Hilton Honors Aspire 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 closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a solid choice for many travelers.

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• With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, this card is a risk-free way to start earning Delta SkyMiles (See Rates & Fees).
• You'll earn double miles on purchases with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery.
• Cardholders receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible in-flight purchases on Delta-operated flights.

_{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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• Miles do not expire, allowing you to save for future travel without a deadline.
• Offers payment flexibility, giving you the option to pay for certain purchases over time.
• Provides access to exclusive American Express experiences, such as presales for concerts and sporting events.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access.
• Lower earning potential on everyday spending compared to other premium travel cards.
• Redemption options are mostly limited to the Delta SkyMiles program, offering less flexibility for travelers.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Hilton Honors Aspire or Delta SkyMiles Blue, depends entirely on your travel style and spending habits. One is a premium hotel card packed with luxury perks, while the other is an entry-level airline card focused on earning miles without a commitment.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is best for frequent Hilton travelers who want to maximize their stays with premium benefits and luxury travel experiences.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: This card is ideal for occasional Delta flyers and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles on flights and dining.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are primarily redeemed for free nights and room upgrades across Hilton's portfolio of hotels and resorts. You can also use points for exclusive experiences and other travel-related rewards through the Hilton Honors program.

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Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: The miles you earn can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. Your miles can also be used for other options like seat upgrades, vacation packages, and merchandise.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card plugs you directly into the premium Hilton Honors ecosystem. It comes with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access worldwide and has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong companion for international travel. All rewards and benefits are managed through the Hilton Honors portal.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: As an entry-level card, its travel ecosystem is focused on earning and redeeming miles within the Delta SkyMiles program and its airline partners. It does not offer airport lounge access and does include a foreign transaction fee. Miles can be redeemed for flights and more through Delta's online portal.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to see projected rewards, net value, and a category-by-category earnings breakdown before you apply—all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most based on your actual transaction history.
• Approval odds analysis: Understand your chances of approval for different cards with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card’s rewards when you shop at your favorite stores through Kudos.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.

Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is tailor-made for travelers who consistently choose Hilton properties for their stays, visiting at least a couple of times each year. This card particularly shines for luxury travelers who will take full advantage of top-tier Diamond elite status and can organically use the various statement credits for flights and resort stays. Ultimately, it's best for those looking to maximize premium travel perks, as detailed in a comprehensive review, to easily offset the annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is an excellent choice for occasional Delta flyers who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those who dine out often, thanks to its 2x miles at restaurants worldwide, and for international travelers who can take advantage of the no foreign transaction fees. This card serves as a risk-free entry point into the SkyMiles program for travelers who prioritize earning miles on everyday spending over premium perks like free checked bags, as detailed in this card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Aspire vs Delta SkyMiles Blue comparison has you feeling like neither the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card nor the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the perfect fit, don't worry. The travel rewards card landscape is full of other excellent options worth considering.

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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 generally need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet any welcome offer requirements without overspending.
• Have a redemption strategy: Know how you plan to use the rewards you earn.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Evaluate high-end perks: For a premium card like the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, confirm you can use its specific credits and benefits to make the annual fee worthwhile.
• Start without commitment: If you're new to an airline's loyalty program, a no-annual-fee option like the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a low-risk way to begin earning miles.

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 infrequent travelers?

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The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card has no annual fee, making it a more cost-effective choice for those who travel infrequently. The Hilton Aspire Card's high annual fee is best justified by frequent travelers who can maximize its premium benefits.

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Do both cards offer airport lounge access?

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No, only the Hilton Aspire Card provides airport lounge access through a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. The Delta SkyMiles Blue Card does not include this benefit.

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Can I transfer points between Hilton Honors and Delta SkyMiles?

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While you can transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to both Hilton and Delta, you cannot directly transfer points from your Hilton Honors account to your Delta SkyMiles account or vice-versa. These are separate loyalty programs.

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What are the annual fees for each card?

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The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, making it an accessible option for many travelers. In contrast, the Hilton Honors Aspire Card has a premium annual fee that is offset by its comprehensive travel credits and elite status benefits.

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