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...
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