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Hilton Surpass Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You?
The
The points alone are worth around
The
But if you don't want to be restricted to only earning points at Hilton hotels, you should look for a different travel rewards credit card that earns points without being tied to a specific hotel chain. For instance, the
On the other hand, if you're looking for even more perks and don't mind a higher annual fee, the
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Hilton Honors Surpass Card Rewards
Hilton Surpass Card Welcome Bonus Offer
The Hilton Surpass is offering a welcome bonus of
How to Earn Points With the Hilton Surpass Card
The
Cardholders earn:
- 12x points on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
- 6x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- 6x points on groceries at U.S. supermarkets
- 6x points on gas at U.S. gas stations
- 3x points on all other eligible purchases
Because 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, 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 in 123 countries and territories, 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
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 Surpass Benefits and Features
The
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.
Automatic Hilton Gold elite status
Cardholders receive Hilton Gold status as long as their card is open and in good standing.
Keep in mind that if you spend $40,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year with your
Priority Pass airport lounge access
When you have the
Car rental loss and damage insurance
When you pay for your car rental with the
Baggage insurance plan
If you pay for a covered trip with
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
Extended warranty
The
Global Assist Hotline
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.
Amex Hilton Surpass Annual Fee and Other Costs
The
You'll also pay fees in other situations, including:
- Cash advance fee
- Late payment fee
- Returned payment fee
How the Hilton Honors Surpass Card Compares
Hilton Surpass vs Other Hilton Honors Credit Cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 12x points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels 6x points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations 3x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 7x points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels 5x points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations 3x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 14x points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels 7x points per eligible dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel, on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies, and at eligible U.S. restaurants 3x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Travel benefits | Hilton Gold elite status Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership with 10 free visits per year Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** No foreign transaction fees
| Hilton Silver elite status Upgrade to Gold status after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Secondary car rental insurance Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** No foreign transaction fees | Hilton Diamond elite status Free night certificate each year on your card anniversary An additional free night certificate after you spend a total of $60,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership Up to $250 in airline incidental fee credits per calendar year Up to $250 in Hilton resort credits each cardmember year Up to $100 in on-property credits for minimum stays of two nights at participating Waldorf Astoria and Conrad properties Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Premium Global Assist Hotline American Express Concierge Return protection Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers** No foreign transaction fees |
Review |
Hilton Honors Surpass vs Other Hotel Credit Cards
Annual fee | |||
Rewards rate | 12x points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels 6x points per dollar spent at eligible U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations 3x points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 17x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels 2x points on everything else | 10x points on purchases at IHG Hotels and Resorts (up to 26x)* 10x points with this card* Up to 10x points for being an IHG Rewards Member* Up to 6x points with Platinum Elite Status* 5x points on eligible purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants 3 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases |
Welcome bonus offer | |||
Travel benefits | Hilton Gold elite status Upgrade to Diamond status after you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Free night certificate after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership with 10 free visits per year Secondary car rental insurance Baggage insurance plan Global Assist Hotline Purchase protection Extended warranty Access to discounts and bonus points through Amex Offers No foreign transaction fees | Marriott Silver elite status Upgrade to Gold status after you spend $35,000 on eligible purchases in an account anniversary year Free night certificate each card anniversary, valid at Marriott hotels that cost 35,000 points or less 15 elite night credits each calendar year Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary car rental insurance otherwise) Lost luggage reimbursement Trip delay reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Purchase protection Extended warranty Travel and emergency assistance services Visa Signature concierge No foreign transaction fees | IHG Platinum elite status Free night certificate each card anniversary, valid at IHG hotels that cost 40,000 points or less Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit Fourth reward night free on standard award stays of three nights or longer 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each account anniversary year 20% discount on points purchases Car rental insurance (secondary in the US, primary otherwise) Trip cancellation/interruption insurance Travel accident insurance Lost luggage reimbursement Baggage delay insurance Travel and emergency assistance services Purchase protection Extended warranty No foreign transaction fees |
Review |
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
That said, if you're completely opposed to paying an annual fee, you still have options. The no-annual-fee
What credit score do you need for the Hilton Surpass card?
Most people who are approved for the
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
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 or Priority Pass Select membership.
Who is eligible for the Amex Hilton Surpass card?
If you already have a
However, it is possible to have more than one type of Hilton card open at a time. So, for example, if you already have
Methodology: How we reviewed the Hilton Surpass Card
Our team of experts on Personal Finance Insider's credit cards team reviewed the
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 Insider for a closer look at our methodology.