Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card are both excellent choices for Delta loyalists, offering valuable travel perks and rewards. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is the better choice for most travelers due to its lower annual fee and higher rewards on everyday purchases. It offers a generous companion certificate and high rewards on Delta purchases, making it a strong contender for frequent flyers.

However, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve should be considered for those who value lounge access and premium travel perks, despite its higher annual fee.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is likely to be better for frequent Delta flyers who prioritize premium travel perks. With complimentary Delta Sky Club access, a flexible companion certificate for higher-class flights and a generous welcome bonus, this card caters to those who travel often and value luxury. However, the high annual fee may not be justified for those who don't frequently utilize these benefits.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is likely to be better for travelers who want to enjoy Delta-specific perks without a hefty annual fee. It offers a companion certificate for main cabin flights, priority boarding and free checked bags, making it a solid choice for frequent business and leisure travelers.

However, it lacks lounge access, which might be a downside for those who prioritize this feature. It's not the best fit for travelers who don't frequently fly with Delta or who can't maximize the card's benefits.

Point-by-point comparisons help you evaluate key features like APRs, fees and rewards. For instance, if you're focused on maximizing Delta purchases, both cards offer 3X Miles, but the Reserve card includes exclusive lounge access, making it a better choice for frequent flyers seeking premium perks.

When comparing the rewards value of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve cards, the Platinum card generally offers better rewards for a wider range of spending categories. It provides higher earning rates on hotel bookings, dining and groceries, making it more versatile for everyday use. Both cards earn Delta SkyMiles valued at approximately 1.4 cents each, which can be redeemed for various travel-related expenses.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum card offers 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotel bookings, 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and 1X miles on other purchases. In contrast, the Reserve card focuses on earning 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X miles on all other purchases.

The table below provides a detailed breakdown of each card's rewards categories.

Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for a variety of travel-related expenses, including airfare, upgrades and hotel stays. Both the Reserve and Platinum cards offer similar redemption options. Miles don't expire as long as your account remains active, providing flexibility for frequent Delta flyers.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers superior benefits for frequent travelers with its extensive lounge access and higher dining credits. It provides 15 visits to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, which is unmatched by the Platinum card. Additionally, the Reserve card's Companion Certificate includes first-class options, offering more flexibility than the Platinum card where the Companion Certificate is limited to the main cabin.

The Reserve card also doubles the dining credit to $240 annually, enhancing its value for frequent diners. Both cards offer a free checked bag on Delta flights, but the Reserve card's perks are more aligned with the needs of elite frequent travelers and strategic card users.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers a range of perks for frequent Delta flyers and those seeking premium travel benefits.

Travel perks

• Annual certificate for a companion on first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American flights
• First checked bag free on Delta flights
• Delta Sky Club: 15 visits per year to Delta Sky Club, additional visits at $50 each; unlimited access with $75,000 annual spend

Status

• $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
• Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members*

Insurance & protections

• Travel delay insurance, rental car reimbursement, and baggage insurance plan

Credits & discounts

• Up to $20 per month in statement credits for eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases
• Up to $10 back in statement credits each month for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required
• Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta App*
• Fee credit for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85) application fees every 4-4.5 years

All other perks

• Complimentary Hertz President's Circle Status
• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership
• Earn a $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles Platinum card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for the next Medallion Year.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum offers a set of perks for frequent travelers and those looking to maximize their Delta loyalty benefits.

Travel perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion
• Eligible for the complimentary upgrade list with an eligible ticket
• 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights

Status

• Earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for each $20 spent
• Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year

Insurance & protections

• Travel insurance covering trip delays and rental car damage

Credits & discounts

• Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean or Central American roundtrip flights
• Up to $120 in statement credits annually for U.S. rideshare purchases
• $120 Resy Credit for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants
• Up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays
• $100 statement credit for Global Entry or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck® application fees
• 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases

All other perks

• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership
• Hertz Five Star® Status

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:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.