In our opinion, the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass® Card is effectively value its $150 annual payment (see charges and costs) should you’re a Hilton loyalist, because it presents useful earnings charges and automated Hilton Gold elite standing (phrases apply).
Hilton Gold standing consists of complimentary breakfast, room upgrades and boosted earnings when staying at Hilton manufacturers, making it probably the most useful automated standing perks on any card.
Hold studying to find why this card is definitely worth the annual price ticket.
Hilton Surpass welcome provide
New Hilton Surpass cardmembers can earn 130,000 bonus factors plus a free night time reward after spending $3,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass Card within the first six months of card membership.
The cardboard’s present provide meets our standards for a good time to use, as these factors are value $780 plus the worth of a free night time reward in keeping with our March 2025 valuations.
American Categorical lists the next phrases for the welcome provide:
You is probably not eligible to obtain a welcome provide in case you have or have had this Card, the Hilton Honors Amex Ascend Card or earlier variations of those Playing cards. You additionally is probably not eligible to obtain a welcome provide primarily based on varied elements, similar to your historical past with bank card steadiness transfers, your historical past as an American Categorical Card Member, the variety of bank cards that you’ve opened and closed and different elements. If you’re not eligible for a welcome provide, we are going to notify you previous to processing your software so you’ve got the choice to withdraw your software.
Earlier than you submit your software, Amex will let you recognize whether or not you are eligible for the bonus.
Associated: A whole information to Amex’s one-bonus-per-lifetime restrictions
Earn bonus factors with Hilton
The Hilton Surpass card earns 12 factors per greenback spent at Hilton accommodations and resorts, 6 factors per greenback spent on eating at U.S. eating places (together with takeout and supply), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gasoline stations, 4 factors per greenback spent on U.S. on-line retail purchases and three factors per greenback spent on all different eligible purchases.
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The non-Hilton spending returns aren’t wonderful, however you may nonetheless earn appreciable worth with simply your Hilton spending — one more reason to think about this card should you’re a Hilton loyalist.
It is value mentioning right here that the Hilton Gold standing that comes complimentary with the Hilton Surpass grants further bonus factors for each greenback spent with Hilton. Through the use of your Hilton Surpass on eligible Hilton purchases, you may web 30 factors per greenback.
Redemption choices
The only technique to maximize your Hilton Honors factors is to redeem them without cost nights. Nonetheless, you must observe Hilton’s dynamic pricing system, which might fluctuate primarily based on the time of 12 months and different elements.
Hilton’s Factors Explorer web page might help you establish what number of factors you may want for a free night time throughout properties inside the Hilton portfolio. You’ll be able to all the time leverage your redemption with Hilton’s fifth-night free perk to maximise your use of factors.
Hilton Honors additionally permits members to earn and redeem Hilton factors with companions. Nonetheless, most non-hotel redemption choices present comparatively low worth on your factors, so you may possible wish to keep away from these choices.
Associated: The 21 finest Hilton accommodations on the planet
Elite standing
The Hilton Surpass presents complimentary Hilton Gold standing, which incorporates the next perks (further phrases might apply):
- 80% factors bonus on paid stays
- House-available room upgrades as much as executive-level rooms
- Elite rollover nights
- Fifth night time free if you e book a keep fully with factors
- Day by day breakfast or a meals and beverage credit score
Moreover, should you spend greater than $40,000 on the cardboard in a calendar 12 months, you may earn Diamond standing, Hilton’s top-tier providing, by the tip of the following calendar 12 months. Phrases apply.
Cardmembers additionally obtain complimentary Nationwide Automobile Rental Emerald Membership Government standing after enrollment within the Emerald Membership program. Phrases apply. Advantages embrace elevated entry to automobiles, assured upgrades and no second-driver charges.
If you happen to do not use Nationwide you may leverage the elite standing to finish a standing match to different automotive rental corporations.
Associated: Evaluating one of the best lodge elite standing tiers and the best way to earn them
Hilton assertion credit score
A useful perk of the Hilton Surpass that helps to offset the annual payment is an announcement credit score towards eligible Hilton purchases. Cardmembers obtain as much as $50 in assertion credit every quarter (as much as $200 each calendar 12 months) when utilizing the cardboard for Hilton purchases.
Enrollment is required; phrases apply.
Eligible purchases for the assertion credit score are these charged straight with a Hilton portfolio property, together with room charges and incidental prices similar to room service, minibar consumption and laundry providers.
Even should you do not stay at a Hilton property each quarter, you could possibly maximize this credit score by buying a Hilton present card on-line, or visiting a Hilton property to have a meal or buy one thing from the present retailer.
Associated: Battle of the mid-tier lodge playing cards
Free night time reward
The Hilton Surpass presents a free night time reward if you spend $15,000 on purchases on the cardboard in a calendar 12 months. It may be used at nearly any Hilton property worldwide. Phrases apply.
If you happen to worth that free night time at, say, $300, that also makes for a 2% return on the $15,000 in spending.
Associated: get most worth from Hilton free night time certificates
Different advantages
Lastly, the Hilton Surpass consists of no international transaction charges (see charges and costs) when touring outdoors the U.S. and Amex’s “Ship & Break up” characteristic, which helps you to divide payments like a gaggle dinner with associates. Enrollment is required; phrases apply for choose advantages.
Moreover, the cardboard comes with Amex’s “Plan It” perk, which makes it attainable to pay giant purchases over time, plus secondary rental automotive insurance coverage of as much as $50,000 for theft or harm.*
Enrollment just isn’t required for the “Plan It” perk.
*Eligibility and profit degree varies by card. Not all car sorts or leases are lined, and geographic restrictions apply. Phrases, circumstances and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm. Protection is obtainable by American Categorical Journey Associated Providers Firm, Inc.
Associated: 5 causes to get the Hilton Honors Amex Surpass card
Backside line
The Hilton Surpass would not have the flexibleness or over-the-top perks of another playing cards, but it surely might be simply what you are in search of should you’re a semi-frequent traveler who’s keen on Hilton.
Computerized Gold standing, excessive points-earning alternatives and as much as $200 in annual Hilton credit every calendar 12 months make this card an important possibility for Hilton loyalists.
To study extra, learn our full evaluate of the Hilton Surpass.
Apply right here: Hilton Honors American Categorical Surpass Card
For charges and costs of the Hilton Surpass Card, click on right here.