Hilton Honors American Express Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Hilton Honors American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card from American Express at $150/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($960 more in estimated value) than the Hilton Honors American Express Card's. Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first; revisit the Hilton Honors American Express Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Hilton Honors American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $150 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 80,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $960 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,000 in 6 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Card category | travel | airline |
| Best earning category (Hilton_hotels) | 7x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
A good choice for Delta loyalists. The free checked bag and $200 flight credit easily offset the $150 annual fee if you fly Delta a few times a year.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Hilton Honors American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a public bonus (80,000 bonus miles, worth roughly $960), while the Hilton Honors American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Hilton Honors American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card?
- The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's $150 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's benefits to clear $150 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
- Can I have both the Hilton Honors American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express 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 Hilton Honors American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Hilton Honors American Express Card: no published min spend. Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card: $3,000 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.
