Rewardopedia LogoRewardopedia
Travel Credit CardsHotel Programs Deep-DivesAirline Programs Deep-DivesTransfer Partners & CurrenciesElite Status & Lounge Access
K

Navigate

Credit CardsBlogIssuersAnswersTools

Blog Categories

Travel Credit CardsHotel Programs Deep-DivesAirline Programs Deep-DivesTransfer Partners & CurrenciesElite Status & Lounge AccessRedeeming Points & Miles
Rewardopedia

Rewardopedia is your trusted resource for maximizing travel and credit card rewards. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, we provide the tips, tools, and comparisons you need to earn more and travel smarter.

Explore

  • Credit Cards
  • Reward Programs
  • Blog
  • Tools
  • About
  • Contact
  • Data Freshness

Categories

  • All Categories
  • Travel Credit Cards
  • Hotel Programs Deep-Dives
  • Airline Programs Deep-Dives
  • Transfer Partners & Currencies
  • Elite Status & Lounge Access
  • Redeeming Points & Miles

Legal

  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy

© 2026 Rewardopedia. All rights reserved.

Disclosure: Some credit card offers and affiliate links on this site may earn a commission. This does not influence our editorial content.

  1. Home
  2. Credit Cards
  3. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Back to All Cards
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
American ExpressHilton HonorsEditorially reviewed

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Earn Hilton Honors points on every purchase, with bonus points at Hilton hotels, U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Includes complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and a free Weekend Night Reward each year.

Mid TierPersonal
American Express
Credit profile: good

Annual Fee

$150

Top Earning Rate

12x pts hilton hotels & resorts

Foreign Tx Fee

None

Rating

N/A

Current Welcome Offer

130,000 points

$650 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

Verifiedissuer page
Apply NowCompare This CardBrowse all cards

Card Offers

public

130,000 points

Verified

$650 estimated value

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

issuer page

Earning Rates

Hilton Hotels & Resorts
12xpoints

On eligible purchases charged directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.

U.S. Gas Stations
6xpoints
U.S. Restaurants
6xpoints
U.S. Supermarkets
6xpoints
All Other Eligible Purchases
3xpoints

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 TypeAmount
Annual Fee$150
Foreign Transaction Fee0%

APR Information

Purchase APR
20.24% - 29.24%
Cash Advance APR
29.99%
Penalty APR
29.99%May apply if you pay late

APRs shown are variable and may change based on the Prime Rate. Your actual APR will be determined based on your creditworthiness.

Card Benefits

8 benefits (1 strong or better)

Travel Insurance

Travel Access & Perks

Travel Credits

Elite Status

Statement Credits

Coverage Tier Legend

Best in ClassIndustry-leading coverage
StrongAbove average
StandardTypical coverage
LimitedBelow average

Hidden Gems

5th Standard Reward Night Free via Gold Status

Gold status, which comes complimentary with the card, includes a 5th standard reward night free on award stays. This benefit can stretch the value of point redemptions significantly on longer trips and is often overlooked by cardmembers focused on the base points bonus.

80% Points Bonus on Hilton Base Points

Gold status delivers an 80% bonus on base points earned at Hilton properties, which stacks on top of the card's 12X earning rate. Cardmembers staying frequently at Hilton can accumulate points substantially faster than the headline rate alone suggests.

Baggage Insurance Plan for Both Carry-On and Checked Bags

The card covers carry-on bags up to $3,000 and checked bags up to $2,000 per person when you pay for your airline fare with the card. This protection is easy to overlook but provides a practical safety net against airline mishandling.

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.
What are the purchase APR ranges for this card?
The purchase APR ranges from 20.24% to 29.24%, depending on your creditworthiness at the time of approval. The cash advance and penalty APR are both 29.99%.

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 co-branded hotel credit card designed for frequent Hilton guests. Cardmembers earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6X at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3X on all other eligible purchases. The card comes with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a calendar year, and up to $50 in Hilton Honors statement credits each quarter (up to $200 per year) for eligible Hilton purchases. Additional perks include 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to earn a Weekend Night Reward after spending $15,000. The annual fee is $150.

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

130,000 points, worth about $650 estimated value, with a $150 annual fee.

Spend $3,000 in 180 days

Apply NowCompare Cards

Similar Cards You Might Like

American Express® Gold Card

Gold Card

American Express

$250/yr$600 bonus
Bevy Marriot Bonvoy Bevy ™ American Express® Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card

American Express

$250/yr$750 bonus
Green Card

Green Card

American Express

$150/yr$200 bonus

Reward Program

Hilton Honors

Earns Points

Learn more

Card Categories

TravelHotel RewardsNo Foreign Transaction FeeHilton Honors

Sources & Methodology

Data Collection

Card details are collected by automated crawlers from official issuer pages, then verified by editorial review.

Last updated: Apr 16, 2026

Editorial Review

Pending editorial review.

Data Quality
  • 5 of 8 benefits rated high confidence
  • 1 of 1 offer verified
Learn More

Read our full methodology for how we collect, verify, and rate credit cards.

Found an error? Report it here.