The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card are fantastic credit cards with great rewards and perks for Hilton lovers.
The Hilton Honors Surpass offers nice rewards at Hilton properties while providing automatic Gold status that includes valuable perks like room upgrades and breakfast benefits. This mid-tier Hilton card hits a sweet spot for occasional Hilton guests who want elite perks without premium card costs.
The Hilton Honors Aspire Card offers top-tier Hilton Diamond status and valuable travel credits. This premium card provides excellent rewards for Hilton stays and nice perks that can easily offset the annual fee for frequent Hilton guests.
(All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Deals Points and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.)
This article will compare each card based on several factors to help you make an informed decision on which card is the best to add to your wallet.
Overview of Each Card
Welcome Bonuses
Hilton Surpass American Express
The Hilton Surpass Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
Hilton Aspire American Express
The Hilton Aspire Amex currently offers the following welcome bonus:
Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months.
Earning Rewards
Hilton Surpass American Express
With the Hilton Surpass Amex, you can earn Hilton Honors points at the following rates:
- 12 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels and Resorts;
- 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery);
- 6 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets;
- 6 points per dollar at U.S. gas stations;
- 4 points per dollar on U.S. Online retail purchases; and
- 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
I value Hilton Honors points at 0.51 cents per point based on my review of the award and cash prices at over 40 hotels.
These earning rates make the Hilton Surpass Amex one of the most rewarding hotel credit cards for Hilton loyalists. The 12 points per dollar at Hilton properties equates to a 6.1% return on spending. The 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations provide a 3.1% return, while the 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases offer a 2% return.
Hilton Aspire American Express
The Hilton Aspire Amex earns Hilton Honors points at the following rates:
- 14 points per dollar at Hilton Hotels and Resorts.
- 7 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com.
- 7 points per dollar on car rentals booked directly with select car rental companies.
- 7 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
- 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
Winner:
It depends. Both cards earn points on Hilton stays but the Hilton Surpass Amex has other spending categories focused on everyday spending, while the Hilton Aspire Amex focuses on travel categories.
Just make sure to choose the card that matches your spending habits.
Card Benefits and Perks
Hilton Surpass American Express
The Hilton Surpass Amex offers the following benefits for its cardholders:
Hilton Gold Status: Receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold elite status, which offers benefits of 80% points bonus on eligible rates, food and beverage credit or breakfast, room upgrades (if available), two complimentary bottles of water, and fifth night free on reward stays.
Upgrade to Diamond: You can upgrade to top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond elite status when you spend $40,000 in a calendar year. Diamond status offers additional benefits like guaranteed executive lounge access, suite upgrades, and a 100% points bonus. However, it’s worth noting that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card automatically grants Diamond status without a spending requirement, although with a higher annual fee.
$200 Hilton Credit: Receive an annual credit of up to $200 Hilton Credit earned in $50 increments per quarter, which can be used for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton properties, such as room rates, dining, and incidentals. For frequent Hilton guests, these credits can quickly add up and offset a significant portion of the card’s annual fee.
Free Hotel Night: You can earn a free hotel night after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. This free night can be redeemed at almost any Hilton property worldwide, including luxury resorts that might otherwise cost hundreds of dollars per night. Maximizing this benefit can lead to substantial savings and memorable experiences.
National Executive Status: Receive National Car Rental Executive status, which offers benefits of Executive area access allowing you to choose any full size and above in the Executive Area and only pay the midsize rate, guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through luxury vehicle, and one free car rental day for every six car rentals
Travel and Purchase Benefits
Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*
Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Hilton Aspire American Express
The Hilton Aspire Amex offers the following benefits and perks:
Hilton Diamond Status: Receive automatic Hilton Honors Diamond Elite status as long as your account is open. Diamond status offers the benefits of 100% points bonus on eligible hotel stays, room upgrades (if available), executive lounge access, premium Wi-Fi, breakfast or daily food and beverage credit, and fifth night free on award stays.
Free Night Award: Holding the card earns you one free night award at almost every Hilton hotel each year, which can be great for high-end properties.
Earn Additional Free Nights: You can earn additional free night awards when you spend $30,000 and another free night when you spend $60,000 in a calendar year.
Up to $400 in Hilton Resort Credits: Each calendar year, you will receive $400 (up to $200 from January to June and $200 from July to December) in statement credits for eligible purchases at eligible Hilton resorts. Spending includes dining, activities, room rates, and spa treatments.
Up to $200 in Annual Flight Credit: Receive up to $200 in annual flight credits ($50 per quarter) for airfare purchases on flights directly from the airline or through AmexTravel.com.
