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Amex Hilton Surpass Review: Bonus Points, Complimentary Gold Status, and Much More

Review Updated
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Travelers looking for a quality hotel card at a reasonable price will find the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card tough to beat. In our Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card review, we'll cover why this card lives up to its name -- and surpasses our expectations.

Ratings Methodology

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 12x points on Hilton purchases, 6x points on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. dining, 3x points on other eligible purchases

3X - 12x points

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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.

165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

  • Automatic Hilton Gold status is one of the many lucrative perks, including sky-high points for Hilton stays and for restaurants, groceries, and gas.

    • Big welcome offer
    • Automatic Gold elite status
    • Airport lounge access
    • Earn an annual free night award
    • Bonus rewards in several spending categories
    • U.S.-centric bonus categories
    • 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.
    • Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
    • 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.
    • Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. 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.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Extended warranty,baggage insurance plan, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Credit card comparison

We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.

Offer Our Rating Welcome Offer Rewards Program APR Learn More
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash back on rotating categories 		Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 1% - 5% Cashback Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Intro:

Purchases: 0%, 15 months

Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months

Regular: 18.49% - 27.49% Variable APR *Rates as of December 12, 2024.

Apply Now for Discover it® Cash Back

On Discover's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for cash rewards on everyday spending 		$200 cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. 2% cash rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers

Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening

Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers

Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR

Apply Now for Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

On Wells Fargo's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Best for unlimited rewards on purchases 		25,000 points Circle with letter I in it. 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases 1.5 points per dollar Circle with letter I in it. Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.

Intro: Circle with letter I in it. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.

Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases

Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days

Regular: 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

On Bank of America's Secure Website.

Full Amex Hilton Surpass review

This credit card is a good fit for: Travel rewards enthusiasts who want to save money on Hilton Hotels stays or get airport lounge access from a card that doesn't break the bank.

Top perks

Big welcome offer

You'll earn a sizable welcome offer of 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Hilton Honors points are worth about $0.005 per point on average, although it's possible to redeem them for more. Based on that value, 165,000 Hilton Honors points are worth at least $650, making this one of the bigger welcome bonuses we've found. Terms apply.

Earn up to 12X points per $1

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns:

  • 12X points per $1 on eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio
  • 6X points per $1 on purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
  • 4X points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases
  • 3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
  • Terms apply

While Hilton Honors points aren't the most valuable credit card rewards, this card can still earn you a lot of points very quickly. And its bonus categories are a match for the best rewards credit cards.

Earn a free night reward

If you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for $15,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, you'll receive one free night reward that can be redeemed for one standard accommodation at any Hilton property that has this type of room available. You can easily redeem this for a value of $100 to $200, and at higher-end properties, it could be worth over $500. Terms apply.

READ MORE: Best Hotel Credit Cards

Up to $200 in annual statement credits

You can get up to $50 each calendar quarter ($200 annually) as a statement credit for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. Terms apply.

Complimentary Gold status

As a cardholder, you'll automatically get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Benefits include daily food and beverage credit or free continental breakfast, space-available room upgrades, and an 80% bonus on base points earned on every stay.

There's also the opportunity to get Hilton Honors Diamond status by making at least $40,000 in eligible purchases with your card in a calendar year. That's the highest elite status in the Hilton Honors program, and benefits include executive lounge access and a room guarantee if you book at least 48 hours in advance (subject to certain restrictions). Terms apply.

Airport lounge access

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card includes a complimentary Priority Pass membership with up to 10 free lounge visits per membership year when you enroll. This perk will be discontinued after this date, and any lounge visits will need to be used up by Oct. 31, 2024 at the latest. Terms apply.

If you fly often, airport lounge access is an excellent benefit, especially from a card with a modest annual fee. Most credit cards offering a complimentary Priority Pass membership cost $400 or more.

No foreign transaction fees

A foreign transaction fee is the additional percentage charged on any purchase made in a foreign currency, which is anything except U.S. dollars (see rates and fees).

Since the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card doesn't have any foreign transaction fees, you can use your card without worrying about paying extra fees on purchases in another currency while shopping at home or abroad. This can save you 2% to 3% on purchases versus cards with foreign transaction fees.

RELATED: Best American Express Cards

What could be improved

Free night reward

It's nice that you can earn a free night certificate using the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. But this benefit could be improved by removing the $15,000 spending minimum so you'd receive a free night every year just for being a cardholder. This is something many other hotel credit cards offer right out of the gate, although it is included with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

Bonus points on international purchases

This card has several great bonus categories, including U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. The problem is that you only earn bonus points if those purchases are with U.S. businesses. If, for example, you're traveling internationally and use your card at a restaurant, you won't earn bonus points like you would at a restaurant in the States.

With travel credit cards, including hotel cards, we like to see benefits you can use all over the world. That's especially true with a Hilton card, considering that Hilton has a huge international footprint and it's likely that many cardholders will take international vacations. Terms apply.

For more options, take a look at our picks for the best credit cards for international travel.

Find the best credit card for your needs
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Suggested credit score

We suggest having good or excellent credit -- a FICO® Score of at least 670 -- when applying for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Just like with any credit card application, your credit score isn't the only factor that matters, so that alone won't guarantee approval or result in denial. Amex will consider your entire credit profile, as well as your income, when evaluating your application.

Is the annual fee worth it?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has an annual fee of $150 (see rates and fees). This is a great deal if you can make use of the card's benefits.

The free night reward alone should more than pay for the annual fee, and it could be worth over $500. If you're going to spend at least $15,000 using your Hilton card, then you'll easily come out ahead from the free night reward and all the points you earn.

Complimentary Gold status in the Hilton Honors program and airport lounge access are useful perks, especially for frequent travelers. The more often you stay at Hilton properties and use airport lounges, the more value you'll get.

The Amex Hilton Surpass card is right for you if:

  • You want a Hilton card that doesn't break the bank, with a relatively modest annual fee and plenty of benefits.
  • You stay at Hilton properties at least a few times per year but don't visit often enough to justify a card with a higher annual fee.

Our credit card methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a higher annual fee ($150) than most hotel cards of the same caliber. However, if the card offers more value than its fee, then it might be worth it for you. For instance, if you take advantage of the card's $200 annual statement credit (doled out quarterly), you would earn enough to come out ahead. Terms apply.

  • For applicants with good credit, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card usually isn't hard to get. American Express uses many factors to evaluate your application, but having a credit score of 670 or higher significantly raises your approval odds.