Is the Hilton Surpass Amex card worth the annual fee?
Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
In our opinion, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is well worth its $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) if you're a Hilton loyalist, as it offers valuable earnings rates and automatic Hilton Gold elite status (terms apply).
Hilton Gold status includes complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and boosted earnings when staying at Hilton brands, making it one of the most valuable automatic status perks on any card.
Keep reading to discover why this card is worth the annual price tag.
Hilton Surpass welcome offer
New Hilton Surpass cardmembers can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. These points are worth $650 according to our June 2025 valuations.
American Express lists the following terms for the welcome offer:
You may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer if you have or have had this Card, the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card or previous versions of these Cards. You also may not be eligible to receive a welcome offer based on various factors, such as your history with credit card balance transfers, your history as an American Express Card Member, the number of credit cards that you have opened and closed and other factors. If you are not eligible for a welcome offer, we will notify you prior to processing your application so you have the option to withdraw your application.
Before you submit your application, Amex will let you know whether you're eligible for the bonus.
Related: A complete guide to Amex's one-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions
Earn bonus points with Hilton
The Hilton Surpass card earns 12 points per dollar spent at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6 points per dollar spent on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points per dollar spent on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
The non-Hilton spending returns aren't amazing, but you'll still earn considerable value with just your Hilton spending — another reason to consider this card if you're a Hilton loyalist.
It's worth mentioning here that the Hilton Gold status that comes complimentary with the Hilton Surpass grants additional bonus points for every dollar spent with Hilton. By using your Hilton Surpass on eligible Hilton purchases, you'll net 30 points per dollar.
Redemption options
The simplest way to maximize your Hilton Honors points is to redeem them for free nights. However, you should note Hilton's dynamic pricing system, which can fluctuate based on the time of year and other factors.
Hilton's Points Explorer page can help you determine how many points you'll need for a free night across properties within the Hilton portfolio. You can always leverage your redemption with Hilton's fifth-night free perk to maximize your use of points.
Hilton Honors also allows members to earn and redeem Hilton points with partners. However, most non-hotel redemption options provide relatively low value for your points, so you'll likely want to steer clear of these options.
Related: The 21 best Hilton hotels in the world
Elite status
The Hilton Surpass offers complimentary Hilton Gold status, which includes the following perks (additional terms may apply):
- 80% points bonus on paid stays
- Space-available room upgrades up to executive-level rooms
- Elite rollover nights
- Fifth night free when you book a stay completely with points
- Daily breakfast or a food and beverage credit
Additionally, if you spend more than $40,000 on the card in a calendar year, you'll earn Diamond status, Hilton's top-tier offering, through the end of the next calendar year. Terms apply.
Cardmembers also receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status after enrollment in the Emerald Club program. Terms apply. Benefits include increased access to cars, guaranteed upgrades and no second-driver fees.
If you don't use National you can leverage the elite status to complete a status match to other car rental companies.
Related: Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them
Hilton statement credit
A valuable perk of the Hilton Surpass that helps to offset the annual fee is a statement credit toward eligible Hilton purchases. Cardmembers receive up to $50 in statement credits each quarter (up to $200 every calendar year) when using the card for Hilton purchases.
Eligible purchases for the statement credit are those charged directly with a Hilton portfolio property, including room rates and incidental charges such as room service, minibar consumption and laundry services.
Even if you don't stay at a Hilton property every quarter, you may be able to maximize this credit by purchasing a Hilton gift card online, or visiting a Hilton property to have a meal or purchase something from the gift store.
Related: Battle of the mid-tier hotel cards
Free night reward
The Hilton Surpass offers a free night reward when you spend $15,000 on purchases on the card in a calendar year. It can be used at almost any Hilton property worldwide. Terms apply.
If you value that free night at, say, $300, that still makes for a 2% return on the $15,000 in spending.
Related: How to get maximum value from Hilton free night certificates
Other benefits
Finally, the Hilton Surpass includes no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees) when traveling outside the U.S. and Amex's "Send & Split" feature, which lets you divide bills like a group dinner with friends. Enrollment is required; terms apply for select benefits.
Additionally, the card comes with Amex's "Plan It" perk, which makes it possible to pay large purchases over time, plus secondary rental car insurance of up to $50,000 for theft or damage.*
Enrollment is not required for the "Plan It" perk.
*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.
Related: 5 reasons to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card
Bottom line
The Hilton Surpass doesn't have the flexibility or over-the-top perks of some other cards, but it could be just what you're looking for if you're a semi-frequent traveler who's partial to Hilton.
Automatic Gold status, high points-earning opportunities and up to $200 in annual Hilton credits each calendar year make this card a great option for Hilton loyalists.
To learn more, read our full review of the Hilton Surpass.
Apply here: Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass Card, click here.
TPG featured card
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- 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.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees