AM
American Express

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

130,000 Points Bonus No Foreign Fees
$150 Annual Fee
19.49%–28.49% Variable Purchase APR
130,000 Welcome Bonus
690+ Recommended FICO
Points Reward Type
Browse Cards American Express Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Welcome Bonus

130,000 Points
Welcome Bonus
Spend $3,000 in the first 180 days
Bonus Posted Bonus Hilton Honors points are posted to the cardmember's linked Hilton Honors account up to 12 weeks after the end of the month in which the minimum spend requirement is met. The account must not be cancelled or delinquent at the time of bonus fulfillment.

Rewards

Reward TypePoints
Base Rate3x / 3%
Bonus RateUp to 12x
Point Value~0.5¢ each
ExpirationHilton Honors points earned with this card do not expire while the card account remains active and in good standing. Generally, Hilton Honors points expire after 24 consecutive months of account inactivity across the Hilton Honors program; any qualifying earn or redemption activity — including credit card purchases, hotel stays, points redemptions, or partner transactions — resets the expiration clock.
Transfer PartnersAeromexico Rewards, AirAsia BIG, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, ANA Mileage Club, British Airways Executive Club, Delta Air Lines SkyMiles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Frontier Miles, Hainan Fortune Wings Club, Japan Airlines JAL Mileage Bank, JetBlue TrueBlue, Korean Air SKYPASS, Lufthansa Miles & More, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Saudia Alfursan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Royal Orchid Plus, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, United Airlines MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer
Redemption NotesAirline point transfers convert at a highly unfavorable 10:1 ratio (10,000 Hilton points = 1,000 airline miles), making airline transfers generally poor value compared to hotel redemptions. Hilton uses fully dynamic pricing with no fixed award chart, meaning redemption rates for hotel stays vary unpredictably by property, date, and demand. Cash and statement credit redemptions yield substantially lower value (typically less than 0.2 cents per point) compared to hotel stay redemptions. Bonus earning rates for U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail do not apply to purchases made outside the United States.
CategoryRateTypeCap
Hilton Portfolio Hotels and Resorts
Earned on eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. No annual cap.
12x Points No cap
U.S. Restaurants
Earned on eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants. Does not apply to restaurant purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
6x Points No cap
U.S. Supermarkets
Earned on eligible purchases at U.S. supermarkets. Does not apply to supermarket purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
6x Points No cap
U.S. Gas Stations
Earned on eligible purchases at U.S. gas stations. Does not apply to gas station purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
6x Points No cap
U.S. Online Retail Purchases
Earned on eligible U.S. online retail purchases. Applies to U.S.-based online merchants only; does not apply to online purchases made with foreign merchants. No annual cap.
4x Points No cap
All Other Eligible Purchases
Base earn rate applied to all eligible purchases not covered by a higher bonus category, including all purchases made outside the United States regardless of merchant category. Excludes fees, interest charges, cash advances, and other non-purchase transactions.
3x Points No cap

