Advertiser Disclosure

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Learn More
Rates and Fees

Annual Fee: $150

Bonus Miles
Bonus Points
165,000
Recommended Credit
670 - 850
Current Offer

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/25.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

165,000
Bonus Points
ELEVATED OFFER

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/25.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Summary

The Hilton Honors Surpass card is a compelling option for travelers seeking enhanced rewards and benefits within the Hilton system. With a focus on Hilton properties, this card provides an elevated experience by offering an array of Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible purchases, making it especially appealing for frequent Hilton guests.

Cardholders enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking perks such as room upgrades, free breakfast, and late checkouts. Despite a moderate annual fee, the value derived from the enhanced perks, status benefits, and annual rewards easily offsets the cost for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties. Overall, the Surpass card caters to travelers seeking premium Hilton experiences, making it a powerful tool for unlocking unparalleled hotel stays and rewards within the Hilton network.

Plus, you might be eligible to get an elevated welcome offer on the Surpass card by going through CardMatch, a simple and secure tool. Check it out here!

Earning Rewards

[.redeem] 12x [.redeem] per $1 on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts

[.redeem] 6x [.redeem] per $1 at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), supermarkets, and gas stations

[.redeem] 4x [.redeem] per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases

[.redeem] 3x [.redeem] per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Additional Benefits

  • Free Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
  • Gold Status with Hilton hotels
  • Receive a $100 credit when booking two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees

Foreign Transaction Fee

  • None

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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140,000
Bonus Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
140,000
Bonus Points
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and hotel enthusiasts. With this card, you can earn valuable IHG Rewards points on your everyday purchases and enjoy premium benefits like complimentary hotel nights, automatic elite status, and more, making it the perfect companion for those seeking luxury hotel experiences.
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

85,000
Bonus Points
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
85,000
Bonus Points
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Amex card will gift you automatic Gold Elite status at Marriott properties which can be invaluable for Marriott loyalists. Plus, you'll be given 15 elite night credits to help boost you towards reaching Platinum status with all of its additional, snazzy benefits!
✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

CURRENT OFFER
ELEVATED OFFER

165,000

Bonus Points

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 within your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/25.

✅ Check if you're pre-approved or eligible for elevated offers using the CardMatch Tool

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

REWARDS RATE
3-12x points
ANNUAL FEE
$150
Our Score
85
Annual fee (20%)
6
Welcome Offer (20%)
10
Point Redemption Value (20%)
5
Rewards Rates (15%)
7
Benefits (15%)
9
Travel Protections (10%)
3
Our Mission
Our Methodology

My Take

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a game-changer for those who love Hilton properties. It's been a reliable companion for me, offering solid rewards and benefits that easily justify its small annual fee. If you're looking for a hotel card with excellent perks and rewards, this one should be at the top of your list. Plus, its current welcome offer is enough for multiple free nights at many Hilton hotels. With the Hilton Honors Surpass, you'll enjoy Gold status, which offers room upgrades, free breakfast, and bonus points on stays. The bottom line is — if you’re a frequent hotel stayer, this card will elevate your travel experiences and offer rewards that make every trip worth it.

Comparable Cards

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Annual Fee: $99

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
140,000
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
89

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Annual Fee: $95

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
125,000
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
86

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees
|
Terms Apply
WELCOME OFFER
100,000
Bonus Points
OUR SCORE
84
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

[.pro]Automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors[.pro]

[.pro]$200 annual statement credits for Hilton purchases (up to $50 in statement credits each quarter)[.pro]

[.pro]Free Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year[.pro]

Cons

[.con]Limited redemption options tied to Hilton properties[.con]

Rewards Summary

[.redeem] 12x [.redeem] per $1 on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts

[.redeem] 6x [.redeem] per $1 at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), supermarkets, and gas stations

[.redeem] 4x [.redeem] per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases

[.redeem] 3x [.redeem] per $1 on all other eligible purchases

Additional Benefits

  • Free Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year
  • Gold Status with Hilton hotels
  • Receive a $100 credit when booking two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees

Customer Reviews & Redemptions

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The reviews above are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Customer reviews have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. 

How to make the most of your

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

When it comes to Hilton Honors Bonus Points, the best way to maximize your miles is to redeem them with travel.

[.dontreco]  We don’t recommend: Redeeming points for Amazon purchases [.dontreco] 

While it's possible to use your points for purchases on Amazon, the value per point is quite low. You’ll get much more value by using your points for hotel stays.

[.sometimesreco] We sometimes recommend: Booking through the Hilton Honors website [.sometimesreco]

Booking directly through the Hilton Honors website can offer decent value, especially during sales or promotions. However, you might not always get the highest value per point.

[.alwaysreco] We always recommend: Using points for stays at high-end properties [.alwaysreco]

The best value often comes from redeeming points for stays at high-end Hilton properties, such as Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels. These redemptions can provide significant savings, especially during peak travel times.