Up to $100 Hilton Credit: Receive a $100 credit for incidentals when you book a two-night paid stay at the Waldorf Astoria or Conrad properties via HiltonHonors.com/aspirecard or over the phone and quote booking code ZZAAP1.
CLEAR Plus: Receive a complimentary membership to CLEAR Plus, which is an airport membership program that allows travelers to expedite their way through airport security using biometric identification such as eye scans or fingerprints.
Travel Benefits
National Elite Status: Receive a National Car Rental Executive status, which offers the benefits of Executive area access allowing you to choose any full size and above in the Executive Area and only pay the midsize rate, guaranteed upgrades when you reserve a full-size through luxury vehicle, and one free car rental day for every six car rentals
No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose.
Secondary Rental Car Insurance: This card provides backup protection for rental car damage or theft when you charge the full rental to your card.*
Trip Delay Insurance: When your trip is significantly delayed due to covered reasons like equipment failures or severe weather, this protection reimburses you for reasonable expenses including lodging, meals, toiletries, and medication. The coverage activates when you pay for travel with your card and extends to family members on the same itinerary, though you’ll need to seek reimbursement from the travel carrier first.*
Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: This protection reimburses you for non-refundable, prepaid travel expenses if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short due to covered situations like severe illness or weather events. Coverage activates when you pay for your trip with the card, but it’s important to note that reimbursement only applies for specific covered reasons rather than any cancellation.*
Baggage Insurance Plan covers your baggage if it is lost, damaged, or stolen and you purchase your ticket with this card.*
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Purchase Benefits
Amex Offers: As an American Express cardholder, you can access Amex Offers. These targeted, limited-time promotions provide discounts or bonus points on purchases with select merchants. Offers are added to your card, and you’ll receive either a percentage or dollar amount back as a statement credit when you meet the offer terms. While offers vary and may not always align with your spending habits, this perk can be valuable when an offer matches your preferences.
Cell Phone Protection: When you use your card to pay your monthly phone bill, you’ll receive valuable coverage against damage or theft of your device.*
Return Protection allows cardholders to receive a refund for purchased items within a certain timeframe for items that merchants may not accept for return.*
90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them.*
Extended Warranty Protection: Your purchases gain an extra year of warranty protection when bought with this card, extending manufacturer warranties of three years or less without the inflated prices of store warranty plans.
* Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Winner:
Hilton Aspire Amex. It offers more premium benefits like Diamond Elite Status, Annual Free Night Award, and several annual credits.
Value of the Annual Fees
Hilton Surpass American Express
The Hilton Surpass Amex has a $150 annual fee (rates & fees) that can be easily offset each year through benefits. You’ll get up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits ($50 per quarter), which alone exceeds the annual fee if you maximize this perk.
Hilton Aspire American Express
The Hilton Aspire Card has a $550 annual fee (rates & fees). While this may seem steep, the card offers significant benefits that can help offset the cost. You’ll receive complimentary Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night reward, up to $400 in Hilton resort credits, up to $200 in airline flight credits, and more.
Winner:
Hilton Aspire. Although it has an higher annual fee, you can get much more value from the Hilton Aspire when you utilize all of its benefits.
Redeeming Rewards
Both Cards
Hilton Honors points offer flexibility and value for travelers, with over 7,500 properties worldwide available for redemption. While the program uses dynamic pricing instead of a fixed award chart, members can still find excellent deals, especially during peak travel periods. The best way to use Hilton points is typically for hotel stays, where we found during our data study that you should get, on average, about 0.51 cents per point in value.
To maximize your redemptions, search for properties within your point budget during your desired travel dates. Elite members benefit from a fifth night free on award stays, stretching points even further. For those short on points, the Points & Money option allows for customizable combinations of cash and points.
Hilton also offers premium room awards, letting you book suites or rooms with better amenities using points. This can be particularly useful for families or those desiring extra space. Beyond hotel stays, Hilton points can be redeemed for unique experiences through Hilton Honors Experiences, including exclusive events and activities.
While other redemption options exist, such as transferring to airlines, using points for Amazon purchases, or booking car rentals, these typically offer lower value. Focus on hotel stays and experiences to get the most from your Hilton Honors points. With strategic planning, you can turn your points into memorable stays at properties ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury resorts worldwide.
The Verdict
Both the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Aspire cards are great options for travelers.
But the Hilton Aspire Amex offers the best perks for Hilton loyalists with its Diamond Status, annual free nights, and travel credits worth thousands of dollars.
The Hilton Surpass Amex is also a great pick, but it’s best for travelers who just want to earn Hilton points and then redeem those points for occasional hotel stays.
In a nutshell, choose Aspire if your goal is to get Hilton perks and Surpass for earning Hilton points.
Which card are you going to choose?
