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As of October 4, 2026, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card carry two different kinds of free night, so this is a choice by stay pattern, not a ranking. Per the American Express card page, the Surpass Free Night Reward is earned after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year. Per the Chase product page, the Boundless Free Night Award is enjoyed every year after the account anniversary.
This side-by-side covers what each card is, how each free night works, how each card earns and the headline perks as printed, and which stay pattern fits which card.
Our own free tracker, RewardTracker.io, lets you track two cards free; a one-time $10 unlock adds the rest of the catalog on that account.
At a Glance
- Free night: The Surpass award is earned through calendar-year spend; the Boundless award arrives after the account anniversary.
- Hilton stays: The Surpass card fits a reader already paying for Hilton portfolio stays who will use the printed spend path and complimentary Gold.
- Marriott stays: The Boundless card fits a reader already paying for stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels who will use the printed anniversary award and automatic Silver Elite.
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 (per the American Express card page; intro offers can change). The Chase product page displays $95 for the Boundless.
- No ranking: The published terms support a fit rule by stay pattern, not a ranking.
Card terms, free-night rules, and offers change; this post shows them only as the official American Express, Hilton, Chase, and Marriott pages word them, so re-check the issuer pages before you decide.
Real-World Examples
- A reader who mostly stays in the Hilton portfolio can weigh the Surpass calendar-year spend path, complimentary Gold, and the printed Hilton property statement credits.
- A reader who mostly stays at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels can weigh the Boundless anniversary Free Night Award, automatic Silver Elite, and the printed Elite Night Credits.
- A reader setting the two free nights side by side is looking at one award earned after calendar-year spend and another that arrives after the account anniversary, so they are not interchangeable.
What Each Card Is, and the Annual Fee Each Issuer Page Displays
| Card | Issuer | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card | American Express | $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 (per the American Express card page; intro offers can change). |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card | Chase | $95 |
- As of October 4, 2026, the American Express card page names the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card and displays $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 (per the American Express card page; intro offers can change).
- The Chase product page names the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, issued through JPMorgan Chase, and displays the annual fee shown in the table. The pricing-and-terms page linked from that product page lists an annual membership fee that matches it.
- The Surpass is the Hilton portfolio free-night card in this pair, and the Boundless is the participating Marriott Bonvoy free-night card in this pair; they are not the same kind of award.
Separate same-issuer comparison, not retold here: Hilton Aspire vs Surpass vs Honors Amex.
Separate same-ecosystem comparison, not retold here: Marriott Brilliant vs Boundless vs Business Amex.
The Free Night on Each Card, Two Different Awards
Surpass Free Night Reward
- As of October 4, 2026, the Surpass card page says to earn a Free Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
- Hilton's Free Night Reward terms say the reward can be redeemed for one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability at properties in the Hilton portfolio, excluding properties on the exclusion list. It is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash or Hilton Honors Points. It may be added to an existing paid or Reward stay, and it includes applicable resort fees and taxes on the cost of the room for the redeemed night. The stay must be completed by the expiration date.
- The Hilton Honors FAQ says unexpired and new Free Night Rewards can be used on any night of the week, for U.S. Hilton Honors American Express cards only, with no blackout dates. An email with a redeemable code is sent within 8-12 weeks after the purchase requirement is met.
Boundless Anniversary Free Night Award
- As of October 4, 2026, the Boundless product page says the anniversary Free Night Award is valid for a one-night hotel stay at a property with a redemption level up to 35,000 points, and that certain hotels have resort fees.
- Per Chase's offer details and Marriott's free-night award redemption page, each Anniversary Free Night Award issued has an expiration of 12 months. It may not be combined with cash, and it may be combined with Marriott Bonvoy points under Marriott Bonvoy terms.
- The award may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, or re-credited for points. Allow up to 8 weeks from the account anniversary for deposit, and the account must be open and not in default on the anniversary date.
Card terms, free-night rules, and offers change; this post shows them only as the official American Express, Hilton, Chase, and Marriott pages word them, so re-check the issuer pages before you decide.
How Each Card Earns, and the Headline Perks as Printed
Surpass
- As of October 4, 2026, the Surpass card page earn lines are 12X points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio; 6X at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery; 6X at U.S. supermarkets; 6X at U.S. gas stations; 4X on U.S. online retail purchases; and 3X on other eligible purchases.
- Headline perks on that page include complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $50 in statement credits each quarter, up to $200 annually, for purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio.
- The page also prints an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the following calendar year after $40,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year, and complimentary National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status when enrolled through the American Express online account.
Boundless
- The Boundless product page earn lines are 6X points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels; 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases annually at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining; and 2X points per $1 on all other purchases. The same page says points do not expire as long as purchases are made on the card every 24 months.
- Headline perks on that page include automatic Silver Elite status each calendar year, 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year, and 1 Elite Night Credit toward Elite status for every $5,000 spent.
- The page also prints a path to Gold status after $35,000 in purchases each calendar year, and no foreign transaction fees.
Separate Hilton program page, not retold here: Hilton Honors Review.
Separate Marriott program page, not retold here: Marriott Bonvoy for Beginners.
Which Card Fits, as a Fit Rule Only
- The Surpass card fits when the stay pattern is Hilton portfolio hotels and you will use the printed calendar-year spend path, complimentary Gold, and the printed Hilton property statement credits.
- The Boundless card fits when the stay pattern is participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and you will use the printed anniversary Free Night Award, automatic Silver Elite, and the printed Elite Night Credits.
- The two free nights are not interchangeable, and that is a fit rule from the published terms, not a ranking.
Pointers to Live Sibling Pages
Separate Marriott elite page, not retold here: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite.
TL;DR – Verdict
As of October 4, 2026, these are two different free-night cards, and the published terms support a fit rule by stay pattern, not a ranking. The Surpass card fits Hilton portfolio stays; the Boundless card fits participating Marriott Bonvoy stays.
- The Surpass fits when you will use its calendar-year spend path, complimentary Gold, and the Hilton property statement credits as printed.
- The Boundless fits when you will use its anniversary Free Night Award, automatic Silver Elite, and the Elite Night Credits as printed.
Card terms, free-night rules, and offers change; this post shows them only as the official American Express, Hilton, Chase, and Marriott pages word them, so re-check the issuer pages before you decide.
FAQ
How does the Surpass Free Night Reward work, per the American Express and Hilton pages?
As of October 4, 2026, the reward is earned after eligible calendar-year spend on the card. Hilton's terms say it covers one standard accommodation, double occupancy, subject to availability, excluding properties on the exclusion list. The Hilton Honors FAQ says it can be used on any night of the week, for U.S. Hilton Honors American Express cards only, with no blackout dates.
How does the Boundless anniversary Free Night Award work, per the Chase page?
As of October 4, 2026, the Chase product page says it is enjoyed every year after the account anniversary and is valid for a one-night stay. Chase's offer details say each award issued expires in 12 months.
Are the two free nights the same kind of award?
No, as of October 4, 2026. The Surpass Free Night Reward is earned after calendar-year spend, and the Boundless Free Night Award arrives after the account anniversary, so they are not interchangeable.
How does each card earn at its own hotels?
As of October 4, 2026, the Surpass card page prints 12X points on eligible purchases made directly with hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio, and the Boundless product page prints 6X points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels.
Which stay pattern fits each card?
As of October 4, 2026, the Surpass card fits a Hilton portfolio stay pattern when you will use the printed spend path, complimentary Gold, and Hilton property statement credits. The Boundless card fits a participating Marriott Bonvoy stay pattern when you will use the printed anniversary award, automatic Silver Elite, and Elite Night Credits.