SIDE A
A
Chase · Visa
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
VS.
×
SIDE B
B
American Express · American Express
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
FILING
Head-to-Head · Plastic Quarterly
Both cards target hotel-focused travelers with solid earning potential, but they serve different loyalty ecosystems and spending patterns. The Marriott Boundless charges $95 annually and delivers exceptional value through its guaranteed free night certificate and elite status perks, making it ideal for Marriott loyalists. The Hilton Surpass costs $150 yearly but offers a higher signup bonus, better everyday earning rates, and travel credits that justify the premium for frequent Hilton guests. Your choice depends entirely on which hotel chain you actually use and how much you spend on non-hotel categories.
THE VERDICT
Our ruling.
“Choose the Marriott Boundless if you stay at Marriott properties regularly or value the automatic free night benefit. Choose the Hilton Surpass only if you're a committed Hilton member and spend heavily at US restaurants and supermarkets, since the $150 fee demands higher overall spending to break even.”
CHOOSE A
Side A is for you if…
- 01You stay at Marriott properties at least 3-4 times annually, making the free night award (up to 35,000 points) worth $300-500 alone
- 02The $95 fee feels manageable and you value automatic Gold Elite status plus 15 night credits without hitting spending thresholds
- 03You prefer simplicity: 2x baseline earning across all purchases is easier to track than Amex's category restrictions
- 04You have moderate hotel spending but don't want to justify a $150 annual fee through additional purchases
CHOOSE B
Side B is for you if…
- 01You spend $1,500+ annually at US restaurants and supermarkets combined, where 6x earning significantly outpaces Marriott's flat 2x
- 02The $130,000 signup bonus combined with the $100 Global Entry credit brings your effective first-year cost down to $50
- 03You value Priority Pass lounge access and will use all 10 visits annually, adding $500+ in tangible benefits
- 04You're a Hilton frequent stayer who will hit the $15,000 annual spend threshold for the free weekend night without difficulty
THE LEDGER
Side by side.
- ISSUER
- Chase
- American Express
- NETWORK
- Visa
- American Express
- ANNUAL FEE
- $95
- $150
- APR RANGE
- 21.49% – 28.49%
- 22.49% – 29.49%
- INTRO APR (PURCHASES)
- None
- None
- INTRO APR (BALANCE TRANSFERS)
- None
- None
- REWARDS TYPE
- points
- points
- REWARDS RATE
- 2x points on all purchases
- 3x points on all purchases
- SIGN-UP BONUS
- 85,000 points
- 130,000 Hilton points
- BONUS VALUE
- $680
- $650
- MIN. CREDIT SCORE
- 700+
- 700+
- FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEE
- None
- None
A HIGHLIGHTS
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- —Free night award each account anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
- —Automatic Gold Elite status
- —15 elite night credits each year
- —6x points at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- —No foreign transaction fees
B HIGHLIGHTS
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
- —Complimentary Hilton Gold status
- —Free weekend night after $15K in annual spend
- —10 Priority Pass lounge visits per year
- —Up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- —No foreign transaction fees
QUESTIONS · ANSWERS
Frequently filed.
Hilton Surpass wins at 3x points per dollar on all purchases versus Marriott's 2x. However, Marriott's hotel category bonus (17x) far exceeds Hilton's 12x, so the better choice depends on your spending mix. For non-hotel spending, Surpass pulls ahead by 50 percent.