As somebody who is of course drawn to journey playing cards that earn transferable rewards, it takes lots for me to be impressed by a cobranded possibility. However on the subject of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, I would advocate it to many kinds of vacationers.
The Hilton Surpass was the primary cobranded hotel card that received me over. Now that I have the card, I’ve completely loved maximizing its advantages, incomes Hilton Honors factors and having fun with Hilton Gold elite standing perks once I stick with the model.
I like how straightforward it’s to discover a Hilton property wherever I journey, and I admire that this card provides excessive potential worth with out an exorbitant annual charge.
Whether or not you are a highway warrior who loves to remain at Hilton accommodations and resorts or a semifrequent traveler on the lookout for a card with sensible rewards, the Hilton Surpass is price a glance. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
Hilton Surpass: The fundamentals
The Hilton Surpass is a mid-tier Hilton card issued by American Specific. It earns Hilton Honors factors and is well-positioned for vacationers who usually keep at Hilton properties however do not wish to pay a sky-high annual charge.
The Surpass prices a $150 annual charge ($0 introductory annual charge for the primary yr; see rates and fees), which locations it in the midst of Hilton’s cobranded card suite.
My favourite Surpass profit is the up-to-$50 quarterly assertion credit score on eligible Hilton purchases (as much as $200 per calendar yr). In the event you maximize this assertion credit score every quarter, the cardboard successfully pays you $50 to carry it.
With the Hilton Surpass, you may obtain complimentary Hilton Gold elite status. You will additionally obtain complimentary National Car Rental elite status (after enrollment within the Emerald Membership program) and journey protections.
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The easiest way to redeem the Hilton factors you may earn on the Surpass is by reserving award nights. Since Hilton makes use of dynamic award pricing, charges can differ. When you have the persistence and suppleness to search out high-value stays, yow will discover some severe worth with the factors you may earn.
Associated: How much value does the Hilton Honors program provide when you book directly?
Hilton Surpass execs and cons
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Associated: 5 reasons to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card
Hilton Surpass advantages
For an ongoing $150 annual charge (after the $0 intro annual charge the primary yr), the Hilton Surpass packs a punch in advantages. Here is what to learn about its perks.
Complimentary Hilton Gold standing
Hilton Gold status is mid-tier elite standing within the Hilton Honors loyalty program.
My favourite Hilton Gold perks are the each day food-and-beverage credit score (or continental breakfast at choose manufacturers exterior of the U.S.) for as much as two visitors and the 80% bonus factors.
Surpass cardmembers can unlock Diamond elite status (the subsequent tier up) in the event that they spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on the cardboard in a calendar yr.
Hilton assertion credit score
Hilton Surpass cardmembers earn as much as $200 again each calendar yr on eligible Hilton purchases. This profit is earned as as much as $50 in assertion credit every quarter.
You should utilize your Hilton assertion credit score in quite a lot of methods, reminiscent of bookings made instantly with Hilton, incidental prices billed to your room (together with eating and room service), consuming at a restaurant in a Hilton property or buying objects from present outlets in a Hilton property.
I sometimes use my Hilton credit score to shave $50 off impromptu resort stays, weekend getaways or once I have to journey for occasions like birthdays and weddings. Since I am in a section of life the place I am usually on the highway for fast journeys, the variety of Hilton properties and the reliability of this quarterly credit score have helped me save money.
Nationwide Automobile Rental standing
Cardmembers additionally obtain complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after they enroll within the Emerald Membership program.
Government standing perks embody assured upgrades, Government Space entry and no second-driver charges.
I’ve used this perk when my accomplice and I rented a automobile for a household journey in Minnesota. Due to my elite standing, we did not should pay an additional charge so as to add him as a driver, and we have been capable of choose a automobile from a better class than the Midsize fee we paid for.
Spending-incentivized free evening reward
In the event you put no less than $15,000 of eligible spending in your Hilton Surpass in a calendar yr, you may obtain a free night reward.
Journey and buy protections
The cardboard additionally offers an honest stage of journey and buy protections, together with:
The Surpass can also be a stable card to tackle worldwide journeys because it does not cost international transaction charges.
*Eligibility and profit stage differ by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Please go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for extra particulars. Cardmembers are accountable for the prices charged by third-party service suppliers.
**Eligibility and profit stage differ by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.
***Eligibility and profit stage differ by card. Not all automobile varieties or leases are coated, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable via American Specific Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
Associated: Is the Hilton Surpass Amex card worth the annual fee?
