Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Hilton Honors Surpass vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is ideal for frequent Hilton guests who also want to earn rewards on everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: This card is best for frequent American Airlines flyers looking to enjoy travel perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1064", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Hilton Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Benefits"} ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.
- Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, which includes valuable perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits at U.S. properties.
- While the card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it offers strong rewards on Hilton purchases, as well as at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- The up to $200 in annual statement credits for Hilton purchases can more than offset the card's annual cost, making it a great value for frequent Hilton guests (publisher-formulated estimate).
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
- Cardholders receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
- The card includes a Free Night Reward after meeting an annual spending threshold, no foreign transaction fees, and a fifth-night-free benefit on award stays.
- Earn bonus points not just on Hilton stays, but also on common purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
Cons
- The value of Hilton Honors points can be inconsistent due to dynamic pricing for award nights, and they are often considered less valuable than points from competing hotel loyalty programs.
- Some premium travel perks, like an automatic annual free night or airport lounge access, are not included.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "13", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Exclusive Travel Perks", "headerHint" : "Best for Frequent American Airlines Flyers" } ]]
Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®.
- The card offers a straightforward way to earn AAdvantage® miles on every purchase, with double miles on eligible American Airlines spending.
- Valuable travel perks like a free first checked bag and preferred boarding on American Airlines flights help justify the card's annual fee.
- Checking a bag on just three one-way domestic flights can offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A generous welcome offer that is easy to earn.
- Valuable travel perks for American Airlines flyers, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding.
- An annual companion certificate for domestic travel.
Cons
- The card requires an annual fee.
- Rewards earning is limited on purchases not made with American Airlines.
- The annual companion certificate comes with restrictions and additional costs.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red, comes down to your primary travel loyalty. One card is tailored for dedicated Hilton guests, while the other is designed for frequent flyers of American Airlines.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is best for frequent Hilton guests who want to earn points on everyday spending and receive enhanced benefits during their hotel stays.
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is designed for individuals who often fly with American Airlines and want to earn miles while enjoying exclusive travel perks.
Redemption
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across Hilton's portfolio of hotels, including room upgrades and other on-property perks. You can also transfer points to various airline and rail partners.
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed for flights with American Airlines and its extensive network of Oneworld® Alliance and other partner airlines. Redemptions can also be used for seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays.
Travel Perks
- Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are ideal for travelers abroad, as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
- Lounge Access: The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card grants a set number of complimentary Priority Pass™ Select lounge visits each year. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card does not include complimentary lounge access as a benefit.
- Airline-Specific Perks: As an airline co-branded card, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card provides a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and companions, preferred boarding, and statement credits for in-flight food and beverage purchases.
- Hotel Elite Status: The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card automatically gives you Hilton Honors Gold status, which includes benefits like space-available room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at participating hotels. Terms Apply. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red card does not offer complimentary hotel elite status.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
If you're still undecided, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.
- “Test drive” a credit card to see your potential earnings based on your actual spending history before you apply.
- Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
- Compare nearly 3,000 credit cards with personalized recommendations matched to your spending.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
- Earn extra rewards (Kudos Boost) on top of your card’s rewards when shopping at partner stores.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hilton guests looking to maximize their loyalty with automatic Gold status and accelerated points earning. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can rack up points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Ultimately, value-conscious travelers who desire hotel elite perks without a premium annual fee will find significant value, as detailed in this Surpass Card review.
Who Should Choose the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®?
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for frequent American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles quickly and enjoy enhanced travel benefits. Its key perks, such as a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and an annual companion certificate, are particularly valuable for those who regularly fly domestically with the airline. This card is best suited for travelers with a good to excellent credit history who can maximize its benefits to easily offset the $99 annual fee, as detailed in a comprehensive review.
Alternatives to Consider
If the Hilton Honors Surpass vs Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red comparison didn't result in a clear choice for you, several other travel cards might be a better fit. These alternatives cater to different spending habits and loyalty preferences.
[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["118", "510"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Generous Travel Rewards", "$300 Annual Travel Credit"]} ]]
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
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit score.
- Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement through your normal purchases.
- Have a goal for your points: Research the card's rewards program to make sure it aligns with your travel goals.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules: Some issuers have restrictions on welcome offer eligibility or the number of cards you can have.
- Review the welcome offer requirements: Some offers are earned after a single purchase, while others require a significant minimum spend.
- Use pre-qualification tools when available: These tools can help you check your approval odds without impacting your credit score.
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 if I'm loyal to a specific airline or hotel?
If you frequently fly with American Airlines, the AAdvantage Aviator Red card offers direct benefits for that loyalty. Conversely, if you prefer staying at Hilton properties, the Hilton Honors Surpass card is designed to maximize rewards within their hotel network.
What's the main difference between Hilton Honors points and AAdvantage miles?
Hilton Honors points are the currency for Hilton's hotel loyalty program, primarily used for free nights and room upgrades. AAdvantage miles are part of American Airlines' frequent flyer program, typically redeemed for flights on American and its partner airlines.
Can I earn rewards on non-travel purchases with these cards?
Yes, both cards offer rewards on everyday spending categories, though the specific earning rates and bonus categories differ. This allows you to accumulate points or miles from your daily purchases even when you are not traveling.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
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.
.webp)
