Updated: October 19, 2024
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The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the better choice for frequent Delta flyers seeking premium perks like lounge access and a companion certificate. Its higher rewards rate on Delta purchases and exclusive benefits justify the $650 annual fee.
However, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card remains a strong contender for those who prioritize affordability. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card offers solid rewards on groceries and dining with a lower annual fee.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is likely to be better for frequent Delta flyers who value premium perks such as lounge access and a companion certificate.
This card is designed for those who travel often with Delta and can benefit from the additional Medallion Qualification Dollars and upgrade priority. However, the high annual fee may not be justified for those who do not fly frequently or do not utilize the premium benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is likely to be better for travelers who want to earn rewards on Delta flights without a high annual fee.
It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, making it a versatile option for everyday spending. With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year and $150 thereafter, it suits those who fly Delta occasionally and want to keep costs low. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking premium travel perks like lounge access.
A point-by-point comparison helps you see specific differences between the Delta SkyMiles Gold and Reserve cards, such as APRs, fees, and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on earning miles, the Reserve card offers 3X miles on Delta purchases, compared to 2X with the Gold, making it better for frequent Delta flyers.
Both Delta SkyMiles Gold and Delta SkyMiles Reserve offer the same regular APR range of 20.49% to 29.49% variable, making them equal in this aspect.
Delta SkyMiles Gold is better for annual fees, offering a $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150. In contrast, Delta SkyMiles Reserve charges $650 annually, making it more costly.
Neither Delta SkyMiles Gold nor Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers introductory 0% APRs on purchases or balance transfers.
Delta SkyMiles Gold is better for rewards due to its broader earning categories, offering 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants. Delta SkyMiles Reserve focuses on 3X miles for Delta purchases, appealing to frequent Delta flyers.
Delta SkyMiles Gold is better for welcome offers. It provides 80,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in spending within six months, offering a higher return on investment compared to Delta SkyMiles Reserve's 100,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in spending.
Both Delta SkyMiles Gold and Delta SkyMiles Reserve require a recommended credit score of 670 to 850, making them equally accessible for individuals with good to excellent credit.
Both Delta SkyMiles Gold and Delta SkyMiles Reserve have similar penalties and fees. They charge up to $40 for late payments, a 29.99% penalty APR, and cash advance fees of either $10 or 5% of the amount. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
Both the Reserve and Gold cards are issued by American Express, resulting in identical issuer satisfaction scores.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve is better for card benefits, offering perks like lounge access and a companion certificate, valued at $1,401. Delta SkyMiles Gold provides benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, valued at $911.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card generally offers better rewards for frequent Delta flyers with its 3X miles on Delta purchases. However, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card provides more versatile rewards with 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and dining, making it appealing for everyday spending.
Both cards participate in the Delta SkyMiles program, where miles are valued at approximately 1.4 cents each. This value can be maximized through strategic redemption for flights and upgrades.
The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the rewards categories for each card, allowing you to see how they align with your spending habits.
Category | Delta SkyMiles Reserve | Delta SkyMiles Gold |
|---|---|---|
Delta Purchases | 3X miles | 2X miles |
U.S. Supermarkets | 1X miles | 2X miles |
Dining | 1X miles | 2X miles |
All Other Purchases | 1X miles | 1X miles |
Both the Delta SkyMiles Gold and Reserve cards offer valuable redemption options for frequent Delta flyers. Miles can be redeemed for flights and upgrades, with the Reserve card providing additional options like hotel stays and car rentals. Notably, miles do not expire, ensuring long-term value.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers superior perks, with a companion certificate and lounge access providing significant value for frequent travelers. The Gold card's $200 flight credit is beneficial for budget-conscious users. Both cards offer free checked bags, but the Reserve card includes additional travel conveniences like TSA PreCheck credits.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers a range of travel and lifestyle perks that can enhance your flying experience and provide savings.
Travel perks
Insurance & protections
Credits & discounts
All other perks
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card offers a range of perks that cater to frequent Delta travelers and everyday spenders.
Travel perks
Insurance & protections
Credits & discounts
All other perks
The Delta SkyMiles Gold has a $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $150. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve has a $650 annual fee.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve offers 3X miles on Delta purchases, while the Gold offers 2X miles.
Only the Delta SkyMiles Reserve provides complimentary Delta Sky Club access with conditions.
The Gold offers 80,000 bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases in six months. The Reserve offers 100,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in purchases in six months.
Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:
For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
