CardRewardsEditorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Properties | 1X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 8 of 8 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card leads in 0.
Delta Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Properties | 1X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 8 of 8 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card leads in 0.
Delta Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Hilton Honors American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Properties | 1X |
The Hilton Honors American Express Card wins in 8 of 8 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card leads in 0.
Delta Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Grocery Stores
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 2X
Hilton Properties
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
Hilton Hotels Resorts
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 7X vs 1X
U.S. Gas Stations
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 5X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card earns 3X on all other spending vs 1X
The Hilton Honors American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $150), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like travel credits.
Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| 7X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 1X | 7X |
| Dining | 2X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 5X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 1X | 5X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers travel credits, free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Hilton Honors American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:
| 7X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 1X | 7X |
| Dining | 2X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 5X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 1X | 5X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers travel credits, free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Hilton Honors American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you:
| 7X |
| Hilton Hotels Resorts | 1X | 7X |
| Dining | 2X | 5X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 5X |
| U.S. Gas Stations | 1X | 5X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 3X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs $150/yr — that's $150 more than the Hilton Honors American Express Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $150 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offers travel credits, free checked bags. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.
Bottom line: The $150 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Hilton Honors American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Hilton Honors American Express Card if you: