Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review

KEY LINK – Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – 165,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership. $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).

I’ve often said that one of the best ways to get a decent number of points is by applying for new credit cards. It’s just too hard to get any appreciable number of points by earning them through everyday spending, unless you have a LOT of spending. While I do say that you should not apply for a credit card just because some guy on the Internet says you should, one of the ways that our family has been able to travel so much is by applying for new credit cards every couple of months. Applying for the card through our link may support the site – thanks in advance if you use these links when you apply for a new credit card.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Here are the details of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® card (Terms Apply).

• Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months
• You’ll earn 12X Hilton Honors points for eligible spending at Hilton Hotels
• 6X Hilton Honors points at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations
• 4X Hilton Honors Points on U.S. Online Retail Purchases
• 3X Hilton Honors points on all other eligible purchases
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with an upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year
• Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – $50 quarterly
• $150 annual fee (see rates and fees)

This is a pretty good welcome offer, and Hilton Gold is probably the best mid-tier status of any hotel chain. If you have even a few paid Hilton stays, you could earn back more with your $200 discount than you have to pay with the $150 annual fee.

You’re only eligible for the bonus on this card if you have never had this card. American Express also will consider the number of American Express Cards you have opened and closed as well as other factors in making a decision on your welcome offer eligibility.

Best Ways to use Hilton Points

The best way to use Hilton points is for stays at Hilton hotels. Hilton no longer has a set award chart, which makes it difficult to get any kind of outsized value. Still, you should be able to get at least 3 or 4 nights free with this many Hilton points. And remember that the 5th night is free on Hilton Honors redemptions. Remember that because Hilton doesn’t have an award chart, the number of points you’ll need varies up and down over time. So, just like keeping an eye on Southwest flights for price drops, you should carefully monitor your Hilton reservations and rebook if the cost goes down.

(SEE ALSO: Now you have to constantly check your HILTON reservations too?!?)

(SEE ALSO: Exhibit #143 why it pays to proactively check your reservations)

I had a great stay at the Hilton Beijing (with an amazing indoor swimming pool) and have also had good stays at several Homewood Suites hotels (for free hotel dinner!), including at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando International Drive.

(SEE ALSO: 5 Hilton hotels to use your free certificate)

Other hotel credit card alternatives

If the Hilton Honors American Express card isn’t right for you, there are a couple of other options for hotel points

• Hilton Honors American Express Card – Earn 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. $0 annual fee (see rates and fees). Read our full review here
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card –  Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $99 annual fee. Read our full review here.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card – Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. $0 annual fee. Read our full review here.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card– Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. $95 annual fee (read our full review here)

Find other hotel cards on our top credit card offers page

The Bottom Line

KEY LINK – Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – 165,000 Hilton Honors points after spending $3,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership. $150 annual fee (see rates and fees)

If you’re looking for a bunch of Hilton points for an upcoming stay, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card can be a great option. While Hilton Honors points are not as valuable as some other points, you can still get good value from this card.

What do you think of the no annual fee Hilton Honors American Express card? Leave your thoughts in the comments below

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