Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy: Which Is Better In 2025?

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is a strong contender for travelers.

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• This card grants automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which unlocks enhanced benefits during hotel stays.
• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great companion for international travel.
• Cardholders can redeem points for free nights at Marriott properties or transfer them to over 40 airline partners, offering valuable flexibility.

_{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 Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, which provides access to valuable hotel perks.
• Strong rewards earning rates on stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, as well as at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• A generous Welcome Offer for new cardholders and the ability to earn an annual Free Night Award.

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Cons

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• The card’s value is significantly diminished for travelers who do not regularly stay at Marriott properties.
• The annual Free Night Award is not an automatic benefit and is tied to a significant spending threshold.
• The included Gold Elite status does not provide top-tier perks like complimentary breakfast or suite upgrades.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, often depends on your brand loyalty and spending habits. Each card is designed to reward different types of purchases and travel styles.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is built for frequent Hilton guests and those who want to earn rewards on everyday U.S. spending categories like restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card excels for loyal Marriott customers, offering strong rewards on hotel stays, as well as on spending at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Hilton portfolio. You can also transfer points to various airline partners or use them for exclusive experiences and on-Amazon purchases.

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Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: Your points offer maximum value when used for stays across Marriott's diverse range of properties, from budget-friendly to luxury. Additionally, points can be transferred to a large number of airline loyalty programs or redeemed for unique travel packages and gift cards.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is a strong travel companion, offering a set number of complimentary Priority Pass™ Select lounge visits each year and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card: While it also comes with no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for overseas travel, it does not include complimentary airport lounge access. Its perks are more centered on benefits within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a financial platform like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 different credit cards, ensuring you find one that matches your specific spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: Before you apply, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending history, all without a hard credit pull.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your chances of being approved for different cards 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, the platform will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Automated Card Selection: At checkout, the Kudos browser extension can autofill the best card from your wallet to maximize rewards for that specific purchase.

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 can immediately leverage the automatic Gold elite status for perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who want to earn a significant number of points from U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations without paying for a premium travel card. Ultimately, as our card review details, it's built for value-conscious travelers looking to accumulate points for special trips, especially when taking advantage of the fifth-night-free benefit on award stays.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Marriott guests looking to maximize their hotel stays with valuable rewards. As our card review details, it's also a great fit for travelers who value hotel elite status but don't stay often enough to earn it organically, since the card provides automatic Gold Elite status. Beyond travel, the card appeals to everyday reward maximizers who can capitalize on strong earning rates at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.

Alternatives to Consider

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After a detailed Hilton Honors Surpass vs Marriott Bonvoy Bevy comparison, you might find that neither card perfectly aligns with your travel style. Fortunately, the travel rewards card market is vast, and other options may be a better match for your wallet.

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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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• Assess your credit standing, as a good to excellent score is typically required for approval.
• Plan your annual spending to ensure you can unlock key benefits like the Free Night Award.
• Review your card history, as American Express welcome offers are typically limited to once per lifetime.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with a large purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
• Wait for the best offer and be prepared to try again if you don't receive it initially.
• Understand the process, as some issuers let you see your offer before a hard credit check.

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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Which card offers better hotel elite status?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass Card provides complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, while the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Card offers Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. The better option depends on which hotel chain you prefer, as both statuses offer valuable perks like room upgrades and bonus points on stays.

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Can I transfer points from these cards to airline partners?

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Yes, both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy allow you to transfer points to a variety of airline loyalty programs. Marriott Bonvoy is often praised for its extensive list of partners and favorable transfer ratios, making it a flexible option for air travel.

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Are the annual fees on these cards worth it?

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The value of each card's annual fee depends entirely on your travel patterns and spending. If you can maximize the benefits, such as the elite status, free night awards, and statement credits, you can easily get more value than the cost of the fee.

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