The Hilton Honors Surpass Card is a strong mid-tier hotel card, best for travelers who want to maximize rewards on both Hilton stays and everyday spending. It offers elevated earnings on categories like dining, gas, and groceries, making it a great option, even when you’re not traveling.

The biggest drawback of this card is that its value is heavily tied to Hilton stays. While the bonus categories are useful, most of the premium benefits—like the annual free night certificate after meeting a spend threshold—really shine only if you’re staying at Hilton properties. If you don’t frequently stay with Hilton, it may be harder to fully maximize the card.

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For Hilton loyalists, the automatic Gold status is the best perk by far, unlocking benefits such as free breakfast or food credits at Hiltons and room upgrades when available. For those who do stay frequently with Hilton, the Surpass card can easily pay for itself and then even more. Between status perks, strong earning potential, and travel protections, it’s a one of the best mid-tier hotel cards that you can get out there.