Hilton Honors Surpass vs Bank of America Premium Rewards: Which Is Better In 2025?

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This card packs a lot of value for its category, and this section breaks down exactly why we like it.

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• The rewards structure is straightforward, offering an elevated earning rate on broad travel and dining categories.
• Although there is an annual fee, the card has no foreign transaction fees, which is a key perk for travelers abroad.
• The up to $100 annual airline incidental credit can completely offset the card's annual fee, effectively making it pay for itself (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Offers flexible redemption options—including statement credits, direct deposits, or travel—with a simple and predictable rewards structure.
• Includes annual statement credits for airline incidentals and an application fee credit for expedited airport screening programs like TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry.
• Provides a comprehensive suite of travel insurance protections, such as coverage for trip delays, cancellations, and rental cars.

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Cons

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• Points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel partners, which can limit redemption value compared to other travel cards.
• The card does not include airport lounge access, a common perk in its category.
• Its highest earning potential is tied to Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, making it less rewarding for those who don't bank with BoA.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Bank of America Premium Rewards, it's crucial to look at where each card shines. The best choice depends entirely on your primary spending habits and travel preferences.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is tailored for Hilton loyalists, offering the highest rewards on direct Hilton purchases. It also provides strong returns on everyday spending categories like U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and online retail.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card excels in rewarding broad travel and dining purchases. It's designed for those who want solid returns on these common expenses without being tied to a specific hotel brand.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Rewards are earned as Hilton Honors points, which are redeemed through the Hilton Honors loyalty program. These points are most valuable when used for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card: This card offers more flexible redemption options, as points can be converted into cash back, a statement credit, or gift cards. Points can also be used to book travel through the Bank of America Travel Center with no brand restrictions.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Hilton Honors Surpass Card includes a set number of complimentary annual visits to lounges within the Priority Pass Select network. The Bank of America Premium Rewards card does not offer airport lounge access as a standard perk.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Elite Status and Credits: With the Hilton Honors Surpass, cardholders receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, unlocking benefits like potential room upgrades and bonus points. It also offers a path to earn a Free Night Reward based on annual spending. The Bank of America Premium Rewards card provides an annual airline incidental statement credit and a credit to cover the application fee for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
• Booking Flexibility: The Hilton Honors Surpass is built around the Hilton loyalty program, with points primarily redeemed for stays at Hilton properties. In contrast, the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers greater flexibility through its own travel portal, allowing cardholders to book flights, hotels, and car rentals across various brands.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision even easier, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards side-by-side based on your own spending.

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• Test drive a credit card before you apply to see personalized earnings projections based on your actual spending history, without impacting your credit score.
• Receive personalized card recommendations from a library of nearly 3,000 cards, tailored to your unique spending habits.
• Track your progress toward earning welcome offers and sign-up bonuses to ensure you don’t miss out on valuable rewards.
• Manage multiple cards, monitor your credit score, and get data-backed insights all in one platform.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is a strong contender for frequent Hilton guests who want to elevate their stays without committing to a premium annual fee. It's particularly valuable for moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can take advantage of automatic Gold status perks and accelerated rewards on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. These benefits make it ideal for value-conscious travelers looking to accumulate points for aspirational award stays, as detailed in our complete card review.

Who Should Choose the Bank of America® Premium Rewards®?

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® card is an excellent choice for moderate travelers and everyday spenders, particularly those who already bank or invest with Bank of America and can leverage the Preferred Rewards program for a significant earnings boost. It appeals to users who value simplicity, offering a straightforward rewards structure with flexible redemption options for cash back, travel, or statement credits. With valuable perks like up to $100 in annual airline incidental credits and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit, the card provides solid value for its $95 annual fee, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Bank of America Premium Rewards comparison has you convinced that neither card is the perfect travel companion, several other cards are waiting in the wings.

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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 to ensure you meet the good-to-excellent credit typically required for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend required for the welcome offer.
• Confirm your eligibility by checking for any issuer-specific rules, like once-per-lifetime welcome offer restrictions.

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Application Strategy

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• Try different methods if you don't see the best welcome offer right away.
• Leverage existing relationships, as some issuers provide enhanced benefits for current customers.
• Review the final offer before accepting, as some applications let you decline without impacting your credit.

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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What are the annual fees for the Hilton Surpass and Bank of America Premium Rewards cards?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $150 annual fee, while the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card carries a $95 annual fee.

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Which card is better for airport lounge access?

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The Hilton Surpass card provides 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year (Terms Apply). The Bank of America Premium Rewards card does not offer airport lounge access as a benefit.

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Can I use points from the Bank of America Premium Rewards card for Hilton hotel stays?

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While you cannot transfer Bank of America points directly to the Hilton Honors program, you can redeem your points as a statement credit for travel purchases, which can include bookings at Hilton properties.

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