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Amex Green vs Hilton Honors Surpass: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
The American Express® Green Card is a solid choice for earning flexible rewards on a wide range of travel and dining purchases.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is ideal for Hilton loyalists looking to maximize points on hotel stays and everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
American Express® Green Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
From its flexible rewards on travel and transit to its valuable statement credits, here's why the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) is a standout option.
- You'll earn elevated rewards on a uniquely broad range of travel purchases and at restaurants around the globe.
- Its rewards program offers excellent flexibility, with the ability to transfer points to a long list of airline and hotel partners.
- The card comes with valuable statement credits for travel services and eliminates foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- Broad bonus categories: You'll earn bonus points on an extensive list of travel purchases—including airfare, hotels, rideshares, and even tolls—plus at restaurants globally.
- Flexible point transfers: Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs, giving you the flexibility to book high-value award travel.
- Useful travel benefits: The card offers an annual statement credit for a CLEAR+® membership to speed through airport security and provides trip delay insurance for covered travel disruptions.
Cons
- High annual fee: The card's annual fee is relatively high for a non-premium travel card, making it a potentially costly option if you don't maximize its benefits.
- Complex rewards: Getting the best value from your points requires some effort, as you'll need to transfer them to travel partners; other redemption options can be low-value.
- Niche travel credits: The card's statement credits apply to specific services, which may not align with every traveler's needs or preferences.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a detailed look at why we're fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® (See Rates & Fees).
- Cardmembers automatically receive Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties (Terms Apply).
- The card makes it easy to accumulate points quickly with accelerated earnings on Hilton stays and everyday purchases at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations.
- You can earn a Free Night Reward based on your annual spending and receive a fifth night free on award stays, significantly boosting the value of your points (Terms Apply).
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status with perks like room upgrades (Terms Apply).
- Strong rewards earning on Hilton stays and at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations.
- Valuable redemption benefits, including a fifth night free on award stays and an annual Free Night Reward opportunity (Terms Apply).
Cons
- Hilton Honors points can have a lower value compared to other loyalty programs, and their worth can be unpredictable due to dynamic award pricing.
- The annual Free Night Reward is not automatic and requires meeting a substantial spending threshold each year (Terms Apply).
- It lacks some premium travel benefits offered by other cards, such as airport lounge access or primary rental car insurance.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs American Express® Green Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Green or Hilton Honors Surpass, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel style. One is a flexible travel card, while the other is tailored for hotel loyalty.
- American Express® Green Card: This card is a great fit for travelers who spend heavily on dining and a wide range of travel categories. It's designed for those who want to maximize flexible rewards and can take advantage of its travel-focused benefits.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is best for frequent Hilton guests who want to earn hotel points on both their stays and everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. It offers benefits and elite status designed to enhance stays within the Hilton portfolio.
Redemption
American Express® Green Card: Points earned with this card are part of the flexible Membership Rewards program, allowing you to transfer them to various airline and hotel partners or book travel directly.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Rewards are earned as Hilton Honors points, which are primarily redeemed for free nights and room upgrades within the Hilton portfolio of hotels.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Green Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is broad and flexible. Cardholders can book travel through the Amex Travel portal and receive statement credits for both CLEAR Plus membership and LoungeBuddy access. A key feature is the ability to transfer earned miles to numerous airline and hotel partners, offering significant versatility. This card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card’s ecosystem is built around the Hilton portfolio. Its primary travel perk is complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking benefits during stays. For airport lounges, it offers a set number of complimentary Priority Pass visits annually. Miles earned are Hilton Honors miles, used for stays and upgrades within the Hilton network. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best match for your unique spending habits.
- Test drive a credit card: Simulate owning any card using your actual transaction history to see projected annual rewards, category-by-category earnings, and net value without a hard credit pull or application.
- Get detailed approval odds: Receive a personalized analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards based on your credit report.
- Unlock rewards and guarantees: Benefit from a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer found within three months, and earn extra rewards through the Kudos Boost program.
- Track your finances: Monitor your spending, stay on top of credit card perks, and track your credit score all in one place.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?
The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for travelers who are willing to put in the effort to maximize rewards through its valuable transfer partners and generous credits. It’s particularly well-suited for those who spend significantly on travel and at restaurants, as the card earns 3X points on these purchases worldwide. This card is best for the hands-on points enthusiast who will take advantage of its perks, rather than someone looking for a simple, low-maintenance travel card.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers who frequently stay with Hilton and want to maximize their rewards on both travel and everyday spending. Cardholders gain automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits, while also earning accelerated points at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, it’s designed for the value-conscious traveler who seeks meaningful hotel benefits without committing to the high annual fee of a premium travel card.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Amex Green vs. Hilton Honors Surpass comparison has led you to conclude that neither card is the right choice, other options are available. Let's explore a few alternatives that might better align with your spending and travel style.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
- Review welcome offer eligibility - Amex offers are generally limited to once per lifetime, per card.
- Plan your rewards strategy - Know how you’ll use the points and benefits to ensure the card is a good fit.
Application Strategy
- Time your application - Align it with large planned purchases to help meet the Welcome Offer spending requirement.
- Search for the best offer - Welcome Offers can vary, so try different methods if you don't see the one you want.
- Target cards that fit your habits - Choose a card with benefits you’ll naturally use, like hotel status or specific travel credits.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for someone new to travel rewards?
The American Express Green card can be a great starting point due to its broad rewards on general travel and transit. The Hilton Honors Surpass card is more specialized, making it a better fit for travelers who already have a preference for Hilton properties.
Can I have both the Amex Green and Hilton Honors Surpass cards?
Yes, you can hold both cards at the same time. This strategy allows you to earn flexible Membership Rewards points for various travel needs while also enjoying elite status and benefits within the Hilton Honors program. Terms apply.
How do I choose between a general travel card and a co-branded hotel card?
Your decision should hinge on your travel style and brand loyalty. If you value flexibility and book with various airlines and hotels, a general travel card is often superior. If you are loyal to one hotel brand, a co-branded card will likely provide more value through dedicated perks.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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