Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex
On the criteria below, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Amex
Chase Freedom Flex
Chase
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and foreign transactions; Chase Freedom Flex wins on annual fee.
Pick the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Chase Freedom Flex if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1- First-year math Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Chase Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Flex is $150 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card earns more on its best category (12× vs 5×).
- Foreign transactions Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card has a lower (or zero) foreign transaction fee.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $150
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $650
- $200
- First-year net
- +$500
- +$200
- Peak earning rate
- 12×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Hotels Resorts, Dining, U.S. Supermarkets
- Rotating Quarterly, Chase Travel, Dining
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- Yes
- Elite status
- Yes
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- 3.00%
- Reward currency
- Hilton Honors
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.