Benefits & Protections

No Foreign Fees
Travel Insurance
Purchase Protection
Extended Warranty
Lost Luggage Coverage
Hotel Status: Hilton Honors Gold
BenefitCategoryValue / Coverage
Hilton Portfolio Quarterly Statement Credit
Receive up to $50 in statement credits each calendar quarter (up to $200 annually) for eligible purchases made directly with properties in the Hilton portfolio on the Card. Credits reset each quarter (January–March, April–June, July–September, October–December).
Credits $50/quarter (up to $200/year)
Up to $200
No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees are charged on purchases made outside the United States, whether at physical merchants abroad or international online merchants.
Financial 0% foreign transaction fee
Plan It — Pay Over Time Feature
Eligible purchases of a qualifying minimum amount may be split into equal monthly installments with a fixed monthly plan fee (up to 1.33% per month of the amount placed in a plan), rather than accruing standard purchase APR interest. Plan fee and duration are disclosed before each plan is created.
Financial Fixed monthly fee (up to 1.33%/month)
Baggage Insurance Plan
Provides coverage for lost, damaged, or stolen baggage when traveling on a common carrier (plane, train, ship, or bus) and the entire fare is charged to the eligible Card. Coverage is up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage in excess of the common carrier's coverage. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Insurance Up to $1,250 carry-on; up to $500 checked
Up to $1,250
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance (Secondary)
Provides secondary coverage for damage to or theft of a rental vehicle (up to $50,000) when the Card is used to reserve and pay for the entire rental and the CDW is declined at the counter. Geographic restrictions apply; not all vehicle types are covered; no liability coverage included. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Insurance Up to $50,000 secondary CDW coverage
Up to $50,000
Extended Warranty
Extends the original U.S. manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year on covered purchases made with the Card, applicable to warranties of 5 years or less. Maximum coverage is up to $10,000 per covered purchase and up to $50,000 per calendar year. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Insurance Up to 1 additional year; up to $10,000/item
Up to $10,000
Purchase Protection
Covers eligible new purchases made with the Card against accidental damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage limits and exclusions apply. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Insurance Up to 90 days from purchase date
American Express Experiences
Access to Amex Presale Tickets and Amex Reserved Tickets for select concerts, sporting events, Broadway shows, and other entertainment through the American Express Experiences program, while supplies last.
Lifestyle Complimentary access
Resy Restaurant Access
Access to Resy's curated restaurant guides and the ability to discover and book tables at restaurants through the Resy app or resy.com as an American Express cardmember.
Lifestyle Complimentary access
12X Points at Hilton Portfolio Hotels and Resorts
Earn 12 Hilton Honors points per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. No annual cap.
Rewards 12X Points
3X Points on All Other Eligible Purchases
Earn 3 Hilton Honors points per dollar on all eligible purchases not covered by a higher bonus category, including all purchases made outside the United States regardless of merchant type. No annual cap.
Rewards 3X Points
4X Points on U.S. Online Retail Purchases
Earn 4 Hilton Honors points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases. Applies to U.S.-based online merchants only; does not apply to foreign online merchants. No annual cap.
Rewards 4X Points
6X Points at U.S. Gas Stations
Earn 6 Hilton Honors points per dollar at U.S. gas stations. Does not apply to gas purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
Rewards 6X Points
6X Points at U.S. Restaurants
Earn 6 Hilton Honors points per dollar at U.S. restaurants. Does not apply to restaurant purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
Rewards 6X Points
6X Points at U.S. Supermarkets
Earn 6 Hilton Honors points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets. Does not apply to supermarket purchases made outside the United States. No annual cap.
Rewards 6X Points
Fraud Protection and Dispute Resolution
American Express continuously monitors account activity for suspicious or unauthorized charges and notifies the cardmember immediately if unusual activity is detected. Cardholders incur zero liability for unauthorized charges, and American Express works with the cardmember and merchant to investigate and resolve billing disputes.
Security Complimentary
Amex Offers
Access rotating, personalized statement credit and bonus points offers from a wide range of brands. Offers must be added to the Card via the Amex App or online account before making eligible purchases.
Shopping Variable savings
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status
Cardholders automatically receive Hilton Honors Gold Elite status for as long as the Card is held, providing a 25% bonus on Base Points earned on eligible hotel stays, complimentary breakfast or daily food and beverage credit at select Hilton brands, fifth night free on standard award stays of five or more nights, and enhanced room assignment. Status is revoked if the account is cancelled.
Travel Complimentary
Diamond Status Upgrade Path
Earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year after spending $40,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year. Diamond status includes a 100% bonus on Base Points, daily food and beverage credit at select U.S. brands, complimentary continental breakfast at select international brands, executive lounge access, and space-available room upgrades.
Travel Complimentary upgrade (after $40,000 annual spend)
Free Night Reward (Spend-Triggered)
Earn one Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year, redeemable for one standard room at participating Hilton portfolio properties. Certain resort fees may apply.
Travel Complimentary (after $15,000 annual spend)
Global Assist Hotline
24/7 emergency assistance and coordination services available when traveling more than 100 miles from home, including medical and legal referrals, emergency cash wire coordination, missing luggage assistance, and customs information. Cardmembers are responsible for costs charged by third-party service providers.
Travel Complimentary access
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status
Receive complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status, including Executive Area Access for full-size reservations and above in the USA and Canada. Enrollment through the cardmember's American Express online account is required.
Travel Complimentary Executive status

Interest Rates

Purchase APR19.49%–28.49% Variable
Cash Advance APR28.74%
Penalty APR29.99%

Fees

Annual Fee $150
Authorized User FeeFree
Foreign Transaction FeeNone
Cash Advance FeeEither $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Late Payment FeeUp to $40
Returned Payment FeeUp to $40

Approval & Eligibility

690 Recommended minimum FICO · Range 690–850
300 Poor580 Fair 670 Good740 Very Good 800+ Exceptional
Approval DifficultyModerate
Credit ProfileGood
Approval OddsGood
Decision TimeInstant
Pre-QualificationAvailable (no hard pull)
Student EligibleYes
Co-ApplicantNot allowed
Business EligibleNo
Credit Limit Range $2,000 – No limit listed

Issuer Rules & Restrictions

Maximum Cards per Issuer
You can hold up to 4 cards from this issuer simultaneously.
Shutdown Risk Triggers
Manufactured spending, excessive cash advances, abuse or gaming of the Hilton Honors rewards program, payment returned by bank, more than 2 new Amex card approvals within 90 days, transaction patterns inconsistent with stated income, high revolving utilization across all accounts, suspicious authorized user activity
Cliff Effect Rules
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass welcome bonus is permanently blocked for any applicant who has previously received a welcome bonus on this card. Unlike competing Amex co-branded card families, no cross-card family cliffs have been introduced within the Hilton lineup as of 2026. Hilton Honors Card and Hilton Business Card holders may apply for and receive the Surpass welcome bonus without restriction, and Surpass cardholders may similarly apply for the Aspire. Existing lower-tier Hilton Amex cardholders can upgrade to the Surpass after 12 months without a new application, but product upgrades via this path do not generate a new welcome bonus.
International Friendly
May have limitations for international use.
Additional Issuer Rules
American Express enforces a once-per-lifetime welcome bonus rule — applicants who have or have previously held the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card are permanently ineligible for another welcome bonus on this product. Unlike the Delta SkyMiles and Marriott Bonvoy Amex card families, the Hilton Honors lineup has not introduced cross-card family language as of 2026, meaning having held the no-fee Hilton Honors Card, Hilton Aspire Card, or Hilton Business Card does not restrict Surpass welcome bonus eligibility. Amex also applies an informal guideline of no more than 2 new Amex credit card approvals within any 90-day rolling window and generally limits consumers to 4 personal Amex credit cards simultaneously.
Military & Hardship
MLA Compliant
Complies with the Military Lending Act (36% APR cap for active duty servicemembers).
Hardship Program
Hardship program available.
American Express
$150
Annual Fee
Apply Now
You will be redirected to the issuer's secure website.

Welcome Bonus 130,000 Points
APR 19.49%–28.49% Variable
Quick Summary
Annual Fee $150
RewardsPoints
Welcome Bonus130,000 Points
Foreign FeesNone
Min. FICO690+
Online
Ask any doubts about cards.
Gemini 2.2 Ver