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 Bilt Obsidian
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Bilt Obsidian from Bilt / Cardless at $95/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 | Bilt Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | $200 Bilt Cash |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $200 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Column N.A. |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Best earning category (Hilton) | 12x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | bilt |
| 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
Bilt Obsidian
$95/yr · $200 Bilt Cash
Editorial take: Bilt Obsidian
The middle tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 with Column N.A. as issuer and Cardless as servicer, after the Wells Fargo era ended. Strongest for renters who eat out (or buy groceries) and use Lyft. The $100 hotel credit pays back most of the AF if you stay 2+ nights anywhere on the Bilt Travel portal. Pair with the no-fee Blue if you want a no-AF anchor too.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or Bilt Obsidian?
- The Bilt Obsidian has a public bonus ($200 Bilt Cash, worth roughly $200), 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 Bilt Obsidian?
- 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 Bilt Obsidian's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and Bilt Obsidian?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Column N.A.) the application rules don't conflict. 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 Bilt Obsidian first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Bilt Obsidian: $0 in 0 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.