$150
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
This card is a terrific choice if you stay with Hilton, even occasionally. It balances excellent benefits, including Gold status and 10 airport lounge visits per year, with a modest annual fee. And while it doesn't come with an automatic free night certificate on your account anniversary, you can earn one by spending $15,000 on the card in a year.
Amex Hilton Surpass- Earn 130,000 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.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you're enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
If you're looking for ways to save on your next Hilton hotel stay and don't mind paying an annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is one of the best Hilton credit cards to consider. The card offers high earning rates, travel perks, and a high welcome bonus.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns terrific rewards rates in multiple categories like Hilton hotel bookings, restaurants, gas stations, and more. Plus, it has excellent benefits like Hilton Gold status for a modest $150 annual fee (rates and fees).
Hilton Surpass Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
The Amex Hilton Surpass is offering a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership.
The points alone are worth around $650 in stays, according to Business Insider's valuations. This is enough points to cover a splurge at luxurious Hilton brands like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad — or you can stretch your points for longer stays at budget-friendly favorites like Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is best suited for Hilton loyalists and frequent travelers who spend big on travel bookings and on-the-road expenses like gas and dining. With that, if you're looking to boost your Hilton balance quickly, using this card on everyday expenses is a great way to earn a ton of points.
But if you don't want to be restricted to only earning points at Hilton hotels, you should look for a different travel credit card that earns points without being tied to a specific hotel chain. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening (worth an average of $1,080 in travel based on our valuation of Chase points). You can transfer points to Marriott, IHG, or Hyatt, or redeem them for just about any hotel through the Chase TravelSM Portal at 1.25 cents each.
On the other hand, if you're looking for even more perks and don't mind a higher annual fee, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card can be an even better choice for frequent travelers, because it comes with top-tier Diamond status, airline fee and Hilton resort credits. Or, for flexibility, consider a card that earns Amex Membership Rewards points like The Platinum Card® from American Express (which also offers Hilton Gold status when enrolled) or the American Express® Gold Card. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points from these cards to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio, and occasionally there are transfer bonuses.
See our picks for the best credit cards »
Hilton Honors Surpass Card Rewards
Hilton Surpass Card Welcome Bonus Offer
The Hilton Surpass is offering a welcome bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card in your first six months of card membership. The points alone are worth around $650 in stays, according to Business Insider's valuations. This is enough points to cover a splurge at luxurious Hilton brands like Waldorf Astoria and Conrad — or you can stretch your points for longer stays at budget-friendly favorites like Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn.
How to Earn Points With the Hilton Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns the most points at Hilton hotels, but it's also good for earning bonus points in useful everyday spending categories. Terms apply.
Cardholders earn:
- 12 points on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio
- 6 points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- 6 points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
- 6 points on gas at U.S. gas stations
- 4 points on U.S. online retail purchases
- 3 points on all other eligible purchases
Because Business Insider's points and miles valuations peg Hilton points value at 0.5 cents each, on average, this means you'll get a minimum of 1.5% back on spending.
How to Use Points From the Hilton Surpass Card
Again, Business Insider values Hilton points at 0.5 cents apiece — so if you're receiving that rate or better when you redeem your points, you're getting a good deal. Of course, it's possible to get significantly more value from your points, especially when you use them for stays at expensive luxury hotels.
Redeem on Hilton Hotel stays
The Hilton Honors program includes over 7,000 hotels around the world, so it's easy to redeem your points just about anywhere you go.
Typically, the most valuable way to redeem your Hilton points is on award nights, either for a completely free stay or by combining points and cash. It's important to note, Hilton doesn't have a standard award chart; instead, the price of an award night at a particular hotel fluctuates based on demand, cash price, and season.
Standard award nights start at 5,000 Hilton points up to 95,000 points (with a couple of exceptions that go up to 150,000 points), but premium awards — for better rooms, suites, or high-demand dates — can cost much more. Keep in mind the lowest-priced Hilton hotels are usually budget-friendly brands (like Tru by Hilton or Hampton Inn) located off the beaten path; upscale hotels in big cities or luxury resorts will cost more points.
For example, you can book an overwater villa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island for 120,000 points a night instead of paying over $1,300 with cash. Or, you can stretch your points at hotels like the Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Avenue, where low-season rates are as little as 25,000 points per night. Always be sure to compare the cash price to the award rate, because sometimes the paid rate is so low it's better to save your points for a higher-value redemption.
The Gold elite status you automatically receive with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card qualifies you for the fifth night free on award stays of five nights or more. This is another great way to stretch your points if you want to make them last.
Transfer Hilton points to airlines
Hilton Honors partners with over 20 airlines, and you can transfer points at varying ratios depending on the program. This typically won't result in the best value, but if you won't be using points for stays it's an option for other types of travel.
Redeem Hilton points for experiences, events, merchandise, and more
Other options for redeeming Hilton points also won't get you the highest value, but they could be helpful in certain circumstances:
- Hilton experiences — Use points for exclusive events, dining, and tours
- Use Hilton points for event credits — Starting at 25,000 points for up to $50 credit
- Redeem Hilton points at Amazon — A poor value; you'll get just 0.2 cents per point
- Donate Hilton points to charity — For every 10,000 points you donate, Hilton will send $25 to a charity of your choice
- Use Hilton points toward Lyft rides — Again, not the best value; you'll typically get around 0.2 cents per point
- Pool or transfer Hilton points to a friend — Send up to 2 million points per year to friends or family with no fee, or pool your points with up to 11 people to save for a redemption
Hilton points expire if there's no activity in your account for 24 months. Spending on a Hilton credit card like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an easy way to keep your points from expiring until you're ready to travel.
