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

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at what makes the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card a compelling choice for travelers.

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• The card provides substantial annual statement credits for airline incidentals and various lifestyle services, which can significantly offset the annual fee(See Rates & Fees).
• Cardholders receive premium travel perks, including unlimited airport lounge access through a complimentary Priority Pass membership and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• You'll earn points on every dollar spent—with extra rewards on travel and dining—and you won't be charged foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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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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• Generous annual statement credits for airline incidentals and lifestyle purchases like food delivery and streaming services.
• Premium travel benefits including complimentary airport lounge access, elite-style perks at select hotels, and comprehensive travel protections.
• A straightforward rewards program that offers bonus points on travel and dining, with the potential for even higher earnings for qualifying Bank of America customers.

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Cons

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• The card has a high annual fee, and many of its benefits overlap with a less expensive card from the same issuer, making the cost difficult to justify for some.
• Unlike many competing premium cards, points cannot be transferred to airline or hotel loyalty programs, limiting redemption flexibility.
• To maximize rewards, you must be a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, which requires holding significant balances with the bank.

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

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Categories

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Deciding between two top-tier travel cards can be a challenge. To determine which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite, it's essential to understand what kind of traveler each card is designed for.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is best for dedicated Hilton travelers. It's designed for those who frequently stay at Hilton properties and want to maximize their rewards and benefits within the Hilton Honors loyalty program.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card is best categorized as a premium travel credit card for luxury travel. It offers a range of high-end perks, such as airport lounge access and travel credits, for those seeking an elevated travel experience.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed through the Hilton Honors program, primarily for award nights at Hilton's vast portfolio of hotels and resorts. This makes it ideal for travelers loyal to the Hilton brand who want to use their rewards for free stays.

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Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card: This card offers more flexible redemption options, allowing you to use your points for cash back, statement credits, or booking travel through the Bank of America Travel Center. Cardholders are not tied to a specific brand and can redeem their rewards in a way that best suits their needs.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card:
  • Travel Ecosystem: This card's perks are deeply integrated with the Hilton portfolio. The ecosystem is optimized for travelers loyal to Hilton brands, with benefits that enhance stays at their properties.
  • Lounge Access: Cardholders receive a Priority Pass membership that includes a set number of complimentary lounge visits each year.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not charge foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
  • Hotel Status: You automatically receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which unlocks on-property benefits like potential room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card:
  • Travel Ecosystem: This card offers a flexible travel experience for those who aren't tied to a single brand. Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Bank of America Travel Center.
  • Lounge Access: It includes a Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to a global network of airport lounges for the cardholder and guests.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not have foreign transaction fees.
  • Travel Credits: The card features several statement credits, including an annual credit for airline incidental fees and a credit to cover the application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're looking for a data-driven way to find the right card, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards side-by-side.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending history.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending habits.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card rewards when shopping with partner merchants.

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 valuable perks like automatic Gold status without committing to a premium annual fee. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can maximize their point earnings on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, the card is best for aspirational redeemers looking to save points for special trips by leveraging benefits like the fifth-night-free on award stays, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

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

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The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite card is best suited for frequent travelers who are already deeply integrated into the Bank of America ecosystem, particularly those who qualify for the Preferred Rewards program. These cardholders can maximize value by pairing the card's travel perks, like unlimited airport lounge access and annual statement credits, with the 25%-75% rewards bonus they receive on every purchase. While the $550 annual fee is steep, users who can leverage the various credits can easily offset the cost, making it a compelling premium travel card for the right kind of spender.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Surpass® vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite comparison has you wondering what else is out there, we’ve rounded up a few excellent alternatives that might be a better fit.

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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 - Most premium cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Review bonus eligibility - Some issuers, like American Express, limit welcome offers to once per lifetime per card.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with large planned purchases or upcoming travel.
• Research redemption options, like transfer partners or travel portal bonuses, to ensure the card fits your goals.
• Understand issuer-specific rules and how they might affect your application or rewards.

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 Premium Rewards Elite cards?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass Card typically has a moderate annual fee, while the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card carries a higher fee reflective of its premium travel benefits. You should always check the issuer's official website for the most current fee information.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Card generally includes a Priority Pass Select membership for broad lounge access. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card offers a limited number of Priority Pass visits per year, rather than a full membership.

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite is often better for general spending, as it earns flexible points on all purchases with bonus categories for travel and dining. The Hilton Honors Surpass Card is more specialized, offering high reward rates on Hilton stays and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants.

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