![Credit Card Showdown: American Express Gold Card versus Hilton Surpass Card [In-Depth Analysis]](/en/content/images/size/w1280/format/webp/20250921143945_amex-gold-card-vs.jpeg)
Credit Card Comparison: American Express Gold Card versus Hilton Surpass Card [In-Depth Analysis]
American Express Gold Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Compared
The American Express Gold Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card are two credit cards that offer rewards on daily purchases and redemption options for travel. Both cards have no foreign transaction fees, making them ideal for those who travel internationally.
The American Express Gold Card earns 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year) and at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year). It also offers 3x points for flights purchased directly through the airlines or via AmexTravel.com. The Hilton Surpass Card, on the other hand, earns 12x points at Hilton hotels and resorts, 6x points at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants, and 4x points on U.S. online retail purchases.
Both cards offer travel protections such as car rental insurance, trip delay insurance, and baggage insurance. The Amex Gold card offers additional benefits like Uber Cash, providing $10 in Uber Cash added to the account each month, up to $120 each calendar year for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S. as long as any Amex card is used as payment (enrollment required). It also offers Monthly Dining Credit, providing up to $10 each month, up to $120 each calendar year in statement credits for purchases at participating Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys, enrollment required. The Hilton Surpass Card offers Hilton Statement Credits for up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, up to $200 in credits each year (enrollment required) when using the card to pay during a stay at a Hilton property.
The Amex Gold card also offers Dunkin' Credit, a $84 annual statement credit ($7/month), redeemable at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required. The Hilton Surpass Card offers a free hotel night certificate when spending $15,000 on the card within a calendar year, and Hilton Honors Gold Elite Benefits, including automatic Gold elite status and the opportunity to earn top Diamond elite status by spending $40,000 in a calendar year on the card.
When it comes to welcome offers, the Amex Gold card offers up to 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months, while the Hilton Surpass Card offers 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in the first 6 months of Card Membership.
It's important to note that you cannot be approved for more than 2 cards within a 90-day timeframe and not more than 1 consumer card every 5 days. To qualify for either of the cards, a good to excellent credit score (670 to 850) is generally required.
Both cards have annual fees. The Amex Gold card has an annual fee of $325, and the Hilton Surpass card has an annual fee of $150. The real value of rewards earned on the Amex Gold card is determined at redemption time by transferring Membership Rewards points to airline or hotel partners, while the Hilton Surpass card earns Hilton Honors points that can result in good value when redeemed for select Hilton properties.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card was issued by American Express. National Car Rental Benefits for the Hilton Surpass Card offers complimentary Emerald Club Executive status when enrolled in National Car Rental's Emerald Club via the online card account (enrollment required). The Amex Gold card offers Global Assist Hotline, providing 24/7 emergency and coordination assistance when more than 100 miles from home. Car Rental Insurance for both cards provides secondary coverage with access to Premium Protection for a fee, offering primary car rental insurance and covering the entire rental period.
In conclusion, both the American Express Gold Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card offer unique benefits for different spending habits. The Amex Gold card is more suited for those who dine out frequently and shop at supermarkets, while the Hilton Surpass Card is ideal for those who frequently stay at Hilton hotels. It's possible to have both cards, allowing you to maximise your rewards and travel benefits.
