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 United Explorer Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors Surpass comes from American Express at $150/yr; the United Explorer Card from Chase at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the United Explorer Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,040 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors Surpass's. Get the United Explorer Card first; revisit the Hilton Honors Surpass after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors Surpass | United Explorer Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points | 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,040 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Chase |
| Card category | hotel | airline |
| 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
United Explorer Card
$150/yr · 70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus
Editorial take: United Explorer Card
Solid for United flyers. The free checked bag and 2 United Club passes per year add up, and the 70k + 10k AU bonus is a great starting point for domestic award flights. $0 intro annual fee, then $150.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors Surpass or United Explorer Card?
- The United Explorer Card has a public bonus (70,000 miles + 10,000 AU bonus, worth roughly $1,040), 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 Explorer 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 Explorer Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors Surpass and United Explorer 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 Explorer 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 Explorer Card: $3,000 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.