Hilton Surpass vs. Hilton Aspire: Are you aiming for Gold or Diamond status?
If you're considering a personal Hilton card and willing to pay an annual fee for a fantastic welcome bonus and benefits, you might be deciding between the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (see rates and fees) and the feature-rich Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (see rates and fees).
Let’s explore the details of both cards to assist you in choosing the best one for your needs.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The details about this card on this page have not been verified or supplied by the card issuer.
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Comparison of Hilton Honors Surpass and Hilton Honors Aspire
| Hilton Honors Surpass | Hilton Honors Aspire | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 (see rates and fees) | $550 (see rates and fees) |
| Welcome offer | Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership. | Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first six months of card membership.
|
| Earning rates | 12 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases | 14 points per dollar on eligible Hilton purchases
7 points per dollar on U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), select flights booked directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com and car rentals booked directly from select car rental agencies 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases |
| Statement credits | Up to $50 Hilton statement credit each quarter (up to $200 per calendar year); terms apply | Up to $50 credit every quarter for eligible flight purchases (up to $200 per calendar year)
Up to $200 Hilton resort statement credit biannually on purchases made with Hilton Resorts (up to $400 per cardmember year) Up to $100 property credit on eligible stays of two or more nights at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels Up to $189 Clear Plus membership statement credit Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply |
| Elite status | Hilton Honors Gold; upgrade to Diamond by spending $40,000 in a calendar year | Hilton Honors Diamond |
| Free nights | Free night reward after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year | One free night reward within your first year and another every year after you renew
A second free night reward after you spend $30,000 in a calendar year, and a third free night after you spend $60,000 in a calendar year |
| Other benefits | No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status Travel and shopping protections Complimentary ShopRunner membership Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
| No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive Status Travel and shopping protections Cellphone protection (up to $800, subject to a $50 deductible, for two approved claims per 12-month period)* Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply
|
*Eligibility and benefit levels differ by card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. For more details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Hilton Honors Aspire welcome bonuses
The Hilton Honors Surpass currently offers new cardholders 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first six months. According to TPG's June 2024 valuations, these points are valued at approximately $990 for travel.
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In contrast, the Hilton Honors Aspire is offering new applicants 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months. Based on TPG's June 2024 valuations, this welcome offer is valued at about $1,050 for travel.
Winner: Hilton Honors Aspire. With its attractive welcome offer, this card surpasses the Hilton Honors Surpass.
Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Hilton Honors Aspire perks
Both cards are designed for frequent travelers at Hilton and its affiliated properties, so you can expect a range of benefits related to stays at Hilton locations, among other features.
The Hilton Honors Surpass carries a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees) and offers complimentary Gold status, which includes benefits like a fifth night free on standard room bookings and an 80% bonus on all base points. Cardholders can upgrade to Diamond status by spending $40,000 within a calendar year.
Additionally, you’ll earn a free night reward for eligible properties after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Cardholders also benefit from up to $200 in annual statement credits for purchases made directly at Hilton properties, distributed in quarterly increments of up to $50.
ERIC ROSEN/DinogoConversely, the Hilton Honors Aspire comes with a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees) and offers complimentary Diamond status, which includes free premium Wi-Fi, a 100% bonus on base points, and upgrades to available rooms, among other benefits. Additionally, the Hilton Honors Aspire grants a free night reward each year on your account anniversary, with the chance to earn a second free night after spending $30,000 in a calendar year and another after $60,000 within the same period.
The major distinction between these cards lies in the extensive array of credits that the Hilton Honors Aspire offers. This includes an up to $200 annual credit for airline purchases ($50 per quarter), a $400 Hilton resort statement credit ($200 every six months) for each cardmember year at participating resorts, and a $100 property credit for eligible stays of two or more nights at Waldorf Astoria and Conrad hotels, along with purchase protections and baggage loss and damage insurance.
Cardholders can also receive up to $189 in statement credits for a Clear Plus membership and cellphone protection that reimburses for repair or replacement. Members are limited to two claims every 12 months, with a maximum of $800 per claim. Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits.
Both cards, meanwhile, come with no foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees for Aspire and Surpass) and grant elite status with National Car Rental. Each card provides robust travel and shopping protection perks, but the Aspire stands out in this category.
Winner: Hilton Honors Aspire. This card excels due to its numerous statement credits, automatic Diamond elite status, and comprehensive travel protections.
Points earning comparison: Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Hilton Honors Aspire
The Hilton Honors Surpass earns 12 points per dollar spent at eligible hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Additionally, it awards 6 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Interestingly, for a hotel-focused card, the Hilton Honors Surpass also accrues 4 points per dollar on U.S. online retail purchases and 3 points per dollar on other eligible spending.
CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON/FACEBOOKThe Hilton Honors Aspire provides slightly superior earning rates, offering 14 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and resorts, 7 points per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery), U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3 points per dollar on other eligible purchases. Moreover, this card earns 7 points per dollar on select travel expenses, including flights booked directly with airlines or through AmexTravel.com, as well as car rentals through certain rental companies.
It's important to highlight that the Gold and Diamond statuses provided by the Hilton Honors Surpass and Hilton Honors Aspire, respectively, will help you earn additional points on qualifying Hilton purchases. Specifically, using your Hilton Honors Surpass for eligible Hilton charges will yield 20 points per dollar, while the Hilton Honors Aspire will earn you 24 points per dollar on those same charges.
Winner: Hilton Honors Aspire. Its higher earning rates enable you to accumulate points more quickly.
Points redemption with the Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Hilton Honors Aspire
Both cards allow you to earn Hilton Honors points through your credit card spending, which are automatically credited to your Hilton Honors account. You can redeem these points for free nights (with no blackout dates), Lyft rides, rental cars, transfers to airline partners, shopping, and various experiences.
BENJI STAWSKI/DinogoHilton Honors does not provide an award chart for hotel redemptions. Consequently, the points required can vary based on the hotel, room type, booking, and stay dates. The Points Explorer tool available through Hilton is a fantastic resource to help you determine how many points you’ll need. Simply enter the number of points you have, your desired destination, or type of location, and the tool will generate a list of options that meet your criteria.
TPG's managing editor for credit cards, Matt Moffitt, was able to use 256,000 Hilton points for a stay at the Hilton Sydney the week before Christmas. Thanks to the Diamond status granted by his Aspire card, he enjoyed a complimentary fifth night.
Winner: Tie
Should I choose the Hilton Honors Surpass or the Hilton Honors Aspire?
The Hilton Honors Surpass ranks among the best mid-tier hotel credit cards, offering exceptional value for its reasonable $150 annual fee. However, if you can fully utilize the benefits and statement credits of the higher $550 annual fee on the Hilton Honors Aspire, it can also provide significant value, especially if you take advantage of Hilton Diamond status by staying at Hilton properties several times a year.
How to transition from the Hilton Honors Surpass to the Hilton Honors Aspire
Upgrading from the Hilton Honors Surpass to the Hilton Honors Aspire is straightforward; simply call American Express customer service. However, be aware that switching to the Hilton Honors Aspire does not grant you a welcome bonus unless you are specifically targeted for an upgrade offer. This could affect your eligibility to receive a bonus in the future due to Amex's one-bonus per-lifetime policy.
Conclusion
The Hilton Honors Aspire offers an exceptionally attractive value proposition and can easily offset its $550 annual fee over time. Nonetheless, frequent travelers will benefit the most from its perks. On the other hand, the Hilton Honors Surpass provides solid benefits at a lower annual fee, making it a preferable option for those who don’t stay with Hilton frequently.
For further information, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Hilton Honors Surpass and Hilton Honors Aspire.
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