This is no longer possible.
As we know American Express will be the sole issuer of Hilton cards from the start of 2018 onwards. It’s not official what will happen to current Citi cardholders but it’s been widely speculated/rumored that American Express will be purchasing the portfolio from Citi, as I said that isn’t official yet and it’s also not clear how that would happen in reality.
Reader Andrew sent us a note stating that he received a call from a Citi product manager today, he had previously requested his Citi Hilton card be product changed into a Citi Dividend. For whatever reason this request was never processed properly and the product manager wanted to confirm if Andrew still wanted to process the product change. What’s interesting is that he was told that he could think about it but they needed to know by tomorrow at the absolute latest. It’s possible this is because Citi needs to “lock in” the Hilton portfolio before the sale to American Express.
Obviously this is all speculation but if you’re interested in product changing your Citi Hilton card into something else then I’d suggest now is the time to do so. You can read about the best options and rules here. Just keep in mind that some representatives state that you can’t product change between different brands but this is not actually the case. Also keep in mind the Citi 24 month rule and the fact we aren’t too sure how product changes affects this (more information also here).
I have had both a NAF Citi Hilton and NAF AMEX Hilton for 10+ years. Called tonight to convert my Citi Hilton to a Citi Dividend. The first rep said I could not product swap and my Citi Hilton account would be converted to an AMEX Hilton card. Called again. The second rep said that I would be able to convert to a Citi Dividend, but I would have to wait until I receive my new Citi Hilton card in the mail (my current card expires 11/17). The rep, Andrew, said he would make a note on my account so that when I call back after receiving my new card in the mail the new rep will have all the information. We shall see, we shall see. I’ll hang tight to get the new card in the mail before calling a third time.
I have the no annual fee version. I got the impression after a second call that only the one with the fee was moving to American Express
Everyone who is getting different answers from CSR’s, please state which Citi Hilton card version do you have. There is one with an annual fee and one without.
Could that be the difference?
Just got off the phone with a rep myself before checking this thread. Rep seemed intelligent about the situation. She indicated that my card (NAF version) was one that was going to be held back though she didn’t know why. My best presumption having worked in lending capacities for the last 17 years (and perhaps somewhat common sense in this case) is that this card, when transferred, would be converted to a NAF Amex Hilton, and the Reserve would convert to the Surpass. However, if you already have the card that you’d be converted into on the Amex side, then your account will likely remain with Citi.
The rep attempted to convert me to a Diamond Preferred card and indicated that if I held that for a period of time (presumably a year) then I could product change again to whatever I wanted. Then the system didn’t let her actually complete the conversion. However, she did go through all of the legal spiel as she got nearly to the end of the conversion before it stopped her. In that message, she mentioned a cutoff date of 11/24 for a response to them if I changed my mind about converting.
I’m going to presume that once we get past the 11/24 cutoff date that they were providing in their legal language, those of us who remained with Citi could product change at that time if we chose, OR we could just retain the Citi Hilton card in perpetuity (or at least until they decided to product convert and shut everyone off).
The 11/24 date likely doesn’t mean much. It’s standard on Citi conversions that you have until so and so date to change your mind about converting since it’s a slow process.
Just tried to do a credit limit reallocation from the Citi Hilton card and was told that wasn’t possible because 1) it’s a Visa and 2) they can’t make any changes to it due to the loss of that portfolio. The second one didn’t surprise me but…can Visa not make any credit limit reallocations, or just not to a MasterCard (was trying to move it to the Prestige)?
I closed my Citi reserve yesterday(10/5) and was able to move credit limit to my Citi prestige.
I would think that AMEX would backdate to the opened date of the Citi Hilton cards later on if it’s a direct transfer similar to what happened to the Fidelity (FIA, BoA) AMEX -> Fidelity Elan (US Bank VISA). I just checked my credit report and US Bank definitely backdated the Fidelity card. I closed the AMEX Hilton card a while ago for the SPG Biz card, so in my case looks like I will see what happens and not try to PC…
Spoke with rep a short while ago. Explained the inconsistent stories surrounding product change. She also confirmed inability to product change. Indicated that some accounts might be try to be retained by Citi but believed the whole book was going to Amex. Without ability to PC, I’ll likely have to close to avoid new card activity (i.e. Chase 5/24). Had this card opened since Oct 1990 (PC into the Citi HH) so I’ll be losing the benefits of 27 years on my average age of accounts.
Did not get any option to switch to a different citi product. Was told that the account will be transitioned to Amex at the end of the year. Spoke to a manager as well – she expressed her inability to switch at this time.
This may have been addressed before but I’ll ask in case. If Citi Hilton accounts will be transferred to Amex wouldn’t that likely negate the user from being eligible for Amex promotions on any new Hilton card? Wouldn’t it be safer to close out your Citi Hilton cards (or convert them to another Citi card if possible) rather than let them potentially move over to Amex?
Why not then apply for the AMEX card now, before the conversion? The 100k plus anniversary night is one of the highest I’ve seen, and you have until tomorrow to apply.
Already had the Surpass unfortunately. Was assuming, probably wrongly, that Citi cards may convert to a new Hilton product at Amex, but that’s speculation. The “Ascend” Amex Hilton card has been tossed around, https://www.doctorofcredit.com/american-express-hilton-ascend-announcement-october-5th-wild-speculation/
It’s amazing the CSRs don’t have a consistent story. Some are being told the account is being sold to AMEX; others have been told that their card will become a different Citi product. I was even told that the transition wouldn’t be until January 2018.
The Costco card transition was so much smoother than this. At least people knew at the outset what would happen with their cards and their benefits. We don’t even know how the anniversary night will work for those who won’t have had a full year to spend $10k.