6 Hilton Surpass Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Katherine Fan
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
If you frequently stay at Hilton properties when you travel, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers a slew of benefits that can make your trips even more enjoyable.
To start, the card earns generous rewards on eligible Hilton expenses, as well as on everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retailers.
Here are six ways the Hilton Surpass credit card can offer value that justifies the annual fee.
1. Up to $200 Annual Hilton Credit
The Amex Hilton Surpass offers a generous Hilton statement credit of up to $200 each year. This benefit alone is worth more than the card’s $150 annual fee.
The $200 credit is divided into four quarterly increments of up to $50 apiece, so you’ll need to spend at least $50 on the card toward eligible charges every three months to make the most of this benefit.
Eligible transactions include booking stays at Hilton hotels, but can also include spa, dining, or coffee purchases at salons, restaurants and coffee shops in some hotel lobbies. Any valid transaction will automatically trigger the credit to your credit card statement. In my experience, the Hilton credit usually posts within one to five business days.
2. Earn a Free Night Reward for Meeting a Spending Threshold
The Hilton Surpass card offers one of the most generous free night rewards you can earn across hotel credit cards. Since the free night certificate is valid at almost every Hilton hotel worldwide, you may be able to score a free stay that would otherwise cost well over $1,000 for the night.
To earn this benefit, you’ll need to spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the card in a calendar year. If you need to spend that much anyway, using this card to pay for your big expenses can be a smart idea. However, note that several types of transactions, such as gift card purchases and person-to-person payments, aren’t eligible toward your spending requirement.
There’s a catch to redeeming your free night: You can only apply the certificate to dates where rooms are available for standard accommodations with double occupancy. For example, if the hotel of your choice only has suites left for award redemption on the night you want to book, you won’t be able to use your free night reward for that date.
3. Complimentary National Rental Car Elite Status and Upgrades
The Hilton Surpass also comes with complimentary mid-tier Emerald Club Executive status with National Car Rental (enrollment required). On top of waived fees for second drivers, this benefit allows you to skip the check-in line and select nicer cars on bookings above a certain car size, allowing you to get on with your trip as quickly as possible.
4. Complimentary Mid-Tier Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status
Hilton Honors Gold is the hotel chain’s second-highest tier of elite status, with particularly valuable perks. Customers get a daily food and beverage credit in some regions, while other regions offer a complimentary continental breakfast.
Amongst nearly two dozen benefits, the fifth-night-free perk is particularly useful: When you book five nights with points, you’ll only pay for four nights. This is especially beneficial when your stay falls on pricier dates.
Just remember that these perks will vary by brand and location. For example, breakfast at a Waldorf Astoria in the Maldives will likely be significantly nicer than the food and beverages you’d get at an airport Holiday Inn Express.
5. Upgrade to Diamond Status With Card Spending
If you spend a lot of money on your credit cards each year, paying with your Hilton Surpass Card can unlock further benefits beyond the free night certificate. Once you’ve spent $40,000 in eligible purchases within a calendar year, you’ll earn Diamond: Hilton’s top tier of elite status.
Diamond Elites get a 100% bonus on base points earned from hotel stays, a daily food and beverage credit or continental breakfast at most properties, and executive lounge access where available. It also offers even better benefits in addition to everything Gold members receive, including the ability to gift status to a travel buddy of your choice.
When you earn Hilton Diamond status from spending, it’s valid for the calendar year in which it was earned, as well as the following calendar year. So if you earn Hilton Diamond status in early 2026, it will be valid through December 2027. If you re-qualify for the status, your eligibility date will be extended accordingly.
6. Travel Insurance and Purchase Protections
Protection and travel insurance perks don’t usually get as much attention as free nights or elite status. But these benefits are valuable for limiting your out-of-pocket expenses when something goes wrong, especially when traveling. For example, if your checked bag gets lost or damaged, the card’s baggage insurance can cover up to $1,250 for carry-on and up to $500 for checked baggage under eligible circumstances.
The Hilton Surpass also provides up to $50,000 secondary rental car insurance for drivers who pay for their rentals with this card and decline the rental car company’s insurance offered at checkout. This perk is beneficial if you get into an accident in your rental, where the expense is your responsibility.
However, secondary coverage means that you’ll need to first file your claim with your own car insurance company before relying on this benefit to pay the rest. Thus, you’ll likely want to use a credit card that offers primary rental car insurance coverage to pay for your rentals. Cards with this benefit do not require you to file first with your personal insurance when making a claim.
You’re also eligible for additional protections, such as purchase protection on eligible items damaged or stolen within 90 days and extended warranties.
For the Baggage Insurance Plan on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the Purchase Protection on the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase with their Eligible Card, Purchase Protection can help protect their Covered Purchases for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date if it is stolen or accidentally damaged. The coverage is limited up to $1,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amex Hilton Surpass Card Benefits
What is the annual fee for the Hilton Surpass card and is it worth it?
The Hilton Surpass has a $150 annual fee. This expense can well be worth it if you often stay at Hiltons when traveling, or can spend $15,000 a year on your credit card to earn the annual free night certificate.
How many points do cardholders earn with the Hilton Surpass?
Hilton Surpass cardholders earn 12 points per dollar on purchases made directly at Hilton properties, 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations, 4 points on U.S. online retail purchases, and 3 points per dollar on all other purchases.
How do the statement credits work?
Cardholders can get up to $50 every three months, for a total of up to $200 annually, for eligible charges made directly at a Hilton property. Qualifying purchases include hotel stays as well as dining, spa, or resort services charged to your room.
What are the differences between Gold vs. Diamond status through Surpass?
Cardholders automatically get Hilton Gold status with the Hilton Surpass credit card. Benefits include bonus points on stays, upgrades when available, breakfast or food and beverage credit and fifth night free on award stays.
You can also earn Hilton Diamond status by spending $40,000 on the card in a calendar year. Diamond offers even more and better benefits, including executive lounge access when available, premium Wi-Fi and the ability to share status with a loved one.
Does the Surpass card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, the Hilton Surpass does not charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
