Hilton Adds Big Benefits to Amex Surpass and Aspire Cards

Joe Cortez October 20, 2023

Along with limited time offers for new qualified cardholders, Hilton Honors is adding new benefits to both the American Express Surpass and Aspire Cards, including statement credits and new bonus points multipliers.

Hilton Honors and American Express are working together to reward the brand’s most loyal cardholders with new statement credits, category multipliers, and bonus status at National Car Rental.

Hilton Honors announced the new benefits on Thursday, October 19, 2023, along with new limited-time offers for new qualified cardholders.

Upgrades Include At Least $200 in Statement Credits and National Car Rental Status

For the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card, three new benefits are coming for all cardholders. First, cardholders can access a $50 statement credit each quarter for eligible Hilton purchases made with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card directly at participating Hilton properties, for a potential total of $200 annually.

The Surpass card is also adding a 4X Hilton Honors bonus category for U.S. online retail purchases. This is in addition to the 12X points on eligible Hilton purchases, 6X for spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations, and 3X points for purchases in all other categories. Cardholders also receive Emerald Club Executive status with National Car Rental.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card is also getting several major upgrades. In addition to complimentary Emerald Club Executive status at National Car Rental, cardholders may also receive:

Up to $200 in statement credits annually for eligible purchases made with the Hilton Honors Aspire Card directly at participating Hilton Resorts, up to $400 annually.
Up to $50 in in statement credits each quarter on eligible flight purchases, up to $200 total annually.
$189 in statement credits per calendar year after signing up and paying for a CLEAR Plus membership using the card.
One Free Night Reward after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your card in a calendar year.
Limited cell phone protection – terms and conditions apply.

On the downside, the Hilton Aspire card is losing the Priority Pass benefit ending on January 31, 2024. Those who enroll by phone before the deadline will receive membership through October 31, 2024. The annual fee is also increasing to $550 immediately for new cardholders, while existing cardholders will see the increase effective on February 1, 2024.

For those who don’t currently have one of the Hilton Honors American Express cards, there currently limited-time offers for those who apply and are approved for the cards. For the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card, card members can earn 170K Bonus Points after spending $3K in purchases on their new card in their first six months of card membership, and receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status.

With the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card, card members can earn 180K Bonus Points after spending $6K in purchases on their new card in their first six months of card membership and earn complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status. With both promotions, terms apply.

Are the new upgrades enough to entice you to get the card? Share your thoughts on the FlyerTalk Forums.

Feature image courtesy: Hilton Hotels