Capital One Quicksilver Student vs Hilton Honors Surpass: Which Is Better In 2026?

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (See Rates & Fees).

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• It provides automatic Hilton Honors elite status, unlocking valuable hotel perks like room upgrades and daily credits.
• The card offers strong earning potential on both Hilton stays and common everyday purchases.
• Cardholders have a clear path to earning a Free Night Reward through their annual spending.

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_{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.}

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Pros

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• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status provides immediate value with perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits.
• Accelerated rewards earning at Hilton properties and on everyday purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
• A clear pathway to earn a Free Night Reward and even higher Hilton Honors Diamond status through eligible spending.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points can have a lower relative value compared to other hotel programs, and their worth can fluctuate due to dynamic award pricing.
• Earning a Free Night Reward requires meeting a significant annual spending threshold and is not an automatic cardholder benefit.
• Lacks some premium travel perks found on competing travel cards, such as airport lounge access.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Capital One Quicksilver Student or Hilton Honors Surpass, depends entirely on your personal spending habits and financial goals.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is best for students who want to build their credit history while earning straightforward cash back. It is also a great option for those studying internationally or who travel occasionally.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is tailored for frequent travelers who are loyal to the Hilton portfolio of hotels. It focuses on delivering elite status benefits and maximizing rewards on Hilton stays and everyday spending categories.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back, which can be redeemed for a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible value.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are redeemed through the Hilton Honors program, primarily for booking award nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a financial companion like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Get personalized card recommendations and side-by-side comparisons.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Unlock a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring you get the best deal.
• Earn extra Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at your favorite stores.
• Automatically fill in the best card to use at checkout to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards?

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This card is an excellent choice for college students who are just starting to build their credit history and want a straightforward way to earn rewards on their daily spending. With no annual fee and a simple, unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, it removes the complexity of tracking rotating categories. It's also particularly well-suited for international students or those studying abroad, thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and elevated rewards on travel booked through Capital One.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a strong contender for frequent Hilton guests who want to maximize their loyalty with automatic Gold elite status and accelerated points earning on hotel stays. It's also an excellent fit for value-conscious travelers who appreciate hotel perks like room upgrades and complimentary breakfast (terms apply), all without a premium annual fee. Beyond travel, the card appeals to everyday spenders by offering bonus points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, making it a well-rounded choice for earning rewards on daily expenses.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® represent two very different types of cards, one for students building credit and the other for frequent travelers seeking hotel perks. If your needs fall somewhere in between, here are a few other excellent options to consider.

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_{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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Ensure your credit profile aligns with the card's typical approval requirements.
• Review issuer restrictions - Some issuers have rules that may affect your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Understand unique requirements - Be aware of specific eligibility rules, such as student status requirements or issuer-specific welcome offer restrictions.
• Use helpful tools - Take advantage of platforms that can help you find the best available offer and streamline the application process.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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What credit score is needed for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for those with fair or limited credit history, making it a good option for students building their credit profile. While specific score requirements aren't published, applicants in the fair to good credit range typically have the strongest chance of approval.

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Is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card good for beginners?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is typically better for those with good to excellent credit, as it's a travel rewards card that may have an annual fee. Beginners often start with simpler, no-annual-fee cards to build their credit history first. Terms apply.

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Can I upgrade my Capital One Quicksilver Student card?

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Yes, after establishing a history of responsible use, Capital One may offer you the opportunity to upgrade your student card to a product with more robust rewards and benefits. This process, known as a product change, can help you grow your credit profile without a new application.

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