Hilton Honors American Express Surpass review: Full details

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers strong earnings at Hilton properties and automated Hilton Gold elite standing, which affords many helpful advantages when staying with Hilton. The standing perk alone could make it straightforward to justify the cardboard’s annual price. Card Score*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card rating is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

The Hilton Surpass is a perfect selection for many who keep at Hilton properties typically and need a cobranded bank card with a modest annual price and useful perks.

Advantages of the cardboard’s automated Hilton Gold standing embody complimentary breakfast or day by day meals and beverage credit score, elevated earnings and space-available upgrades when staying at Hilton properties.

We advocate candidates have a credit score of 670 or larger to be eligible for this card.

In the event you’re desirous about including the Hilton Surpass to your wallet, this is what it’s worthwhile to know and may take into account as you determine.

New candidates for the Hilton Surpass can earn 130,000 factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. There is a $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, then an annual price of $150 (see rates and fees). Provide ends August 13.

In keeping with TPG’s June 2025 valuations, this 130,000 factors portion of the bonus is price $650. The $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months can also be a part of this provide.

This is not the best offer in terms of points value we’ve seen within the card’s historical past. Nevertheless, if you happen to worth the $0 introductory annual price for the primary 12 months, now could possibly be a good time to use.

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Having most different Hilton bank cards would not make you ineligible for the welcome bonus, however keep in mind that Amex has a “as soon as per lifetime” rule on card bonuses. Amex additionally has these phrases for the welcome provide:

You is probably not eligible to obtain a welcome provide you probably have or have had this Card, the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card or earlier variations of those Playing cards. You additionally is probably not eligible to obtain a welcome provide primarily based on numerous components, reminiscent of your historical past with bank card stability transfers, your historical past as an American Specific Card Member, the variety of bank cards that you’ve opened and closed and different components.

Fortunately, Amex will inform you earlier than submitting your software if you happen to’re not eligible for the bonus. In the event you get this message, you’ll be able to proceed with out the welcome provide or withdraw your software earlier than Amex performs a hard pull on your credit report.

Associated: A complete guide to Amex’s one-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions

The welcome provide on the Hilton Surpass card is engaging, however the card’s ongoing perks present long-term worth for semi-regular Hilton visitors.

The next are a number of the perks the Hilton Surpass has to supply:

• Hilton Honors Gold standing: Complimentary Gold Elite standing, which incorporates an 80% factors bonus on paid stays, space-available room upgrades, elite rollover nights, a fifth night free while you ebook a stick with factors and a daily breakfast or meals and beverage credit score. Spending $40,000 on the cardboard in a calendar 12 months will earn you top-tier Diamond status by the top of the subsequent calendar 12 months.
• As much as $200 in Hilton assertion credit: Earn as much as $200 again each calendar 12 months on eligible Hilton purchases (as much as $50 in assertion credit every quarter).
• Rental automobile elite standing: Obtain complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after enrollment within the Emerald Membership program

Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.

The Hilton Surpass affords different advantages, too, together with no foreign transaction fees when touring exterior the U.S., Send & Split to divide payments with mates, reminiscent of a gaggle dinner, and secondary rental car insurance**.

** Eligibility and profit stage varies by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.

Associated: 5 reasons to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card

The Hilton Surpass card is a good way to earn Hilton points.

You will earn 12 factors per greenback spent at Hilton Lodges and Resorts — a 6% return on spending, primarily based on TPG’s June 2025 valuations. That is higher than you’d get with many of the best credit cards for booking hotels.

You will additionally earn 6 Hilton factors per greenback spent on eating at U.S. restaurants (together with takeout and supply), U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, providing you with a return of three% on these purchases.

The Hilton Surpass additionally earns 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. on-line retail purchases, which might be maximized when clicking by shopping portals. That is a return of two%.

Lastly, you may get 3 factors per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases — a return of 1.5%.

These returns on non-Hilton spending aren’t spectacular in comparison with general travel rewards cards. However if you wish to enhance your Hilton factors stability, the Hilton Surpass card offers a good return even for purchases exterior the Hilton Honors program.

Associated: Booking direct: How much value does Hilton status provide?

Concerning the Hilton Honors program, your greatest wager is to redeem your Hilton points without spending a dime nights.

Sadly, Hilton would not publish an award chart; as an alternative, it makes use of dynamic pricing, the place the variety of factors wanted for a redemption fluctuates primarily based on components such because the money price of the lodge, holidays and peak journey durations.

One in all my favourite choices is to deal with properties that price comparatively few factors however present nice worth. Because of Hilton’s dynamic award charts, these might be arduous to seek out, however with a little bit endurance and energy, you’ll be able to rating some unbelievable offers.

Hilton’s Factors & Cash possibility means that you can pay extra cash (and fewer factors) when making a reservation. This may be helpful when you do not have sufficient factors for a full reserving however do not wish to pay the total price of the lodge room.

Lastly, keep in mind that Hilton means that you can pool your points with as much as 10 different members. If you wish to mix balances with a buddy or member of the family to place an much more luxurious award keep inside attain, you’ll be able to.

Associated: 10 of the best hotels in the world to use your Hilton free night reward redemptions

For these seeking to earn and redeem factors with Hilton, pure opponents of the Hilton Surpass card will likely be different Hilton bank cards. However it’s additionally price contemplating playing cards that earn factors you should use at Hilton along with different redemption choices.

For extra choices, take a look at our picks for the best travel cards.

The data for the Hilton Amex Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Associated: Which credit card should you use for Hilton stays?

Apply right here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

For charges and costs of the Hilton Surpass Card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Hilton Amex Card, click on here.