*Please note that while we may promote certain credit card products through affiliate links on our YouTube and social media channels, currently, no credit card affiliate links are present on this website. If you click on a link and make a purchase on our YouTube videos or social media channels, we may receive a commission, as clearly disclosed in the video description.
*This article is updated regularly. While we try to maintain and update content on a consistent basis, offers with credit card issuers change often. Perks, benefits, fees, and offers for credit cards may vary from the content included in this post. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Card Score: ✅✅✅ 3.35/5
*The credit card score is based on the sole opinion of Credit Mileage without input or influence from the card issuer.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is an attractive option for frequent Hilton guests looking to maximize their hotel stays with rich rewards and exclusive perks. This mid-tier card offers an impressive suite of benefits, including Hilton Honors Gold Status, complimentary access to Priority Pass™ lounges, and the potential to earn a significant amount of points through everyday purchases and Hilton-related spending. But is this the right card for you?
In this in-depth review, we’ll break down the features, benefits, fees, and potential drawbacks of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® to help you decide.
Before diving into the pros and cons of this card, let’s examine some of the card’s core features:
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card shines when it comes to earning points on Hilton hotel stays. Cardholders earn an impressive 12x points per dollar at Hilton properties. For frequent travelers who stay at Hilton hotels often, this rewards structure can result in significant earnings over time. For instance, a $1,000 stay at a Hilton resort could earn you 12,000 Hilton Honors points, which can be redeemed for future stays, room upgrades, or other travel perks.
In addition to Hilton stays, the card offers 6x points on key everyday spending categories: U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. This makes it an appealing option for those who want to accumulate points outside of travel-related purchases.
All other purchases earn 3x points per dollar, which is competitive but not exceptional when compared to flat-rate rewards cards. However, for those focused on Hilton-specific rewards, the ability to rack up points quickly is the card’s most compelling feature.
One of the standout benefits of this card is automatic Gold Status. Hilton Honors Gold Status is highly valuable, offering a range of perks that can significantly enhance your Hilton stays:
These perks make it easy for Hilton loyalists to get more value from their stays, especially if they frequent Hilton properties multiple times a year.
For those aiming for even greater rewards, spending $40,000 in a calendar year with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass upgrades your membership to Diamond Status. This top-tier status comes with even more exclusive benefits, including guaranteed room upgrades and executive lounge access.
Another valuable perk of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is 10 complimentary Priority Pass™ visits per year. Priority Pass provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, offering amenities like free food and beverages, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating. While the Surpass doesn’t provide unlimited lounge access, these 10 visits can be a great bonus for travelers who enjoy the VIP experience but don’t need lounge access on every trip.
As of 2024, new cardholders can earn a substantial welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. This bonus can be redeemed for multiple free nights at Hilton properties, depending on the location and time of booking.
For example, many Hilton properties in popular destinations offer standard rooms for 20,000 to 50,000 points per night, meaning the welcome bonus alone could cover several nights at a mid-range hotel or one or two nights at a luxury resort. This makes the sign-up bonus highly valuable for new cardholders looking to maximize their points from the get-go.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card comes with a $150 annual fee, which is quite reasonable considering the robust rewards and benefits it offers. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties abroad.
While this card is best suited for people who can pay off their balance each month to avoid interest charges, it does offer an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. You’ll want to check the specific APR rates at the time of application, as these can vary based on your creditworthiness.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the premium offering in the Hilton portfolio, offering Hilton Honors Diamond Status, unlimited Priority Pass™ lounge access, and annual free weekend nights. However, the Aspire comes with a hefty $550 annual fee, making it more suitable for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of these perks. In contrast, the Surpass offers a more affordable entry point into the Hilton Honors program while still providing strong rewards.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase offers 6x points on Marriott hotel stays and 2x points on all other purchases. Marriott has a broader network of properties, which may appeal to travelers who aren’t loyal to Hilton. However, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass offers higher rewards for Hilton loyalists, especially with the 12x points on Hilton stays and 6x points on select everyday categories.
Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card here.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a versatile travel rewards card offering 2x points on travel and dining and the ability to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners. While it offers more flexibility than the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass, Hilton loyalists will find greater value in the Surpass due to the high earning rates on Hilton stays and the exclusive Hilton perks.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is a fantastic option for Hilton loyalists who want to maximize their rewards and enjoy exclusive benefits like Hilton Honors Gold Status and Priority Pass™ lounge access. With 12x points on Hilton stays and 6x points on U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, the Surpass makes it easy to accumulate points quickly for future stays. Additionally, the generous welcome bonus and reasonable $150 annual feemake this card a competitive choice for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties.
While it may not be ideal for travelers who prefer a more flexible rewards program or those who want unlimited lounge access, the Surpass is a solid travel rewards card with significant value for its target audience.
The Bottom Line: If you’re a frequent Hilton guest or someone looking to earn free hotel stays with ease, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers high earning potential, exclusive perks, and valuable travel benefits at a reasonable cost. It’s a smart choice for travelers who want to maximize their Hilton Honors points while enjoying a range of additional cardholder perks.
Affiliate and Relationship Disclosure: Credit Mileage may receive compensation from affiliate links included in this post at no extra cost to you. This helps support our mission of providing quality financial education and resources. Additionally, Credit Mileage has a direct business relationship with eCreditAdvisor, which may be mentioned or linked in our content. Our opinions and recommendations remain our own, and we only promote products or services that we believe offer value to our readers. We currently do not have any credit card affiliate links on our website.
Editorial note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card company, airline, or hotel chain. None of these organizations have reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content in any way.
Legal and Financial Advice Disclosure: Credit Mileage is not a law firm, and this article is not intended to provide legal or financial advice. This information is meant purely for educational purposes. We strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, but it is not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making any decisions regarding your financial situation.
Share this post:
The Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card offers a straightforward approach to earning travel rewards with unlimited 1.5 points per dollar and no annual fee. Ideal for budget-conscious travelers, this card provides value through flexible redemption and zero foreign transaction fees.
The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card is designed for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties. With a strong rewards program, automatic Silver Elite status, and solid perks like free anniversary nights, this card is a must-have for Marriott fans. But how does it compare to other travel cards?
Advertising Disclosure
At Credit Mileage, we believe smart credit management is one of the key cornerstones for sound personal finance. Using credit from an educated point of view so that you don’t accumulate debt while swiping to maximize and best utilize the points and rewards programs that different credit cards offer is at the heart of what Credit Mileage aims to educate consumers about.
That’s why we offer a wide array of educational and editorial content and credit card reviews so that you can choose the best card to achieve your goals, depending on which type of points/rewards programs you like.
When you apply for a credit card through our site and are approved, we may receive compensation from our partners, which can influence how and where certain products are featured.
Although we don’t include every credit card on the market, we thoroughly research and evaluate each card we feature. The content we produce is created without any input or oversight from credit card issuers, banks, or partners. For more details, please review our advertising policy and credit card evaluation framework.
