Editorial take: Blue Business Plus from Amex
The silent workhorse of the Amex MR ecosystem. 2x on everything up to $50k/year with no annual fee. Pair it with the Platinum or Gold to unlock transfers, and you have a powerful everyday earner.
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Side-by-side
Blue Business Plus from Amex vs Hilton Honors Surpass
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Plus from Amex 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.
| Feature | Blue Business Plus from Amex | Hilton Honors Surpass |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 Membership Rewards points | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $270 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 3 mo | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | hotel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Blue Business Plus from Amex
$0/yr · 15,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Hilton Honors Surpass
$150/yr · 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
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 Plus from Amex or Hilton Honors Surpass?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex has a public bonus (15,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $270), while the Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Blue Business Plus from Amex's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors Surpass?
- The Blue Business Plus from Amex 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 Plus from Amex.
- Can I have both the Blue Business Plus from Amex 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 Plus from Amex or the Hilton Honors Surpass first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Plus from Amex: $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.