World of Hyatt card vs. Hilton Surpass card: Battle of the mid-tier hotel credit cards

10.11.2023 - 20:13 / thepointsguy.com

Although sometimes overlooked, hotel credit cards can be a lucrative addition to any wallet. Many of these cards offer generous sign-up bonuses or welcome offers, incredible hotel redemptions and free night perks.

We'll look at two mid-tier hotel credit cards: the World of Hyatt Credit Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. The World Of Hyatt card has a reasonable $95 annual fee, whereas the Hilton Surpass has a moderate $150 annual fee (see rates and fees).

Plus, up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 points per $1 spent on purchases that normally earn 1 point on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening.

2 points per dollar on local transit and commuting, restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly and fitness club and gym memberships

1 point per dollar on all other purchases

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

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

3 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Travel and shopping protections

Travel and shopping protections

National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status

Enrollment is required for select benefits

The Hilton Surpass currently has a welcome offer of 170,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. Hilton Honors points are worth 0.6 cents, according to TPG's valuations, so the welcome bonus is valued at $1,020.

Meanwhile, the World of Hyatt Credit Card staggers its sign-up bonus. You'll first receive 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point on up to $15,000 in the first six months of account opening. World of Hyatt points are worth 1.7 cents each (according to TPG's valuations), so the welcome bonus is also worth $1,020.

The Hyatt card is issued by Chase, which means it's subject to the restrictions of 5/24. That means you will not be approved for this card if you have opened five or more personal credit cards across all banks in the last 24 months.

Related: The award traveler's guide to Hilton Honors and the ultimate guide to the World of Hyatt

Winner: Hilton Surpass. Its spending requirement is easier than the World of Hyatt's approach.

The Hilton Surpass and the World of Hyatt card offer elite status with their respective brands, but the Hilton card goes one step further.

Hilton Surpass cardholders receive automatic Hilton Gold status. TPG values Hilton Gold status at $1,220 based on its perks at Hilton portfolio properties. Gold status perks include bonus points on stays and