Top perks
Big welcome offer
You'll earn a sizable welcome offer of 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 6 months. Hilton Honors points are worth about $0.005 per point on average, although it's possible to redeem them for more. Based on that value, 130,000 Hilton Honors points are worth at least $650, making this one of the bigger welcome bonuses we've found. Terms apply.
Earn up to 12X points per $1
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card earns:
- 12X points per $1 on eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio
- 6X points per $1 on purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
- 4X points per $1 on U.S. online retail purchases
- 3X points per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- Terms apply
While Hilton Honors points aren't the most valuable credit card rewards, this card can still earn you a lot of points very quickly. And its bonus categories are a match for the best rewards credit cards.
Earn a free night reward
If you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for $15,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, you'll receive one free night reward that can be redeemed for one standard accommodation at any Hilton property that has this type of room available. You can easily redeem this for a value of $100 to $200, and at higher-end properties, it could be worth over $500. Terms apply.
READ MORE: Best Hotel Credit Cards
Up to $200 in annual statement credits
You can get up to $50 each calendar quarter ($200 annually) as a statement credit for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton. Terms apply.
Complimentary Gold status
As a cardholder, you'll automatically get complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. Benefits include daily food and beverage credit or free continental breakfast, space-available room upgrades, and an 80% bonus on base points earned on every stay.
There's also the opportunity to get Hilton Honors Diamond status by making at least $40,000 in eligible purchases with your card in a calendar year. That's the highest elite status in the Hilton Honors program, and benefits include executive lounge access and a room guarantee if you book at least 48 hours in advance (subject to certain restrictions). Terms apply.
Airport lounge access
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card includes a complimentary Priority Pass membership with up to 10 free lounge visits per membership year when you enroll. This perk will be discontinued after this date, and any lounge visits will need to be used up by Oct. 31, 2024 at the latest. Terms apply.
If you fly often, airport lounge access is an excellent benefit, especially from a card with a modest annual fee. Most credit cards offering a complimentary Priority Pass membership cost $400 or more.
No foreign transaction fees
A foreign transaction fee is the additional percentage charged on any purchase made in a foreign currency, which is anything except U.S. dollars (see rates and fees).
Since the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card doesn't have any foreign transaction fees, you can use your card without worrying about paying extra fees on purchases in another currency while shopping at home or abroad. This can save you 2% to 3% on purchases versus cards with foreign transaction fees.
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