What is the Hilton Ascend welcome bonus?
The Hilton Surpass welcome bonus is 130,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus an additional 50,000 points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months of being approved for an account. Cardholders receive their bonus points within 6 to 8 weeks of meeting the initial spending requirement. The Hilton Surpass Card's bonus is worth a total of up to $1,062 when redeemed for Hilton reservations.
This Hilton Surpass bonus is not available to current or former Ascend or Hilton Surpass cardholders. It's also important to note that a welcome bonus for this many points does come at a cost. The Surpass card has a $95 annual fee. But the welcome bonus basically has that covered for nearly 10 years. This isn't the easiest card to get, either. It requires excellent credit.
Here are the Hilton Surpass welcome bonus details:
- Initial bonus: Earn 130,000 points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months plus an additional 50,000 points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
- Eligibility: The bonus offer is open only to new applicants who've never had the Hilton Ascend or Hilton Surpass credit cards.
- When bonus points post: 6 to 8 weeks after the spending requirement has been met.
- Redemption options: Points are redeemable toward Hilton reservations, travel purchases such as airfare or car rentals, shopping and dining purchases, charitable causes and more.
- Point value: Slightly 0.59 cents each. You'll get the most value if you redeem points for free nights at Hilton properties. Points cannot be redeemed for cash or statement credits.
- Expiration: Unredeemed rewards expire after 18 months of account inactivity (i.e. no making purchases or redeeming points).
- Payments that don't count toward earning the bonus: Fees, interest, balance transfers, prepaid cards, gift cards, or other cash equivalents like lottery tickets.
The Hilton Surpass bonus is just one of the card's attractive features. It also offers 12 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties; 6 points per $1 at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants; and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Spending a lot can also get you extra perks. There's a free weekend night for spending $15,000 every year. And if you spend $40,000 in 12 months, you get Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year. That gives you things like complimentary breakfast, late check-out, and room upgrades.
