Hilton Honors American Express Surpass

Surpass sits in the middle of Hilton's Amex lineup and earns its $150 annual fee mostly through everyday categories: 6x at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 4x on eligible U.S. online retail, and 3x on everything else, with the 12x rate reserved for purchases made directly at Hilton properties. Up to $200 a year in Hilton credits, split as $50 per quarter, covers most of that fee provided you stay with Hilton often enough to use each quarter's allotment. The current welcome offer is 130,000 points after $3,000 in six months plus a Free Night Reward, a low spend bar for a bonus that size. Complimentary Gold status is the most valuable ongoing perk, and heavier spenders pick up a Free Night Reward at $15,000 and Diamond status at $40,000 in a calendar year. Just remember these points only spend at Hilton, so those 6x grocery and gas multipliers are worth less than they look if your stays are occasional.