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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab from American Express at $695/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,440 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $695 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,440 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $8,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | amex-mr |
| 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
The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
$695/yr · Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
Editorial take: The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
The premium Platinum for Schwab brokerage customers. Same lounge access, FHR, and credit suite as the Personal Platinum, but the killer feature is Invest with Rewards at 1.1 cents per point cash-into-brokerage — the highest fixed-value MR redemption in the program. Best for cardholders who don't max out airline transfer partners.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab has a public bonus (Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $1,440), 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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- 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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab?
- 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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab: $8,000 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.