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
February 13, 2025 • 10 min read
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Quick summary
Two mid-tier hotel rewards cards are compared for frequent travelers who prefer either Hilton or Marriott properties.
Both cards offer perks such as annual free nights, automatic elite status and additional benefits at their respective hotel brands.
One card provides a higher-value welcome bonus and more valuable points per TPG's September 2026 valuations, while the other offers more flexible statement credits and higher-tier automatic status.
The choice between these cards depends on your preferred hotel brand, travel habits and which benefits you value most.
What to consider
Annual free nights differ: one is automatic each year, while the other requires significant annual spending to earn.
Both cards avoid foreign transaction fees and offer varying levels of travel protections and statement credits for eligible purchases.
Marriott points are valued at 0.75 cents each and Hilton points at 0.4 cents each as of September 2026 per TPG's valuations.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed side-by-side comparison of benefits, earning structures and redemption options to help you decide which hotel rewards card best fits your travel style.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
If you love the consistency of brand-name resorts or regularly stay at Hilton or Marriott properties, carrying one of their cobranded hotel credit cards may be a good idea.
The and (see rates and fees) are two mid-tier products with a variety of perks, including annual free nights, opportunities to earn a plethora of points and automatic status for additional benefits every time you stay at a participating property.
But does one stand out above the other? Here’s a closer look at how these cards work so you can decide which is better for you.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Surpass comparison
Here’s a quick summary of the most important features of each card to help you compare features and benefits head-to-head:
Feature
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass
Welcome offer
Earn three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027).
Earn 130,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Earning rates
6 points per dollar at Marriott properties
3 points per dollar at grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants (on the first $6,000 in combined purchases each calendar year)
2 points per dollar on other travel purchases and everywhere else
12 points per dollar at Hilton properties
6 points per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants, groceries at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations
4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases
3 points per dollar everywhere else
Elite status
15 elite nights every year, which grants automatic Silver status
Automatic Gold status
Free nights
Free night award on your card’s annual anniversary, worth up to 35,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
Free night reward after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass Welcome offer
The comes with a welcome bonus of three free night awards (valued at up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Certain hotels have resort fees. Additionally, earn up to $100 in statement credits (up to $50 biannually) after spending $500 on eligible airline purchases (through June 30, 2027).
This welcome offer is worth up to $1,225 (including statement credit), based on TPG’s September 2026 valuations.
THE POINTS GUY
With the , you'll earn 130,000 bonus points and a free night reward after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. The welcome offer is worth $520 (plus the value of the free night reward), based on TPG’s September 2026 valuations.
Winner: Bonvoy Boundless. Its offer is worth significantly more.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass benefits
When you have the , you’ll earn a free night every year on your account anniversary after paying your annual fee. This is valid for a stay worth up to 35,000 points, though you can supplement the certificate with up to 25,000 extra points to snag higher-priced rooms. With a $95 annual fee, the free night award alone makes the card worth keeping if you stay at an eligible Marriott property once per year.
With the , you can also enjoy a free night, but it’s not automatic. You’ll have to spend at least $15,000 on the card in a calendar year to earn it, translating to a minimum of $1,250 monthly. And since the Hilton Surpass isn’t necessarily the best card for everyday spending, you could be sacrificing some rewards on those purchases.
That said, you can use the free night for virtually any property in the Hilton Honors portfolio (with just a few exceptions), potentially giving the award an outsize value.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Bonvoy Boundless cardholders get automatic Silver Elite status by virtue of the 15 elite night credits awarded on the card (if you also have a Marriott business card, you can stack these credits for a total of 30 nights). These 15 nights put you more than half of the way to Gold status, and you can earn an additional credit for every $5,000 you spend on the card. And if your spending on the card hits at least $35,000 in a calendar year, you’ll automatically be upgraded to Marriott Gold status.
As a Hilton Surpass cardmember, you get automatic Hilton Honors Gold status. You are then upgraded to Diamond status if you spend at least $40,000 in a calendar year on the card. Elite status at both hotel brands comes with a list of benefits that improve as you move to higher tiers — but Hilton Gold is significantly more valuable than Marriott Silver.
The Hilton Surpass comes with a much more limited set of protections. However, the biggest perk here is the ability to get up to $200 in statement credits every calendar year (up to $50 each quarter) for eligible Hilton purchases. By taking full advantage of this perk, you’ll get positive value from the Hilton Surpass’s annual fee of $150.
Winner: Hilton Surpass. While the Bonvoy Boundless has good benefits, the Hilton Surpass’s complimentary Gold status and up to $200 in statement credits for eligible Hilton purchases have it edging out its competition.
Earning points on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass
If you’re a Marriott or Hilton loyalist, you likely prefer one brand’s points over another. But if you’re not loyal to any specific hotel, here’s a breakdown of what earning looks like on both cards.
With the , you'll earn 6 points per dollar spent at Marriott properties plus 3 points per dollar spent at U.S. grocery stores, U.S. gas stations and U.S. restaurants (up to $6,000 in combined spending each year). In addition, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases and everywhere else.
PEKIC/GETTY IMAGES
Meanwhile, if you have the , you'll earn 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton properties, 6 points per dollar spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar everywhere else.
Winner: Tie. The reward rates are similar enough that it will come down to how you spend, and your preferene for Hilton or Marriott.
Redeeming points on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless vs. Hilton Amex Surpass
The best value for Marriott and Hilton points usually comes from redeeming for hotel reward nights. You do have other options, but hotel stays typically give you the highest value per point. Unfortunately, both programs no longer have award charts.
The majority of Marriott stays cost between 5,000 and 100,000 points per night. However, the program imposes dynamic award pricing, meaning the cost of all its 8,000-plus hotels and resorts can vary.
According to TPG’s valuations, you'll get about 0.75 cents per point on average, but the value you get depends on the hotel, dates and other factors.
ROB LEWINE/GETTY IMAGES
Hilton award stays typically cost anywhere from 5,000 points to 95,000 per night, with an average value of about 0.4 cents per point, according to TPG’s valuations. However, some specialty properties charge up to 150,000 points per night. While the program doesn’t have published award charts, you can get a feel for how much your stay will cost with Hilton’s Points Explorer tool.
If you’re running low on points, both programs feature the ability to combine cash and points to book a room. However, you should calculate the value you’re getting per point for every redemption to make sure these make sense.
Finally, Marriott has almost 40 airline transfer partners; while transferring points to transfer partners is usually the best way to get maximum value, you’re better off using your Marriott points for Marriott stays.
Winner: Bonvoy Boundless. Despite Marriott’s use of dynamic pricing, you’ll still get more value with their points.
Should I get the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Hilton Amex Surpass?
The and are two popular hotel rewards cards with similar costs and benefits. Although Marriott points are worth slightly more, the valuable benefits and better earning rate on the Hilton Surpass make it the better card for all but Marriott loyalists.
Bottom line
Marriott and Hilton offer compelling credit cards that can fast-track your path to free hotel visits. Depending on your travel habits and spending trends, you may benefit from one or even both of these cards.
Savvy travelers may not want to leave home without one. To learn more, read our full reviews of the and Hilton Surpass.
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.
