Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex Hilton Honors Surpass
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.


Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 4-2. First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates Amex Hilton Honors Surpass is still the right call if hilton guests who want gold status and strong everyday earn..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Amex Hilton Honors Surpass |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (travel) | 12x (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3x |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | · N/A |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = Not verified |
| Min credit score | 700 | · N/A |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass
- 12x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 6x at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations
- 4x on US online retail purchases
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Gold status
- Annual fee $150, $0 in the first year
FAQ
›Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex Hilton Honors Surpass: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Sapphire Preferred for its best categories, Amex Hilton Honors Surpass for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Amex Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't list a welcome bonus.