/images/2018/01/23/navina-side-hustle-mid_MPfEDfV.jpg)
/images/2019/12/06/smart_strategies_to_save_money_on_car_insurance.jpg)
/authors/christy_rakoczy_updated.png)
/authors/steve-miller-headshot.jpg)
/images/2025/09/18/amex_platinum_.png)
/images/2024/12/16/amex-delta-skymiles-reserve.png)
Compare Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
/images/2025/09/18/amex_platinum_.png)
American Express Platinum Card®
|
/images/2024/12/16/amex-delta-skymiles-reserve.png)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
|
|
| Star ratings |
4.9
|
4.8
|
| FinanceBuzz value calculation | Year one earnings: $4,210
Year two earnings: $2,460 |
Year one earnings: $1,874
Year two earnings: $2,034 |
| Annual fee | $895 | $650 |
| Welcome bonus | Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases, both in the first 6 months (limited-time offer ends 04/01/2026) |
| Rewards rate | 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases | 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases |
| Travel perks |
|
|
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Excellent, Good | Excellent, Good |
| Learn how to apply | Learn how to apply |
When to go with the Amex Platinum
The Amex Platinum has been derisively referred to as a glorified coupon book, but that's a bit unfair.
Its $895 annual fee is nothing if you can effectively take advantage of its laundry list of statement credits. Plus, the flexible earning power it offers to frequent travelers only makes its cost easier to justify.
Basically, you should choose the Amex Platinum if:
- You fly on multiple different airlines and want lounge access and bonus rewards points for as many trips as possible
- You're a frequent visitor to hotels that are part of the Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection
- You'll take advantage of statement credits for things like Uber, Uber One, CLEAR, airline fees, digital entertainment, and Resy so you can justify an $895 annual fee
Check out our Amex Platinum review to learn more.
When to go with the Delta Reserve
All that being said about Amex Platinum, there are plenty of reasons to choose an airline-specific card like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve instead.
For example, if you travel frequently for work and your employer allows you to use a personal credit card for business travel, using a card like the SkyMiles Reserve is a great way to rack up points that you can use to support your own travel adventures while enjoying some in-flight luxuries along the way.
More generally, though, reasons to choose the Delta Reserve over the Amex Platinum include:
- You're a regular Delta traveler and want to take advantage of special Delta perks
- You're hoping to qualify for Delta Medallion Status to qualify for benefits like extra miles, free upgraded seats, and waived bag fees
- You'll make use of a Global Entry fee credit, a Delta Stays credit, a Resy credit, and a rideshare credit to justify the $650 annual fee
Check out our Delta Reserve review to learn more.
Important differences between the two
The Amex Platinum card is a more expensive offering, but it offers more statement credits, access to more airline lounges in more situations, and better hotel benefits.
For frequent travelers with deep pockets, it's one of the best travel credit cards available due to the generous hotel and flight benefits, plus it offers lounge access even when flying on a variety of airlines.
The Delta Reserve card has a lower annual fee and offers much better Delta benefits but fewer statement credits, inferior general travel benefits, and fewer chances to earn generous bonus rewards.
Annual fee
Both the Amex Platinum and the Delta Reserve cards are very expensive, but the Amex Platinum comes at a higher upfront fee of $895 compared to the Delta Reserve's $650.
Both also charge for extra cards — $195 for an extra Platinum Card® and for an extra SkyMiles Reserve card. However, each does offer free access to cards with fewer perks — the Companion Platinum Card for Amex and the Delta Platinum card for Delta.
The extra fees on the Amex may be justified by the other perks that set it apart, but frequent Delta flyers who don't use the Amex Platinum's many statement credits but who do take advantage of Delta Reserve Perks (like free checked bags) may find that the Reserve offers a better value for the money.
Airline lounge access
If you value a luxurious airport experience, the Amex Platinum really can't be beat.
Amex Platinum lounge access
The Amex Platinum provides access to over 1,550 airport lounges through the Global Lounge Collection, and cardholders can sign up for a Priority Pass Select membership to get access to over 1,700 additional lounges. Cardholders can enjoy unlimited Centurion Lounge access and even 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits when traveling on eligible flights.
Carrying the card sets you up to have a comfortable, quiet, and delicious time as you wait for your flight at almost any major airport. Plus, if you use your card enough, you can bring a friend (or two) — cardholders get free guest access for up to two guests per visit to Centurion lounges after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Delta Reserve lounge access
By contrast, the SkyMiles Reserve offers 15 visits to the Delta Sky Club during each Medallion year when flying Delta, but unlimited visits are available only after spending $75,000 on purchases during the calendar year.
That's five more visits than the default offering from Amex, plus you get four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year, and you also get free access to Centurion Lounges.
However, your Delta Reserve card doesn't come with Priority Pass Select membership and you can't earn unlimited guest visits, so your lounge options are ultimately more limited.
Statement credits
Both the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve offer lots of statement credits to justify their annual fees, but the Amex offers many more. When you look at the combined values below, consider that both exceed the annual fee for each card, but that the Amex Platinum credits exceed its annual fee by a great deal more.
