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.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/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.

American Express

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Hotels | 3X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 5 of 8 categories. The Hilton Honors American Express Card leads in 3.
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X
Online Shopping
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 3X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card 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.
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.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/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.

American Express

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Hotels | 3X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 5 of 8 categories. The Hilton Honors American Express Card leads in 3.
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X
Online Shopping
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 3X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card 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.
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.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/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.

American Express

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Hotels | 3X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 5 of 8 categories. The Hilton Honors American Express Card leads in 3.
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 3X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 12X vs 3X
Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 3X
Online Shopping
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 4X vs 3X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card 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.
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.
| Hilton Properties | 7X | 3X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 7X | 3X |
| Dining | 5X | 6X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 6X |
| Grocery Stores | 5X | 6X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 5X | 3X |
| Online Shopping | 3X | 4X |
| Everything Else | 3X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on hilton hotels and gas stations, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:
| Hilton Properties | 7X | 3X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 7X | 3X |
| Dining | 5X | 6X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 6X |
| Grocery Stores | 5X | 6X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 5X | 3X |
| Online Shopping | 3X | 4X |
| Everything Else | 3X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on hilton hotels and gas stations, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:
| Hilton Properties | 7X | 3X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 7X | 3X |
| Dining | 5X | 6X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 6X |
| Grocery Stores | 5X | 6X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 5X | 3X |
| Online Shopping | 3X | 4X |
| Everything Else | 3X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on hilton hotels and gas stations, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you: