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 United Quest Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the United Quest Card from Chase at $350/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the United Quest Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($950 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the United Quest Card first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | United Quest Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $350 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 70,000 miles + 500 PQP |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $950 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | travel |
| Best earning category (Hilton) | 12x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | mileageplus |
| 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
United Quest Card
$350/yr · 70,000 miles + 500 PQP
Editorial take: United Quest Card
If you fly United 3+ times a year, the $200 United TravelBank credit, two free checked bags for you and a companion, and the 10,000-mile anniversary award discount make this card pay for most of its fee.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or United Quest Card?
- The United Quest Card has a public bonus (70,000 miles + 500 PQP, worth roughly $950), 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 United Quest 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 United Quest Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and United Quest Card?
- 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 United Quest Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors Surpass: $3,000 spend in 6 months. United Quest Card: $4,000 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.