Amex Platinum statement credits
- Up to $600 hotel credit for booking Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (minimum two-night stay)
- Up to $200 Uber Cash ($15 per month plus $20 bonus in December, enrollment required)
- Up to $120 Uber One credit each calendar year (enrollment required)
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit (enrollment required)
- $120 Global Entry or $85 TSA PreCheck credit if you sign up for either program
- Up to $209 for a CLEAR Plus membership
- Up to $400 Resy credit (up to $100 per quarter for dining purchases; enrollment required)
- Up to $300 digital entertainment credit (up to $25 per month with participating partners; enrollment required)
- Up to $300 Lululemon credit (up to $75 per quarter; enrollment required)
Up to $155 Walmart+ credit (up to $12.95 per month for a Walmart+ membership) - Up to $100 Saks credit annually (up to $50 semi-annually; enrollment required)
- Up to $200 Oura Ring Credit
- Up to $300 Equinox Credit (for Equinox membership or digital subscription)
Total combined value: Up to $3,204
Delta SkyMiles Reserve statement credits
- Up to $240 Resy credit (up to $20 per month)
- Up to $200 Delta Stays (for booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays)
- Up to $120 Rideshare credit (up to $10 per month; enrollment required)
Total combined value: Up to $560 — more than five times lower than the Amex Platinum Card's credits
Current Offer
Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
Annual Fee
$895
Rewards Rate
5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Other travel benefits
As we've said, the overall value of either card really comes down to how you like to do your traveling. Are you brand loyal, or would you like to enjoy perks regardless of which airline you fly with or which rental car company you use?
Amex Platinum travel perks
- Up to $600 total travel credit (up to $300 semi-annually) for booking prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection
- Guaranteed 4:00 PM checkout plus free breakfast on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings through Amex Travel
- Complimentary premium status with Avis, Hertz, and National
- Car rental loss and damage insurance1 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p> , trip delay insurance, and trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold Status
Delta SkyMiles Reserve travel perks
- $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year, plus earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollars for every $10 in purchases on your card
- Annual Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after you renew your card
- Upgrade priority over others within your Medallion tier and access to the complimentary upgrade list after SkyMiles Medallion members
- Hertz President's Circle Status
- First checked bag free for each person on your trip
- Baggage insurance plan2 <p>Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.</p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.</li></ul><p></p>
- 20% back on in-flight purchases
- Trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, car rental loss and damage insurance1 <p>Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. </p><p></p><ul><li>Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. </li><li>Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. </li><li>Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.</li></ul><p></p>
Current Offer
Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases, both in the first 6 months (limited-time offer ends 04/01/2026)
Annual Fee
$650
Rewards Rate
3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases
Rewards
One of the top things you should consider when choosing between these two cards is whether either one is going to make it worth your while to use for actual spending.
Amex Platinum earnings and redemptions
One front on which the Amex Platinum wins definitively is rewards earning power and redemption options.
- Cardholders can earn 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Points can be redeemed for flights and hotels through the Amex portal, for purchases made with select retailers including Amazon and Best Buy, and other options such as gift cards. They can also be transferred to any of the Membership Rewards program's transfer partners.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve earnings and redemptions
While they share a base earn rate on most purchases, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve tops out at a lower maximum earn rate.
- Cardholders can earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases.
- SkyMiles can be redeemed for award flights on Delta and its partner airlines, for Delta vacation packages, for seat upgrades, checked bags, and more.
Welcome offers
You can earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer) with the Amex Platinum as a welcome bonus.
Or, you can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases, both in the first 6 months (limited-time offer ends 04/01/2026) with the Delta Reserve. You do have to spend more for the Amex Platinum rewards versus the Reserve.
FAQs
Is it worth it to upgrade from Delta Platinum to Reserve?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with a $350 annual fee versus a $650 fee for the Reserve. However, the Delta Reserve offers up to a $200 Delta Stays credit and up to a $240 Resy credit versus up to $150 Delta Stays and up to a $120 Resy credit on the Platinum card.
The Delta Reserve card also offers 15 annual visits to Sky Club, or unlimited visits after making $75,000 in purchases on the card, while the Platinum card doesn't provide Sky Club Access. If you fly often and want to visit the lounge, the Reserve is likely worth it, especially if you'll use the extra credits.
What is the Amex 2-90 rule?
American Express will reportedly not approve you for more than two cards in 90 days. This policy is often referred to as the Amex 2-90 rule. It is not an official policy, but it has been widely reported.
Does Amex Platinum get you into Delta Sky Club?
Amex Platinum provides 10 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Club each year. However, you must have an eligible, same-day Delta flight.
Bottom line
Delta credit cards can be a great option for regular Delta flyers, but you'll need to decide if lounge access is important enough to you to pay extra for the Delta Reserve versus the Delta Platinum card.
If you aren't a frequent Delta flyer, then none of the Delta cards make sense for you. You can look into the best airline cards to find other alternatives offered by airlines you fly regularly. Or you could opt for a general-purpose travel card like the Amex Platinum that offers benefits when you fly on any airline, including many that go beyond flight-related perks like lounge access.
The right choice all depends on what your travel habits are and whether you're loyal to Delta specifically. Just be sure to look into all your options carefully as premium travel cards are expensive. It pays to take the time to find the right one to meet your needs.
Current Offer
Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
Annual Fee
$895
Rewards Rate
5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
