The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Card are closely matched. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card wins on 2 categories (125,000 pts signup bonus); Hilton Honors American Express Card wins on 2 (100,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card vs Hilton Honors American Express Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Which Card Comes Out Ahead?
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Card are close enough that the better pick depends on where you spend most, how much value you get from perks, and whether you prefer one rewards ecosystem over the other.
Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.
Best if you care most about stronger category earning on everyday spend.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Delta Purchases 3x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio 7x
- Dining At U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, Groceries At U.S. supermarkets, Gas At U.S. gas stations 5x
- All Other Purchases 3x
- Resy Credit $20
- Rideshare Credit $10
- Statement Credit $200
- Delta Sky Club Access
- Centurion Lounge Access
- First Checked Bag Free
- +4 more
- Hilton Honors Silver Status
- United MileagePlus
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Hilton Honors American Express Card are closely matched. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card wins on 2 categories (125,000 pts signup bonus); Hilton Honors American Express Card wins on 2 (100,000 pts signup bonus). The better pick depends on your spending patterns. On raw upside, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card tops out at 3x versus 7x for Hilton Honors American Express Card. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1250 for Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and $1100 for Hilton Honors American Express Card. Summary generated June 21, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/delta-skymiles-reserve-american-express-card-vs-hilton-honors-american-express-card
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card reaches 3x; Hilton Honors American Express Card reaches 7x.
- Annual fee: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is $650/yr; Hilton Honors American Express Card is no annual fee.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1250 and $1100.
Common Questions: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card vs Hilton Honors American Express Card
Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card or Hilton Honors American Express Card better for dining?
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has no dining bonus; Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5x on dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card currently offers 125,000 pts signup bonus (spend $9,000 in 6 months). Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 100,000 pts signup bonus (spend $2,000 in 6 months). Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Card?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from American Express, so check their specific application rules.
Keep Researching
If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.