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Side-by-side

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card vs Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card from American Express at $195/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($540 more in estimated value) than the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's. Get the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card first; revisit the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureDelta SkyMiles Blue American Express CardHilton Honors American Express Business Card
Annual fee$0$195
Sign-up bonus10,000 Delta SkyMiles130,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$110$650
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$6,000 in 6 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express
Card categorytravelhotel
Best earning category (Delta)2x1x
Transfer partnersdelta-skymilesNone
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 2X Delta + 2X restaurants
  • 20% off Delta in-flight
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 12x at Hilton
  • Free night cert after $15k spend
  • Second free night after $60k
  • Hilton Gold status
Read the full review
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
$0/yr · 10,000 Delta SkyMiles
Read the full review
Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
$195/yr · 130,000 points

Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card

The entry-level Delta card with no annual fee. Useful for keeping SkyMiles alive at $0/year and locking in 20% off in-flight Delta purchases plus no FX fees. For anyone flying Delta even one round trip a year, the $150 Gold's first-bag-free benefit usually justifies the upgrade.

Editorial take: Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

If you stay at Hiltons, this is the underrated middle tier, the $60/quarter credit + the $15k-spend Free Night routinely cover the $195 fee, and Gold status is real value at any Hilton property.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or Hilton Honors American Express Business Card?
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card has the bigger bonus, 130,000 points, worth roughly $650, versus 10,000 Delta SkyMiles (~$110) on the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Is the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card?
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's $195 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card's benefits to clear $195 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card.
Can I have both the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Business Card?
Yes, though both are issued by American Express so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card or the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: $6,000 in 6 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.