Executive Summary -
A great card and arguable the best card among all the Hilton credit cards (by both Citi and American Express). The ability to earn points, lack of foreign transaction fees, Chip and Pin technology, anniversary bonus weekend nights stay make this a really great card. It's sign up bonus is of great value as well.
From what we have seen, the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Card is a winner. Having no foreign transaction fees, CHIP and PIN technology is huge especially for the international traveler. These features puts it on par with other hotel cards issued by Chase (most notably Hyatt and Ritz Carlton)
What I also like about the card is that you are automatically a Gold member and have the chance to attain Diamond Status simply through card spend. This is slightly better than the Surpass Card as it only gives you automatic silver status with one requiring spending targets to meet gold status.
Most importantly, I think where this card scores is in the area of earning points with Hilton Hotels. Ten points per dollar is the highest of any HH cards. The Amex Surpass Card allows you to earn nine points per dollar (which is good). So in this area, Citi has really stepped up.
Is This Card Better Than the Amex Surpass Card? - One is very tempted to compare both cards since they are the "elite" versions of the Hilton HHonors program. But the more I look at it, the more I feel that they are more complementary.
The Citi beats it in the ability to earn points for Hilton Hotels, the absence of foreign transaction fees, CHIP and PIN technology, elite status achievements and anniversary weekend night stays.
But the Amex Surpass card allows you to earn six points on expenses which Citi does not have while Citi allows you to earn five points on expenses which Amex does not have.
Lastly, they both have different sign up bonuses (which we will explore next). The Citi's sign up bonus is actually worth more than the Surpass Card.
Get This Card If You Are a Hilton HHonors Members - If you are a Hilton HHonors member and want to earn more points with a credit card, then I would highly recommend that you get this card. You will earn more points than any other HH cards and if you travel abroad a lot, then the CHIP and PIN will come in really handy.
Even if you have the Amex Surpass Card, you should still get this card because they are both quite complementary. You can earn more points with the two cards combined and also get lounge access.
We rate this card 4.5 stars and have put it on our recommended list.
And before we forget,
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