Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Side-by-side comparison · Updated 2026 · Independently reviewed
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
American Express
4.3
130,000 bonus points. 12x at Hilton. 6x at restaurants, supermarkets, gas.
Full review →Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
American Express
4.1
Free first checked bag. 2x on Delta, restaurants, supermarkets.
Full review →WealthSpott Verdict
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card wins on more measurable categories — particularly annual cost. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® may still win for your wallet depending on your spending patterns.
Feature
Hilton Honors American
Delta SkyMiles® Gold
Annual Fee
$150/yr
$150/yr
Sign-up Bonus
130,000 points
40,000 miles
Rewards Rate
3x-12x
1x-2x
Rewards Type
Points
Miles
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Regular APR
22.49%-29.49% Variable
21.49%-29.49% Variable Best
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
None
Recommended Credit Score
670-850
670-850
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®
Pros
- 12x points at Hilton properties
- 6x at restaurants, supermarkets, and gas
- Automatic Hilton Gold status
- Free weekend night after $15k annual spend
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- Hilton points worth less per point than rivals
- Free night requires $15k spend to unlock
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Pros
- Free first checked bag on Delta ($60+ per round trip)
- Priority boarding on Delta flights
- 2x on Delta, restaurants, and supermarkets
- No foreign transaction fee
Cons
- $150 annual fee
- Miles tied to Delta only
- Modest everyday earning rate (1x)
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