In case you missed it, American Express have increased the sign up bonus on both of their Hilton cards:
- American Express Hilton HHonors (No Annual Fee): 75,000 Points After $1,000 Spend [New Highest Bonus]
- American Express Hilton Surpass 100,000 Point Bonus Offer [New Highest Bonus]
If you’re thinking about applying, why not use a Doctor of Credit readers referral link instead? You’ll get the same bonus and they’ll get a referral bonus. For people who have recently applied, it is possible to get matched to the new bonuses (data points: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Technically American Express doesn’t match, they instead give courtesy points. You’re better off doing this sooner rather than later since the representatives seem to have a limited number of points they can give out each month.
Here is what you need to do:
- Don’t message, online representatives do not have the ability to award courtesy points.
- Call and say you’re disappointed that a new higher bonus became available so recently after you applied.
- If you don’t get the full match then escalate. Ask politely to be escalated to a manager and repeat your disappointment in American Express due to the bonus change.
- If they say they’ll put in a request to get the bonus points, decline and hang up and call again. The requests are basically a blackhole and never get honored and removed your ability to try again.
Let me know if you were successful or not in the comments below.
