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Hilton Honors Surpass vs Capital One SavorOne: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is ideal for travelers who frequent Hilton properties and want to earn bonus points on everyday purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a strong choice for earning unlimited cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a breakdown of why we're fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® (See Rates & Fees).
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- Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking valuable perks like room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
- The card offers generous rewards on both Hilton purchases and everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- You can earn a Free Night Reward after meeting an annual spending threshold and receive a complimentary night on longer award stays.
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 provides immediate value through room upgrades, a daily food and beverage credit in the U.S., and other on-property benefits.
- A strong rewards structure allows for accelerated points earning on Hilton purchases as well as at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
- Valuable travel perks include a Free Night Reward after meeting an annual spending threshold, a fifth night free on award stays, and complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status.
Cons
- Hilton Honors points are often criticized for their lower redemption value compared to other hotel programs, and dynamic pricing can make award nights unpredictable.
- The card lacks some premium travel benefits found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access and primary rental car insurance.
- The annual Free Night Reward is not automatic and requires meeting a significant annual spending threshold.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Capital One SavorOne Rewards (See Rates & Fees) card a standout choice for foodies and entertainment lovers.
- Earn unlimited bonus cash back in popular categories including dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are easy to redeem for any amount and won't expire for the life of the account.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive entertainment and dining experiences through Capital One.
Pros
- Earns bonus cash back on popular everyday categories, including dining, entertainment, and at grocery stores.
- Rewards are simple to redeem for any amount and do not expire for the life of the account.
- Cardholders get access to exclusive entertainment and dining experiences through Capital One.
Cons
- Charges an annual fee.
- Lacks a welcome bonus for new cardholders.
- Bonus rewards for grocery stores exclude purchases at superstores like Walmart® and Target®.
Capital One SavorOne Rewards vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
Categories
When deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Capital One SavorOne, it's crucial to recognize that each card is tailored for a distinct type of user and spending habit.
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This is a mid-tier hotel credit card designed for frequent Hilton guests who want to earn hotel rewards and enjoy travel benefits.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This is a cash-back rewards card intended for users with fair credit who want to earn rewards on everyday spending.
Redemption
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: The points you earn are Hilton Honors Bonus Points, which are best redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. You can also transfer points to airline partners or use them for exclusive experiences.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: As a cash-back card, your rewards are straightforward and can be redeemed at any time for a statement credit or a check. This flexibility allows you to easily apply your earnings against your balance or receive them as cash.
Travel Perks
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Its travel ecosystem is laser-focused on the Hilton portfolio. Instead of a general travel portal, you redeem rewards directly for stays at Hilton hotels and resorts. The card is built for the international traveler, offering a number of complimentary airport lounge visits annually and charging no foreign transaction fees.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card provides a broader, more general-purpose travel experience. You can book flights, hotels, and rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal. It's also a solid companion for trips abroad, as it carries no foreign transaction fees. However, complimentary airport lounge access is not a feature of this card.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated cards.
- The 'Test Drive' feature lets you simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your actual spending data—all without an application or impact on your credit score.
- Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for various cards based on your credit report.
- Use the Chrome extension to automatically select the best card at checkout to maximize rewards on every purchase.
- Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match any better offer you find within three months of approval.
Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent fit for frequent Hilton guests who want to enjoy Gold elite status benefits like room upgrades and complimentary breakfast without paying for a premium travel card. It also appeals to everyday spenders who can rack up points quickly through its generous rewards on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, this card is ideal for value-conscious travelers looking to accumulate points for special trips, maximizing their rewards with perks like the fifth-night-free benefit on award stays.
Who Should Choose the Capital One SavorOne Rewards?
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for individuals with fair credit who want to earn cash back on everyday spending while building a stronger credit profile. It's particularly well-suited for those whose regular expenses include dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and shopping at grocery stores. This card acts as a great steppingstone, helping users improve their credit standing to eventually qualify for cards with even better terms and perks.
Alternatives to Consider
So, the Hilton Honors Surpass vs Capital One SavorOne comparison didn't yield a winner for your wallet? No problem—let's explore a few other top-tier rewards cards that could be a better match for your financial strategy.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score – card requirements can range from fair to excellent credit.
- Review application restrictions – some issuers limit eligibility for welcome offers based on your card history.
- Plan your spending – ensure you can naturally meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer's rules – some issuers like American Express limit welcome offers to once per lifetime per card.
- Check for pre-qualification – many issuers, including Capital One, let you check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.
- Use the right application channel – applying directly, through a partner, or via a targeted offer can yield different results.
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
How do I choose between a hotel co-branded card and a general rewards card?
Consider your brand loyalty and spending habits. If you consistently stay with one hotel chain, a co-branded card like the Hilton Honors Surpass may offer more value, whereas a general rewards card like the Capital One SavorOne provides more flexibility across different categories.
Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?
The Capital One SavorOne card is designed to reward everyday purchases like dining, entertainment, and select streaming services. The Hilton Honors Surpass card focuses its rewards structure more heavily on travel and hotel-related spending.
Can I use the rewards from both cards for things other than travel?
Yes, both cards offer flexible redemption options beyond just travel. Hilton Honors points can be used for various experiences and shopping, while the SavorOne card's cash back can be redeemed in several ways, including as a statement credit.
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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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