The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
News
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business: Which mid-tier Hilton card is better for you?
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
October 30, 2024 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
A comparison is provided between two mid-tier hotel loyalty cards, one for personal use and one for small-business owners, both offering strong benefits for Hilton stays.
Both cards grant automatic mid-tier elite status in the hotel program, statement credits for eligible Hilton purchases and travel protections.
The personal card stands out for its opportunity to earn a free night reward after reaching a specific spending threshold, while the business version offers a higher annual statement credit but lacks the free night benefit.
Both cards earn hotel points that can be redeemed for free nights, with no blackout dates, and provide access to additional perks like car rental status and no foreign transaction fees.
What to consider
The personal card requires a lower spending amount to unlock its welcome bonus compared to the business version, which has a higher threshold.
Statement credits are distributed quarterly and can be used for eligible Hilton purchases, but the amounts and structure differ between the two cards.
Eligibility for the business version may extend to those with side gigs or freelance work, but application restrictions and bonus eligibility rules apply.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side analysis of earning structures, redemption strategies and which card best fits different traveler profiles.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you're in the market for a new Hilton credit card, American Express has an impressive lineup — ranging from no annual fee to premium offerings.
Today, we'll look at the two mid-range Hilton cards: the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.
Here's a closer look at both cards to help you decide which is worth adding to your wallet.
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business comparison
Hilton Surpass
Hilton Business
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and fees)
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $195 (see rates and fees)
Welcome offer
Earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Additionally, enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Additionally, enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $195.
Earning rates
12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases
3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases
12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
5 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases (on up to $100,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 3 points per dollar)
Statement credit
Up to $200 (up to $50 quarterly) statement credits annually for eligible purchases made with Hilton
Up to $240 (up to $60 quarterly) statement credits annually for eligible purchases made with Hilton
Elite status
Hilton Honors Gold; upgrade to Diamond through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 in a calendar year
Hilton Honors Gold; upgrade to Diamond through the end of the next calendar year after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment is required)
Travel and purchase protections
Complimentary ShopRunner membership (enrollment is required)
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment is required)
Travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business welcome offer
New Hilton Surpass applicants can earn 130,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Additionally, enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. This welcome offer is worth $520 based on TPG's April 2026 valuations.
THE POINTS GUY
Meanwhile, the Hilton Business card is currently offering 130,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Additionally, enjoy a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. This offer is also worth $520, according to TPG's April 2026 valuations.
With both cards, you can enjoy a wide assortment of perks:
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status: With Gold status, you'll earn an 80% points bonus on Hilton stays, the fifth night free on award redemptions, elite-tier rollover nights, complimentary breakfast or food and beverage credit at all Hilton hotels, room upgrades (when available) and more.
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status: Benefits include guaranteed upgrades, access to Executive Area cars (in the USA and Canada) and no second driver fees.
No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees for Surpass and Hilton Business)
KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
However, both cards do have some key differences.
The Hilton Surpass earns up to $200 in statement credits annually (up to $50 each quarter) on eligible purchases made with Hilton. These can include room reservations, incidentals or spa charges.
In addition, a huge perk of the Surpass is the ability to earn a free night reward after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Free night rewards can be used at select properties, although it's still an impressive list and can be combined with redemption bookings that take advantage of Hilton's fifth-night-free perk.
On the other hand, the Hilton Business provides up to $240 in statement credits annually on eligible purchases made with Hilton, which are split into $60 quarterly statement credits. The statement credit can be used for room reservations, incidentals, and charges at Hilton food and beverage outlets.
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. Despite the lower statement credit, earning a free night reward based on spend is a useful perk.
Earning points with the Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business
With either the Hilton Business card or the Hilton Surpass card, you'll earn 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, which gives you a solid 4.8% return, according to TPG's valuations.
HINTERHAUS PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
The Hilton Business card also earns 5 Hilton points per dollar on the first $100,000 in purchases per calendar year and then 3 points per dollar after that.
Meanwhile, the Hilton Surpass earns 6 Hilton points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations. You'll also get 4 points per dollar spent on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar spent on other eligible purchases.
While there is some overlap in terms of bonus categories, the biggest perk is that you'll earn 6 points per dollar spent on a total of three unique categories with the Hilton Surpass and 4 points per dollar with online retailers. In comparison, the Hilton Business card falls short by not offering any bonus categories and limiting point accrual for other purchases to the first $100,000 spent.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. There are far more chances to earn additional points with bonus categories and no spending limit.
Redeeming points with the Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business
The Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business earn Hilton Honor points through credit card spending. You can redeem your points for free nights (no blackout dates), Lyft rides, rental cars, transfers to airline partners, shopping and experiences.
HILTON
The best redemption of points is to book free nights. However, since the Hilton Honors program lacks an award chart, the number of points you need to redeem for free nights depends on the hotel, room type, booking and stay dates. The Points Explorer tool by Hilton is a great way to determine how many points you need. Simply input your destination or travel theme and how many points you'd like to spend, and you'll be presented with a list of options that fit your specifications.
TPG managing editor Matt Moffitt enjoys redeeming his Hilton Honors points to book three—and four-star hotels abroad since those properties tend to offer a higher redemption value than those in the U.S. He maximizes his points by booking five-night stays to take advantage of the fifth-night-free perk.
Winner: Tie. Both cards earn the same points and offer the same redemption options.
Should I get the Hilton Surpass or the Hilton Business?
The Hilton Surpass is the better mid-tier Hilton card for most, thanks to its manageable $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee, automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, the opportunity to earn a free night reward and $200 statement credit. Despite the Hilton Business offering a higher annual statement credit of $240, it has a higher ongoing annual fee of $195 ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year), no free night rewards and a weaker earning structure than the Surpass.
Bottom line
There are some valuable benefits to having one — or both — of these cards in your wallet. If you already have or had either card in the past, consider applying for the other to expand your earning potential and maximize statement credits. From generous welcome bonuses to Hilton Honors Gold status, both cards compete well, but if you had to pick one, the Hilton Surpass takes the lead with a favorable earning rate and lower annual fee.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass
For rates and fees of the Hilton Business card, click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
