New: Compare up to 3 cards side-by-side instantly Compare now →
Discover it Cash Back vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
[ 01 / 02 ]
·
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Discover it Cash BackDiscover | Hilton Honors American Express Surpass CardAmerican Express |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Annual Fee | $0 | $150 |
| APR | 17.49% - 26.49% | 19.49% - 28.49% |
| Signup Bonus | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year | Free Night Reward + 70,000 bonus points (limited-time offer) |
| Rewards Rate | 5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter, activation required), 1% on everything else | 12X at Hilton, 6X at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, 3X on everything else |
| Credit Score | good | good |
| Pros | First-year Cashback Match doubles all rewards $0 annual fee 5% rotating categories can be very lucrative | 12X at Hilton and 6X on dining/groceries/gas are massive multipliers Complimentary Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and free breakfast Free night reward after spending $15K in a calendar year |
| Cons | Must activate quarterly categories $1,500 quarterly cap on 5% categories Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard | $150 annual fee Hilton points worth ~0.5cpp — need volume to get value American Express not accepted everywhere internationally |
| View Details → | View Details → |
[ 02 / 02 ]
·
Verdict
Our Pick: Discover it Cash Back
With a 4.4/5 rating, the Discover it Cash Back edges out the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card (4.3/5). No annual fee makes it easy to justify. Discover it Cash Back is the best starter rewards card. The first-year Cashback Match effectively gives you 10% on rotating categories and 2% on everything else. Hard to beat for year one.