Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Business: Which mid-tier Hilton card is better for you?

12.04.2024 - 18:19 / thepointsguy.com

If you're in the market for a new Hilton credit card, American Express has an impressive lineup — ranging from no annual fee to premium offerings.

Today, we'll look at the two mid-range Hilton cards: the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.

Here's a closer look at both cards to help you decide which is worth adding to your wallet.

6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations

4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases

3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases

5 points per dollar spent (on up to $100,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 3 points per dollar)

National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment is required)

Travel and purchase protections

Complimentary ShopRunner membership

No foreign transaction fees(see rates and fees)

Travel and purchase protections

No foreign transaction fees(see rates and fees)

New Hilton Surpass applicants can earn 155,000 Hilton Honors points after they spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership. Those welcome offer points equate to $930 in value, based on TPG's most recent valuations.

This isn't quite the highest offer we've seen for the Hilton Surpass, but it meets our criteria for when to apply.

Meanwhile, the Hilton Business card is currently offering 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. The highest offer we've seen in the past is 180,000 bonus points, so the current offer is almost as good as it gets and certainly worth considering.

You don't have to have an office with dozens of employees to apply for a business card. A side hustle or consulting gig may be more than enough to qualify you for a small-business card. You could also apply for both cards and earn up to 330,000 bonus points.

But before applying for either, be sure to check Amex's application restrictions and ensure you're eligible for the bonus.

Winner: Hilton Business. A higher signup bonus can help new cardmembers redeem points for hotel stays.

Related: Better together: An ultimate guide to the best credit card pairings

With both cards, you can enjoy a wide assortment of perks:

However, both cards do have some key differences.

The Hilton Surpass earns up to $200 in statement credits annually (up to $50 each quarter) on eligible purchases made with Hilton. These can include room reservations, incidentals or spa charges.

In addition, a huge perk of the Surpass is the ability to earn a free night reward after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. Free night rewards can be used at select properties, although it's still an impressive list and can