Hilton Honors Surpass vs Wells Fargo Active Cash: Which Is Better In 2025?

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card stands out.

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• You earn an unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, with no complicated categories to track.
• The card is cost-effective with a $0 annual fee, though it does have foreign transaction fees.
• Since there is no annual fee to offset, you start earning net positive rewards from your very first purchase (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Enjoy a simple, flat-rate cash back rewards structure on all your spending, with no earning caps and no annual fee.
• New cardholders can benefit from a welcome bonus, an introductory APR period, and cell phone protection.

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Cons

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• The card charges foreign transaction fees, making it less than ideal for international use.
• Redemption options are limited, and the flat-rate structure isn't optimal for maximizing rewards in specific spending categories.
• Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit history.

Wells Fargo Active 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 the Wells Fargo Active Cash, comes down to your personal spending habits and reward preferences. One card is tailored for hotel loyalty, while the other offers simple cash back on everything.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This is a mid-tier hotel credit card designed for travelers who frequently stay with Hilton and want to earn points while enjoying elite status perks.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card is best for users who want straightforward, unlimited cash back on all their spending without worrying about bonus categories.

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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 loyalty program. This typically means using them for free nights at Hilton properties or transferring them to airline partners.

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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: This card offers flexible cash rewards that can be redeemed in several straightforward ways. Cardholders can receive their cash back as a statement credit, a direct deposit into a Wells Fargo account, or from a Wells Fargo ATM.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is designed for travelers, offering complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and a number of Priority Pass™ lounge visits each year after enrollment. It does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international spending. Terms Apply.
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card: As a straightforward cash back card, it lacks a dedicated travel ecosystem. It does not offer benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status and charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the United States.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated options based on your own spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Kudos lets you simulate potential earnings with a new card using your actual spending history, all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized recommendations: The platform analyzes your transaction history to match you with cards that will maximize your rewards.
• Approval odds: Get a detailed analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of applying through Kudos, they will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.

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 can maximize the automatic Gold elite status for perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits. It also appeals to value-conscious travelers who want premium hotel benefits without the hefty price tag of a top-tier card, as well as everyday spenders looking to earn points on U.S. supermarket, restaurant, and gas station purchases. Ultimately, the card is designed for those aiming to accumulate points for high-value award stays, leveraging the card's strong earning rates and benefits as detailed in this Surpass® Card review.

Who Should Choose the Wells Fargo Active Cash®?

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The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a strong contender for small business owners who value simplicity and straightforward rewards. It's particularly well-suited for those with good to excellent credit who prefer a flat-rate cash back system over complex, category-based rewards and aren't focused on earning travel points. Business owners who make frequent domestic purchases and want to take advantage of benefits like a 0% intro APR period and cell phone protection will find this card especially useful.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the Hilton Honors Surpass vs Wells Fargo Active Cash comparison and found both cards wanting, let's explore a few alternatives that might 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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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Some issuers have restrictions on earning welcome offers if you've had the card before.
• Align the card with your spending - Ensure you can meet any spending requirements for bonuses or benefits naturally.

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Application Strategy

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• Hunt for the best offer - Use different browsers or check for targeted promotions to find an elevated welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of policies like Amex's once-per-lifetime rule for welcome offers.
• Leverage banking relationships - An existing relationship with an issuer may be a factor in their decision.

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 is better for everyday spending?

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For most everyday purchases, the Wells Fargo Active Cash card is generally more rewarding due to its unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. The Hilton Honors Surpass card's bonus categories are more focused on travel and dining.

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What are the main travel benefits of the Hilton Honors Surpass card?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass card comes with valuable travel perks, including complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and the ability to earn a Free Night Reward after meeting spending requirements (Terms Apply). These benefits can significantly enhance your stays at Hilton properties.

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How do I redeem rewards with the Wells Fargo Active Cash card?

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You can redeem your cash rewards from the Wells Fargo Active Cash card in several flexible ways, including as a statement credit, a direct deposit into a Wells Fargo account, or through an ATM. Redemptions are typically available in $25 increments.

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