Quantcast

Hilton Surpass wins over traveler skeptical of cobranded cards

Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
Europe's airlines pivot to bite size M&A deals to limit cost, regulatory burden
Dave Emerson named new CEO of Virgin Australia, replacing Jayne Hrdlicka
Ryanair DELAYS controversial new boarding pass rule to avoid summer chaos
FAA Orders Inspection, Replacement of 737NG Engine Parts
Delta crash passengers should take the $30,000 payment, their lawyers say. Here’s why.
Budget airline launches new cheap flights to one of the UK’s top winter sun destinations
Brazilian airline Azul to go 'back to basics' after challenging 2024
Airlines cancel flights as air travel to ‘grind to complete halt’ this week ahead of major strike action in Europe
Dramatic moment American Airlines plane diverted to Rome is escorted by fighter jets after mid-air bomb threat
Jetstar Faces Major Backlash as Nationwide System Outage Causes Travel Chaos, Stranding Passengers and Disrupting Flights Across the Australian Airline Industry
Sudden oil supply outages creating turbulence for airline industry
Southwest's layoffs dent its worker-first culture
Abu Dhabi's long-haul carrier Etihad Airways sees record $476 million profit in 2024
Jet2 warns of profits squeeze from rising costs and late bookings
Southwest bends further to activist shareholder Elliott's demands
Downgraded on a flight? Take these simple but important steps to get your money back
Delta Offers Over $2 Million to CRJ Crash Passengers
Boeing Delays Continue for Alaska, Hawaiian
Hong Kong Airlines launches daily Sydney flights
Airline to launch new bunk beds in economy on long-haul flights next year
How Airline Employees Are Coping After Deadly Washington Crash
Major airline reverses in-flight menu change amid outcry
British Airways frequent flyer scheme changes: everything you need to know
Airline introduces world-first hand luggage ban on popular travel gadget
Air Canada Delays Boeing 767 Reentry
Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
British Airways tweaks frequent flyer scheme after backlash
Delta flight from New York to Florida diverted to North Carolina due to ‘odor in the cabin’
Hilton Surpass wins over traveler skeptical of cobranded cards
Research
Webp 3kc5mwqvdsgmoro6x4x1suwllcoi
Matt Moffitt Managing editor | The Points Guy

When I first got into the credit card rewards hobby, transferable points made the most sense to me. My travel style has always been flexible. I don't necessarily love any hotel chain more than another, and I've lived near hub cities for multiple airlines. Rewards that I could use anywhere, any time — by transferring to a loyalty partner or booking through a travel portal — were my natural choice. I didn't see how a cobranded card fit into my strategy.

That changed when I decided to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card. Despite what you might think, I didn't apply because I'm now a Hilton loyalist.

Since I hadn't booked hotels yet for trips I'd planned this year, I was curious about how the card's benefits could elevate my upcoming travel. What if I tested out loyalty to a worldwide chain with thousands of properties across multiple price points?

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Here are six reasons why the Hilton Surpass finally won me over as someone who wasn't interested in cobranded cards.

I could've picked up the no-annual-fee Hilton Honors American Express Card (see rates and fees). However, I didn't want to simply dip my toes into a cobranded card membership. Instead, I wanted to see how the Surpass' elite status and statement credits could elevate my travel experience. The card's $0 introductory annual fee for the first year then $150 annual fee (offer ends Aug. 13, 2025; see rates and fees) seemed like a completely reasonable rate to me considering its benefits.

Sure, it wouldn't have as many perks as the top-tier Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, which charges a $550 annual fee, but I don't have the appetite for such a high annual fee at this point.

The information for the Hilton Honors Aspire has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

I also wasn't as impressed with similar cards offered by competing hotel chains at comparable annual fee rates, such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card (see rates and fees), the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees) and the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (see rates and fees).

Thus, I landed on the Surpass.

Because I've historically been a free agent, I've never experienced elite status perks with any program. Receiving automatic mid-tier Hilton Gold status from a card with a modest annual fee was attractive to me.

Hilton Gold status comes with perks including:

- A daily food-and-beverage credit or continental breakfast

- Elite rollover nights

- The fifth night free on reward stays

- Space-available room upgrades

- An 80% points earning bonus on stays

- 10,000 bonus points every 10 nights after you've stayed 40 nights in a calendar year

I saw myself enjoying bonus points, daily food-and-beverage credits and space-available room upgrades most. The fifth-night-free perk intrigued me too.

If you spend $40,000 in a calendar year, you also get upgraded to Diamond status through next calendar year's end. While that's not my plan with this card currently spending-incentivized status is appealing if one spends that much annually.

Statement credits are major part of credit card rewards hobby maximizing them ensures value return on annual fee investment - no exception here! Up-to-$50 quarterly statement credit covering wide range purchases directly via establishment services make potential offsets real easy: room rates/incidentals/spa/gift shops etcetera alike!

I felt that would be easy for me use essentially wiping away cost before year's over! Having gotten early March already planning trip Louisville Kentucky springtime allowed usage first quarter toward three-night stay Tempo Downtown NuLu cash basis thereafter!

I'm taking trip Europe later spring intending second quarter dining/drinks Canopy London City fall heading Las Vegas utilizing Conrad Resorts World accordingly thereafter again...

Though wallet covers many categories previously mentioned lacked extra gas/online retailers... Thankfully enough earns six-per-dollar spent U.S stations four-per-online purchases instead likewise allowing higher returns same expenditure therein…

One underrated perk is complimentary National Rental Car Emerald Club Executive Status enrollment required terms apply nonetheless granting access executive area full-size reservations above U.S Canada guaranteed upgrades waived second driver fees solid benefit since often traveling companion alike!

While welcome offer varies depending application timing enticement arose limited-time proposition offering significant bonuses post-minimum-spend achievement alongside free night reward added incentive ultimately leading decision making process itself once met began daydreaming redemption options upcoming two-night London utilization Points Explorer search availability properties maxing-out existing surplus totality value maximization further ensured dynamic pricing variation opportunities aplenty overall especially flexibility involved therein case specifically using entire allocation Canopy Spring Rome Tapestry Collection subsequently certificate standard accommodation equating substantial monetary equivalent other alternatives notwithstanding possible alternative avenues pursued concurrently...

A few years ago unsure whether convinced ever applying cobrand factors outlined best option indeed learn fiercely loyal particular brand unnecessary finding fitting overall strategy meanwhile priority assessment encouraged earning transferable given inherent advantage diversification similarly important consideration recommended herein full review additional insights...

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has highlighted the importance of its Corporate Treasury Team in managing financial resources.

Jul 26, 2025

Etihad Airways is preparing to launch its new Airbus A321LR aircraft, which promises to enhance the narrow-body flying experience.

Jul 26, 2025

Eurowings has been recognized as one of the top airlines in Europe, according to a study by the consumer portal Flightright.

Jul 25, 2025

American Airlines is set to reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft for domestic flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall.

Jul 25, 2025

Southwest Airlines is in the process of introducing extra-legroom seats across its fleet, with about 25% of its planes now featuring these new rows.

Jul 25, 2025

The Ethiopian Airlines Group recently marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its expanded Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Jul 25, 2025