Capital One Quicksilver vs Hilton Honors Surpass: Which Is Better In 2026?

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 (See Rates & Fees).

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• The card grants automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking valuable perks that can elevate your hotel experience.
• You can earn a Free Night Reward each year by meeting a spending threshold on the card.
• It offers strong rewards on everyday spending categories, making it easy to accumulate points for future travel.

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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.}

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Pros

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• Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status provides valuable hotel perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits.
• A generous welcome offer provides a substantial points bonus for new cardmembers.
• The opportunity to earn an annual Free Night Reward through spending, plus statement credits on Hilton purchases.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points can have a lower value compared to other hotel loyalty programs, and award night pricing is dynamic.
• The card lacks some travel perks common on other cards, such as airport lounge access or primary rental car insurance.
• The annual Free Night Reward is not automatic and requires meeting a spending threshold.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards

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Categories

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When asking which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or Hilton Honors Surpass, the answer depends on what you value most from a credit card. These two cards serve very different purposes, one focusing on simple cash rewards and the other on travel perks within a specific hotel brand.

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• Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is best for everyday spenders who want a simple, flat-rate cash back card. It's designed for those who prefer not to track rotating categories or spending limits.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is built for frequent or moderate travelers who stay at Hilton properties. This card is ideal for earning hotel points and accessing elite travel benefits within the Hilton ecosystem.

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Redemption

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Rewards are earned as straightforward cash back that can be redeemed at any time and for any amount. You can receive your earnings as a statement credit or a check, offering simple and flexible options.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are redeemed through the Hilton Honors program, primarily for free nights at Hilton's portfolio of hotels and resorts. Points can also be used for other travel-related purchases or transferred to airline partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a data-driven tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of cards and find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate potential earnings and see the net value of a card before you apply, with no hard credit pull required.
• Personalized recommendations: Connect your bank accounts securely through Plaid to get card recommendations based on your actual transaction history.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval likelihood for different cards based on your credit report.
• Exclusive member rewards: Access special offers like a $20 sign-up bonus with a qualifying purchase or the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Financial monitoring: Track your transactions, spending, credit score, and progress toward welcome offer spending requirements all in one place.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?

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The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize simplicity and consistent value in their rewards strategy. It's particularly well-suited for everyday spenders who want to earn a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases without tracking rotating categories, as well as for travelers who can benefit from having no foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, this card is ideal for the consumer with good-to-excellent credit who wants a straightforward, no-annual-fee option that provides hassle-free cash back on every transaction.

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 valuable hotel perks like automatic Gold status without the hefty price tag of a premium card. It also appeals to everyday spenders, as it racks up points quickly on common purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Ultimately, this card is for value-conscious individuals looking to enhance their stays and save up for special trips, leveraging benefits like the chance to earn a Free Night Reward.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've decided that neither the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card nor the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is the right choice for you, that's okay. This Capital One Quicksilver vs Hilton Honors Surpass comparison is meant to guide you, and sometimes that means pointing you toward other options.

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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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the general requirement for good to excellent credit.
• Review issuer-specific rules like Amex's once-per-lifetime policy to confirm your eligibility for a welcome offer.
• Assess your spending habits to ensure the card’s rewards structure aligns with your lifestyle.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large purchase to help meet the spend threshold naturally.
• Apply with confidence, as some issuers let you see your offer before a hard credit inquiry.
• Activate your benefits right away, since some perks require enrollment after you are approved.

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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Do the Capital One Quicksilver and Hilton Honors Surpass cards have annual fees?

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The Capital One Quicksilver card typically has no annual fee, making it a straightforward choice for earning cash back. The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card, however, does have an annual fee, which is offset by its premium travel benefits and higher rewards potential within the Hilton ecosystem. Terms apply.

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Which card is better for someone new to credit card rewards?

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For beginners, the Capital One Quicksilver is often recommended due to its simple flat-rate cash-back structure and no annual fee. The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card is better suited for those who can maximize its travel-specific benefits and are comfortable with managing a more complex rewards program. Terms apply.

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Can I use Hilton Honors points for anything besides hotel stays?

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Yes, while Hilton Honors points provide the best value when redeemed for hotel nights, you can also use them for other options. These include experiences, Lyft rides, rental cars, and transferring them to airline partners, though the redemption value may be lower for these alternatives. Terms apply.

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