Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus vs Hilton Honors Surpass: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This card packs a punch for Hilton loyalists, and here’s a closer look at why we think it’s a top contender.

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• Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking benefits like potential room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
• It offers accelerated points earning on Hilton stays and at U.S. supermarkets, restaurants, and gas stations, plus a Free Night Reward after meeting an annual spending threshold.
• While it has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), this can be offset by up to $200 in annual Hilton statement credits and no 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.}

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Pros

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• Receive a substantial welcome offer and earn points quickly on Hilton purchases and everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status is included, providing benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
• Unlock an annual Free Night Reward after meeting spending requirements, plus enjoy a fifth night free on award stays.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points are subject to dynamic pricing and may offer less value compared to points from other hotel loyalty programs.
• Earning a Free Night Reward requires meeting a substantial annual spending requirement; it is not an automatic cardholder benefit.
• The card has limited airline transfer partners, which reduces flexibility for redeeming points for flights.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or Hilton Honors Surpass, comes down to your specific travel habits and brand loyalty. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering unique benefits for either flying with a specific airline or staying with a particular hotel chain.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is an entry-level airline card designed for occasional or budget-conscious Southwest flyers. It's a great option for those looking to earn points toward the Companion Pass and enjoy basic airline perks.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a mid-tier hotel card best suited for frequent Hilton guests. This card provides automatic elite status and strong rewards on both hotel stays and everyday spending.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: The points you earn are primarily used for booking flights on Southwest Airlines. Cardholders can also redeem points for other travel, such as international flights and car rentals, through the airline's portal.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. Other redemption options include unique experiences, merchandise, and transfers to airline partners.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card:
  • The travel ecosystem is centered on the airline's portal, where points can cover not only Southwest flights but also international travel and car rentals.
  • A foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made abroad.
  • Annual perks include two EarlyBird Check-In® credits and a 25% rebate on in-flight purchases like drinks and Wi-Fi.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card:
  • Travelers benefit from no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
  • Cardholders receive 10 complimentary airport lounge visits annually through a Priority Pass Select membership, once enrolled.
  • Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status unlocks on-property benefits, such as space-available room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at participating hotels and resorts.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data.

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• The ‘Test Drive’ feature lets you simulate using a new card with your actual spending history to see personalized reward projections before you apply, all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized card recommendations based on your spending patterns to ensure you’re getting the most value.
• Detailed approval odds analysis based on your credit report to help you apply with confidence.
• A welcome offer guarantee, which matches any better public offer you find within three months of approval.
• The ability to track your progress toward earning new card welcome offers for free.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Southwest flyers who want to earn rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly valuable for those aiming to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned contribute toward the qualification threshold, as detailed in this 2025 card review. Additionally, it serves as a strong entry point for credit card beginners looking to dip their toes into the world of travel rewards within the Southwest ecosystem.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hilton guests who can take full advantage of the automatic Gold elite status and its associated perks like room upgrades. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want to earn points quickly on U.S. restaurant, supermarket, and gas station purchases without paying the high annual fee of a premium card. Ultimately, this card is designed for value-conscious travelers aiming to accumulate points for special trips, as detailed in this Surpass® Card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our comparison of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card vs. the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card didn't lead you to a clear winner, there are other excellent travel rewards cards to consider. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better match for your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 - Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review Application Rules - Be aware of issuer-specific restrictions on welcome offer eligibility before you apply.
• Create a Strategy - Know how you'll leverage the card's unique perks, such as elite status or special travel benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the Rules: Be aware of issuer-specific policies like the Chase 5/24 rule or Amex's once-per-lifetime language.
• Time Your Application: Align your application with a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements naturally.
• Don't Settle for Less: If the process allows, decline a subpar welcome offer and try applying again later.

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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Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors loyalty programs. Each program's points must be earned and redeemed within its own ecosystem.

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Do both the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus and Hilton Honors Surpass cards offer a welcome bonus?

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Yes, both cards typically feature a welcome offer for new cardmembers who meet a minimum spending requirement within a specific timeframe. These offers change periodically, so it's best to check the current details from Chase and American Express.

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How does the Southwest Companion Pass relate to the Rapid Rewards Plus card?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card helps you earn points that count toward qualifying for the coveted Southwest Companion Pass. The Companion Pass allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees on Southwest flights.

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