American Express recently made some exciting updates to its Hilton co-branded credit cards, including the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. These changes have added more value for cardholders, such as Hilton credits and a new bonus spending category. However, the annual fee has also significantly increased, and one of the card’s best perks, airport lounge access, has been removed.
TIME’s Take
The recent updates to the Hilton Honors Surpass Card have left it in an awkward position. While there is still a considerable gap between its annual fee and the premium Hilton Honors Aspire Card, which offers more benefits and perks, it’s hard to say if the Surpass Card provides enough value to justify choosing it over other options.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card:
Pros:
- Large sign-up bonus
- $200 in Hilton annual statement credits
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
Cons:
- $150 annual fee
- No automatic free award night
- No airport lounge benefit
Who is the card for?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is perfect for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton hotels and resorts and want access to additional brand and travel benefits. It’s also an excellent option for Hilton enthusiasts who aren’t ready to commit to the premium Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card with its $550 annual fee but still want to enjoy some exclusive Hilton benefits not found with the no-fee card.
Rewards structure
Earning Hilton points
The Surpass Card offers a generous sign-up bonus, with the opportunity to earn 170,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months. Additionally, the card offers various bonus categories for earning points, such as 12 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases.
Redeeming Hilton points
Award nights at Hilton properties typically start at 5,000 points per night and can go up to 95,000 points for a standard room. Hilton uses dynamic pricing, which means the number of points needed for an award night depends on the specific property and timing of the stay. Hilton Honors also offers various ways to redeem points, such as transferring points to airline partners, shopping with points at Amazon.com, and redeeming points for car rentals and VIP experiences.
Features
While the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card may not offer the luxury benefits of the Aspire Card, it still comes with valuable features and perks:
- Hilton Honors Gold status, offering discounted rates, no resort fees on award stays, an 80% points bonus on stays, and more.
- $200 Hilton statement credits for purchases at Hilton properties.
- Free night reward for spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year.
- Complimentary Emerald Club Executive status with National Car Rental.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Travel and shopping protections, including car rental insurance, baggage insurance, and extended warranty protection.
The fine print
- Regular APR: 20.99% to 29.99% (variable)
- Annual fee: $150
- No balance transfer fee
- No purchase intro APR
- No balance transfer intro APR
What could be improved?
With the increased annual fee, it would be reasonable to expect the Hilton Honors Surpass Card to come with more elite brand benefits instead of removing them. The $150 annual fee may be hard to justify unless you plan on spending a significant amount on the card to earn rewards or a free night reward.
Card alternatives
If the Hilton Honors Surpass Card doesn’t quite fit your needs, there are other options to consider. However, keep in mind that each card caters to different target audiences and comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Bottom line
The Hilton Honors Surpass Card falls between two other Hilton cards, offering a middle-ground option for Hilton loyalists. While it may not provide the same elite benefits as the Aspire Card, it can still be valuable for those who spend enough to unlock its benefits. If you primarily stay at Hilton properties and are willing to invest in a card with a higher annual fee, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card may be a better fit for you.
This review was originally written for Personal Finances Blog.