Transfer Partners

While the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card does have certain airline and hotel transfer partners, those ratios do not provide the best value for your points...or really any value for that matter.

PROGRAM NAME
TRANSFER RATIO
No items found.

Our Favorite Redemptions

Brendan visited four countries and stayed at four Hiltons for FREE. Check out his deep dive into the Hilton Honors program in this video 👇

Offer History

OFFER DATES
OFFER DETAILS
Current Offer since
Sep 2024
through
Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 1/8/2025.
Current Offer since
Aug 2024
through
Sep 2024
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Current Offer since
Mar 2024
through
Apr 2024
Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Current Offer since
Oct 2023
through
Jan 2024
Earn 170,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Current Offer since
Aug 2021
through
Feb 2023
Earn 130,000 points after spending $2,000 in 3 months and 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in 6 months of Card Membership.

The Best Complementary Cards

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why? The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card pairs really well with the Amex Platinum Card for travelers who frequent Hilton hotels. The Platinum Card offers premium travel perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, and automatic elite status with hotel chains, including Hilton. By combining it with the Surpass Card, you can significantly boost your Hilton Honors points on hotel stays, thanks to the Surpass Card’s bonus points. Plus, the complimentary Gold status from the Surpass Card only adds to your Hilton experience, with room upgrades and other benefits. Together, these cards offer a strong mix of luxury travel perks and rewards, making your stays and travel more rewarding.

American Express® Gold Card

ELEVATED OFFER

Why? The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card pairs perfectly with the American Express Gold Card for anyone who loves earning rewards on dining and travel. The Amex Gold Card is a foodie’s dream, offering standout rewards on dining out and groceries, while the Surpass Card is all about racking up Hilton Honors points, especially when staying at Hilton hotels. When you use the Gold Card for everyday dining and groceries, you can earn Membership Rewards points that can be transferred to Hilton Honors. Then, with the Surpass Card, you boost those points even more with bonuses on Hilton stays and other perks like complimentary Gold status. Together, these cards make it easy to earn rewards on your everyday spending and turn them into super-duper-awesome Hilton stays.

Who Should Get The

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

?

  1. The Hilton Enthusiast

If you find yourself consistently booking stays at Hilton properties such as Hilton, DoubleTree, or Waldorf Astoria, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is perfect for you. With automatic Gold status, you’ll get perks like complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, and late check-out, enhancing your hotel stays. Um, yes please! The card’s generous earning rates allow you to accumulate points quickly, leading to free nights faster than many other hotel cards. Plus, the annual free night after spending $15,000 makes this card a valuable addition to any Hilton loyalist’s wallet.

  1. The Frequent Flyer

For those who travel often, the Hilton Honors Surpass offers excellent benefits. The card provides strong earning rates at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, making it a great choice for everyday spending. Plus, the $100 Hilton on-property credit at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties adds a little extra something-something. If you’re a frequent flyer who enjoys staying at Hilton hotels, this card could be a solid addition to your wallet.

  1. The Twice-a-Year Traveler

This is one of those cards to hold if you’re only rolling up to the airport a few times each year. Why, you ask? You’re working with a pretty small annual fee and pretty huge earnings rates. With the welcome offer alone, you’ll be eligible for at least a few free nights. Plus, you can rack up points pretty quickly on dining and retail purchases. If you prefer to stay at hotels when you travel (particularly Hilton hotels), then this is a great card for those who travel more sporadically.

Who Should Not Get The

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

?

Here’s a good rule of thumb: You probably shouldn’t own a credit card if you: (1) have a bad credit score, (2) are a non-U.S. resident (for this particular card), and (3) cannot control your spending. If your credit score is below 670, you'll need to improve it before applying for travel credit cards, as approval for the best ones, like the Surpass Card, is unlikely. Be honest with yourself: if a new credit card will tempt you to overspend, it's best to avoid it. Credit cards are crucial for earning miles and points, but they require responsible use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Hilton Honors points earned with the Surpass Card for non-hotel rewards?

Yes, Hilton Honors points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards beyond hotel stays, including merchandise, experiences, and even airline miles through Hilton's transfer partners.

Does the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card give you airport lounge access?

No, as of February 2024, the card no longer provides 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year.

How do I get the most out of my Hilton Honors Surpass Card?

To maximize your rewards, use the card for Hilton stays, where you’ll earn the highest points per dollar, and take advantage of your Gold status benefits like free breakfast and room upgrades when available.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the annual fee?

If you stay at Hilton properties frequently, the Hilton Honors Surpass Card can easily justify its annual fee with benefits like Gold status, complimentary lounge visits, and accelerated points earning on Hilton purchases.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Content Specialist

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor 

For American Express products listed in this page, Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

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