Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs. United℠ Explorer Card
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
American Express
4.3
130,000 bonus points. 12x at Hilton. 6x at restaurants, supermarkets, gas.
Full review →
United℠ Explorer Card
Chase
4.2
Free 1st + 2nd checked bags. 60,000-mile bonus. 2x on United, dining, hotel.
Full review →WealthSpott Verdict
United℠ Explorer Card wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® may still win for your wallet depending on your spending patterns.
Feature
Hilton Honors American
United℠ Explorer Card
Annual Fee
$150/yr
$95/yr Best
Sign-up Bonus
130,000 points
60,000 miles
Rewards Rate
3x-12x
1x-2x
Rewards Type
Points
Miles
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
22.49%-29.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None
Recommended Credit Score
670-850
670-850
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
Pros
- 12x points at Hilton properties
- 6x at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas
- Automatic Hilton Gold status
- Free weekend night after $15k annual spend
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- Hilton points worth less per point than rivals
- Free night requires $15k spend to unlock
United℠ Explorer Card
Pros
- Free first and second checked bags on United
- 60,000-mile sign-up bonus
- Two United Club passes per year
- 2x on United, dining, and hotels
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Miles tied to United/Star Alliance
- Standard 1x earning on non-bonus purchases
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