Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is widely considered the "sweet spot" in Hilton's lineup. For a moderate annual fee, it delivers tremendous value through automatic Gold Status, up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits, and practical 6X earning categories like U.S. supermarkets and gas stations. However, its true superpower is the ability to earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 in a year—a benefit that can easily be worth $500+ on its own.

At a Glance

• Welcome Offer:
• Rewards Rate: 12X on Hilton purchases; 6X on U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Supermarkets, and U.S. Gas Stations; 3X on all other eligible purchases.
• Annual Fee:
• Credits: Up to $200 in Hilton Statement Credits annually (distributed as up to $50 per quarter)
• Status: Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status (Diamond Status after spending $40k/year)
• Free Night Reward: Earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None

Overview

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card sits perfectly between the no-fee Hilton Honors Card and the luxury Hilton Honors Aspire Card. It is designed for the "everyday traveler", someone who vacations a few times a year and wants VIP perks without paying a massive premium. Unlike the Business version of this card, the Surpass focuses heavily on rewarding household spending (groceries and gas) rather than general business expenses.

Rewards & Benefits

• The 12X/6X/3X Structure:
  • 12X Points at Hilton hotels and resorts.
  • 6X Points at U.S. Restaurants, U.S. Supermarkets, and U.S. Gas Stations.
  • 3X Points on all other eligible purchases.
• The "Hidden" Gem (Free Night Reward): This is arguably the card's best feature. If you spend exactly $15,000 on the card in a calendar year, you earn a Free Night Reward. You can redeem this at top-tier properties like the Waldorf Astoria Maldives or Conrad Tokyo, where rooms can cost $1,000+ a night.
• Hilton Honors Gold Status: You receive automatic Gold status. If you are a heavy spender, hitting $40,000 in spend in a calendar year upgrades you to Diamond Status through the end of the next calendar year.
• $200 Hilton Credit: You receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter for purchases made directly with Hilton properties. This is highly usable for room rates, dining, or spa services charged to your room.

Fees & Requirements

• Annual Fee: .
• Credit Score: Requires credit.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None, making it safe to use abroad, even if the multipliers are lower outside the U.S.

Borrower Experience

• The $15k Strategy: Many savvy cardholders use the Surpass as their primary card only until they hit the $15,000 mark to trigger the Free Night Reward, then switch to a higher-earning card for the rest of the year.
• Amex Offers: Like all Amex cards, you get access to "Amex Offers" which can save you money at specific retailers (e.g., "Spend $100 at Lululemon, get $20 back").

Who It’s Best For

• Families & Commuters: The 6X points on U.S. groceries and gas make it easy to rack up Hilton points on unavoidable monthly expenses.
• The "Once a Quarter" Traveler: If you take weekend trips regularly, using the $50 quarterly credit is effortless, making the card extremely cheap to hold.
• Status Seekers on a Budget: It is the cheapest way to get meaningful hotel status (Gold) that includes a food/beverage credit.

Who Should Skip It

• The "One Big Trip" Traveler: If you only travel once a year, you will likely miss out on $150 worth of the quarterly credits (3 quarters missed = $150 lost value).
• Luxury Seekers: If you want airport lounge access (the Surpass used to have Priority Pass but lost it) and guaranteed Diamond status, you should spring for the Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
• International Expats: Since the 6X multipliers are U.S.-only, this card loses much of its earning power for those living abroad.

Compare

Bottom Line Verdict

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a workhorse. It rewards you for spending money on "real life" (groceries, gas) and then rewards you again with a Free Night Reward when you hit $15,000 in spend. While the quarterly credit structure is annoying to track, the math is undeniable: if you use the credits and the free night certificate, you are getting $500+ of value for a fee.