Hilton Honors Aspire 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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This section breaks down why the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a top-tier choice for loyal Delta flyers.

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• While it comes with a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card provides a rich set of benefits like extensive lounge access and priority on upgrade lists.
• Cardholders earn 3X miles on all Delta purchases and can accelerate their path to Medallion Status through card spending.
• The annual companion certificate, valid for domestic First Class, Delta Comfort, or Main Cabin flights, can offset the annual fee 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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• Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, including entry to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge (when you book your Delta flight with your card).
• Receive an annual Companion Certificate valid for domestic travel in First Class, Delta Comfort, or Main Cabin.
• Fast-track your way to Medallion® status and benefit from travel perks like complimentary upgrade priority and a free first checked bag.

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Cons

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• The card’s high annual fee and Delta-centric benefits make it a significant investment that’s hard to justify unless you’re a frequent, loyal Delta flyer.
• Its rewards structure is limited, offering bonus miles primarily on Delta purchases, which means everyday spending earns at a lower rate compared to other premium cards.
• Key benefits like the annual companion certificate come with significant restrictions, and the value of SkyMiles can be unpredictable since the program lacks a published award chart.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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 Reserve, comes down to your specific travel style and brand loyalty. While both are premium travel cards, they cater to very different types of travelers.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card is built for travelers who frequently stay with Hilton and want to maximize exceptional hotel benefits and elite status perks.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is best for frequent Delta flyers seeking premium airline benefits, lounge access, and a clear path to earning Medallion status.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Points are most valuable when redeemed for award nights across Hilton's vast portfolio of hotels and resorts. While you can also use points for unique experiences or transfer them to airline partners, you'll typically get the most bang for your buck with hotel stays.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: The SkyMiles you accumulate are primarily used for booking award flights with Delta and its partner airlines. You can also redeem them for other travel perks like seat upgrades or Delta Vacations packages.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is designed to elevate your hotel experience, particularly within the Hilton family of brands.
  • Lounge Access: Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership, which grants access to a global network of airport lounges. Terms apply.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel.
  • Ecosystem Perks: The benefits are deeply integrated with Hilton, offering complimentary top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, an annual Free Night Reward, and various statement credits. Terms apply.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card’s ecosystem is built to enhance the entire journey for loyal Delta customers, from booking to arrival.
  • Lounge Access: It provides complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when you book and fly with Delta. Terms apply.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card also does not have foreign transaction fees.
  • Ecosystem Perks: Benefits are focused on the air travel experience, including an annual Companion Certificate for a domestic flight, a higher priority on Delta’s upgrade lists, and other travel-focused advantages. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To help you find the right fit for your wallet, a tool like Kudos lets you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to provide personalized, data-driven recommendations.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a specific card. The feature provides an instant, personalized calculation showing potential earnings based on your real spending data.
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Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Card is tailor-made for frequent travelers loyal to the Hilton portfolio, particularly those who stay at its resort properties at least once or twice a year. Ideal cardholders are those positioned to fully leverage the card's suite of statement credits, such as the up to $400 Hilton resort credit and up to $200 flight credit. Ultimately, this premium travel card is best for luxury-oriented travelers who want top-tier Diamond status and its associated perks guaranteed, without having to meet a high annual spending threshold for the core benefits.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is primarily designed for frequent Delta flyers who want to elevate their travel experience. It's also an excellent choice for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who value premium airport lounge access. Additionally, travelers who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for premium cabin travel will find significant value in this premium travel card; Terms Apply.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Aspire vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right choice, don't fret. Several other premium travel cards offer compelling benefits that might be a better match for your wallet and travel style.

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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 most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the Welcome Offer requirements without overspending.
• Review the card’s core benefits, such as lounge access or annual credits, to confirm they align with your travel habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application to align with upcoming travel plans or benefit cycles to maximize value from day one.
• Know the issuer’s rules, as some issuers limit Welcome Offers to once per lifetime for each card product.
• Search for the best offer, as some application flows allow you to see your Welcome Offer before committing.

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 offers better airport lounge access?

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The Hilton Honors Aspire card provides a Priority Pass Select membership, while the Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. Your choice depends on which airline you fly most and what lounges are available at your home airport.

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What kind of elite status comes with each card?

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The Hilton Honors Aspire card automatically grants you top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card provides complimentary Delta Sky Club access and helps you earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward Delta Medallion Status.

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Are the annual fees for these cards similar?

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The annual fees are in a similar premium tier, but they are not identical. You should always check the issuer's official website for the most current fee information before applying for either card.

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