Hilton Honors Surpass vs Citi Double Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi Double Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a quick look at why the Citi Double Cash® card is one of our favorites.

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• You get a simple, flat-rate cash back reward on every purchase, with no need to track or activate complicated bonus categories.
• The card comes with no annual fee, though keep in mind that fees for balance transfers and foreign transactions do apply.
• It offers a lengthy introductory period for balance transfers, making it a powerful tool for paying down existing debt from other cards.

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Pros

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• The rewards structure is straightforward, offering a consistent cash back rate on all spending without any rotating categories to manage.
• It’s an excellent tool for debt consolidation, thanks to its generous introductory offer on balance transfers.
• With no annual fee and flexible redemption options, it’s easy to get full value from the cash back you earn.

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Cons

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• The introductory 0% APR offer is limited to balance transfers and does not apply to new purchases.
• It's not the best choice for international use, as it comes with a foreign transaction fee.
• The card lacks common perks like travel insurance or purchase protection benefits.

Citi Double Cash® vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Hilton Honors Surpass or Citi Double Cash, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals. Each card excels in a distinct area, making one a clear winner for certain types of users.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is built for loyal Hilton travelers, offering accelerated rewards on hotel stays and everyday purchases, along with valuable on-property benefits that enhance the travel experience.
• Citi Double Cash® Card excels for users focused on managing existing debt. Its primary strength lies in offering an extended introductory period for balance transfers, providing a window to pay down balances without accruing interest.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed within the Hilton Honors loyalty program. This primarily means using points for free nights at Hilton properties worldwide, though they can also be transferred to travel partners.

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Citi Double Cash® Card: This card offers straightforward cash back rewards. You can redeem your earnings as a statement credit, direct deposit, or check, providing simple and flexible value.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: As an American Express card, it provides access to the Amex travel ecosystem. Key travel perks include no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad and a number of complimentary Priority Pass™ Select lounge visits each year.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: This card is not primarily designed for travel. While cardholders can use the Citi ThankYou travel portal, it lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access and typically incurs a foreign transaction fee.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial companion that offers a data-driven card explorer tool, allowing you to compare top-rated credit cards using your own spending data for personalized results.

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• Test Drive: Simulate how much you could earn with a new credit card before applying. The feature uses your real transaction history to project annual rewards and compare potential earnings against your current cards.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for a specific card based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized Card Matching: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending history.

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 who want to enjoy Gold elite status perks like room upgrades and daily food credits without paying a premium annual fee. It also appeals to everyday spenders who can maximize point earnings at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, value-conscious travelers who can spend $15,000 annually to earn a Free Night Reward will find this card particularly rewarding.

Who Should Choose the Citi Double Cash®?

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The Citi Double Cash® Card is an excellent choice for consumers who want a simple, high-earning cashback card for all their everyday spending. It's also particularly well-suited for individuals looking to consolidate and pay down existing high-interest credit card debt, thanks to its lengthy 0% introductory APR on balance transfers. Ultimately, this card is ideal for anyone who prefers straightforward rewards without tracking categories or paying an annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

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So, you've weighed the Hilton Honors Surpass vs Citi Double Cash comparison and neither card quite hits the mark for your needs. Fortunately, the credit card world is vast, and there are several other compelling alternatives to consider.

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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 rewards cards require a good to excellent score.
• Review your card history - Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you've had the card before.
• Define your goal - Know if you're prioritizing travel perks, cash back, or an introductory offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of restrictions, like Amex's once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule, before you apply.
• Look beyond the welcome offer - Consider the card's long-term value, such as a simple rewards structure or a valuable introductory APR on balance transfers.

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's the difference between hotel points and cash back?

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Hotel points, like Hilton Honors points, are a specific loyalty currency used for rewards within that hotel's program, such as free nights. Cash back is a more flexible reward that provides a statement credit or direct deposit, which can be used for anything.

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Can I use Hilton Honors points for anything other than hotel stays?

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Yes, Hilton Honors points can often be redeemed for other travel, such as flights or rental cars, through Hilton's travel partners. You can also use them for exclusive experiences or shopping, though the redemption value may vary.

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The better card for everyday spending depends on your goals. A card like the Citi Double Cash offers a straightforward cash-back rate on all purchases, while a card like the Hilton Honors Surpass provides accelerated points in specific spending categories.

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