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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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® Reserve American Express is a top-tier travel card.

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• Despite its significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers a suite of premium travel perks, including extensive airport lounge access and complimentary upgrades.
• Cardholders can accelerate their earnings with 3X miles on Delta purchases and stretch their value further with the TakeOff 15 benefit, which provides a 15% discount on award flights.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class, Comfort+, or main cabin flight can easily offset the card's annual cost in a single trip (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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• The annual companion certificate, valid for domestic first class, Comfort+, or main cabin, can provide significant value each year.
• Premium travel benefits include complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, plus a pathway to Medallion elite status.
• Cardholders receive annual statement credits for rideshares and dining, a discount on award flights, and complimentary travel protections.

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Cons

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• The high annual fee requires frequent Delta travel to justify the cost.
• Earning potential is limited on non-travel purchases, as bonus miles are focused on Delta spending.
• Benefits are heavily tied to the Delta ecosystem, and the SkyMiles program can offer less flexibility than some other rewards programs.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs Hilton Honors American Express

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, comes down to your travel habits and loyalty. One card is built for hotel loyalists, while the other caters to frequent flyers of a specific airline.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Card is best for loyal or occasional Hilton guests who want to earn hotel points and enjoy elite status perks without an annual commitment.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is designed for frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their miles and enjoy premium travel benefits like lounge access and a faster path to elite status.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for free nights and room upgrades at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. You can also use points for experiences or transfer them to airline partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Miles are redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines, seat upgrades, and other travel-related perks like premium drinks at Delta Sky Clubs. Redemptions are centered around enhancing your flight experience.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: For travelers who value a pre-flight oasis, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the clear winner, offering complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta. The Hilton Honors American Express Card does not include lounge access benefits. Terms apply.
• International Travel: The Delta Reserve card is built for global journeys, with no foreign transaction fees on purchases abroad. In contrast, the Hilton Honors card does have a foreign transaction fee.
• Ecosystem and Redemption: Your loyalty dictates the best ecosystem. The Hilton card is your key to the vast Hilton portfolio, with points best redeemed for hotel stays. The Delta Reserve card's world revolves around Delta Air Lines and its partners, where miles are your currency for flights and upgrades.
• Elite Status: Both cards offer a shortcut to elite status. The Hilton Honors card grants automatic Hilton Honors Silver status, while the Delta Reserve card provides a significant boost toward Delta Medallion Status. 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 cards based on your own spending habits.

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• A ‘Test Drive’ feature that simulates your potential earnings from different credit cards using your actual spending data before you apply.
• Access to a detailed approval odds analysis based on your credit report.
• A welcome offer guarantee that matches any better offer you find within three months of approval.
• Tools to track spending, monitor transactions, and earn extra ‘Kudos Boost’ rewards on top of your regular card rewards.
• The ability to compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, including many that don't offer commissions to the platform.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Card is an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers and occasional Hilton guests who want to earn hotel rewards without paying an annual fee. It particularly suits those who spend frequently at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations, as it offers an accelerated 5X points in these common categories. As detailed in this Hilton Amex review, it's also a solid option for individuals looking to build their credit while accumulating travel perks, making it a versatile entry point into the Hilton ecosystem (terms apply).

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card is primarily designed for loyal Delta flyers who travel several times a year, whether for business or leisure. It also strongly appeals to travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who value premium airport experiences like lounge access. For these specific users, the card’s benefits, such as the annual companion certificate and complimentary upgrade priority, can easily justify its annual fee, as explored in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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Deciding between the two cards in this Hilton Honors vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison can be tough, and sometimes the right answer is 'neither.' If that's the case for you, here are a few other top-tier travel cards to consider.

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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: You will typically need good to excellent credit to be approved for a rewards card.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can naturally meet the spend requirement for the Welcome Offer.
• Review the benefits: Make sure the card’s perks and credits align with your lifestyle and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically:Apply right before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a Welcome Offer.
• Understand issuer rules:Be aware of policies that can affect your eligibility for a Welcome Offer, such as once-per-lifetime restrictions.
• Choose cards that fit your profile:Some cards require good credit while others need excellent, so apply for ones that match your financial standing.

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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Yes, you can transfer points between the two programs, but the transfer ratios are generally not favorable. It's usually better to earn points directly in the program where you plan to redeem them for maximum value.

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Which offers better airport lounge access?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion® Lounge when flying Delta. In contrast, top-tier Hilton cards like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card typically offer a Priority Pass Select membership for a different network of lounges.

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How do I earn elite status with Hilton versus Delta?

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You can earn Hilton Honors elite status through qualifying hotel stays or by holding a co-branded credit card, which often grants it automatically. Earning Delta Medallion status involves flying and meeting spending thresholds, though the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can help you qualify faster with status boosts.

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