This deal has expired, view the best credit card bonuses here.
This offer is due to expire tomorrow. If you’re interested in applying, why not use a readers referral link? Try to pick a reader that has provided you helpful information in the comments! As always you can see deals that are expiring soon here.
The Offer
- Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 within 3 months of account opening, PLUS earn a free weekend night award after your first anniversary of card membership.
Card Details
- Offer ends 10/4/2017
- Annual fee of $75 is not waived
- American Express personal cards are not churnable. Welcome bonus is not available to those who have or who have had this card in the past.
- Card earns at the following rates:
- 12x points per dollar on purchases with a participating hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
- 6x points per dollar U.S restaurants [read:Â best credit cards for restaurant purchases]
- 6x points per dollar at U.S supermarkets [read:Â best credit cards for grocery store spend]
- 6x points per dollar at U.S gas stations [read:Â best credit cards for gas station purchases]
- 3x points per dollar on all other purchases [read:Â best credit cards for every day spend]
- Card comes with complimentary gold status, if you spend $40,000 or more in a calendar year you will receive HHonors Diamond status through the end of next year
- Free priority pass membership (still have to pay $27 per visit). Read more about the different versions of Priority Pass here.
Our Verdict
This is the best offer we’ve seen on this card and they have offered it once before (plus a targeted offer that was the same). If you have a need for Hilton points/free nights signing up now would be a good option. It’s also worth remembering that American Express will be the sole issuer of Hilton cards from 2018 onwards, there are some rumors that they have purchased the backbook from Citi and Citi cardholders will receive the American Express versions of these cards but that is just in the rumor stage and not something I’d worry about at this stage (I’m also in the process of trying to find out more regarding these rumors).
I probably won’t be adding this to our list of the best credit card bonuses as I don’t find Hilton points that valuable and I suspect this will be an offer that is frequently available but as always do your own research and find out what cards work for your travel goals. If you have any questions about American Express I’d recommend reading this linked post first.
Hat tip to US Credit Card Guide & Reddit
Slightly off topic, but I converted to this card earlier this year when offered a 100K bonus. A few day ago I was checking out a different one of my amex cards, and when I clicked on this one it said that one of my benefits was a $200 airline credit. That surprised me, since I didn’t know about the benefit. I went back today to take advantage of, and no mention of it. I don’t know if it was a glitch, but it was definitely listed for this card earlier this week.
Must have been a glitch.
I applied for an upgrade and got a message saying that the application is under review. I already have a non fee hilton amex card. I got an email from amex to upgrade but that offer did not have the free night. Is there a number that I can call to follow up?
I recently did the upgrade to Surpass – will be my 2nd time. 100k offer. Maybe the Surpass will be discontinued in the future…then someday can get this Ascend card. Wonder what happens if they automatically PC you?
For free night one has to keep card open after 2nd year annual fee hits.
So be ready to pay $75 x 2 as A. fees before free night is credit.
JUST A FYI
Can you just cancel and get the AF refunded after using the free night?
You could downgrade it to the no fee version after and get most of your money back.
I just received my Hilton Surpass/Ascend’s anniversary award night certificate, but my second year’s annual fee didn’t hit yet (it’s been 375 days since it was approved) – I thought you get the cert once you pay that second year fee… would you happen to know if I *have to* pay the annual fee to use this or could I use it and cancel the card before it hits (and not have it get clawed back/have booking cancelled) since I was already given the redemption number?
If offer ends on 10/4/17, does that mean that I can apply tomorrow? or is today the VERY last day. Sorry for getting technical.
The only reason it matters is I am trying to wait until 1/1/18 to make 3000 in spend. If I do that, its 3k less than my MS goal of 40k for diamond.
It might be possible to apply tomorrow, but why risk it?
applied with EX frozen. Went pending, upon calling they just wanted to verify if myself or family were military (am not). Approved and expedited, no HP.
If I sign up for the Amex Surpass offer through a referral link from a friend who already is an Amex Surpass member, will he get his bonus and will I get the 100 and free nite offer?
I’m not aware of referral links with free night, only the 100k points.
I currently have an upgrade offer on my regular Am X Hilton but also have never had the Surpass before. If I get the Surpass with the 100K + free nt offer, will that disqualify the upgrade offer on my regular Hilton?
I have a Hilton AmEx Surpass card as an authorized user. Do I get the bonus and free nite if I apply for my own Card?
definite yes.
If you upgrade, does Chase see this as a new card? Don’t want to waste a 5/24 slot. I know it’s an
upgrade and not a new card so I wasn’t sure.
it’s an upgrade; not a new card. you keep the same old CC # even, and can begin charging it immediately.