Review: Hilton HHonors Surpass From American Express

6
Jan

Review: Hilton HHonors Surpass From American Express

When most people look for a credit card that earns travel rewards, they first think of an airline affiliated product. While it can make sense to have a card that returns frequent flier miles, hotel points can be equally valuable and even easier to redeem. American Express offers its Hilton HHonors Surpass card for customers who wish to earn points towards free hotel nights with no blackout dates or capacity restrictions.

After their initial purchase, new card members earn 40,000 points in Hilton’s HHonors rewards program. Another 20,000 points can be received when card holders charge $3,000 or more within the first three months of opening their account. After that, cardholders earn three points per dollar for most purchases, along with six points per dollar at gas stations, drug stores, and supermarkets, as well as for phone, cable, satellite TV and Internet service providers. Nine points per dollar are earned for spending at Hilton properties.

Card members are granted Gold status in the Hilton HHonors program the first year, and they can maintain that status by spending at least $20,000 on their credit card during the following calendar year. There is a $75 annual fee for this card that is not waived the first year, as well as a 2.7% foreign transaction fee on all purchases processed outside of the United States.

This HHonors Surpass card offers a generous sign up bonus as well as competitive rewards for spending. Award nights at their category 1-4 hotels can all be redeemed for less than 30,000 points, making this card’s sign up bonus worth at least two nights in these hotels. Even Hilton’s highest award category is 50,000 points per night, which can equate to a free night at a very expensive property after only $17,000 worth of charges. When bonus categories are included, these premium hotel awards can be realized after even less spending. Finally, cardholders are immediately granted Gold status which will entitle them to complimentary breakfast, Internet service, and room upgrades.

This Hilton credit card has an annual fee that is not waived the first year, as is the case with other versions of this card. It also has a slightly higher annual fee than competing Hilton credit cards offered by Citi and American Express. However, the earning potential is significantly higher with this card than any of their other products.

Ultimately, HHonors Surpass is a very strong card for existing customers of the Hilton group of hotels. This card can also make sense when used strictly as a means to earn free hotel nights through spending. Even when customers are able to earn free airline tickets through the use of frequent flier miles, they will still need a place to stay when they get there. Using a card like the Hilton HHonors Surpass from American Express is a great way to enjoy travel rewards on the ground as well as in the air.

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