Delta Air Lines boasts an extensive range of credit card options, catering to both individuals and businesses with entry-level, mid-tier, and premium offerings.
For frequent Delta travelers, evaluating whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is worth the annual fees is essential (see rates and fees for Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve).
This article will compare the mid-tier Delta Platinum card with the premium Delta Reserve card to determine which option suits your needs better.
Comparison of Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve
| Feature | Delta Platinum | Delta Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Offer | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. This offer is valid until April 2. | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first six months. This offer is also valid until April 2. |
| Annual Fee | $350 (refer to rates and fees) | $650 (refer to rates and fees) |
| Earning Rates |
3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings. 2 miles per dollar at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and supermarkets. 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. |
3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases. 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. |
| Baggage | First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on Delta flights. | First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on Delta flights. |
| Travel Perks |
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. |
Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply. |
| Companion Certificate | Domestic, Caribbean, or Central America round-trip companion certificate for Main Cabin flights upon card renewal each year. | Domestic, Caribbean, or Central America round-trip companion certificate for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin flights upon card renewal each year. |
| Status Boost | Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) for every $20 spent plus 2,500 MQDs towards status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year. | Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent plus 2,500 MQDs towards status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year. |
*Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms and conditions apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
***Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
^Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Coverage is provided through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Related: Top credit cards for airport lounge access
Welcome Offer Comparison: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Since American Express allows a welcome offer to be earned only once per card in a lifetime, timing your application is crucial to maximize the bonus.
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Currently, both Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve are offering attractive welcome bonuses:
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Enjoy an enhanced offer of 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months. This offer is valid until April 2.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Enjoy an enhanced offer of 100,000 bonus miles after a $6,000 spend in the first six months. This offer also expires on April 2.
According to Flying Frugal’s March 2025 estimates, Delta SkyMiles are valued at 1.2 cents each, making the welcome offer worth approximately $1,080 for the Delta Platinum and $1,200 for the Delta Reserve.
Winner: Delta Reserve. The slightly larger welcome offer provides this card with an advantage, while the spending requirement remains reasonable.
Related: The best timing to apply for these Amex cards based on historical offers
Benefits Comparison: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
As seen in the table, both cards share numerous benefits, including discounted Delta award redemptions, a free first checked bag for members and up to eight fellow travelers on their reservation, and a 20% discount on inflight purchases.
Both cards also provide a boost in earning MQDs (Medallion Qualification Dollars) towards elite status, but with distinct differences. The Delta Platinum card grants members 2,500 MQDs each Medallion qualification year along with 1 MQD for every $20 spent. In contrast, the Delta Reserve offers the same 2,500 MQD head start, but with a more advantageous earning rate of 1 MQD for every $10 spent.
A key differentiator in card benefits is access to the Delta Sky Club.
The Delta Reserve grants cardholders 15 visits to the Sky Club each year when flying on same-day Delta-marketed flights, unless $75,000 is spent within the calendar year to unlock unlimited access. Cardholders also receive four one-time guest passes; thereafter, a $50 fee per guest applies.
Both cards offer an annual companion certificate applicable to flights within the 50 U.S. states, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The Delta Platinum certificate can be used for Main Cabin flights, whereas the Delta Reserve certificate is valid for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin. With this certificate, you pay for one ticket and the second ticket incurs only government fees between $22 and $250 (up to four segments allowed).
Additionally, statement credits on both cards enhance their overall value. The Delta Reserve includes up to $240 in annual Resy credit each year (up to $20 monthly), up to $120 in ride-hailing credits every year (up to $10 monthly) with select U.S. providers, up to $200 in Delta Stays statement credits for hotel bookings, and up to $120 for Global Entry every four years, or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4½ years.
Delta Reserve cardholders also get complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status and cellphone protection. Enrollment is necessary for some benefits; terms apply.
In contrast, the Delta Platinum provides slightly reduced credits, such as up to $120 in Resy credits (capped at $10 monthly), up to $120 in ride-hailing credits each year (up to $10 monthly) with specific U.S. providers, and up to $150 in Delta Stays statement credits annually, along with Hertz Five-Star status. Enrollment is necessary for certain benefits; terms apply.
Winner: Delta Reserve. The higher value of statement credits, lounge access, an upgraded companion certificate, and a more favorable MQD earning rate solidify this card as the better option.
Related: Tips for getting upgraded on Delta flights
Earning Miles: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Delta Reserve focuses on a single bonus earning category, specifically for Delta purchases. Cardholders earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, equating to returns of 3.6% and 1.2%, respectively, according to Flying Frugal’s March 2025 valuations.
In contrast, the Delta Platinum card presents a more extensive range of bonus opportunities. Members earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings, 2 miles per dollar on dining at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and supermarkets, plus 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. This translates to returns of 3.6%, 2.4%, and 1.2% on spending, respectively, according to Flying Frugal’s valuations from March 2025.
Winner: Delta Platinum. This card provides more earning categories compared to the Delta Reserve.
Related: 16 strategies for earning more Delta SkyMiles
Redeeming Miles: Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
SkyMiles accumulated from both the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cards can be used for booking travel on Delta flights and with partner airlines, such as Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Korean Air, as well as with non-alliance partners.
However, Delta employs a dynamic pricing model for award tickets, so redemption rates can vary significantly.
The Delta SkyMiles program also features opportunities for discounted award tickets during flash sales on Delta-operated economy flights, and occasionally on Delta One awards.
Tickets reserved using a Delta co-branded card receive a 15% discount on the mileage required for booking.
Winner: It’s a tie, as both cards allow for the same redemption process.
Related: Tips on preventing your points and miles from expiring
Choosing Between Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve
When contrasting a premium rewards card with a non-premium one, the significant consideration is whether the added annual cost is worth the upgraded benefits. If you’re willing to pay a higher fee for perks like Sky Club access and an expedited path to elite status, the Delta Reserve card is likely your best choice. However, if you prioritize a broader range of bonus categories and a lower annual fee, consider the Delta Platinum card.
Transitioning from Delta Platinum to Delta Reserve
To upgrade from the Delta Platinum to the Delta Reserve, simply call the customer service number on the back of your card. However, carefully consider this option since upgrading means forfeiting the welcome bonus associated with the Delta Reserve.
It might be advantageous to wait for a special upgrade offer for the Delta Platinum before making a switch. For those wishing to downgrade, you can easily transition from the Delta Reserve to the Delta Platinum by contacting the number on the back of your card.
Read more: The complete guide to credit card upgrades
Final Thoughts
Both cards showcase numerous overlapping benefits. Nevertheless, they present several important differences, particularly regarding lounge access, enhanced companion certificates, and higher statement credits associated with the Delta Reserve card.
Your choice between these cards will largely depend on whether the enhanced benefits of the Delta Reserve justify its higher annual fee or if you’d prefer the Delta Platinum’s lower fee and superior earning rates.
To discover more, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cards.
Related: A comparison of Delta Gold Amex and Delta Platinum Amex
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
View rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card here.
View rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card here.
