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Side-by-side

Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs Hilton Honors Surpass

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Hilton Honors Surpass from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressHilton Honors Surpass
Annual fee$0$150
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Bonus value (est.)$250-
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$3,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorybusinesshotel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
  • Automatic Gold status
  • Free weekend night
  • $200 Hilton credit/year
  • 12x at Hilton
Read the full review
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
$0/yr · $250 statement credit
Read the full review
Hilton Honors Surpass
$150/yr · 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

Editorial take: Hilton Honors Surpass

The sweet spot in the Hilton lineup. Gold status gets you free breakfast worth $30-50 per stay, and the free weekend night after spend typically covers a $300+ stay.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or Hilton Honors Surpass?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has a public bonus ($250 statement credit, worth roughly $250), while the Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors Surpass?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Hilton Honors Surpass's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Hilton Honors Surpass's benefits to clear $150 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and Hilton Honors Surpass?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or the Hilton Honors Surpass first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.