Verdict · Updated April 2026
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card for Travel
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is a solid pick for travel — ranked #17 of 54 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
Rank #17 of 5470th percentileSolid option — check alternatives
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
American Express · $150 annual fee
The mid-tier Hilton card packs incredible value for its $150 fee. Gold status includes room upgrades and complimentary breakfast at most properties. The free night reward after $15K annual spend easily covers the fee, and 10 Priority Pass lounge visits are a rare perk at this price.
Full card review
Earn math — Travel profile
Based on typical travel spending of $25,200/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$1,080
Annual fee
$150
Net value
$930
Transfer partnersLounge accessNo foreign transaction feeTrip protection
Where the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins for travel
- No foreign transaction fee — saves 2-3% on every international purchase
- Lounge access is typically worth $40-$60 per visit
- Priority Pass covers 1,300+ airport lounges globally
Where it falls short
- No intro 0% APR and a high regular APR (30.49%) — carrying a balance is expensive
Top 3 alternatives for travel
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card on our travel scoring model.
How the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card a good card for travel?⌄
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card is a solid pick for travel — ranked #17 of 54 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
How much can I earn with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card on travel spending?⌄
At the typical travel spending profile of $25,200/year, this card earns approximately $1,080 in rewards — net $930 after the $150 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card for travel?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, Citi Strata Premier Card, American Express Platinum. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for travel.
What credit score do I need for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?⌄
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card typically requires good credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The $150 annual fee breaks even when you earn $150 in rewards. At the typical travel profile ($25,200/year), this card earns $1,080 — net positive after the fee.
Want the full card review?
See rewards, fees, and all perks of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card