Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Worth the $150 Annual Fee?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offers Hilton perks, elevated rewards and up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits. Here’s what to consider before applying.
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Hilton Honors American Express cards can be appealing for travelers who regularly stay at Hilton properties, particularly because new cardholders may be eligible for a welcome offer that can help them build a stash of Hilton Honors points fast.
Welcome offers can change, though, so it's worth checking the current offer before applying. You can see the latest offer for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
Beyond the welcome offer, the Surpass card comes with benefits that could help Hilton guests offset its $150 annual fee. Cardholders can receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for eligible purchases made directly with properties in the Hilton portfolio, for up to $200 annually. Terms apply. See rates and fees.
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Prefer a card without an annual fee? The Hilton Honors American Express Card also offers an opportunity for eligible new cardholders to earn a welcome offer. Check the card's application page for the latest offer and eligibility requirements. Terms apply. See rates and fees.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass overview
Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with benefits like an 80% Points earning Bonus on Stays, daily food & beverage credit or continental breakfast (varies by brand & region), space-available room upgrades at select properties, and more.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Get up to $50 in statement credits: Get up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio on your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.
Car rental status: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental® Emerald Club Executive® status, including perks like Executive Area Access (for full-size reservations and above) in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account using their Card. Terms apply.
Free Night: Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
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, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 4X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of U.S. Online Retail purchases.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Points pooling: Combine your Hilton Honors Points with up to ten friends or family members for free, with no fees.
Auto discounts: Get up to $10,500 discounts on new Mercedes-Benz and other vehicles through the American Express Auto Purchasing Program.
Annual fee: $150
Foreign transaction fee: None.
Terms apply. See rates and fees.
Hot tip: Before booking a stay, it’s worth checking for extra deals at the Hilton website. For example, the current Multiply You Points promotion allows members to multiply the points they earn three times when they stay in select cities, and two times when they stay everywhere else.
FAQ
Is the Hilton Honors loyalty program free?
Yes, there is no fee to join the loyalty program.
Do Hilton Honors points expire?
Points will expire after 24 months of inactivity. One benefit of having a Hilton Honors credit card is that you can keep your loyalty account active with small purchases, even if you don’t travel for two years.
How much is a Hilton Honors point worth?
According to Bankrate valuations, one point is worth 0.6 cents, or 1,000 points are worth $60. You can typically redeem a free hotel stay by redeeming 5,000 to 95,000 points, depending on the property and location.
Where can I stay?
Hilton Honors hotels are found worldwide, with 7,000 properties in 122 countries. The properties include 19 hotel brands: luxury options like the Waldorf Astoria, urban boutique hotels like Canopy, family-friendly options like Embassy Suites and budget hotels.
Is the Hilton Honors travel app any good?
The Hilton Honors app is free to download. The app won third-best hotel app in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study.
Can I transfer points from other American Express cards to Hilton Honors?
Yes, American Express partners with four hotel loyalty programs, including Hilton Honors.
Rewards cards dos and dont's
As with any rewards credit card, be sure to weigh these benefits against fees — a $150 annual fee in this case and make sure you understand how to use the card effectively. That said, $150 may be more than offset by those maxing out the benefits.
In addition, while reward credit cards are great if you use them wisely, always pay them off in full and on time each month to avoid interest, which can dwarf any rewards you earn. Don't change your spending habits to earn extra points. That's a slippery slope that can lead to overspending.
*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.
As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline, etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities.
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As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline, etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities.
