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.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
Hilton Honors Surpass vs Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature from Bank of America at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,050 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | Alaska Airlines Visa Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 70,000 miles + Companion Fare |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,050 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 90 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Bank of America |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
|
Read the full review
Hilton Honors Surpass
$150/yr · 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points
Read the full review
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
$95/yr · 70,000 miles + Companion Fare
Editorial take: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
The Companion Fare is the hook, $122 + taxes/fees to bring a companion on any Alaska flight, even international business class. If you fly Alaska once a year with a partner, this pays for itself many times over.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature has a public bonus (70,000 miles + Companion Fare, 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 Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- 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 Alaska Airlines Visa Signature's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and Alaska Airlines Visa Signature?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Bank of America) 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 Alaska Airlines Visa Signature first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature: $3,000 in 90 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.