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Card overview
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card could be the best hotel credit card for any Hilton enthusiast. To start, you can easily earn points with high rates in a variety of bonus categories, plus solid non-bonus category earnings. When you stay at any hotel in the Hilton portfolio, you'll enjoy the perks of Gold status, which gives you perks like bonus points, room upgrades, and daily dining credits. You also get Emerald Club Executive Status with National Car Rental, which provides you with guaranteed car upgrades.
Other perks include a $50 statement credit on Hilton stays each quarter, up to $200 per year, quickly surpassing the $150 annual fee. If you're a heavy spender, you can get a free night reward after spending $15,000 on your card in a calendar year and Diamond status after spending $40,000.
No card is perfect, but this one comes close for Hilton loyalists who want a path to higher elite status, Hilton perks, and a way to earn a ton of points on everyday spending. Read on for our full Hilton Honors Surpass Card review.
Robust Welcome Offer
Current Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards Rate
12X points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts; 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3X points on all other eligible purchases
Card basics
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Welcome bonus | Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months |
| Reward rate | 12X points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts; 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3X points on all other eligible purchases |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Packs a punch with rewards
The earning potential on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is unmatched at this price point. You'll earn 12X points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts; 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3X points on all other eligible purchases.
These bonus categories are where most people concentrate most of their spending each year, so you have the opportunity to earn a significant number of points on your everyday purchases. Right now, you can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months.
You can use your points for free nights, experiences, Lyft rides, shopping, rental cars, or transfer to airline partners. The best redemption option by far for your Hilton Honors points is hotel stays at Hilton properties. The Hilton Honors program allows you to transfer your points to a friend or family member or to pool them with up to 10 other members at a time. There's no charge to transfer or pool points, making it easier than ever to plan a big trip with loved ones.
Hilton has 24 brands and more than 7,600 locations around the world. You can use the points you earn at the following brands:
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Potential earnings in years one and two
Here's a look at how your points can add up with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. To calculate these values, we used a point valuation of 0.6 cents per point, based on the typical redemption values achieved by those in the points-and-miles community.
Remember, this is an estimation. The actual value will be determined by how much you spend and in which categories you spend.
Year one earnings: $2,103
Year two earnings: $1,638
These values are based on the FinanceBuzz Credit Card Rewards Valuation Model which takes a look at points earned via spending, the welcome bonus, and the annual fee. For this particular card, the assumption is that the "travel" spending did not include any purchases within the Hilton portfolio. Of course, with this card, you are likely to book Hilton stays. So your earnings in your first year and second year would potentially be much higher than what is projected here.
In addition to the value determined above, if you take advantage of the complimentary Priority Pass access and Gold status with the Hilton Honors loyalty program, you will get even more value out of this card.
Perks and benefits
- Complimentary Gold status: Receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which includes benefits like an 80% bonus on all earned Hilton Honors base points, room upgrades when space is available, and free breakfast at all hotels. In addition, if you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status.
- Hilton statement credit: Up to $200 Hilton Credit annually (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton).
- Free Night Reward: You can earn a Free Night's Reward after spending a minimum of $15,000 on your card within a calendar year.
- National Car Rental Status: You can receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status—enrollment required.
- Path to Diamond Elite status: After spending $40,000 on your card within a calendar year, you'll get Diamond Elite status through the following calendar year.
- Purchase and travel protections: Cardholders receive various travel protections like car rental loss and damage insurance1 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p> (which provides secondary coverage), a baggage insurance plan2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p> , purchase protection3 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.</li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p> and extended warranty4 <p>When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p> .
Other cards to consider
If you're unsure whether the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is the right card for you, you'll find other credit card offers on the market that provide similar hotel rewards and benefits.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
If you're looking to earn rewards for Hilton stays but don't travel as often and would prefer not to pay an annual fee, then the Hilton Honors American Express Card could be a better fit for you. This card offers points toward the same spending categories as the Hilton Surpass (but does not include online retail purchases as a bonus category) but at a slightly lower rate. You'll still get a healthy welcome bonus, though. Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.
American Express® Green Card
If you're not completely loyal to the Hilton brand, you may want to consider the American Express® Green Card, which lists Hilton Honors as a transfer partner, among several other hotels and airlines. For the same $150 annual fee, you'll earn Up to 3X points per dollar. You'll get an annual $189 CLEAR Plus credit as a main cardholder benefit. Although it doesn't come with hotel-specific perks, it does give you more flexibility with how you use your rewards.
Who should get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card is perfect for Hilton loyalists who stay at a hotel in the portfolio at least once a quarter. To take full advantage of the Hilton statement credit, you have to stay once per quarter, so you should travel regularly enough to avoid leaving money on the table.
The earning potential, Gold status, and the possibility of a free night award make it an extremely attractive option for anyone who loves the Hilton brand. The value proposition is fantastic for frequent hotel guests. If you don't want to be tied to one hotel brand, you can use a general travel rewards card that earns a transferable point currency. You can transfer American Express membership rewards to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, making cards like the Amex Green, Gold, or Platinum viable options.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card FAQ
What are Hilton Honors points worth?
The value of Hilton Honors points is about 0.6 cents per point, depending on how you redeem them. The value per point might differ when redeeming points toward merchandise, shopping, or transferring Hilton Honors points to another airline loyalty program.
How many Hilton points do you need to earn a free night?
The points you need may differ depending on your hotel, room tier, and booking details, but award redemptions start at 5,000 points. And with the complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, your fifth night is free when you book Standard Reward Stays of at least five consecutive nights.
Is the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass worth the annual fee?
The Hilton Honors Surpass card is easily worth the moderate $150 annual fee because of the Hilton Honors Gold status and the up to $200 Hilton statement credits each year (up to $50 each quarter). To justify holding the card, you should stay at a Hilton property at least once a quarter.
What are some lesser-known benefits offered by the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card?
Outside of the key features listed above, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers helpful travel benefits, like no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance (secondary coverage), and a 24/7 Global Assist Hotline if you encounter emergencies on your trip.
It also provides valuable shopping protections, like additional warranty coverage on eligible purchases and purchase protection for theft or damage.
Which Hilton card is best?
There isn't one "best" Hilton card. The best option for you will depend on several factors, like your spending habits and your travel and financial goals. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card is a solid option for Hilton loyalists, offering great benefits at an affordable price.
Robust Welcome Offer
Current Offer
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months
Annual Fee
$150
Rewards Rate
12X points on eligible purchases at participating Hilton hotels or resorts; 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations; 4X points on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3X points on all other eligible purchases
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