Key facts
The Hilton Honors Surpass® earns a huge 12X points on eligible Hilton purchases at Hilton portfolio hotel and resorts, so you’ll earn Hilton Honors points quickly by charging all of your Hilton stays to the Surpass.
Min. Credit Score for Approval:
Good *Ongoing APR:
20.24%-29.24% VariableForeign Transaction Fee:
0%Reward multipliers
- Earn 12x Hilton Honors points at Hilton properties
- Earn 6x Hilton Honors points at US restaurants, US gas stations, and U.S. supermarkets
- Earn 4X points on U.S. Online Retail purchases
- Earn 3x Hilton points on all other eligible purchases
NOTE: American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
At Hilton portfolio properties when you book direct with Hilton or the hotel. Otherwise, earn 3X points
Estimated Rewards Value: 6%
U.S. dining, including takeout and delivery
Estimated Rewards Value: 3%
U.S. Supermarkets. * American Express defines a supermarket as offering a wide variety of food and household products such as meat, fresh produce, dairy, canned and packaged goods, household cleaners, pharmacy products and pet supplies. (Superstores, convenience stores and warehouse clubs are NOT considered supermarkets.)
Estimated Rewards Value: 3%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.5%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Earn a Free Night Reward
You’ll earn a Free Night Reward, good at nearly any Hilton family property, when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. We value a Free Night Reward at a $250 minimum value, as they can be used at hotels and resorts topping $1,000 a night. The only requirement is that the hotel has a “Standard Reward” available for the night you would like to redeem it. You can track your earned Free Night Reward certificates online, though you currently must call to book the night.
Potential for Diamond Status
After $40,000 in annual spend you will be upgraded to top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status. Both Gold and Diamond come with free breakfast (or a daily food and beverage credit), but Diamonds also get executive lounge access and better upgrades, including standard suites.
Grants Hotel Status
Hilton Honors Gold Status
You’ll get Hilton Honors Gold status, which entitles you to free breakfast (or a daily food and beverage credit) at all Hilton hotels and resorts.
Annual Statement Credits
Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Terms apply.
Grants Car Rental Status
Receive complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club® program is required. Terms apply.
Trip Protections
While the Hilton Surpass credit card card does not offer protections for trip delays or cancelations, it does provide a Baggage Insurance Plan. 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. For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. See the American Express website before applying for all details.
Terms:
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.
Secondary Car Rental CDW Waiver
The American Express Hilton Surpass credit card’s CDW (collision damage waiver) is secondary to your personal car insurance and covers Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Not all cars are covered so call in advance of your rental if you are unsure. Does not cover vehicles in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This benefit does not include liability coverage.
Terms:
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.
Extended Warranty
The extended warranty on the Hilton Honors Surpass card extends the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty for up to one additional year. This benefit applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions. Note that you must pay for the product in full with your Card. This is a reason to avoid using gift cards on eligible purchases for which you want this coverage.
Terms:
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.
Purchase Protection
With Purchase Protection, when you use your Hilton Honors Surpass Card, Covered Purchases are protected for up to 90 days from the date of purchase if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Please read important exclusions and restrictions at the American Express website before you apply for all details.
Terms:
When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $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.
No Fees for Authorized Users
Additional cards are free for anyone you choose, like your child (aged 13+), spouse, or employee.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
The Hilton Surpass credit card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
Amex Offers
This card comes with access to Amex Offers, a free offering of discounts on assorted purchases. They often offer things like up to 20% off an airline purchase or cash back for dining at a specific restaurant. They also often offer bonus points per dollar at select stores.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- If you stay at Hilton Hotels often, the 12X earn rate on Hilton Hotels will really add up.
- Includes mid-tier Hilton Gold status, a way to spend to Diamond status
- Spend your way to a Free Night Reward valid at almost any Hilton property in the world
- The card only earns Hilton Honors points, so you would not be able to redeem them for stays at other hotel chains.
