Hilton Honors Surpass vs Citi AAdvantage Executive: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down why we like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.

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• It's the only American Airlines co-branded card that includes a full Admirals Club membership, offering significant value for frequent flyers.
• Cardholders can earn bonus miles on American Airlines purchases and take advantage of annual credits for services like car rentals, food delivery, and rideshares.
• While the card comes with an annual fee, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.

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Pros

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• Includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership, providing access to American Airlines airport lounges.
• Cardholders and their companions receive priority check-in, security screening, and boarding, plus a free first checked bag on domestic flights.
• Comes with various trip protections and no foreign transaction fees, adding value for frequent travelers.

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Cons

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• Carries a high annual fee, and adding authorized users now also incurs a fee.
• Most of the card's premium benefits are tied to American Airlines, offering limited value if you don't fly the airline or its Oneworld partners frequently.
• Earning elite status Loyalty Points is not accelerated in the same way as earning miles, and some annual statement credits require specific actions to unlock their value.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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Choosing between these two travel cards can be tough. To determine which is better Hilton Honors Surpass or Citi AAdvantage Executive, it's essential to break down who each card is designed for based on your travel habits and loyalty.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is ideal for frequent or moderate travelers who prefer staying at Hilton properties and want to earn points on both hotel stays and everyday purchases.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This card is best suited for frequent American Airlines flyers who value airport lounge access and want to earn miles and elite status through their spending.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights and room upgrades at hotels and resorts within the extensive Hilton portfolio.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: AAdvantage® miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® Alliance partners, as well as for upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays.

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Travel Perks

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• Airport Lounge Access: The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card includes a full Admirals Club® membership for the primary cardholder and authorized users. In contrast, the Hilton Surpass Card provides a limited number of complimentary lounge visits each year through a Priority Pass membership.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Elite Status & Loyalty Perks: The Hilton Surpass Card automatically grants complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which includes benefits like space-available room upgrades and bonus points on stays. The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card is geared toward frequent flyers, offering the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, priority boarding, and a way to earn Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage® elite status.
• Travel Credits: The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card offers a statement credit to cover the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This benefit is not included with the Hilton Surpass Card.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial tool that helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, offering data-driven recommendations to help you maximize rewards.

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Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent fit for frequent Hilton guests looking to maximize their stays with automatic Gold status and accelerated point earnings. It also serves moderate travelers and everyday spenders well, thanks to its generous 6x points multiplier at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Overall, this card is ideal for travelers who want valuable hotel perks, such as a potential Free Night Reward, without paying for a premium travel card.

Who Should Choose the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®?

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is best suited for frequent travelers who are loyal to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners. According to a card review, these travelers will get the most value from the complimentary Admirals Club membership, a key benefit for those who regularly use airport lounges. Additionally, the card is a strong choice for those looking to fast-track AAdvantage elite status through Loyalty Point earnings and take advantage of practical perks like a free first checked bag for themselves and up to eight companions.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Hilton Honors Surpass vs Citi AAdvantage Executive comparison pits two strong contenders against each other, but they aren't the only travel cards on the market. If neither one is the perfect match for your spending habits or travel style, here are a few other 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}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review your card history, since issuers often have rules that can make you ineligible for a welcome offer.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer requirement and that the card's perks fit your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules, as some, like American Express, may limit you to one welcome offer per card in your lifetime.
• Check your bonus eligibility, because issuers like Citi may restrict new welcome offers if you have received one for the same card in recent years.
• Time your application wisely by applying when there is a strong welcome offer and you have a large purchase planned to help meet the spending requirement.

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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Which card is better for lounge access?

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is superior for lounge access, as it includes a full Admirals Club membership. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card offers a limited number of Priority Pass visits each year.

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Can I transfer points between Hilton Honors and American AAdvantage?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Hilton Honors and American AAdvantage loyalty programs. Each program's points must be earned and redeemed within their respective ecosystems.

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Is it better to have a hotel card or an airline card?

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The best choice depends on your travel style; frequent flyers with a preferred airline will benefit more from an airline card, while those who value hotel stays and on-property perks should opt for a hotel card. Consider which type of travel reward you will use most often.

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