Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

CardRewards

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.

Amex EveryDay® Preferred vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

The Amex EveryDay® Preferred ($95/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

Amex EveryDay® Preferred

American Express

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

$150

Welcome Bonus

15,000 points

130,000 Hotel

Earn Rates

Category	Amex EveryDay® Preferred	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Hotels	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Amex EveryDay® Preferred leads in 0.

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 2X

Hilton Hotels

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr — that's $55 more than the Amex EveryDay® Preferred ($95/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $55 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

Which Card Is Right for You?

The Bottom Line

The Amex EveryDay® Preferred has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

For everyday spending, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns more with its 3X base rate.

Choose the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: Choose the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Amex vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Aspire vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Explore More

Amex EveryDay® Preferred — Full Review All American Express Cards

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.

Amex EveryDay® Preferred vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

Amex EveryDay® Preferred

American Express

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

$150

Welcome Bonus

15,000 points

130,000 Hotel

Earn Rates

Category	Amex EveryDay® Preferred	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Hotels	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Amex EveryDay® Preferred leads in 0.

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 2X

Hilton Hotels

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

Which Card Is Right for You?

The Bottom Line

The Amex EveryDay® Preferred has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

For everyday spending, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns more with its 3X base rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: Choose the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Amex vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Aspire vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Explore More

Amex EveryDay® Preferred — Full Review All American Express Cards

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Amex EveryDay® Preferred vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

Amex EveryDay® Preferred

American Express

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95

$150

Welcome Bonus

15,000 points

130,000 Hotel

Earn Rates

Category	Amex EveryDay® Preferred	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Hotels	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 6 categories. The Amex EveryDay® Preferred leads in 0.

Grocery Stores

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 2X

Hilton Hotels

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 1X

Dining

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 1X

Online Shopping

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

Bottom line: The $55 difference is small enough that the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.

Which Card Is Right for You?

The Bottom Line

The Amex EveryDay® Preferred has a lower annual fee ($95 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

For everyday spending, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns more with its 3X base rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $95/yr for the Amex EveryDay® Preferred. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 1X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card?: Choose the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you spend enough to justify the $150/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Amex vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Aspire vs Hilton Honors Surpass Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Bold

Explore More

Amex EveryDay® Preferred — Full Review All American Express Cards

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card — Full Review All American Express Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Automatic Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast at select properties
+Earn Diamond status through $40,000 annual spend (extends through end of next year)
+$200 annual Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) covers most of the annual fee
+Free Night Reward earned after $15,000 annual spend
+Strong earning at 12X at Hilton, 6X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas

Cons

—

−$150 annual fee with no first-year waiver
−Quarterly credits require spending at Hilton properties (use-it-or-lose-it each quarter)
−Points locked to Hilton program with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted than Visa/Mastercard internationally
−Diamond status requires significant $40,000 spend threshold

Get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you:

+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Automatic Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast at select properties
+Earn Diamond status through $40,000 annual spend (extends through end of next year)
+$200 annual Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) covers most of the annual fee
+Free Night Reward earned after $15,000 annual spend
+Strong earning at 12X at Hilton, 6X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas

Cons

—

−$150 annual fee with no first-year waiver
−Quarterly credits require spending at Hilton properties (use-it-or-lose-it each quarter)
−Points locked to Hilton program with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted than Visa/Mastercard internationally
−Diamond status requires significant $40,000 spend threshold

Get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you:

+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

Key Benefits

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

—

+Automatic Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast at select properties
+Earn Diamond status through $40,000 annual spend (extends through end of next year)
+$200 annual Hilton credit ($50 per quarter) covers most of the annual fee
+Free Night Reward earned after $15,000 annual spend
+Strong earning at 12X at Hilton, 6X at restaurants/supermarkets/gas

Cons

—

−$150 annual fee with no first-year waiver
−Quarterly credits require spending at Hilton properties (use-it-or-lose-it each quarter)
−Points locked to Hilton program with no transfer flexibility
−Amex network less accepted than Visa/Mastercard internationally
−Diamond status requires significant $40,000 spend threshold

Get the Amex EveryDay® Preferred if you:

+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending