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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Review
Our review explores the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, a traveler's favorite for its generous introductory bonus, rewarding annual perks, and versatile points system suited for daily and travel expenses.
Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30. Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Rae Osborn
Content Editor
Dr. Rae Osborn is a MoneyGeek content editor with over seven years of editing experience and over 20 years of experience in publishing and writing science content. She also works as a science researcher, writer and editor and a professional reviewer for Science Reviews and Advances in Entomology.
Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30. Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Rae Osborn
Content Editor
Dr. Rae Osborn is a MoneyGeek content editor with over seven years of editing experience and over 20 years of experience in publishing and writing science content. She also works as a science researcher, writer and editor and a professional reviewer for Science Reviews and Advances in Entomology.
Updated: September 11, 2024
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Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
- PROS
- Generous welcome bonus
- Purchases from Hilton get bonus points
- Complimentary Hilton upgrades
- No foreign transaction fees See Rates & Fees
CONS- With annual fee
- Benefits mostly Hilton-centric
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
- Receive up to $200 back annually on eligible Hilton purchases.
- Earn 12X Points on Hilton purchases, 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.
- Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status.
- Achieve Hilton Honors Diamond Status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year.
- Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
- No foreign transaction fees. See Rates & Fees
- $150 annual fee. See Rates & Fees
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an ideal travel companion, especially for Hilton enthusiasts. It elevates your hotel stays with complimentary upgrades through its Gold Status, while a robust points system rewards U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas purchases. This card is a boon for international travelers, thanks to the fact that there are no foreign transaction fees. While it carries an annual fee, its benefits offer substantial value, including free night rewards and the potential for higher loyalty status. It's an excellent option for those seeking luxury and convenience in their domestic and abroad travel experiences.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Overview
When choosing a credit card, it is crucial to carefully evaluate its features, as they can significantly impact your financial health and align differently with various consumer needs and spending habits.
- Rewards rate - Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases at Hilton hotels or resorts, 6X Points at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations purchases in the U.S., 4X Points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X Points for all other eligible purchases
- Welcome offer - Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
- Regular APR - 20.99%-29.99% Variable See rates and fees
- Annual fee - $150 See rates and fees
- Foreign transaction fee - None See rates and fees
- Intro APR offer - None
- Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
Important Card Details
In evaluating the features of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, it's essential to consider the immediate and long-term benefits it offers users. From substantial introductory bonuses to ongoing rewards that integrate seamlessly with everyday spending, this card presents a multifaceted value proposition that demands a nuanced understanding of its potential impact on a consumer's financial and travel experiences.
Fees
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $150 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees)While this might seem like an upfront cost to some, weighing it against the extensive benefits the card offers is essential. In the world of premium credit cards, fees are common, but rewards, perks and bonuses often offset them. In this card's case, just the Hilton purchase rebate and bonus points can easily justify this fee, especially for frequent travelers.
Rewards
This card truly shines in its reward system. The generous welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first six months. But, the ongoing rewards are equally impressive: 12X points for Hilton-related purchases, 6X points at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, 4X for U.S. online shopping, and 3X for other eligible buys. This tiered structure ensures that you're racking up substantial points, whether you're filling up your car or booking a Hilton room. Terms Apply.
Hilton Benefits
For Hilton enthusiasts, this card is a golden ticket. Not only do you get boosted points for Hilton spends, but also complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status. This means room upgrades, bonus points and premium Wi-Fi during stays. For those committing more, spending $40,000 in a calendar year propels you to the Diamond Status, Hilton's pinnacle of loyalty perks. The annual $200 rebate on Hilton purchases and a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 add considerable value.
Other Perks
Beyond Hilton, there's a realm of other enticing benefits. For road warriors, the National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status can enhance rental experiences. And, let's not forget the absence of foreign transaction fees, making it a great travel companion abroad. Indeed, it's a comprehensive travel card that looks after everything from your hotel stay to your drive and international purchases.
Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. For more details, please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
How the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Compares
In this side-by-side comparison, we'll delve into the distinct features and benefits of two popular credit cards, offering insights to help you determine which aligns best with your financial goals and lifestyle preferences.
How This Card Compares
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Rewards rate - Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for eligible purchases at Hilton hotels or resorts, 6X Points at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations purchases in the U.S., 4X Points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3X Points for all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome offer - Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 in the first six months.
- Regular APR - 20.99%-29.99% Variable See rates and fees
- Annual fee - $150 See rates and fees
- Foreign transaction fee - None See rates and fees
- Intro APR offer - None
- Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
- Best for: for frequent travelers and Hilton loyalists, this card offers lucrative rewards on everyday spending and hotel stays, balanced with a significant welcome offer and no foreign transaction fees, set against a moderate annual fee and variable APR.
Hilton Honors American Express Card
- Rewards rate - Earn 7 points per dollar on eligible Hilton hotel stays, 5 points per dollar on U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarket,s and U.S. gas stations purchases and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases
- Welcome offer - Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.
- Regular APR - 20.99%-29.99% Variable See rates and fees
- Annual fee - $0 See rates and fees
- Foreign transaction fee - None See rates and fees
- Intro APR offer - None See rates and fees
- Terms Apply
- See rates and fees
- Best for: Budget-savvy travelers and everyday spenders who favor Hilton stays and seek rewards on restaurants, supermarkets, and gas in the U.S., appreciating a substantial welcome offer, zero annual fees, and varied APR.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, please click here.
About Grace Pilling
Grace Pilling was the Senior Content Manager for Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. She previously led personal finance teams at Bankrate, CreditCards.com and MoneyUnder30.
Pilling has a bachelor's degree in English from Western Sydney University and a diploma in book editing, proofreading and publishing. She is focused on empowering readers to make informed financial choices that support their best lives, not a company’s bottom line.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.