$550
Annual fee
See the card
Card reviewAmerican Express
Updated Jul 23, 2026 · research
American ExpressHilton Honors
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Earn generous Hilton Honors points on stays, dining, groceries, gas, and online retail purchases, with complimentary Gold Status and quarterly Hilton credits.
Mid TierPersonal
American Express
$150
Annual fee
14x pts hilton hotels and resorts
Top rate
None
Foreign fee
N/A
Rating
Current Welcome Offer
Earn 130,000 points
Spend $2,000 in 90 days
Verifiedcard page
Card Offers
public
Earn 130,000 points
Spend $2,000 in 90 days
card page
public
Earn 130,000 points
Spend $3,000 in 180 days
issuer
Earning Rates
Hilton hotels and resorts
14xpoints
Hotels & Resorts
12xpoints
For eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio.
Dining
6xpoints
At U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
Gas Stations
6xpoints
At U.S. gas stations.
Groceries
6xpoints
At U.S. supermarkets.
U.S. Online Retail Purchases
4xpoints
On U.S. online retail purchases.
Other Eligible Purchases
3xpoints
For each dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Earns 12X Hilton Honors points per dollar at Hilton properties, one of the highest hotel-branded earning rates available at this fee tier.
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provides meaningful on-property benefits including an 80% points bonus, complimentary breakfast or F&B credit at select hotels, and room upgrade eligibility.
- Up to $200 per year in Hilton statement credits ($50 per quarter) can meaningfully offset the $150 annual fee for regular Hilton guests.
- 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year add airport travel value not commonly found on mid-tier co-branded hotel cards.
- No foreign transaction fees make the card practical for international travel.
Cons
- The $150 annual fee is not waived in the first year, requiring immediate value extraction from day one.
- The Free Night Reward requires $15,000 in annual spending, a threshold that may be out of reach for occasional spenders.
- Priority Pass lounge access is capped at 10 visits per year, with fees applying after that limit.
- All rewards are tied to the Hilton Honors program, making the card a poor fit for travelers who do not stay at Hilton properties regularly.
- Car rental insurance is secondary coverage only, meaning your personal auto insurance must be exhausted first.
Key Takeaways
- Earns 12X points at Hilton, 6X at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 3X on everything else.
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status is included for as long as you hold the card.
- Up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits are issued in $50 quarterly increments and do not roll over.
- A Free Night Reward is available each calendar year after $15,000 in eligible spending.
- Priority Pass lounge access is limited to 10 complimentary visits per year, not unlimited.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual Fee Waived first year | $150 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% |
APR Information
- Purchase APR
- 19.49% - 28.49%
APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.
Card Benefits
6 benefits (2 strong or better) including 1 hidden gems
Travel Insurance
Travel Access & Perks
Travel Credits
Elite Status
Purchase Protection
Coverage Tier Legend
Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card?
The annual fee is $150. It is not waived for the first year, so the full fee applies from the moment you open the account.
What welcome offer is currently available?
New cardmembers can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 180 days of card membership. This offer is publicly available through the American Express issuer page.
What Hilton status does the card provide?
The card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Gold status includes an 80% bonus on base points earned at Hilton properties, complimentary breakfast or a food and beverage credit at select hotels, a 5th standard reward night free, and space-available room upgrades.
How do the quarterly Hilton statement credits work?
You can receive up to $50 in statement credits per calendar quarter, for a maximum of $200 per year, on eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. Unused credits from one quarter do not roll over to the next quarter.
How do I earn the Free Night Reward?
You earn one Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year. The reward is valid for one night at most Hilton properties, subject to availability and property restrictions.
Does the card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card charges no foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the United States.
What airport lounge access does the card include?
The card provides 10 complimentary airport lounge visits per year through Priority Pass Select membership. After you use all 10 visits, a per-visit fee applies. This is different from the unlimited lounge access offered on higher-tier Hilton Amex cards.
What credit score is generally needed to be approved for this card?
American Express generally targets applicants with good credit for this card. A strong credit history improves the likelihood of approval, though American Express evaluates each application individually.
What travel protections come with the card?
The card includes secondary car rental loss and damage insurance when you use the card to reserve and pay for a rental and decline the counter coverage. It also includes a Baggage Insurance Plan covering lost, damaged, or stolen bags when you pay for your common carrier fare with the card, and access to the 24/7 Global Assist Hotline when traveling more than 100 miles from home.
About This Card
This card is best for frequent Hilton guests who can leverage Gold status benefits and the quarterly $50 Hilton statement credits to offset the annual fee. It suits travelers who also spend regularly at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations and want to consolidate Hilton point earnings across everyday categories.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a mid-tier travel rewards card that offers complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status, up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits, and a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year.
The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card stands out among mid-tier hotel cards by pairing a strong 12X Hilton earning rate with complimentary Gold status and up to $200 in annual Hilton credits at a $150 annual fee, offering a clearer path to fee-offsetting value than most comparable co-branded cards.
Ready to Decide?
Apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Earn 130,000 points with a $150 annual fee.
Spend $2,000 in 90 days
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Sources & Methodology
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