Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review: Unlock Exclusive Travel Benefits

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers many benefits for frequent travelers and Hilton loyalists. Whether you’re booking stays at Hilton properties or earning rewards for everyday purchases, this credit card comes with competitive perks and value. In this detailed review, we’ll break down the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card’s key features, benefits, rewards structure, and more to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your wallet.

Quick Highlights

• Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton portfolio.
• Earn 6X Points for each dollar of purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. online retail purchases.
• Earn 3X points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Amex Surpass Card.
• Earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms and conditions apply.

Key Benefits of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

The Hilton Honors Surpass Card is packed with features that make it an attractive choice for both frequent travelers and casual users. Let’s dive into the core benefits:

1. Welcome Bonus: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

The Hilton Honors Surpass card just updated its welcome bonus, and though it’s a step down from the previous offer, it still offers solid value. You can earn 130,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership. That’s down 40,000 points from the card’s last offer of 170,000 points with the exact spending requirement.

2. Earn Hilton Honors Points with Every Purchase

• 12X: Earn 12X Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases directly with a hotel within the Hilton portfolio.
• 6X: Earn 6X points for each dollar spent on your card at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
• 4X: Earn 4X Points for each dollar on U.S. online retail purchases.
• 3X: Earn 3X points for all other eligible purchases on your card.
• Free Night Award: Earn a free night reward after spending $15,000 on card purchases in a calendar year.  This valuable annual benefit opens doors to amazing hotel stays without paying a dime.

Redeeming Rewards

• Free Nights: You can redeem points for free nights at any Hilton property worldwide. Points required vary based on the property and room type.
• Travel Experiences: Use points for flights, car rentals, cruises, tours, and more.
• Events & Experiences: Bid your points on exclusive events and experiences like concerts, sporting events, and dining experiences through American Express Experiences.
• Amazon Shopping: Use points to purchase on Amazon.com (limited availability, US only).

• Sign in to your Hilton Honors account. This will give you access to all available rewards and redemption options.
• Check the terms and conditions:  Each reward has specific terms and conditions, such as blackout and expiration dates. Make sure you understand these before redeeming.
• Compare your options:  Consider the value of each redemption option before making a decision. For example, using points for a free night at a luxury hotel might be more valuable than using them for a small purchase on Amazon.
• Plan ahead: Book your travel or experiences in advance, especially for popular destinations or events.

3. Complimentary Gold Status

Enjoy spending $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year; you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the year.

4. New $200 Hilton Credit

Earn up to $50 in statement credits for each half purchase made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio. That’s up to $200 in statement credits annually.

5. Free Night Reward

Earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your card.

6. Car rental: Hilton Honors Surpass Card

Members can enjoy complimentary National Car Rental, including perks like Executive Area Access in the USA and Canada. Card Members must enroll in the National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status through their American Express online account.

7. No Foreign Transaction Fees

There are 0% fees for foreign transactions with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card.

Additional Perks

• Hilton hotel network: The Hilton hotel network is worldwide, with more than 5,000 properties in more than 100 countries.
• Redeeming points: Once you’ve racked up Hilton Honors points, you can redeem them in several ways. Unfortunately, like many hotel cards, you won’t be able to save your points for cash back or a statement credit. However, there are plenty of different purchases you can make with rewards.
• Travel accident insurance: For fares charged to your card, you can be covered by a common carrier for accidental death or dismemberment while travelling.
• Extended warranty: On eligible warranties of five years or less, you can add up to two years to the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Rates and Fees

It’s essential to consider the rates and fees associated with any credit card before applying. Here are some of the key rates and fees for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card:

• Purchase APR:  20.99% to 29.99% variable
• Balance transfer APR: None
• APR for Cash Advances: 99% This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
• Annual Fee: $150
• Foreign transaction fee: None
• Late payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment: Up to $40
• Over limit: None
• Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
• Credit limit: $1,000 to over $20,000.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Rewards

The rewards program for this card is one of its most attractive features. Cardholders can earn points for every dollar spent, with additional bonus points for eligible purchases at Hilton properties. These points can be redeemed for free hotel stays, room upgrades, and other travel expenses.

Intro Bonus Offer

• Earn 130,000 points: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card in six months.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Application and Approval Process

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must have a valid Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
• You must be a resident of the United States or its territories.
• You must have a good to excellent credit history. This typically means a credit score of 700 or higher.

Application Process:

• Pre-qualification: Check if you’re pre-qualified for the card on the American Express website. This doesn’t guarantee approval, but it gives you an idea of your chances without impacting your credit score.
• Online Application: You can apply by visiting the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card page and filling out your information.
• Additional Information: In some cases, American Express may request additional information or documentation to verify your identity or income.

Approval Process:

• Decision Timeline: You’ll typically receive an instant approval decision or one within 24-48 Sometimes, it may take longer, and you might be contacted for further verification.
• Approval Factors: American Express considers various factors, including your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and credit report inquiries.

Customer Service/Support

• Help Line: 1-800-446-6677
• AMEX WEBSITE: American Express

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Worth It?

Whether or not the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is worth it depends on your travel habits and goals. Here’s a breakdown of its advantages:

• Frequent Hilton Guests: If you stay at Hilton properties often, you receive 12x points on Hilton stays; the 6X points on Hilton purchases, which can add up quickly. The Gold Status and annual free night reward also make this card a great value for Hilton loyalists.
• Frequent Travelers: The Priority Pass Select and no foreign transaction fees are also fantastic perks for travelers who value comfort and saving money on international transactions.
• Sign-Up Bonus: The large 130,000-point bonus is one of the highest in the market and can quickly help you earn a free stay at a Hilton hotel.

Downsides to Consider

• The $155 annual fee might be a drawback for some, but the benefits can easily offset the cost for frequent travelers.
• The high spending thresholds required for some bonuses and rewards (e.g., the annual free night) might be a barrier for casual users.

Alternatives to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

If you’re not sold on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, there are other options available for travel rewards enthusiasts:

• Hilton Honors American Express Card: No annual fee but offers fewer perks and lower earning rates.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: A Flexible Travel Card: For travelers who want flexibility in how they redeem points and are not tied to one hotel brand, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent alternative. While it’s not a hotel-specific card, it offers robust rewards on travel and dining and valuable travel benefits.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Luxury Travel Perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express is another premium alternative that offers high-end travel benefits, though it comes with a significant annual fee. While it’s not focused solely on Hilton, it offers valuable perks for luxury travelers.

Final Verdict: Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card Right for You?

In conclusion, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and hotel enthusiasts. With its generous rewards program, impressive perks and benefits, and positive customer reviews, this card offers superb value for its annual fee. However, it’s essential to carefully consider your usage and develop a solid rewards strategy to make the most out of this card. So, if you’re a fan of Hilton Hotels and looking for a credit card to enhance your travel experiences, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card may be just what you need.

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