Chase Freedom Unlimited 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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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a strong contender for travelers.

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• The card grants automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, which provides valuable perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits, for an annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• You'll earn an accelerated 12x points on eligible Hilton purchases and 6x points on spending at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• With up to $200 in annual statement credits for Hilton purchases and a Free Night Reward after meeting spending requirements, it's possible to more than offset the card's annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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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• A strong welcome offer and accelerated points-earning on Hilton stays and everyday spending categories help you build your rewards balance quickly.
• Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status provides valuable on-property benefits, including potential room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit.
• Travel perks include the ability to earn a Free Night Reward after meeting annual spending requirements, a fifth night free on award stays, and no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points are generally considered less valuable than points from other major hotel loyalty programs. This, combined with a dynamic pricing model, can make it challenging to predict the cost of an award night.
• A Free Night Reward is not an automatic annual perk; it requires meeting a significant spending threshold each year. Terms apply.
• The card does not include premium travel benefits like airport lounge access or primary rental car insurance.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Hilton Honors Surpass, comes down to your personal spending habits and travel preferences. One card is a versatile cash back earner, while the other is tailored for loyal hotel guests.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is best for cash back seekers. It's an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want consistent rewards on all their purchases without needing to track complicated categories.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is ideal for Hilton travelers. This card is designed for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to maximize their benefits within the hotel's loyalty program.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase portal. This flexibility makes it a great option for those who value straightforward rewards that can be used in multiple ways.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are redeemed within the Hilton Honors loyalty program, primarily for free hotel nights at Hilton properties worldwide. You can also use points for other travel-related experiences and upgrades, making it ideal for loyal Hilton guests.

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Travel Perks

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: The Hilton Surpass Card is ideal for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees. The Chase Freedom Unlimited, however, does charge a fee for purchases made abroad.
• Airport Lounge Access: With the Hilton Surpass Card, you get a complimentary Priority Pass membership that includes a number of lounge visits annually (Terms apply). The Freedom Unlimited does not offer this perk.
• Hotel Elite Status: The Surpass Card automatically provides complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking benefits like potential room upgrades (Terms apply). The Freedom Unlimited does not come with any hotel elite status.
• Travel Portals: Both cards offer access to their respective issuer's travel portals. Freedom Unlimited cardholders can book through Chase Ultimate Rewards, while Surpass cardholders can use American Express Travel.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your real spending data to find the best fit.

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• Test Drive Cards: Simulate potential earnings with any card using your actual spending data—all before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
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• $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating bonus categories. It's also a great starter card for those new to rewards, as well as a strategic addition for existing Chase customers looking to maximize their Ultimate Rewards® points by pairing it with a premium card. With no annual fee and valuable purchase protections, it offers a compelling package for a wide range of users, as detailed in this comprehensive guide.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a great fit for moderate travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to elevate their experience without paying for a top-tier card. It offers automatic Gold elite status, which provides valuable perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits, while also accelerating point earnings on everyday purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, it's designed for value-conscious travelers looking to maximize their rewards for future high-end Hilton stays, as detailed in our full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card comparison didn't result in a clear winner for you, that's okay. Let's explore a few other options that might be a better fit.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as a good to excellent score is generally required for approval.

• Review your card history, as some issuers have once-per-lifetime restrictions on welcome offers.

• Plan your spending to naturally meet any welcome offer requirements and unlock key benefits.

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Application Strategy

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• Consider card pairings, as combining cards from the same issuer can often unlock greater value.

• Know the issuer's rules, such as Chase's application guidelines or Amex's welcome offer restrictions.

• Align with your habits, choosing cards that reward your typical spending and travel patterns.

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 Chase and Hilton?

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You cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the Hilton Honors program. However, you can transfer Chase points to other hotel and airline partners, while Hilton points are primarily for use within the Hilton portfolio.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is known for having no annual fee. In contrast, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card carries an annual fee, which is important to consider when evaluating its overall value.

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Is the Hilton Honors Surpass card worth it if I don't stay at Hilton hotels often?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass® Card offers the most value to frequent Hilton guests through benefits like elite status and bonus points on Hilton stays. If you rarely stay with Hilton, a more flexible travel rewards card might be a better fit for your spending habits.

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