- Earning a specific type of co-branded point, like Hilton Honors points, limits your redemption opportunities and your points balance may be worth less over time if the program changes how points are redeemed via a devaluation of the loyalty program.
- The Free Night Reward available with this card requires $15,000 in annual (calendar year) spend
Our review
With a relatively low $150 annual fee, The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card comes with some valuable benefits, including Gold Elite status, which gets you free breakfast (or a daily food and beverage credit) on all stays at full-service Hilton hotels and resorts.
With Hilton Honors points having an approximate value of 0.5 cents per point, you are earning roughly 6% back on Hilton stays and 3% back on select categories in the US: gas stations, gas, and groceries. Remember you’ll earn 3X Hilton Honors points on other eligible purchases, so that would be worth about a 1.5% return on spend.
The Hilton portfolio also has some amazing hotels and resorts at which you can spend your Hilton Honors points and Free Night Reward certificates. You can get value of rooms that sell for over $1,000 a night and include the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi and the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal in Los Cabos. You could easily make a case that simply being able to earn the lucrative Free Night Reward certificates is reason enough to hold this card.
While we don’t recommend the Hilton Honors Surpass card as your only credit card, it certainly is worth more than its annual fee if you frequently stay at Hilton portfolio hotels and resorts.
Rates and fees for the Hilton Honors Surpass® Credit Card
Frequently asked questions
Does The Hilton Honors Surpass Card get you into airport lounges?
It used to, but it no longer does.
Is it hard to get The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
You’ll need at least a “Good” credit score, meaning a 670+ FICO score
Is it worth getting The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
If you frequently stay at Hilton portfolio hotels, then this card is worth it for the 12X points you’ll earn on Hilton portfolio spend alone. You’ll additionally get Gold status and a way to spend your way to a Free Night Reward with $15,000 in annual card spend, valid at just about any Hilton portfolio hotel anywhere in the world. (Requires Standard Award availability.)
How do I get 12X points with The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
You will earn 12X Hilton Honors points when you pay for your room and folio charges directly with the hotel (or prepaid via Hilton.com or the Hilton app).
How do I get 6X points with The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
You will earn 6x points on U.S. dining, U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S gas stations. You’ll also earn 4X points on U.S. Online Retail purchases.
Is there a better credit card than The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
While it’s a good card, we tend to recommend cards that give you transferable bank points, where you can transfer into airline or hotel programs later at your discretion. An example for the same annual fee is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. However, that card won’t come with Hilton Honors Gold status.
Does The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, The Hilton Surpass credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
Does The Hilton Surpass card have car rental coverage?
The Hilton Surpass card’s CDW (collision damage waiver) is secondary to your personal car insurance and covers Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory when you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the Entire Rental and decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) at the Rental Company counter. Not all cars are covered so call in advance of your rental if you are unsure. Does not cover vehicles in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This benefit does not include liability coverage.
Does the Hilton Honors Surpass Card come with Hilton Elite Status?
Yes, the Hilton Surpass credit card confers Gold status automatically, while you can spend your way to Diamond status with $40,000 in eligible spend in one calendar year.
Does The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offer extended warranty?
The extended warranty on the Hilton Honors Surpass card extends the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty for up to one additional year. This benefit applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions. Note that you must pay for the product in full with your Card. This is a reason to avoid using gift cards on eligible purchases for which you want this coverage.
What credit score do I need to get a Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?
You’ll need at least a “Good” credit score, meaning a 670+ FICO score
What can I do with the points earned for spending on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
You will be able to redeem these points for free nights in the Hilton portfolio of hotels and resorts around the world.
Does The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card have Cell Phone Protection?
No, The Hilton Honors Surpass credit card does not offer any cell phone protection benefits.
Is the Hilton Honors Surpass card the same as the Hilton Honors Ascend card?
Yes. The card was renamed from the Ascend to the Surpass several years ago.