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 American Express Schwab Investor Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the American Express Schwab Investor Card from American Express at $0/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 | Hilton Honors Surpass | American Express Schwab Investor Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 10,000 Membership Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $110 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $1,000 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
American Express Schwab Investor Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card
The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- The American Express Schwab Investor Card has a public bonus (10,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $110), 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and American Express Schwab Investor Card?
- 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 American Express Schwab Investor Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 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.