Methods to earn and use Hilton factors
Incomes factors
It is simple to earn Hilton factors with the Hilton Surpass. Listed below are the cardboard’s incomes charges:
- 12 factors per greenback spent on eligible purchases made instantly with a resort or resort inside the Hilton portfolio
- 6 factors per greenback spent on purchases at U.S. fuel stations, U.S. eating places and U.S. supermarkets
- 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. on-line retail purchases
- 3 factors per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases
I most continuously use this card for paid Hilton stays, because it earns a 4.8% return on my spending (per TPG’s Might 2026 valuations). I additionally like to make use of this card at fuel stations (for a 2.4% return on my spending) and once I store on-line (to get a 1.6% return on my spending).
With regards to the opposite bonus classes, nevertheless, I’ve different playing cards with higher incomes charges, so I do not sometimes use the Surpass once I’m at eating places or the grocery retailer.
Redeeming factors
The easiest way to redeem Hilton factors is to make use of them totally free nights at Hilton accommodations and resorts, and that is how I prefer to redeem the rewards I earn with my Surpass.
Since Hilton makes use of dynamic pricing on its rewards, you could have to be versatile and do some additional work to search out good offers. The model’s Points Explorer tool may be useful right here, because it reveals redemption worth ranges that will help you resolve.
Hilton’s Factors & Cash possibility permits cardmembers to high off their redemptions with money. Utilizing this technique, I redeemed 100,000 factors and round $65 for a two-night keep at The Graduate Chapel Hill in North Carolina for a university basketball weekend. This keep would’ve price greater than $1,400 if I had paid in money totally.
One other stable possibility for redeeming Hilton factors is to make use of them for premium room awards to improve an upcoming keep. You can too pool your factors with as much as 10 buddies or members of the family to unlock higher-value redemptions.
Lastly, Hilton factors may be redeemed for occasion credit, experiences, Lyft rides, automobile leases, Amazon purchases and even transfers to a listing of airline companions. Nonetheless, these choices might not supply one of the best worth on your factors, so we typically do not advocate redeeming them this fashion.
Associated: Ways to redeem points with the Hilton Honors program
The place the Hilton Surpass falls quick
The Hilton Surpass might not be your best option for each traveler. Listed below are some downsides to weigh:
- Hilton factors aren’t extremely invaluable, so that you might not be glad with the model’s redemption charges (particularly in comparison with different applications like World of Hyatt).
- In order for you extra perks or computerized Diamond elite standing, the Surpass might go away you wanting extra.
- The Surpass does not supply a complimentary annual free evening reward; you must make $15,000 in eligible purchases in your card in a calendar yr to unlock one.
- You need to pay an ongoing $150 annual charge to carry this card.
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire
In the event you’re a frequent traveler who loves to remain at Hilton properties and desires extra perks once you’re there, the Surpass’s premium sibling stands out as the better option for you.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card prices a a lot increased $550 annual charge (see rates and fees) however offers computerized Diamond elite standing and a free evening reward inside your first cardmember yr and yearly you renew.
The Aspire additionally options extra assertion credit, however bear in mind it does not have an announcement credit score for normal Hilton purchases just like the Surpass. Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
Associated: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Do you want Gold or Diamond status?
When to use for the Hilton Surpass
The very best time to use for the Hilton Surpass is when it provides no less than 150,000 bonus factors, assertion credit, computerized free evening rewards or an introductory $0 annual charge for the primary cardmember yr.
At present, new Hilton Surpass cardmembers can earn 130,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Plus, there’s a $0 introductory annual charge for the primary yr, then $150 annually thereafter. This bonus is price $520, per TPG’s valuations.
Now could be a great time to apply.
American Specific has a “as soon as per lifetime” rule on card bonuses, which is price contemplating. Nonetheless, having most other Hilton cards will not make you ineligible for this welcome bonus.
Associated: Current welcome offers on Hilton Amex cards
Different playing cards to think about as a substitute of the Hilton Surpass
If the Hilton Surpass is not fairly the match for you, listed below are another choices to think about.
For added choices, see our record of the best travel credit cards.
Associated: Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business: Which mid-tier Hilton card is better for you?
Backside line
The Hilton Surpass is a wonderful resort card should you usually keep at Hilton accommodations and resorts and do not wish to pay a excessive annual charge. It is the proper match for the best way I journey, and I’ve completely loved being a cardmember.
After all, should you do not worth Hilton factors extremely, you may be higher off with a card that earns transferable rewards. Alternatively, if you wish to actually go all-in on Hilton, you might wish to contemplate the premium Hilton Aspire, which provides extra perks.
Nonetheless, the potential worth within the Hilton Surpass is excessive, particularly when you think about which you can come out forward should you maximize the quarterly assertion credit score on Hilton purchases. If its mid-tier stage of advantages can be helpful to you and your journey type, this could possibly be a wonderful addition to your pockets.
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 Aspire Card, click on here.
For charges and costs of the Hilton Honors Amex Card, click on here.
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