The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is the mid-tier option, and the Hilton Honors American Express Card is the entry-level option for those looking to open a personal Hilton Honors credit card.
For those trying to decide between these two excellent card options, here are the major points of difference and factors to remember as you decide which is best for your wallet.
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex comparison
| Card | Hilton Surpass | Hilton Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 (see rates and fees) | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership. Offer ends April 17. | Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the new card within your first six months of card membership. Offer ends April 17. |
| Earning rates | 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
7 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
5 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations 3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
| Elite status | Hilton Honors Gold; upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year | Hilton Honors Silver |
| Free nights | Free night reward after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year | None |
| Other benefits | Up to $200 in annual credits for eligible Hilton purchases (up to $50 each quarter)
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) Car rental insurance* Extended warranty protection** Purchase protection** Baggage insurance** Complimentary ShopRunner membership Enrollment is required for select benefits |
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Car rental insurance* Purchase protection** Complimentary ShopRunner membership Enrollment is required for select benefits |
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex welcome offer
The Hilton Surpass is currently offering 155,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership. TPG values Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, so the welcome offer is worth $930 toward travel.
The Hilton Amex is currently offering 100,000 Hilton Honors points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the new card within your first six months of card membership. TPG values Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, so the welcome offer is worth $600 toward travel.
Both welcome offers meet our criteria of when to apply, so now is a great time to add either of these cards to your wallet.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. The Surpass welcome offer lets you earn 55,000 more points while spending only $1000 more.
Related: How to use 100,00 Hilton Honors points
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Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex benefits
Both cards are geared toward those who stay at Hilton portfolio properties, so you can expect to find a variety of benefits relating to Hilton property stays, among other benefits.
The Hilton Surpass comes with a $150 annual fee and provides complimentary Gold status, which includes perks like a fifth night free on award stays and an 80% bonus on all base points. You can get upgraded to Diamond status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year. You’ll also receive a free night reward for use at eligible properties after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
On the contrary, the Hilton Amex has no annual fee and provides complimentary Silver status, which includes a fifth night free on award stays and a 20% bonus on all base points earned at Hilton portfolio properties.
Both cards are similar in their benefits of no foreign transaction fees, car rental insurance and a complimentary ShopRunner membership, but the Surpass has more shopping and travel protections.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. The Surpass provides a higher level of Hilton Honors status, higher earnings potential and more perks.
Related: Hilton Honors elite status: What it is and how to earn it
Earning points with the Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex
The Hilton Surpass earns 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases of hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. Additionally, it earns 6 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.
The earning potential of the Hilton Amex is slightly lower but still competitive for a card without an annual fee. It earns 7 points per dollar on eligible purchases of hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio. It also earns 5 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations as well as 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. The Surpass earns more points at Hilton properties and in other bonus categories.
Related: 16 best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points
Redeeming points with the Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Amex
Both cards earn Hilton Honors points whenever the cards are used for purchases, and the points are deposited into your Hilton Honors account. You can redeem your points for free nights (no blackout dates), Lyft rides, rental cars, transfers to airline partners, shopping, and experiences.
Hilton uses dynamic award pricing, so the points you need for a free night vary depending on the hotel, room type, booking and stay dates.
The Points Explorer Tool Hilton offers is an excellent way to determine how many points you’ll need for a stay. Just enter how many points you’re working with, where you wish to travel or a destination type, and the tool will provide you with a list of results that match your criteria.
TPG managing editor Matt Moffitt likes to redeem his Hilton Honors points to book three- and four-star hotels abroad as they offer better redemption value than properties in the U.S. He aims to book five-night stays so he can take advantage of the fifth-night free award that comes with Hilton cobranded cards.
Winner: Tie. Both cards can redeem Hilton Honors points.
Should I get the Hilton Surpass or the Hilton Amex?
The Hilton Surpass is one of the best mid-tier hotel credit cards out there and offers outsized value for its low $150 annual fee. However, if you don’t need Hilton Honors Gold or the up to $200 annual Hilton credit and want a no-annual-fee card to help you establish loyalty with Hilton, then the Hilton Amex is right for you.
How to upgrade from the Hilton Amex to the Hilton Surpass
Upgrading from the Hilton Amex to the Hilton Surpass is simple — just call American Express customer service through the number on the back of your card.
However, switching to the Hilton Surpass won’t allow you to earn a welcome bonus unless you’re targeted for an upgrade offer. This may also make you ineligible to earn one in the future due to Amex’s one-bonus per-lifetime policy.
Bottom line
The Hilton Surpass card provides Hilton Honors Gold status, a up to $200 Hilton credit, the opportunity to earn a free night reward, and a lucrative earning structure for a humble annual fee of $150. However, if you are starting out with Hilton Honors, you might want to opt for the Hilton Amex to earn a bonanza of bonus points and enjoy Silver status without worrying about an annual fee.
For more information, please see our full review of the Hilton Surpass and our full review of the Hilton Amex.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Card
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here.