Amex Hilton Honors vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
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Amex Hilton Honors wins 4-1. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold is still the right call if delta loyalists — free first checked bag pays for the fee with one round trip..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Hilton Honors | Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $150 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 7% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Hilton Honors
- 7x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels
- 5x at US restaurants + gas stations
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold
- 2x miles on Delta + restaurants + US supermarkets
- $200 Delta flight credit annually
- Free first checked bag (worth ~$60 each way)
- Priority Boarding (Zone 5)
- 15% miles discount on award flights
FAQ
›Amex Hilton Honors vs Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (4 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Hilton Honors for its best categories, Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Amex Delta SkyMiles Gold: 40,000 SkyMiles after $2,000 spend in 6 months.