Hilton Honors Surpass 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 the key reasons why the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card stands out.

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• While it comes with a premium annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card's annual companion certificate and statement credits can provide significant value.
• Cardholders receive premium lounge access, including entry to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta.
• The card offers a clear path to accelerate your Delta Medallion status through spending boosts and waivers.

_{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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• An annual companion certificate valid for domestic round-trip flights in First Class, Delta Comfort, or Main Cabin, plus access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta.
• An accelerated path to Delta Medallion elite status through spending boosts and qualification requirement waivers.
• Valuable travel perks like a first checked bag free for you and your companions, priority boarding, and savings on award flights booked with miles.

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Cons

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• The card’s high annual fee can be difficult to justify unless you are a frequent Delta flyer who can maximize its specific benefits.
• Reward earning is limited on everyday spending outside of Delta purchases, and the SkyMiles program can be inflexible due to unpredictable award pricing.
• Many of the card's top perks, like lounge access and the companion certificate, come with notable restrictions and limitations.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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 Reserve ultimately depends on whether your travel loyalty lies with a hotel brand or a specific airline.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card - This card is ideal for frequent Hilton guests who want to earn points on everyday purchases and enjoy elevated benefits during their hotel stays.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - This card is best suited for loyal Delta flyers seeking premium travel perks like airport lounge access and a streamlined path to elite status.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points are primarily redeemed for award nights and room upgrades at hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. They can also be used for unique experiences or transferred to select airline partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights with Delta and its extensive network of airline partners. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, premium cabin experiences, or to book Delta Vacations packages.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card's travel ecosystem is rooted in the Hilton portfolio. It offers complimentary Priority Pass lounge access and has no foreign transaction fees, making it beneficial for international travel.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Built for the frequent Delta flyer, this card provides premium lounge access, including entry to the Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta. It also has no foreign transaction fees, ideal for trips abroad with Delta or its partners.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a data-driven tool designed to help you compare thousands of credit cards and find the best match for your unique spending habits.

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• Test Drive Cards: The platform’s standout feature allows you to test drive credit cards using your actual spending data. This simulation shows your potential earnings with a new card before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
• Personalized Matching: By analyzing your transaction history, Kudos provides personalized card recommendations to ensure you’re maximizing rewards on every purchase.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your chances of being approved for different cards, helping you apply with more confidence.
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• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you get approved for a card through Kudos and find a better public welcome offer within three months, Kudos will match it.

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 looking to maximize their loyalty through automatic Gold elite status and a high earning rate on hotel stays. It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can rack up points quickly with 6x earnings at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, as this card’s review highlights, it's designed for value-conscious individuals who want substantial hotel benefits and the ability to earn a Free Night Reward without paying for a premium travel card.

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 can leverage its premium perks to enhance their travel experience. It's also an excellent choice for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who value access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges. Furthermore, individuals or couples who can consistently use the annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class or comfort-plus flight will find significant value, as detailed in this card's review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Surpass vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right choice, you're not out of luck. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might be a better match for your wallet and your wanderlust.

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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 - Most premium travel cards require a good to excellent credit score for approval.
• Review issuer eligibility rules - Many issuers, like American Express, limit welcome offers to once per lifetime for each card.
• Have a plan for the points - Researching redemption options beforehand ensures you can maximize the value of your welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align your application with a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Spend organically - Avoid forcing purchases or carrying a balance just to earn a welcome offer.
• Check for elevated offers - You may find a better welcome offer through different browsers or targeted links.

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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight. The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card provides 10 complimentary Priority Pass™ lounge visits each year after enrollment.

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Can I transfer points between Hilton Honors and Delta SkyMiles?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Hilton Honors and Delta SkyMiles loyalty programs. It is best to earn rewards in the program that you plan to redeem them in.

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What kind of elite status comes with these cards?

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The Hilton Surpass Card automatically grants you complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. The Delta Reserve Card provides an MQD Headstart and an MQD Boost, which helps you qualify for Delta Medallion Status more quickly.

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Should I get a hotel card or an airline card?

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This depends entirely on your travel habits and priorities. If you are loyal to a specific airline and value flight-related perks, an airline card is a great fit; if you prefer benefits at your destination like room upgrades and property credits, a hotel card is more valuable.

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