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.
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Side-by-side
Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
Both are hotel travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex from American Express at $650/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
Both cards come from American Express and target hotel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex costs $500 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $650 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,050 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | - |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | hotel | hotel |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Hilton Honors Surpass
$150/yr · 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Read the full review
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
$650/yr · up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
Editorial take: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex
The Platinum status is legitimately valuable (lounge access, suite upgrades), but the $650 fee is steep. Justify it only if you stay at Marriotts 8+ times a year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex has a public bonus (up to 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, worth roughly $1,050), while the Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Hilton Honors Surpass's $150 annual fee worth it compared to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- At $150/yr, the Hilton Honors Surpass is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex?
- 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 Hilton Honors Surpass or the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: no published min spend. 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.