Amex Hilton Honors Surpass vs Chase United Explorer
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass wins 3-2. Hilton guests who want Gold status and strong everyday earn. Chase United Explorer is still the right call if united loyalists, free checked bag + lounge passes..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Hilton Honors Surpass | Chase United Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = $150 | = $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 12x (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3x | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | · N/A | 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = Not verified | = None stated |
| Min credit score | · N/A | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.3/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass
- 12x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels and resorts
- 6x at US restaurants, US supermarkets and US gas stations
- 4x on US online retail purchases
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Gold status
- Annual fee $150, $0 in the first year
Chase United Explorer
- 9x total miles on eligible United flights
- 3x miles on all other eligible United purchases
- 2x miles on dining, including eligible delivery services
- 2x miles on hotel stays booked directly with the hotel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Free first checked bag for the cardholder and one companion on United-operated flights
FAQ
›Amex Hilton Honors Surpass vs Chase United Explorer: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Hilton Honors Surpass for its best categories, Chase United Explorer for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Hilton Honors Surpass doesn't list a welcome bonus. Chase United Explorer: 60,000 miles after $3,000 spend in 3 months.