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 Chase Sapphire Preferred
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the Chase Sapphire Preferred from Chase 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | Chase Sapphire Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,500 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $5,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Transfer partners | None | chase-ur |
| 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
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a public bonus (75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500), 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and Chase Sapphire Preferred?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Chase) 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 in 3 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.