, 2018, 4:34 pm
#510
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,843
My understanding is that the credit card associated with your PP account will be charged if you access the lounge and don’t have free access. No need for the lounge agent to know anything about your account. (not sure if the little card reader would tell them, though?)