The Hilton Honors Surpass from American Express has a $150 annual fee, often waived the first year, and gives complimentary Gold status, a path to Diamond after $40,000 of spend, and a Free Night Reward after $15,000 of spend in a calendar year. It earns 12x at Hilton, 6x at US restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 4x on US online retail, and 3x on everything else. Figures are as of 2026. Confirm the current terms and welcome offer at American Express.
What the Hilton Honors Surpass earns
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150, often waived the first year |
| Hilton hotels | 12x points |
| US restaurants, supermarkets, gas | 6x |
| US online retail | 4x |
| Everything else | 3x |
| Free Night Reward | After $15,000 of spend in a calendar year |
| Elite status | Complimentary Gold, Diamond after $40,000 spend |
The perks and details
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Complimentary Hilton Gold status is the everyday draw, with free breakfast or a food-and-beverage credit at many brands, room upgrades when available, and a fifth award night free on points stays. You can earn a Free Night Reward after $15,000 of spend in a calendar year, upgrade to Diamond status after $40,000 of spend, and there are no foreign transaction fees. Confirm the current perks at American Express.
The fee math
The fee is $150 and is often waived the first year. For a regular Hilton guest, Gold breakfast alone can be worth the fee across a few stays, and the earned free night adds more if you hit the spend threshold. If you want Diamond status and a guaranteed free night without a spend requirement, compare the Hilton Aspire. Confirm the current fee and any welcome offer at American Express. Each Amex card pays its bonus once under the Amex once per lifetime rule.
Compare the Hilton cards
See how the Surpass compares with the Aspire and the no-fee card.
Who it fits and who it does not
It fits a regular Hilton guest who values Gold breakfast and will spend enough to earn the free night. It fits less if you want Diamond status and a guaranteed free night up front, where the Hilton Aspire is the better pick, or if you rarely stay Hilton. Confirm current terms at American Express.
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FAQ
Does the Hilton Honors Surpass have an annual fee?
Yes, $150, and it is often waived the first year. Confirm the current fee and any welcome offer at American Express.
How do you earn the Surpass free night?
You earn a Free Night Reward after spending $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. Confirm current terms at American Express.
What status does the Surpass give?
Complimentary Hilton Gold status, with an upgrade to Diamond after $40,000 of spend in a calendar year. Confirm current benefits at American Express.
Last reviewed October 2026. We verify every rule, ratio, and figure against issuer terms and current reporting, and date each one. See our editorial standards for how we research and correct guides.
We re-check these guides as issuer rules and award charts change. 2 ways to follow along, no account needed.