Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs Hilton Honors Surpass®
Side-by-side comparison
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve | Hilton Honors Surpass® | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $650 | $150 |
| Welcome offer | ||
| Dining | 1x | 6x |
| Groceries | 1x | 6x |
| Gas | 1x | 6x |
| Travel | 1x | 1x |
| Streaming | 1x | 3x |
| Everything else | 1x | 3x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $292 | $1,174 |
| Points type | Locked to Delta SkyMiles | Locked to Hilton Honors |
| Network | Amex | Amex |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve earns about $292 a year in rewards and the Hilton Honors Surpass® about $1,174, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve charges $650, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Hilton Honors Surpass® charges $150, but carries about $235 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Hilton Honors Surpass® delivers more total value, about $1,500 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and everything else. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. Note that Delta SkyMiles® Reserve and Hilton Honors Surpass® are running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Hilton Honors Surpass® if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.