💳 American Express · Amex

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

Travel Benefits Guide 2026

$150
Annual Fee
Lounge Access
Secondary
Rental Coverage
None
Foreign Tx Fee

📌 At a Glance: Top Travel Perks

Travel Benefits Breakdown

Here's exactly what you get — and what you don't — when you use the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card for travel.

✈️ Lounge Access

Network: Priority Pass Select (1,300+ airport lounges worldwide)

Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required). Complimentary access for cardholder; guests charged standard Priority Pass fee (~$32/person). Note: As of early 2023, Amex removed complimentary Priority Pass from the Surpass — verify current terms as benefits can change.

🛂 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit on this card.

⏱️ Trip Delay Insurance

If your trip is delayed by 6+ hours, you're covered for up to $500/person in expenses.

Covers: meals, lodging, toiletries, medication, other personal use items

Up to $500 per covered trip. Delay must be 6+ hours or require overnight stay. Maximum 2 claims per 12-month period.

Must book travel with this card. Keep all receipts for reimbursement.

🚫 Trip Cancellation & Interruption

Reimburses up to $10,000/person (max $20,000/trip) if you must cancel or cut short your trip.

Covered reasons: illness (medically inadvisable per physician), severe weather, jury duty, change in military orders

Maximum $10,000 per covered trip, $20,000 per eligible card account per 12 consecutive months.

🧳 Baggage Insurance

Lost/stolen/damaged baggage: Up to $3,000/person

Checked bags: up to $2,000 | Carry-on: up to $3,000

High-risk items (jewelry, electronics) capped at $1,000 per person per trip.

Baggage delay coverage: not included.

🏥 Emergency Medical & Evacuation

✅ Emergency evacuation coordination covered (transportation costs covered).

Global Assist Hotline: 24/7 assistance coordination including medical evacuation referrals. Actual transport costs are cardholder's responsibility.

🚗 Rental Car Insurance

Secondary coverage — you must file with your personal auto insurance first, then this card covers the remainder.

Coverage amount: Up to $75,000

Covers: collision damage, theft

Excludes: liability, personal injury

Eligible countries: Worldwide except Australia, Italy, New Zealand, and OFAC-sanctioned countries.

Secondary car rental coverage — file with personal auto insurance first. Up to 30 consecutive days.

💡 Credit card travel insurance has limits

Credit card trip insurance typically doesn't cover medical emergencies abroad. For international trips, dedicated travel health insurance is recommended.

Browse travel health guides by country →

🌍 Foreign Transaction Fees

No foreign transaction fees — use this card internationally without paying an extra 2–3% on every purchase.

💰 Annual Credits & Perks

Rewards Structure

3x Hilton Honors points per $1
Base rate on all purchases
12x at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
Travel purchases
6x at US restaurants
Dining
6x
US supermarkets
6x
US gas stations

Point / Mile Values

  • Cash back / statement credit: ~0¢ per point
  • Travel portal redemption: ~0¢ per point
  • Transfer partners: 0.4–0.6¢ per Hilton Honors point; best redeemed for Hilton hotel stays

Pros & Cons for Travelers

👍 Pros

  • ✅ No foreign transaction fees — safe to use internationally
  • ✅ Airport lounge access (Priority Pass Select (1,300+ airport lounges worldwide))
  • ✅ Rental car collision coverage (secondary)
  • ✅ Trip cancellation coverage (up to $10,000/person)
  • ✅ Trip delay coverage after 6+ hours
  • ✅ Emergency medical evacuation benefit

👎 Cons

  • ❌ No Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

🎯 Who Is This Card Best For?

Hilton loyalists who want complimentary Gold status, Priority Pass lounge access, and strong hotel earning rates for a mid-tier annual fee

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