Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority 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 section breaks down why we like the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

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• For its annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers generous rewards on everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and it has no foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders automatically receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which unlocks valuable perks like room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
• The up to $200 in annual statement credits for Hilton purchases can more than offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, which unlocks valuable hotel perks like potential room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties. Terms apply.
• Offers elevated rewards on purchases made directly with Hilton, as well as on everyday spending at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. gas stations.
• Key travel benefits include an annual Free Night Reward after meeting a spending requirement and up to $200 in statement credits for Hilton purchases. Enrollment may be required for select benefits.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points are generally valued lower than points from other hotel loyalty programs, and dynamic pricing for award nights can make it difficult to maximize their value.
• The annual Free Night Reward is not an automatic perk and requires meeting a significant annual spending threshold to earn.
• The card lacks some premium travel benefits found on competing cards, such as airport lounge access and primary rental car insurance.

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

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Categories

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Deciding between a co-branded airline card and a hotel card can be tricky, so let's break down which is better Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority or Hilton Honors Surpass based on your travel style.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: This card is built for frequent Southwest flyers and travelers loyal to the airline, especially those aiming to earn the coveted Companion Pass®.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is ideal for travelers who frequently stay with Hilton and want to earn hotel points on both stays and everyday spending while enjoying elite status perks.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card: Points are primarily redeemed for flights on Southwest Airlines, where their value is tied to the cash price of the fare. You can also use points for other travel, merchandise, and gift cards through the airline's rewards portal.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for award nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. They can also be transferred to airline partners or used for exclusive experiences and on-property extras.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card come with no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international spending.
• Lounge Access: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides a significant advantage here, offering a number of complimentary lounge visits annually through a Priority Pass™ Select membership. Enrollment is required and terms apply. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card does not offer this type of airport lounge access, though it does provide other travel day perks like upgraded boardings.
• Travel Portal: Each card's ecosystem is tied to its respective brand. With the Southwest card, you'll use the airline's portal to book flights and other travel. The Hilton card uses the Hilton Honors portal, where points are redeemed for hotel stays, with the added flexibility of transferring them to airline partners.

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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 based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending data—all before you apply and with no impact on your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: Get card suggestions tailored to your unique spending habits, ensuring you find the best fit for your lifestyle.
• Detailed approval odds: Apply with more confidence by seeing a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card points when you shop at participating stores.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card is tailor-made for frequent flyers who are loyal to the airline and its extensive domestic network. It's particularly valuable for travelers looking to fast-track their way to A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass®, as spending on the card contributes toward qualifying for both. Ultimately, this card provides the most value to those who fly Southwest several times a year and can fully leverage its premium perks like the annual travel credit and upgraded boardings to offset the annual fee.

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 and moderate travelers who want to maximize their loyalty with the brand. This card is particularly valuable for those who can leverage automatic Gold elite status for perks like room upgrades and earn accelerated points on everyday spending at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, it's designed for value-conscious travelers seeking significant hotel benefits without the high annual fee of a premium travel card, as detailed in our full Surpass® Card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority vs. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® comparison highlights two excellent cards, but they aren't for everyone. If you're looking for something different, let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be your perfect match.

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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 – You'll generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review application rules – Be aware of issuer policies that can affect welcome offer eligibility.
• Have a plan for the perks – Know how you will use key benefits like elite status or annual credits.

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Application Strategy

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• Review offer eligibility: Be aware of issuer policies that may affect your ability to earn a welcome offer.
• Pace your applications: Some issuers limit how many new cards you can open within a certain timeframe.
• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements naturally.

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 domestic travel?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card is generally better for domestic travel within the U.S., especially if you live near a Southwest hub. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card can also be valuable for domestic trips if you frequently stay at Hilton properties across the country.

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Can I transfer points between Southwest and Hilton?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and Hilton Honors. They are separate loyalty programs with distinct airline and hotel partners.

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Is it worth getting both the Southwest Priority and Hilton Surpass cards?

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Holding both cards can be a powerful strategy for frequent travelers who are loyal to both Southwest for flights and Hilton for accommodations. This combination allows you to maximize rewards on both major components of your travel spending.

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