United Quest vs Hilton Honors Surpass: Which Is Better In 2025?

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we’re fans of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

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• The card offers a strong rewards structure, allowing you to earn bonus points on Hilton stays as well as everyday purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations.
• Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Gold status and other travel perks that help justify the annual fee (See Rates & Fees).
• The Free Night Reward, earned after meeting an annual spending threshold, can easily offset the card's annual fee when redeemed at a qualifying Hilton property (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status provides valuable on-property perks like potential room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at U.S. properties.
• Opportunity to earn a Free Night Reward after meeting an annual spending threshold, plus strong rewards on Hilton stays and common U.S. spending categories.

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Cons

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• Hilton Honors points are subject to dynamic pricing and are generally considered less valuable than points from other hotel loyalty programs.
• The Free Night Reward requires meeting a significant annual spending threshold and is not an automatic cardholder perk.
• The card lacks premium travel benefits like airport lounge access and primary rental car insurance.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs United Quest

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Categories

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Deciding between a co-branded airline card and a hotel card depends entirely on your travel style. To determine which is better, the United Quest℠ Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you must first consider your loyalty to specific brands.

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• United Quest℠ Card: This card is built for frequent travelers who are loyal to United Airlines and want to maximize travel rewards, enjoy premium benefits, and get on a faster path to elite status.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is ideal for travelers who regularly stay at Hilton properties and want to earn hotel points on everyday spending, making it a good fit for those seeking hotel elite status.

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Redemption

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United Quest℠ Card: Points are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for award flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partners. You can also use miles for other travel, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and cruises, or for merchandise and experiences.

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are redeemed within the Hilton Honors loyalty program, most commonly for free night awards at thousands of Hilton properties worldwide. Points can also be used for on-property rewards, transferred to airline partners, or redeemed for experiences and merchandise.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Hilton Surpass Card provides a Priority Pass™ Select membership with a number of complimentary lounge visits each year; enrollment is required. The United Quest Card, on the other hand, does not include lounge access benefits. Terms apply.
• Travel Credits: Each card offers annual credits that can help offset its annual fee. The United Quest Card gives cardmembers an annual United purchase credit plus two 5,000-mile anniversary award credits after taking United-operated award flights. The Hilton Surpass Card features an annual statement credit on eligible purchases at participating Hilton Resorts. Terms apply.
• Baggage Allowance: A key perk for United flyers, the Quest Card offers a free first and second checked bag for the cardmember and one companion on the same reservation. As a hotel-focused card, the Surpass Card does not offer a complimentary baggage allowance.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent choices for international travel, as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision and see how these cards stack up against your personal spending habits, a tool like Kudos can provide data-driven recommendations.

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• Simulate potential earnings with a new card using the 'Test Drive' feature, which analyzes your real spending history to project rewards.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better public offer you find within three months of approval.
• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost and stack them on top of your existing credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Track your progress toward earning new card sign-up bonuses.
• Get personalized card recommendations based on your unique spending patterns.

Who Should Choose the United Quest?

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The United Quest℠ Card is tailor-made for frequent United Airlines flyers who want to elevate their travel experience without committing to a top-tier annual fee. This card is particularly valuable for travelers who regularly check bags and can take full advantage of the annual United purchase credit and other statement credits. Those looking to fast-track their way to MileagePlus Premier status through spending will also find significant value in what this premium travel card has to offer.

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 unlock valuable perks like automatic Gold elite status. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can earn significant points on U.S. restaurant, supermarket, and gas station purchases without paying a premium annual fee. Ultimately, as detailed in our complete review, the card is ideal for value-conscious travelers looking to save points for special trips and maximize their stays.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the United Quest vs Hilton Honors Surpass comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right choice, don't fret. Let's explore a few other travel rewards cards 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: You will generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the welcome offer's spending requirement through normal purchasing habits.
• Review your eligibility: Be aware of issuer-specific rules, like Amex's once-per-lifetime welcome offer policy.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card with your loyalty: Choose a card that matches your preferred airlines or hotels to maximize its benefits.
• Consider issuer application rules: Be mindful of how many cards you've recently opened, as some issuers have restrictions.
• Time your application strategically: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.

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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Can I hold both the United Quest Card and the Hilton Honors Surpass Card?

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Yes, you can hold both cards since they are issued by different banks, Chase and American Express, respectively. This allows you to enjoy benefits from both the United MileagePlus and Hilton Honors loyalty programs.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The United Quest℠ Card has a $250 annual fee, while the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has a $150 annual fee.

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Which card is better if I'm not loyal to one brand?

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If you aren't exclusively loyal to either brand, consider which travel benefit is more valuable to your habits. Your choice depends on whether you value airline perks with United more than hotel benefits with Hilton.

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