Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
American Express Hilton Honors Surpass CardOfficial Hilton partner channel: 130,000 points + 1 free-night certificate
Only through this Hilton partner advertising channel: spend $3,000 in the first 6 months from account opening. The offer ends 2027/01/13 at 23:59 MST, may be changed/withdrawn earlier, and is not guaranteed through other advertisements. Previous ownership of this card, Ascend or earlier versions, balance transfers and account-opening/closing history may make you ineligible; Amex will notify you before processing the application. There is no guaranteed eligibility rule. Eligible net purchases on primary and additional cards are combined, with refunds deducted. Fees, interest, cash advances, travelers checks, prepaid cards, gift cards, person-to-person transfers and cash equivalents do not qualify. Only the primary cardholder receives rewards; the account must not be closed or past due when rewards post. Points post about 8–12 weeks after qualification and do not count toward status qualification. Abuse or refunds may result in reversal. The free-night certificate may take up to 16 weeks to arrive. It covers a standard double-occupancy room at participating hotels with reward availability; an exclusion list applies. Call Hilton to redeem and complete the stay within 12 months of issuance. It cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash/points. Card-delivery or merchant-submission delays may shorten the available spending period. This certificate-offer channel has a $150 annual fee and cannot be combined with another channel's first-year fee waiver.
Past-year welcome offer history and recorded ranges
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View past-year welcome offer details (including free nights)8 records
The Surpass baseline is 130k points, with promotions adding 1 free-night reward or a first-year fee waiver. The current offer is 130k plus 1 free-night reward through 2027/01/13, making it a particularly attractive time to apply.
| Period | Welcome offer | Spending requirement | Status and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/09/14–2025/09/30 | 130,000 points | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Standard baseline offer: earn 130,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months. |
| 2025/10/01–2026/01/14 | 155,000 points | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Fall points-only high: earn 155,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months. |
| 2026/01/15–2026/02 | 130,000 points | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Standard baseline: earn 130,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months. |
| 2026/02–2026/04/15 | 130,000 points + 1 free-night reward+1 FN | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Spring free-night bonus: 130,000 points plus 1 free-night reward, not converted to a cash value and subject to terms. |
| 2026/04/16–2026/05/19 | 130,000 points | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Return to the standard baseline: earn 130,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months. |
| 2026/05/20–2026/07/29 | 130,000 points + first-year fee waived ($150 from the following year) | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Early-summer fee-waiver promotion: save the $150 first-year annual fee. This is a fee saving, not included in the points estimate; this period has no welcome free-night reward. |
| 2026/07/30–2026/09/09 | 130,000 points | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Return to the standard baseline: earn 130,000 points after $3,000 in spending within the first 6 months. |
| 2026/09/10–present (browsing as of )Original record: 2026/09/10–2026/09/13 (recorded check date)Current record | 130,000 points + 1 free-night reward+1 FN | $3,000 in the first 6 months | Official new promotion in September, through 2027/01/13: 130,000 points + 1 free-night reward, not converted to a cash value. |
Hilton Honors Surpass™ value calculator
The estimate assumes full use of the listed $200 in annual credits and deducts the annual fee. It overstates value if credits are not fully used. Credits are not cash and are subject to period and merchant restrictions. Free-night rewards are excluded from this calculation.
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Why upgrade your travel with Surpass?
| Benefit | Amex Hilton Surpass | Typical cash-back card (1.5%) |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ✓ Limited-time 130,000 points + 1 free-night reward (points estimate $650; free-night reward valued separately) | ✗ Typically around $200 cash back |
| Hilton hotel credits | ✓ Up to $200 annually in eligible hotel credits (up to $50 per quarter, not a direct annual-fee reduction) | ✗ No hotel spending credits |
| Complimentary Hilton Gold status | ✓ Gold status included (complimentary breakfast for two, dining credits and room upgrades) | ✗ No hotel benefits |
| Weekend free-night reward (FNR) | ✓ A free-night reward without a category limit after $15,000 in annual spending | ✗ No free-night benefits |
| Multiplied spending rewards | ✓ 12x on hotels, 6x on dining, supermarkets and gas, and 4x on online retail | ✗ Flat 1.5% cash back |
Rewards and everyday benefits
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold StatusReceive Hilton Honors Gold status while holding the card, with complimentary breakfast for two or dining credits and room-upgrade benefits.
- Up to $200 Hilton Credit AnnuallyEligible purchases paid directly to Hilton hotels receive up to $50 in credits each quarter, up to $200 annually, subject to spending and posting terms.
- Earn a Free Night RewardEarn a Free Night Reward after $15,000 in eligible spending in a calendar year, not limited to weekends. The stay must be completed before expiration. Redemption requires standard-room reward availability at participating hotels; some hotels are excluded, and not every hotel or date is available.
- 12X Points at Hilton Hotels & ResortsEarn up to 12 points per dollar at Hilton hotels and resorts.
- 6X Points on U.S. Dining, Groceries & GasEarn 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations.
- 4X Points on U.S. Online Retail PurchasesEarn 4X on physical goods sold directly to consumers by U.S. retailers, paid online through a website/app and identified as an internet transaction. Restaurants, supermarkets, gasoline, auto dealers, travel, entertainment and other services are excluded. Online orders paid in-store, in-store digital wallets, phone/mail orders, third-party installment plans, third-party payment accounts and multi-merchant marketplaces do not earn additional points. Merchant classification and transaction data determine eligibility. Net purchases exclude refunds; fees, interest, cash advances, travelers checks, prepaid cards, gift cards, person-to-person transfers and cash equivalents do not qualify. Points may take up to 12 weeks after the statement period ends and remain subject to Hilton program rules.
- 3X Points on All Other PurchasesEarn 3 points per dollar on all other eligible everyday purchases.
- Baggage Insurance PlanBaggage insurance: paying the full common-carrier fare, including air or rail travel, with this card may qualify for reimbursement for lost, damaged or stolen baggage.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage InsuranceRental collision coverage: includes secondary rental coverage (CDW), with optional paid enrollment in Premium Car Rental Protection for primary coverage.
- Earn an Upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond StatusSpend $40,000 in a calendar year to upgrade to top-tier Hilton Diamond status through the end of the following year, with executive-lounge access and the highest room upgrades.
- Complimentary National Car Rental StatusReceive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status, with a dedicated vehicle-selection area and upgrades. Enrollment is required.
- Purchase ProtectionEligible purchases stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days of purchase may qualify for claims under the terms; ordinary loss is not covered. Limits are $1,000 per item and $50,000 per card per calendar year, with a $500 limit per natural-disaster occurrence. Eligible payment amounts, replacement costs and exclusions apply; not every item is covered.
- Extended WarrantyThe original written manufacturer warranty must be valid in the United States, and its combined term with any applicable service contract must not exceed 60 months. Eligible purchases may receive up to 12 additional months, limited to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per card per calendar year. Eligible payment amounts, replacement costs and exclusions apply; this is not general accidental-damage coverage. Separate duration rules apply if the original warranty or service contract ends early.
- Venue Collection & Amex Special Ticket AccessAccess event ticket presales and dedicated entry or dining discounts at selected stadiums. Eligible purchases may receive a 10% credit, up to $250 annually.
