Contents
The Offer
Consumer Cards | Business version
- American Express is offering increased sign up bonuses on three of the Hilton credit cards. The offers are as follows:
- Hilton Honors no fee card: Get 100,000 Hilton Honors points plus up to $100 in Hilton statement credits after $1,000 spend in 3 months.
- Hilton Honors Surpass with $95 annual fee: Get 130,000 Hilton Honors points plus up to $130 in Hilton statement credits after $2,000 spend in 3 months.
- Hilton Honors Business with $95 annual fee: Get 130,000 Hilton Honors points plus up to $130 in Hilton statement credits after $2,000 spend in 3 months.
Our Verdict
Previously the best deals have been 150k points on the no fee card, 200k for the surpass and 180k for the business card. We also saw better statement credit offers in the past and an option with a free night. Basically we have seen better offers in the past and we won’t add this to our list of the best credit card bonuses.
Years ago I played the hilton amex upgrade/downgrade twice so I am a little surprised to see the following banner after logging in for me and P2:
Good news, XXXX– you can earn 12X points for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Plus, you can earn 6X points at U.S. restaurants. Terms apply. “Learn More”
that “Learn More” link goes to an “Apply Now” page for 130K point for 2k spend but that page does not seem to have me logged in (even after attempting a 2nd time to log-in) and the term seem to indicate I will not get the card
terms
Welcome Offer not available to applicants who have or have had the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card or the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card. American Express may also consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.
Why would I have that banner? Are they just trying get me or…?
Got this same card 2 years ago. Would I be able to have a 2nd and get the bonus as well…
130,000 Hilton points is worth what? 4 hours at a Tru? The point redemptions are so incredibly overpriced right now, that this really shouldn’t lure anyone in.
They were Great for me FOUR years ago !!
Has the Hilton Biz ever had an NLL offer?
Referrals are showing this offer too, so there’s an opportunity for a P2 to net 20k in addition to these offers. Expires July 7.
I have a big Hilton purchase coming up but think I’ll take the gamble to see if the offers improves after the expiration.
Any successful data point on “How to get out of ‘Amex Jelly’?”?
Okay I just did a ton of googling on this last month because I’m due for a Hilton card soon, and here’s a consolidation of what I found in FT/Reddit conversations over the last two years:
There is still no solid tried-and-true method around what gets you out or puts you in Amex popup jail. All of the explanations are very vague, but the most common success stories revolve around the amount of spend you put on your cards. It is often recommended to put ‘a lot’ of spend on your other Amex cards, thought there’s no indication what ‘a lot’ is exactly. Nobody knows how Amex’s algorithm works and the data points are scattered as far as timelines, but many people have gotten out by using their cards for all of their spend over some period of time, usually at least four figures of spend per month but more if possible. Some reported as soon as 3 weeks, other 3-6 months before the pop up disappeared. Not everybody was successful, but many were.
Others also claim the amount of cards you apply for also likely have some impact if you’re a heavy hitter, and how many AFs you actually paid (aka are you a ‘profitable’ customer). Some also believe constantly applying to see if you’re still in jail may ‘reset’ the timer, so they recommend you apply less and only put in apps when you think our Amex overlords may deem you as a ‘good’ customer. Also if you’re lucky enough to receive a mailer with an app code and a good offer, those DO bypass mail jail – which I can confirm from my own personal experience in Amex Plat jail did work for me.
Thank you very much, Drew!
Drew R
I used to get pop ups. Then I tried incognito where it goes pending, called Amex, got approved. And they say ‘Thanks for applying. ….’ No hard enquires.
Not sure if it will works for others.
Of course my wife applied for and was approved for the Hilton Business card three days ago. Just chatted with Amex. Here’s the chat:
I applied for and was approved for the American Express Hilton Honors Business card three days ago. The sign-up bonus was 130,000 bonus points after $3,000 spend in the first three months. I now see you have an improved offer of the same number of points after $2,000 spend and also earn up to $130 in Statement Credits on eligible purchases made on the Card at any of the Hilton family hotels in the first 12 months of Card Membership. Can you upgrade me to that offer?
And their reply:
I sincerely apologize but once the card is applied through a particular offer, the offers can not be changed
of course
That’s Amex.
Amex does not match offers. We have seen higher offers than 130k for amex hilton business in the past, so your fault for not waiting for elevated offers to return.
You are right. Didn’t do my homework.
Calling in will often result in their crediting the account with a “customer appreciation” type thing that may or may not result in the same amount, but they cannot and will not change SUBs.
Not only amex, other banks even worst.