Doctor of Credit (DOC) has shared new links for the American Express Hilton Honors and Hilton Honors Surpass credit cards that don’t have Amex’s standard “once in a lifetime” language. Because of this, they should be obtainable for folks who have had the cards before or who have them now.
The points totals are identical to the current best public offers.
Key Card Details
For more card information and to find an application link, see our dedicated card pages by clicking the names of the cards below.
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: This card isn't particularly rewarding, but it's good to keep primarily for targeted Amex upgrade offers to the Surpass card. No Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 7X Hilton eligible Hilton purchases ✦ 5X US restaurants, US Supermarkets, and US gas stations ✦ 3X on all other eligible purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Gold elite status with $20K calendar year spend Noteworthy perks: ✦ Free Silver status; Gold status with $20K spend. ✦ Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Easy way to secure Hilton Gold status (which offers free breakfast among other perks). Those who want Diamond status may be better off with the Aspire card. $150 Annual Fee Earning rate: ✦ 12X Hilton spend ✦ 6X U.S. restaurants, US Supermarkets, and US gas stations ✦ 4X U.S. Online Retail Purchases ✦ 3X on all other eligible purchases Base: 3X (1.44%) Dine: 6X (2.88%) Gas: 6X (2.88%) Grocery: 6X (2.88%) Shop: 4X (1.92%) Brand: 12X (5.76%) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: ✦ Free night award after $15K spend in calendar year ✦ Diamond elite status with $40K calendar year spend ✦ Terms apply Noteworthy perks: Free Gold status. Diamond status w/ $40K spend. ✦ Up to $200 in Hilton credits ($50 per quarter) ✦ Terms Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Links to the Offers
American Express Hilton Honors Card (DOC link)
American Express Hilton Honors Surpass Card (DOC link)
Quick Thoughts
Most Amex welcome bonuses come with the following “lifetime rule” restriction:
Welcome offer not available to applicants who have or have had this Card.
Because of this, if you’ve ever had a given card before, you are usually prohibited from earning a welcome offer for that same card. (although, Amex is known to “forget” that you’ve had a card after about 5-7 years).
The offers on these links have no lifetime language (NLL), so they aren’t bound by this restriction. In addition, although Amex has been expanding “family” language limits to the Platinum, Gold and Delta cards, those terms haven’t migrated to the Hilton cards yet.
If you haven’t had the cards before, it’s worth noting that these offers are available via referral, so if you’re in 2-player mode you can make his offer even better with a household referral. You don’t even need a Hilton card to refer someone, as referrals are possible from Membership Rewards (MR)-earning cards as well (ie, Amex Platinum, Gold, etc). Some folks are finding referral offers as high as 25K MR for referring a new cardholder.
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I’m now getting hit with “Family” rejections. P1 and P2 both with NAF AMEX Hilton cards. “NOT ELIGIBLE” for SUB when applying for Surpass.
Using NLL links?
I was denied for the no AF Hilton Amex card – I have never had any Hilton cards. I only have two AMEX open right now. I have opened 3 (all chase) cards in past year. my credit score is Excellent ( 830+). Said I would not receive the SUB based on credit history blah blah blah….
bummer as I am 5/24 until October.
Did you use NLL links?
it was a referral link – why would NLL link matter as I have never had the card?
@Tim no RAT concerns using these links?
Thanks! I already have the NAF and Aspire. I just got approved for the Surpass. I will close the NAF now. The sign-up bonus FNC + two estimated tax payments will generate another cert + Aspire FNC = a pretty nice 3 night stay.
Cool! I had the surpass and downgraded to the NAF and then canceled it a few weeks ago. Was approved for the NAF card again today with the bonus and free night. Seems to easy?
Just closed a round of Amex cards to make room for this nll hilton surpass/free cards.
Thought: for the surpass card, wouldn’t it be better to apply in June so when I cancel next year, I can double dip the hotel credit for another quarter?
Any NLL offers for the aspire? I had it in 2020 and downgraded it to a NF card in 2021, so doubt I’m eligible again without an NLL offer. I can upgrade my NF Amex Hilton, but I’d rather get a SUB and the FNC
Chat/Ask for an upgrade bonus to Aspire from NF card – you might be surprised
I’ve always seen the lifetime language include the qualifier “may not’, i.e., “You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card…”
I tried to apply for the no fee version using the link above and got a message I’d not get the bonus because I’ve had or current had the card. Both are true; I’ve had the no fee before and currently have the aspire.
*currently have
Does hilton amex still offer upgrade offer from basic to surpass to aspire? Wondering which one to apply. I already have aspire.
Theoretically, but I haven’t heard of big, targeted upgrades for some time. Even so, if it were me, I’d do the Surpass, especially with the new Hilton credits. I think the additional 70k points makes the fee worth it. You can always downgrade/cancel after the first year if you don’t get an upgrade or retention offer.
Tried to apply for the vanilla Hilton, no pop-up appeared, so I’m going to take that as an indication I’ve been paroled. lol I already had the vanilla Hilton in 2021, and currently have had the Surpass for almost 2 years.
Congrats on the early parole! 🙂
NLL offers seems to bypass pop-up jail so you may not be totally out of the penitentiary
I tried my luck with the DOC business card link, even though it is not NLL, and got approved. This is my 3rd HH Business card, with my last approval being 4 months ago.
I just replicated this with my P2. She has the same history with the card, 3rd business card, last approved in June of this year.
Were you both under the five Amex card limit when applying? I’m curious if the links bypass that limit.
This was our 3rd and 4th Amex credit card. So I don’t know if they would bypass. Doubtful.
It didn’t for me in January – I had to close a card – glad i got denied – P2 referred me for 20K on top of 130K and FNC ( in Jan no FNC) – also applied last summer for card with FNC no Joy PUJ but was approved for Brilliant in September.
“DOC”?
Doctor of Credit. The first link in the article.
Ahh….Thanks!
too bad the business card not have nll language.
I thought it was risky to use random links…
I currently have the free card, downgraded from the surpass, tried to get another free one for an easy 120k with a referral from my wife’s account. Got the pop up that I am not eligible for the welcome bonus since I currently have or have had the card in the past….. how are people getting a second?
Check out the post, esp the info about lifetime language. Some offers don’t have it (like the ones listed here) and then it’s possible to get a second card. Amex still may not approve it, of course, but it’s possible.
Guess I should actually read the post, just tried the doc links and got approved for another free one.
Great! Glad it worked for you!
Side note I will say that I didn’t log into my online account while applying this time…. Not sure if that had anything to do with it.