If you were to ask me to make a choice, I’d take hotel credit cards over airline credit cards any day. In comparison to airline credit cards, you can earn elite status a lot quicker and enjoy a lot of fantastic perks. While many give Hilton a bad rap for astronomical points pricing in certain cases, you can still derive a great deal of value from the program if you use it strategically. Currently, American Express is offering elevated welcome bonuses on all of their co-branded Hilton credit cards. If you’re looking to slowly dip your toes, then the Hilton Surpass card and its welcome bonus might be worth taking a look at.
Redeeming Hilton Honors points for 0.92 cents per point
HILTON SURPASS CARD: WELCOME BONUS
American Express is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 130,000 Hilton Honors points on the Hilton Surpass card. Moreover, you’ll pay no annual fee for the first year and still get to enjoy the card’s benefits. The annual fee from the second year onwards will be $150.
You’ll earn the welcome bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership. For most people, this minimum spend should be pretty easy to meet as you only need to spend $500 per month.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 130,000 POINTS + $0 Intro Annual Fee Offer
HILTON SURPASS CARD: A $150 ANNUAL FEE CARD THAT OFFERS GOLD ELITE STATUS
If you’re not willing to spend $550 for a premium card like the Hilton Aspire Card, then the Hilton Surpass card is a very viable option for a card that charges an annual fee of $150. Also, with the Hilton Surpass card, you’ll automatically get Gold elite status, which I think is arguably the most valuable mid tier status level if you compare the major hotel chains.
You get some of these amazing benefits simply by carrying the Hilton Surpass card in your wallet:
- Complimentary WiFi
- 80% Bonus points earning on stays
- 5th night free on award stays using points
- Free breakfast at all properties in the Hilton portfolio outside the US (breakfast credits in the US)
- Space available room upgrades
Over the last decade, I’ve stayed at Hilton brands all over the world. Some of my favorite elite status benefits have been the 5th night free feature and complimentary breakfast (outside the US).
In addition to the welcome bonus, you can earn a free night certificate after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Earning Points
The potential to earn points is pretty solid.
- 12x Hilton Honors points on eligible purchases in the Hilton portfolio
- 6x points on dining (including takeout and delivery), gas and groceries (only in the US)
- 4x points on online retail purchases (US only)
- 3x points on all other purchases
$200 IN CREDITS
This is a brand new benefit that Amex has added in late 2023. You will earn $50 in statement credits each quarter on purchases made with hotels in the Hilton portfolio. Unlike the resort credit on the Hilton Aspire Card, this benefit is a lot easier to use. You simply need to make a qualifying purchase each quarter with a hotel in the Hilton portfolio.
For anyone who stays at Hilton properties every now and then, maxing out the $200 each year should be pretty straightforward.
OTHER BENEFITS
In additional to stellar points earning potential, the Hilton Surpass card also offers some valuable additional benefits and protections:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Car rental loss and damage insurance
- Add authorized users for no fee
Moreover, Amex has also added complimentary car rental elite status as a perk with this card. For simply carrying the card in your wallet, you’ll earn Emerald Club Executive status with National car rental.
THE PUNDIT’S MANTRA
For a card offer that only requires $3,000 in spend in the first 6 months, a bonus of 130,000 points is pretty good. Moreover, you’re paying nothing in annual fees for the first year. You’ll only need to spend $500 per month in order to meet the minimum spend requirement.
In addition, American Express is running limited time offers on their other co-branded Hilton credit cards as well.
| Card Name | Limited time offer and Application Link |
| Hilton Honors American Express Card | 100,000 points & $100 statement credit |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | 175,000 & 1 free night certificate |
| Amex Hilton Business Card | 175,000 Hilton Honors points |
All of these offers are slated to end on Aug 13, 2025.
Which is your favorite co-branded Hilton credit card? Tell us in the comments section.
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New Credit Card Offers
Chase Sapphire Cards
- Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $500 statement credit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- Earn 200,000 bonus points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card for Business
Co Branded Hilton Honors Cards
- Earn 100,000 bonus points and a $100 statement credit with the Hilton Honors American Express card
- No fee for the first year, earn 130,000 bonus points with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card
- Earn 175,000 bonus points with the Hilton Aspire card, in addition to 1 free night certificate each year
- Earn 175,000 bonus points with the Hilton Business Card
Co-branded Delta SkyMiles cards
- No annual fee for the first year, earn 80,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
- No fee for the first year, earn 90,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
- Earn 110,000 bonus miles with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Marriott Credit Cards
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hilton, marriott and IHG points have become almost useless at this point. can never use them, it costs 50k/night to stay at some random hampton inn, and status means nothing. 130k isnt worth the credit pull.