Bottom line
Star FUNDSamentally Rating
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
ANNUAL FEE: $150
REWARDS RATES: 3x-12x points
INTRO OFFER: 170,000 points
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE: 690-850
(Good – Excellent)
Pros
- High rewards rate
- Automatic elite status
- Luxury perks
Cons
- Has annual fee
- No free anniversary night
At a glance
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card | |
| Annual Fee | – $150 |
| Sign up bonus | – Earn 170,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. |
| Ongoing rewards | – 3x-12x Points |
| Foreign transaction fee | – None |
| APR | – 20.99% to 29.99% based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. |
| Value of points redeemed | – 0.5 to 1 cent per point |
| Additional benefits | – $200 annual statement credit for eligible Hilton purchases on your card (doled out in $50 statement credits per quarter). Terms apply. – Automatic Gold Status and a path to Diamond Status. Terms apply. – Potential to earn a weekend night reward with spending. Earn a weekend night reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year. Terms apply. – Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Terms apply. |
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: A Must-Have for Hilton Loyalists
Introduction to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a top-tier hotel rewards credit card that offers generous points on Hilton stays, dining, groceries, and travel purchases. With automatic Gold Elite status, complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge access, and a pathway to Hilton Diamond status, this card is a must-have for frequent Hilton travelers.
With a $150 annual fee, the Surpass® Card provides strong rewards and valuable perks that can more than justify its cost—especially if you frequently stay at Hilton properties.
Key Benefits of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
✔ Welcome Offer: Earn 170,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
✔ 12X points at Hilton hotels & resorts
✔ 6X points on dining, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
✔ 3X points on all other purchases
✔ Automatic Hilton Gold Status (with a fast track to Diamond status)
✔ Priority Pass™ airport lounge access (10 free visits per year)
✔ No foreign transaction fees
✔ Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 per year
Hilton Honors Surpass® Card: Rewards & Earning Structure
Welcome Bonus
- Earn 170,000 Hilton Honors Points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Hilton points are worth ~0.5 cents each, meaning this bonus is worth approximately $850 in Hilton stays.
Ongoing Earning Rates
- 12X points per $1 at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
- 3X points on all other purchases
Since Hilton award nights start at as little as 10,000 points, these earning rates can quickly add up to multiple free nights at Hilton properties worldwide.
Maximizing the Hilton Honors Surpass® Card Benefits
1. Automatic Hilton Gold Status (and Upgrade to Diamond)
- Hilton Gold Status perks include:
✔ Room upgrades (when available)
✔ Free daily food & beverage credit or free breakfast
✔ 20% bonus on Hilton Honors points
✔ Late checkout - Spend $40,000 in a calendar year to upgrade to Hilton Diamond Status, which includes executive lounge access, even better upgrades, and premium Wi-Fi.
2. Airport Lounge Access with Priority Pass™
- Get 10 free Priority Pass airport lounge visits per year, giving you access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide.
- A valuable perk for frequent travelers looking for relaxation, free food, and Wi-Fi at the airport.
3. No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Use this card for international Hilton stays and dining abroad without worrying about extra fees.
4. Free Night Reward (Earned with $15,000 Annual Spend)
- Spend $15,000 per year on the card to earn a Free Night Reward, which can be used at luxury Hilton propertiesworldwide.
- Some high-value redemption options include:
✔ Waldorf Astoria Maldives (~95,000 points per night)
✔ Conrad Bora Bora Nui (~89,000 points per night)
✔ Hilton Hawaiian Village (~60,000 points per night)
5. Travel & Purchase Protections
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance – Secondary coverage for rental cars.
- Extended Warranty Protection – Adds 1 extra year to warranties on eligible purchases.
- Purchase Protection – Covers damage or theft on new purchases for up to 90 days.
Hilton Honors Surpass® vs. Other Hotel Credit Cards
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass® | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® | World of Hyatt Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $150 | $95 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 170,000 Hilton Points | 3 Free Nights (up to 150K points) | 60,000 Hyatt Points |
| Best Earning Rate | 12X on Hilton stays | 6X on Marriott stays | 4X on Hyatt stays |
| Elite Status | Gold (Diamond with spend) | Silver (Gold with spend) | Discoverist |
| Free Night Award | After $15K spend | After each card anniversary | After each card anniversary |
| Best For | Hilton travelers | Marriott fans | Hyatt loyalists |
The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card is ideal for Hilton loyalists who want high earning potential and elite status benefits.
Who Should Get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card?
✔ Frequent Hilton travelers who want high rewards and elite status perks
✔ People who spend heavily on dining, groceries, and gas (for 6X points)
✔ Anyone who wants airport lounge access without paying for a premium travel card
✔ **Cardholders looking for a free night reward after $15,000 annual spend
Bottom Line: Is the Hilton Honors Surpass® Worth It?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is one of the best hotel credit cards for travelers who frequent Hilton properties.
✔ The $150 annual fee is easily offset by the Gold status perks, high earning rates, and free night reward.
✔ The 12X points at Hilton hotels & 6X points on dining, groceries, and gas make this card one of the fastest ways to earn free nights.
✔ If you spend $15,000 annually, the Free Night Reward can be worth 5X the annual fee when redeemed at luxury Hilton hotels.
However, if you rarely stay at Hilton hotels, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®might be a better option.
