Why having Surpass and Aspire could be a good idea

The idea of ​​having two credit cards same hotel brand It may seem strange, but it could actually benefit your travels.

If you’re loyal to Hilton, go for it Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card will give you two welcome bonuses, a wide range of earning categories, an automatic free night reward, and more.

Assuming you stay in a hilton property At least a few times a year, you should consider this strategy. Here you will find everything you need to know.

Receive valuable points from 2 welcome bonuses

One of the best parts about earning points and miles is the ability to redeem them for high-value hotel stays. Welcome bonuses are a great way to earn a lot of points or miles quickly.

Together, the Hilton aspires and Hilton Overcoming You can boost your rewards balance with their welcome offers. With Aspire, you’ll earn 175,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership.

With Surpass, you’ll earn 155,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases during the first six months of card membership.

That’s a total of 330,000 bonus points on both welcome bonuses.

According to TPG from December 2025 ratings330,000 Hilton bonus points are worth $1,650. These high offers end on January 14, 2026, making it now a good time to apply.

Those 330,000 Hilton points are enough for a three-night stay on select dates at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Riviera Mayaor you can extend them to several stays by booking with economical options.

It’s easier to earn a second free night reward

He Hilton aspires offers cardholders an automatic reward of free nights each membership year. That’s a very useful benefit for Hilton fans. Since you won’t need to use any points for this free night, you can use it to extend your vacation or take a quick weekend getaway.

While it’s possible to earn a second night free with Aspire, it’s even easier to do so with Hilton Overcoming. While this card doesn’t offer an automatic reward each year, cardholders can earn it by spending at least $15,000 on their card in a calendar year. This should be reasonably achievable for the average consumer, especially if you rent.

If you prefer to stay at Hiltons over any other brand, it may make sense to go the extra mile to earn a free second night reward. Make it easier for yourself by trying to win one on Surpass.

TPG’s director of credit cards, points and miles content, Carly Helfand, I used the free night rewards checked out her Hilton cards for part of a stay at the Conrad Algarve this year.

Maximize savings with more statement credits

Both the Hilton aspires and Hilton Overcoming offer statement credits to help justify your $550 (see Aspire report rates and fees) and annual fees of $150 (see Surpass section) rates and fees), respectively. By combining these benefits on both cards, you can maximize the value you get from your Hilton stays.

Hilton Surpass offers up to $50 each quarter (up to $200 in statement credits annually) for purchases made directly at a Hilton property, which is great for covering the price of a room, a meal or a spa treatment. In the meantime, you will receive up to $200 semiannually (up to $400 in statement credits annually) for eligible purchases at Hilton Resorts from your Aspire. Both statement credits can be combined if you use them in one Participating Hilton Resort. These properties generally offer more amenities than standard Hilton hotels, such as pools and activities.

Hilton Aspire also offers flight-related statement credits: up to $50 each quarter (up to $200 in statement credits annually) for purchases made directly with an airline or through Amex Travel, and up to $209 in statement credits each calendar year for a Clear Plus Membership (registration required; subject to automatic renewal).

Assuming you use all of your Hilton statement credits and your airline statement credit to the maximum each year, it will more than offset the annual cost of these cards.

Take advantage of the benefits of Hilton Diamond status

If you just hold the Hilton Overcomingyou will receive Hilton Gold status. While Hilton Gold is not bad by any means, the Hilton Diamond status offered by the Hilton aspires it’s a much better fit for loyal Hilton fans, who receive:

• Higher priority for room upgrades based on available space
• 100% bonus points on stays
• 48 hour room guarantee
• Access to the executive lounge
• Premium Wi-Fi

TPG Contributing Editor for Credit Cards Matt MoffittAspire’s favorite benefit is the complimentary breakfast for two that you receive when you stay at Hilton properties abroad (thanks to the card’s Diamond status). He values ​​this at at least $20 per person, which adds up to a value of at least $200 on a five-night stay for two people. (Cardholders get a food and beverage credit when staying at hotels in the US.)

If you’re going all in on Hilton, it makes sense to give yourself the best possible experience every time you stay. Opening the Aspire alongside the Surpass will ensure you get just that, without forcing you to give up any of the benefits you like in the Surpass.

Earn bonus points in many categories

He Hilton aspiresThe biggest strengths in the earnings department are at Hilton and in select dining and travel. Meanwhile, the Hilton Overcoming covers a wide range of bonus categories for a hotel card, meaning any gaps in Aspire’s revenue categories can be easily filled.

With both Aspire and Surpass, you will cover the following bonus categories:

Both cards earn 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

By optimizing your strategy on both cards, you’ll ensure you earn the most Hilton points possible for your next stay.

In a nutshell

Many points and miles enthusiasts don’t pay much attention to co-branded hotel cards, as many of us believe that transferable rewards are king. But if you’re staying at Hilton for most or all of your vacation, combining the Hilton Surpass and Aspire cards can seriously improve your travels.

Just make sure Track your card statement creditsas they are key to ensuring you get enough value for justify the annual fee for each card year after year.

For more information, check out our reviews of the Hilton Overcoming and Hilton aspires.

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Apply here: Hilton Honors aspires

Apply here: Hilton Overcoming

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For Hilton Aspire rates and rates, click here.

For Hilton Surpass rates and fees, click here.