American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $150.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points |
| Rewards Rate | 3x-12x Hilton Honors Bonus Points |
| Regular APR | APR: 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases. |
| Other Fees | No Foreign Transaction Fees |
| Network | American Express |
About this card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns an exceptional overall rating of 4.6, establishing itself as a top-tier option for dedicated Hilton loyalists. Its strengths overwhelmingly outweigh its singular weakness, the high APR. The card truly shines in its rewards program, earning a stellar 4.6. With 12X points on Hilton purchases, 6X on U.S. restaurants and supermarkets, and a generous 130,000-point sign-up bonus, it offers immense value for both travel and everyday spending. The fees rating of 4.5 is equally impressive; the $150 annual fee is effectively negated, and often made 'negative,' by the up to $200 in quarterly Hilton statement credits. This, coupled with no foreign transaction fees, provides outstanding financial value for frequent travelers. The automatic Hilton Honors Gold Status, along with the potential to earn a Free Night Reward, further enhances its appeal. The card's strong reputation, backed by American Express's excellent service, reinforces its reliability and trustworthiness. While the APR rating of 1.5 is a significant drawback, indicating a high variable interest rate with no introductory offer, this card is clearly designed for users who pay their balance in full each month, thereby mitigating the impact of the APR. For its specific target audience – individuals with very good credit who frequently stay at Hilton properties and can maximize its benefits – this card offers an outstanding value proposition that is hard to beat.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate on travel, dining, groceries, and online retail
- Automatic hotel elite status and path to higher status
- Valuable hotel statement credits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and purchase protections
Things to consider
- Annual fee applies after the first year
- No intro APR period
- High regular APR
- Requires significant spending for higher elite status or free night reward
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card within your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Offer ends 7/29/2026.
Rewards
- 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.
- Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants.
- Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 4X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of U.S. Online Retail purchases.
- Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Other features
- Hilton Honors™ Gold Status: Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Surpass® Card.
- $200 Hilton Credit: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property credit in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
- Free Night Reward: Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
- Complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® Status: Enjoy complimentary Emerald Club Executive® status from National Car Rental® when you enroll through your American Express online account using your Card. Terms apply.
- Hilton Honors Upgrade to Diamond Status: Earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the following calendar year after you spend $40,000 in eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no fees on foreign transactions made with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Getting into your Rental Vehicle can be the start of a great vacation. 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, you can be covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory. Please read important exclusions and restrictions. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Coverage is not available for vehicles rented in Australia, Italy, and New Zealand. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage.
- Global Assist® Hotline: Whenever you travel more than 100 miles from home, Global Assist® Hotline is available for 24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wires, and missing luggage assistance. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Other terms and conditions apply.
- Baggage Insurance Plan: Travel more comfortably knowing you can be covered for lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage when you purchase the Entire Fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) on an Eligible Card. 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. Please read important exclusions and restrictions.
- Purchase Protection: Sometimes your favorite new purchase gets stolen or accidentally damaged. But when you use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases, your Membership can help protect them for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date, subject to the Coverage Limits Up to $1,000 per Covered Purchase, up to $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended Warranty: Use your Eligible Card for Covered Purchases and you can have warranty protection for longer. Extended Warranty matches the Original Manufacturer's Warranty for up to one additional year when you use your Eligible Card. Applies to warranties of 5 years or less on Covered Purchases in the United States or its territories or possessions. Coverage limited to the actual amount charged on your Card for the item up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.
- Amex Special Ticket Access: Card Members can access to purchase Amex Presale Tickets and Amex Reserved Tickets to select can’t-miss events and moments across sports, music, and more. Plus, Card Members can enjoy additional perks when attending select events. While supplies last, not all seats may be offered.
- Send & Split: Send & Split enhances the way you send money and split purchases with other Venmo and PayPal users, all in the American Express App. Now you can pay friends with more flexibility and without the standard Venmo or PayPal credit card fee. You can also seamlessly split your Amex purchases with others and get paid back directly to your Card as a statement credit. Best part? You’ll be the one to earn the rewards for the purchase you split. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
- Dispute Resolution: If you ever look at your American Express statement and see a charge you don't recognize or notice you're still being billed for a service you canceled, chances are you want it corrected right away. American Express can work with you and the merchant to help resolve the issue.
- Year-End Summary: Get access to a Year-End Summary of charges so you can review your annual spending. Learn More at americanexpress.com/yes.
- Additional Cards: You can add an Additional Card for anyone who makes purchases for you.
- Instant Card Number: If your application is approved and you are eligible, you can begin using your Card number online and through your digital wallet, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, PayPal, and Amazon Pay today.
- Know if you’re approved with no credit score impact.
Additional Notes
Offer ends 7/29/2026.

