Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Review

The card_name is a mid-tier level travel card designed for people who travel from time to time and prefer the Hilton brand. With this card, you get a generous welcome offer and automatic Gold status. Gold status earns you extra bonus points, room upgrades when available, and complimentary breakfast. You can also get a free night when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. When you spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year you can earn Hilton Honors™ Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year. There are a few new features in 2024: You can earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases. You can get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases, and complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply. If you travel a lot, you might prefer a premium credit card with more benefits. We dive into the details and your approval odds in this Hilton Honors Surpass review.

Welcome Offer

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. Terms Apply.

Our Rating

4.5/5.0

Welcome Offer

Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

Annual Fee

$150

0% Intro on Purchases

N/A

Reward Rate

3x to 12x points

0% Intro on Balance Transfers

N/A

Welcome Offer

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.

Editorial Review

Features & Benefits

SecurityEMV Chip Enabled
Contactless PaymentsTap to Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay
BenefitsExtended Warranty Coverage, Purchase Protection, ShopRunner, 24/7 customer service
Travel PerksAccess to Special Events and Concerts, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Travel Assistance, Luggage Protection

Rewards

3x points
On all other eligible purchases
Earn 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
4x points
Select Categories
Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. Online Retail Purchases.
6x points
U.S. supermarkets
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. supermarkets.
6x points
Dining
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants.
6x points
Gas
Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. gas stations.
12x points
Hotels
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.

Interest Rates & Fees

Annual Fee$150
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Regular APR20.49% - 29.49% (V) APR

Insurance

Extended Warranty

When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 
  • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Lost Baggage Insurance

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 
  • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

  • Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 
  • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
  • Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

What Credit Score Is Required to Get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The following credit score data are based on publicly available information we have collected from various forums. We have no way to confirm the accuracy of this data. In addition, keep in mind that credit card issuers use numerous factors in their underwriting process, and these factors can change at any time.

Lowest Approved Credit Score: 668

Average Approved Credit Score: 757

App StatusDateCredit ScoreBureauCredit Limit
Approved10/02/2022
770
Experian
$10,000
Approved10/25/2022
668
Experian
$1,000
Approved02/07/2022
744
Experian
$15,000
Approved03/28/2023
819
Experian
$25,000
Approved10/25/2022
677
TransUnion
$1,000
Approved04/10/2024
775
TransUnion
$10,000
Approved04/10/2024
804
Experian
$10,000
Approved04/10/2024
817
Equifax
$10,000
Approved12/11/2023
789
TransUnion
$25,000
Approved12/11/2023
808
Equifax
$25,000
Approved12/11/2023
808
Experian
$25,000
Approved04/13/2024
715
Experian
$1,000
Approved04/13/2024
741
Equifax
$1,000
Approved04/13/2024
760
TransUnion
$1,000
Approved08/03/2023
718
Equifax
$15,000
Approved08/03/2023
719
TransUnion
$15,000
Approved08/03/2023
728
Experian
$15,000
Approved09/21/2022
759
Equifax
$4,000
Approved09/21/2022
778
TransUnion
$4,000
Approved09/21/2022
791
Experian
$4,000
Approved02/07/2022
731
TransUnion
$15,000
Approved02/07/2022
732
Equifax
$15,000

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Welcome offer
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Earn up to 12x points
Cons
  • Annual fee
  • High APR
  • Requires good credit

What Are the Best Alternatives?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Rating

4.9

Rewards Range

1x - 5x points

Annual Fee

$95

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Rating

4.9

Rewards Range

2x - 10x

Annual Fee

$395

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Rating

4.4

Rewards Range

2x - 6x points

Annual Fee

$650

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To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.