Hilton Surpass Benefits and Features
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comes with a lot of useful perks that can improve your travel experience and save you money.
Free night award certificate
When you spend $15,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year with your card, you can receive a free night certificate which can be redeemed at almost any Hilton property in existence — even the ones that cost 150,000 points per night. Terms apply.
Automatic Hilton Gold elite status
Cardholders receive Hilton Gold status as long as their card is open and in good standing. Terms apply. Benefits include:
- Free continental breakfast (currently awarded as a food and beverage credit at US properties)
- Room upgrades when available
- Fifth night free on award stays of five nights or more
- 80% points bonus on paid stays
- Free bottled water
- Elite rollover nights
Keep in mind that if you spend $40,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you'll get upgraded to Hilton Diamond elite status through the end of the following calendar year. Hilton Diamond status is even more valuable as it comes with all the benefits of Gold status, plus a 100% points bonus on paid stays, better upgrades, executive lounge access, and premium Wi-Fi.
Car rental loss and damage insurance
When you pay for your car rental with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and decline the collision damage waiver at the rental counter, you can get secondary coverage for damage to or theft of the vehicle. Some countries and vehicle types are excluded, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before you rent and note that liability insurance isn't included. Terms apply.
Baggage insurance plan
If you pay for a covered trip with Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can be covered for baggage loss or damage, up to $500 per person for checked bags, and $1,250 per person for carry-on luggage. Terms apply.
There are exclusions for high-risk items and some states have different limits, so check the terms and conditions for specific details.
Purchase protection
When you pay for an eligible item with Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, purchase protection can cover theft or damage that occurs within 90 days of purchase, up to a maximum of $1,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per account per calendar year. Terms apply.
Extended warranty
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comes with up to one additional year of extended warranty coverage for eligible new purchases in the U.S. or its territories, on manufacturer's warranties of five years or less. Terms apply.
Global Assist Hotline
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card members can access Amex's Global Assist Hotline when they're traveling 100 or more miles from home. Terms apply.
This service can provide help with issues like translation services, missing luggage, emergency legal and medical referrals, and lost passports, but you'll be responsible for any third-party costs.
$150
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points
Good to Excellent
Pros
Cons
This card is a terrific choice if you stay with Hilton, even occasionally. It balances excellent benefits, including Gold status and 10 airport lounge visits per year, with a modest annual fee. And while it doesn't come with an automatic free night certificate on your account anniversary, you can earn one by spending $15,000 on the card in a year.
Amex Hilton Surpass- Earn 130,000 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.
- Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That's up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
- Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
- Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
- Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
- Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
- As a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Member, you can enroll to receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status through the link on your American Express online account. After you're enrolled, you can reserve a rental car by calling National Car Rental directly, using your travel service, or by booking online or through the National Car Rental mobile app. Terms apply.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $150 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Amex Hilton Surpass Annual Fee and Other Costs
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $150 annual fee, but it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, so it's a good choice for international purchases (rates and fees). You'll want to avoid carrying a balance on the card, because if you do, a 20.24% - 29.24% Variable APR applies (rates and fees).
You'll also pay fees in other situations, including:
- Cash advance fee (rates and fees)
- Late payment fee (rates and fees)
- Returned payment fee (rates and fees)
Hilton Honors Surpass Card Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Hilton Honors Surpass card worth it?
Even if you only stay with Hilton occasionally, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is worth it for the perks it offers. In the first year, the welcome bonus offer alone is worth many times more than the fee, and benefits like Hilton Gold status can save you money and make your travels more comfortable.
That said, if you're completely opposed to paying an annual fee, you still have options. The no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card also offers an intro bonus — and although it doesn't come with as many benefits, it's still a good choice for infrequent Hilton travelers.
What credit score do you need for the Hilton Surpass card?
Most people who are approved for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card have a good to excellent credit score, which means a FICO score of at least 670.
If you're still working on your credit, read our guides on improving your credit score and how to build credit with a credit card.
Can you add authorized users to the Hilton Surpass card?
It's free to add authorized users to your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, as long as they're at least 13 years old. Any points earned from their spending will be credited to the primary cardholder's Hilton account and count toward meeting spending thresholds for higher elite status and free night certificates.
Keep in mind you'll be responsible for any purchases made by your authorized users. Authorized users do not receive additional benefits like Hilton Gold status.
Who is eligible for the Amex Hilton Surpass card?
If you already have a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card open, you won't be able to open another one. Amex also has a one bonus, per person, per lifetime rule, so if you've already received the bonus on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card in the past (even when it was previously called the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card), you aren't eligible to receive it again.
However, it is possible to have more than one type of Hilton card open at a time. So, for example, if you already have The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you could still qualify for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Methodology: How we reviewed the Hilton Surpass Card
Our team of experts on Business Insider's credit cards team reviewed the Amex Hilton Surpass in comparison to other co-branded Hilton credit cards and to competing hotel credit cards with similar annual fees from chains like Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Wyndham, and Choice.
We looked at several factors that included:
- Ease of use — Does the card have a straightforward rewards program? Do you have to jump through hoops or memorize complicated award rules to redeem your points?
- Rewards earning — How does the welcome bonus compare to offers on similar cards. Are there generous bonus categories that are useful to a broad range of customers, and are any limited to a maximum amount of spending?
- Fees — Is the annual fee easy to justify by the card's benefits, like elite status or annual free nights? Can you get stung by other charges, like foreign transaction fees or a high APR?
- Benefits — Do the card's benefits make travel easier or cheaper? Are any unique or unusual?
Here's more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider for a closer look at our methodology.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
