Hilton Surpass vs. Business Card Showdown: A Tale of Two Cards

Links: Apply now for the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

American Express and Hilton have an exciting quartet of co-branded credit cards crafted for every kind of traveler. Here, we delve into two mid-tier cards—one personal, one business—as both have merits worth exploring.

Comparing the Hilton Surpass & Hilton Business Credit Cards

Amex and Hilton offer two mid-range cards—one made for personal use and the other for business—with comparable annual fees:

• The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (annual fee: $150)
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (annual fee: $195)

With the personal card being the cheaper option by $45, you’d think that’s the only difference, but there’s plenty more to consider.

Welcome Offers Galore

Right now, we’ve got some intriguing limited-time welcome offers:

• The Hilton Surpass Card tempts you with 130,000 Hilton Honors points and a free night award after spending $3,000 in six months.
• The Hilton Business Card lures you with 175,000 points after spending $8,000 within the same timeframe.

Return on Spending: Who Wins?

Both cards lead to a healthy return on spend, but they take different paths to get there.

The Hilton Surpass Amex doles out:

• 12x points on Hilton expenditures
• 6x points on U.S. dining, groceries, and gas
• 4x points on online retail buys in the U.S.
• 3x points on other eligible uses

The Hilton Business Amex, meanwhile, offers:

• 12x Hilton Honors points on Hilton-related purchases
• 5x points on other purchases up to $100,000 annually, then 3x after that

No foreign transaction fees on either card, which is music to any traveler’s ears.

Elite Status Perks: Stepping Up

Both the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business cards offer a similar rung on the status ladder:

• Hilton Honors Gold status, just for having the card
• Bump that to Diamond status after spending $40,000 in a year

Free Night Award Certificates: Your Next Escape Awaits

The Hilton Surpass Card dangles a free night award after splashing out $15,000 each calendar year—a sweet deal if you ask me. The Hilton Business Card, however, doesn’t offer this particular treat.

Property Credits: Making Every Stay Count

Let’s chat about credits: both cards provide annual Hilton credits distributed quarterly:

• The Hilton Surpass Card offers up to $200 in credits annually, with $50 in credits each quarter for eligible Hilton stays.
• The Hilton Business Amex ups the ante with $240 in annual credits, spread out as $60 a quarter for qualified Hilton spending.

Spend smartly each quarter, and you’ll find these credits hold solid value, making these cards a no-brainer for Hilton aficionados.

Approval Odds: Your Shot at Success

If your credit’s in tip-top shape, getting either card shouldn’t give you too much trouble. But remember—Amex caps you at five credit cards, though exclusions apply for charge and hybrid cards. Keep this in mind and approval odds remain in your favor.

Moreover, snagging the Hilton Business Card doesn’t typically factor into Chase 5/24 limits, a pro tip if you’re keeping tabs on that.

The Final Word: Hilton Surpass vs. Business

The Hilton Surpass and Business Cards are fascinating in their own rights. They share features like Gold status and 12x points on Hilton purchases, yet diverge in rewards structures.

Pick whichever card aligns with your spending style and need for free night certificates. If you frequent Hilton properties quarterly, you’ll find the fees practically pay for themselves.

Are you already clutching one of these Hilton Amex cards? Which is your favorite, and why?

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The following links provide you with rates and fees for these American Express Cards: The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.