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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Hilton Honors Surpass
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/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
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Hilton Honors Surpass |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | business | hotel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
$295/yr · $1,500 cash back
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, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Hilton Honors Surpass?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has a public bonus ($1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500), while the Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors Surpass?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Hilton Honors Surpass's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the Hilton Honors Surpass first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 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.