Hilton Honors Surpass vs Delta SkyMiles Blue: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice for certain travelers.

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• With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees), it's a cost-effective way to start earning miles with Delta.
• You can earn 2x miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
• Since there's no annual fee to offset, you start getting value from your very first purchase, making it a risk-free option for earning SkyMiles (publisher-formulated estimate).

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company}

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Pros

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• It’s the only Delta co-branded card with no annual fee, making it an accessible entry point to the SkyMiles program.
• You can earn miles on more than just travel, with rewards on purchases at restaurants worldwide.
• Miles earned with the card do not expire, and cardholders get access to American Express experiences.

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Cons

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• It lacks many of the premium travel benefits found on other Delta cards, such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
• The rewards program is less flexible compared to other travel cards, as miles are primarily redeemable within the Delta SkyMiles program.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better Hilton Honors Surpass or Delta SkyMiles Blue depends entirely on your travel habits and loyalty preferences.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This is a mid-tier hotel credit card designed for frequent Hilton guests who want to earn bonus points on everyday spending and enjoy enhanced benefits during Hilton stays.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This is an entry-level card for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn SkyMiles without paying an annual fee.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across Hilton's portfolio of hotels and resorts, but can also be used for experiences or transferred to travel partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The SkyMiles earned can be used for flights with Delta and its partners, as well as for upgrades, vacation packages, and other travel-related rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Cardholders receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which provides benefits like room upgrades and a daily food and beverage credit at participating hotels. The card also grants a limited number of complimentary airport lounge visits each year. A foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made abroad. Terms apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is a solid travel companion for those who want to avoid extra charges, as it has no foreign transaction fees. While it doesn't offer premium perks like lounge access, cardholders do get a 20% savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases in the form of a statement credit. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your real spending data to get personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of getting approved for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
• Extra rewards: Earn Kudos Boost rewards when you shop at participating stores, which stack on top of your regular credit card rewards.
• Personalized recommendations: Discover new credit cards that match your unique spending patterns without affecting your credit score.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hilton guests who want to accelerate their point earnings and enjoy automatic Gold elite status. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders by offering strong rewards on common purchases at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations. Ultimately, this card is for the value-conscious traveler who desires meaningful hotel benefits, such as room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits, without committing to a premium annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an ideal choice for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It also appeals to dining enthusiasts who can maximize the 2x miles at restaurants worldwide and international travelers looking to avoid foreign transaction fees. Ultimately, it serves as a great entry-level option for those new to the SkyMiles program or for credit card minimalists who prefer a no-cost way to engage with the airline's loyalty system.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right choice, don't worry. Let's explore a few other travel rewards cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Review your credit score to ensure it is in the good to excellent range.
• Confirm Welcome Offer eligibility, as American Express may have restrictions for previous cardholders.
• Evaluate the card’s benefits to ensure they align with your personal travel and spending goals.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically to align with large planned purchases, making it easier to meet the minimum spend for the Welcome Offer.
• Plan to meet the spend requirement naturally through your regular budget, avoiding unnecessary purchases or carrying a balance.
• Try different application channels if you are targeting a specific elevated offer and your first attempt is unsuccessful.

Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I transfer points between Hilton Honors and Delta SkyMiles?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer points between these two separate loyalty programs. Points earned with the Hilton Honors Surpass card are for the Hilton ecosystem, while SkyMiles are for use with Delta.

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Which card is better if I'm not loyal to one brand?

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If you don't have a strong preference for either Hilton or Delta, a more general travel rewards card might be a better fit. These cards offer flexible points that can be redeemed across various airlines and hotels, providing more versatility.

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What happens to my points if I close my credit card account?

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Your points are held in your loyalty program account (Hilton Honors or Delta SkyMiles), not with the credit card issuer. As long as your loyalty account remains active according to its rules, you will keep your points even if you cancel the card.

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