Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Built for regular Hilton guests who also want strong everyday earning. Gold status raises what stays earn, and up to $50 in Hilton statement credits each quarter can cover most of the $150 annual fee. Spending unlocks more: a Free Night Reward at $15,000 and Diamond status at $40,000 in a calendar year. The credits require Hilton purchases, so value depends on actual stays.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Hilton Honors Gold status for as long as the account stays open
- Up to $200 per year in Hilton statement credits, issued as up to $50 each quarter
- Free Night Reward after $15,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
- Spending path to Diamond status at $40,000 in a calendar year
- Complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, enrollment required
- No foreign transaction fees
- Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150, as of Sep 4, 2026
- Regular purchase APR: 19.49% - 28.49% Variable
- Intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfers: not offered on this card
- Cash advance APR: 28.74% Variable
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Late payment fee: Up to $40
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Rates and offers verified on the issuer's website on August 27, 2026 and may change. See the issuer's pricing and terms for current details.
- You stay at Hilton properties several times a year and can use the quarterly credits
- Your supermarket, gas and restaurant spending earns 6X Hilton points
- You want Gold status benefits on stays without meeting stay requirements
- Your card spending can reach $15,000 a year and unlock a Free Night Reward
- You should skip it if you rarely stay at Hilton or you want transferable points
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Review
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card sits between the no-fee Hilton Honors card and the premium Aspire. This review weighs the quarterly credits, Gold status and 6X categories against the $150 annual fee.
How You Earn
Earning is category based and posts to your Hilton Honors account, where Gold status also raises what stays earn.
- The 6X categories are U.S. merchants only
- U.S. online retail purchases earn 4X
| Category | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Hilton hotels and resorts | 12X |
| U.S. restaurants | 6X |
| U.S. supermarkets | 6X |
| U.S. gas stations | 6X |
| U.S. online retail | 4X |
| Other eligible purchases | 3X |
How You Redeem
Points redeem through Hilton Honors, and the Free Night Reward earned at $15,000 in spending books like a certificate.
- Standard room reward nights across the Hilton portfolio
- Fifth award night free on standard reward stays through the Honors program
- The $15,000 Free Night Reward is earned per calendar year
Benefits and Protections
The Surpass pairs hotel perks with mid-level card protections.
- Up to $50 per quarter in Hilton statement credits
- National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, enrollment required
- Car rental loss and damage insurance, secondary coverage
- Purchase protection on covered purchases
Who This Card Is For
This card is for the Hilton guest whose everyday spending sits in supermarkets, gas and restaurants. Used with real Hilton stays, the credits bring the effective fee near zero while Gold status improves each stay.
- Regular Hilton guests who want Gold status from a card
- Households with heavy grocery and gas spending
- Not for travelers outside the Hilton system
Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 first year, then $150 | $95 | $0 |
| Welcome Offer | 130,000 pts after $3,000 in 6 months | 4 Free Night Awards after $3,000 in 3 months | 80,000 pts after $2,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 12X Hilton, 6X dining, groceries, gas | Up to 17X at Marriott hotels | 7X Hilton, 5X dining, groceries, gas |
| Intro APR | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None |
| Best For | Everyday Hilton earning | Marriott free nights | No-fee Hilton stays |
Issuer Comparison
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 first year, then $150 | $0 | $550 |
| Welcome Offer | 130,000 pts after $3,000 in 6 months | 80,000 pts after $2,000 in 6 months | 150,000 pts after $6,000 in 6 months |
| Rewards Rate | 12X Hilton, 6X everyday categories | 7X Hilton, 5X everyday categories | 14X Hilton, 7X flights and dining |
| Key Credits | Up to $200 Hilton credit per year | None | Up to $400 resort credit plus more |
| Best For | Everyday earning with Gold status | No-fee entry | Frequent Hilton resort stays |
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Reader reports, not issuer data. Not a prediction of your result. Ranges only, reviewed before publishing.