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

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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.

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

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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.

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

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card costs $150/yr vs $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.

Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?

Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus 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.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

No image

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

USAA

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Bonus

130,000 Hotel

—

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card	USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card
Hilton Hotels	12X	1X
Dining

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 7 categories. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card leads in 1.

Hilton Hotels

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

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X

Dining

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

Grocery Stores

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

Online Shopping

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

Military Base Purchases

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X

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 $150 more than the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus 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.

The Bottom Line

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus 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.

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 $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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

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

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card — Full Review All USAA Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · USAA 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.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

No image

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

USAA

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Bonus

130,000 Hotel

—

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card	USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card
Hilton Hotels	12X	1X
Dining

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 7 categories. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card leads in 1.

Hilton Hotels

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

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X

Dining

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

Grocery Stores

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

Online Shopping

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

Military Base Purchases

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X

Everyday purchases

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

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

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 $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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

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

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card — Full Review All USAA Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · USAA cards

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

American Express

No image

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

USAA

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$150

Welcome Bonus

130,000 Hotel

—

Earn Rates

Category	Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card	USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card
Hilton Hotels	12X	1X
Dining

Category-by-Category Winner

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins in 6 of 7 categories. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card leads in 1.

Hilton Hotels

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

Gas Stations

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns 6X vs 5X

Dining

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

Grocery Stores

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

Online Shopping

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

Military Base Purchases

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card earns 5X vs 3X

Everyday purchases

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

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.

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 $0/yr for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a higher base earn rate (3X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card or the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card?: Choose the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card 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

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

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card — Full Review All USAA Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · USAA cards

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

+5% cash back on gas stations
+5% cash back on military base purchases (commissaries, exchanges)
+2% cash back at grocery stores
+No annual fee
+Competitive rates for USAA members

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

−Restricted to USAA-eligible military members and families
−American Express network less widely accepted than Visa/Mastercard
−1% foreign transaction fee
−Only 1% on non-category purchases

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

+5% cash back on gas stations
+5% cash back on military base purchases (commissaries, exchanges)
+2% cash back at grocery stores
+No annual fee
+Competitive rates for USAA members

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

−Restricted to USAA-eligible military members and families
−American Express network less widely accepted than Visa/Mastercard
−1% foreign transaction fee
−Only 1% on non-category purchases

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

+5% cash back on gas stations
+5% cash back on military base purchases (commissaries, exchanges)
+2% cash back at grocery stores
+No annual fee
+Competitive rates for USAA members

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

−Restricted to USAA-eligible military members and families
−American Express network less widely accepted than Visa/Mastercard
−1% foreign transaction fee
−Only 1% on non-category purchases

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Which Card Is Right for You?