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

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is a strong choice for Delta loyalists.

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• The card’s annual companion certificate can provide significant value that helps offset the annual fee (See Rates & Fees) for those who travel with at least one other person.
• Cardholders receive several annual statement credits for common expenses like rideshares and dining, adding another layer of tangible benefits.
• With perks like a free first checked bag and the Takeoff 15 benefit for 15% off award travel, the card offers consistent savings on Delta flights.

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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}

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Pros

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• A valuable annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight.
• A suite of travel perks including a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and statement credits for certain travel-related purchases.
• An accelerated path to Delta Medallion status and a discount when using miles for award travel.

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Cons

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• Carries a considerable annual fee that is not waived in the first year.
• Lacks complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges.
• The annual companion certificate comes with restrictions, limiting it to domestic main cabin flights.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Hilton Honors Surpass or the Delta SkyMiles Platinum, ultimately depends on your travel style and brand loyalty.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is best for frequent or moderate travelers who regularly stay at Hilton properties. It offers a straightforward way to gain valuable hotel elite status and earn points on both hotel stays and everyday spending.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is designed for dedicated Delta flyers seeking to accelerate their path to Medallion status. It's also a strong choice for couples and families who can maximize the value of the annual companion certificate.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. You can also use points for on-property rewards, exclusive experiences, or transfer them to select airline partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express: The miles you accumulate can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its extensive network of partner airlines. Other redemption options include using miles for seat upgrades, booking Delta Vacations packages, and more.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card is fully integrated into the Hilton Honors ecosystem. It provides 10 complimentary visits to Priority Pass Select lounges each year after enrollment and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international hotel stays.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Built for the Delta flyer, this card offers access to the Delta Sky Club for a fee when traveling on a same-day Delta flight. You can also access The Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounges when you book your Delta flight with the card. It also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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For those looking to make a data-driven decision, a financial companion like Kudos allows you to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find your perfect match.

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• Test drive any credit card using your real spending data to see a personalized projection of your annual rewards before you apply.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee—if you find a better offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock special rewards, like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Track your spending, monitor transactions, and get personalized insights to maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is tailor-made for frequent Hilton guests who want to elevate their stays with automatic Gold status and accelerated point earnings. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can capitalize on generous rewards for purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, this card is a strong choice for value-conscious individuals seeking premium hotel benefits without the hefty annual fee of a top-tier travel card.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a strong contender for frequent Delta flyers who can take full advantage of airline-specific perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. It's also particularly valuable for travelers aiming for Medallion status or those who fly with a partner, thanks to its annual companion certificate and status-boosting features. Ultimately, this card best suits moderate-to-heavy spenders with good credit who can maximize its various travel and dining credits, as detailed in our full card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison has led you to conclude that neither card is the right fit, rest assured that you have other excellent options. Let's take a look at a few alternative travel cards that might be a better match 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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• Check your credit score, as good to excellent credit is typically required for approval.
• Confirm your welcome offer eligibility, especially if you have previously held this specific card.
• Plan your spending in advance to ensure you can meet the minimum spend requirement naturally.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with planned travel to immediately use benefits like elite status or statement credits.
• Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer.
• Be patient if searching for a welcome offer, as it can be strategic to wait for an elevated offer to appear.

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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Which card is better for earning elite status?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass card automatically grants you Hilton Honors Gold status. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card provides a head start toward Medallion Status with its MQD Headstart benefit but does not grant status outright.

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Can I transfer points between Hilton Honors and Delta SkyMiles?

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While you can transfer points from Hilton Honors to Delta SkyMiles, the transfer ratio is generally poor and not recommended. It is not possible to transfer Delta SkyMiles to Hilton Honors.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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The Hilton Surpass card includes 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year upon enrollment. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card does not offer general airport lounge access.

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