If you’re a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer, considering a Delta-branded credit card is a logical choice. You’ll receive a variety of benefits that make your travel on Delta Air Lines more comfortable, savings with benefits such as free checked baggage for you and your travel companions and a faster path to elite status.
If you fly a variety of airlines, Delta included, considering another premium travel rewards card might also be a logical choice. You’ll receive some of the same benefits as a Delta-branded card plus additional benefits that apply no matter which airline you’ll be flying.
Using these travel scenarios as a basis, we’ve selected one of the most popular travel rewards cards ever and paired it up against the top premium Delta-branded rewards card. We’ll compare earnings, redemption options, benefits, and ultimately, the value each card provides for the frequent traveler.
The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card both stand tall and respected as premium travel rewards cards. Whether one is better for your situation than the other is our focus today.
Let’s get started with a unique comparison of these premium travel rewards cards.
Welcome Bonuses
The Value of a Welcome Bonus
Amex Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum card offers Membership Rewards points as a welcome bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first few months after account opening. These points can be redeemed for 1 cent each towards travel when booking with Amex Travel.
You may receive greater value for your Membership Rewards points when transferring to airline and hotel travel partners.
Delta Reserve Card
Welcome bonuses for the Delta Reserve card vary but you can count on tens of thousands of miles after meeting minimum spending requirements. Delta flyers striving for elite status with Delta will also enjoy the opportunity to receive Medallion Qualification Miles with their welcome bonus, which counts towards elite status when signing up for the card.
Membership Rewards Points vs. Delta SkyMiles
Earning points or miles that can be redeemed for free flights is one of the benefits of having the Amex Platinum card or the Delta Reserve card. Image Credit: Ceri Breeze via ShutterstockComparing Earning Potential
The Amex Platinum card earns valuable Membership Rewards points, while the Delta Reserve card earns Delta SkyMiles. Membership Rewards points may be more valuable but Delta SkyMiles are easy to earn if you’re spending on the Delta Reserve card and flying on Delta Air Lines.
Let’s look at the earning power of each card.
| Card | Earnings |
| Amex Platinum card | - 5x Membership Rewards points for flights purchased directly with the airlines, or flights booked through Amex Travel and premium flights booked with the International Airline Program.
- Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year
- 5x Membership Rewards points for prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1x Membership Rewards points on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
|
| Delta Reserve card | - 3 SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta
- 1 SkyMile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
|
Bottom Line: If you spend a lot on flights (any airline) and prepaid hotels, you could earn significantly more rewards with the Amex Platinum card versus the Delta Reserve card.
Comparing Redemption Options
Membership Rewards points are a flexible currency earned on the Amex Platinum card while the Delta Reserve card earns SkyMiles which have narrow redemption options.
While both rewards currencies are generally worth about 1 cent each when redeemed for flights, you can elevate their value by either transferring the points to Amex travel partners (Amex Platinum card) or using your miles to book good value partner airline award tickets (Delta Reserve card).
| Card | Best Redemption Options | Additional Redemption Options |
| Amex Platinum card | - Transfer to airline partners
- Redeem for flights on Amex Travel
| Transfer to hotel partners, redeem for travel on Amex Travel, statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, Amazon, Ticketmaster, donate points |
| Delta Reserve card | - Award tickets with Delta and partner airlines
| Seat upgrades, Sky Club membership, premium drinks at the Sky Club, gift cards, hotels, Apple products, cruises, car rentals, pay with miles for flights, and bid for experiences |
To learn more about the best ways to redeem Membership Rewards points or redeem Delta SkyMiles for maximum value, check out our creative guides.
Hot Tip: You can use Membership Rewards points earned on the Amex Platinum card to book Delta airline tickets via Amex Travel and earn Delta SkyMiles on your flight. You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles at a ratio of 1:1.
Airport Lounge Access
The Amex Platinum card rates highest in the lounge access category with its complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. The Delta Reserve card focuses on airport lounge access for Delta-specific flyers.
| Card | Lounge Access |
| Amex Platinum card | |
| Delta Reserve card | - Delta Sky Club access for the cardholder and additional authorized cardholders traveling same-day on a Delta ticket; additional guests at $39 per person, per visit
- The Centurion Lounge Network for the cardholder and additional authorized cardholders; 2 guests enjoy complimentary access
|
Comparing Authorized Users Lounge Access
Adding authorized users to the Amex Platinum card or the Delta Reserve card receive the same lounge access benefits as the primary cardholder. This includes access for the cardholder and any allowable guests.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card is known for its superb worldwide airport lounge access benefit that is second to no other travel rewards card. The complimentary lounge access benefit alone is worth more than the annual fee on the card.
Hotel and Rental Car Program Benefits
Receive benefits such as complimentary breakfast with hotel elite status that comes with the Amex Platinum card. Image Credit: HiltonHotel Program Benefits — Amex Platinum Card
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status
Gold level Marriott Bonvoy elite status comes with the opportunity for upgraded rooms, free Wi-Fi, welcome bonus points, 25% more earnings at Marriott, and late checkout.
Hilton Honors Gold Elite Status
Hilton Honors Gold elite status offers some great benefits, starting with complimentary breakfast, a Hilton fan favorite. You’ll also receive upgraded rooms when available, free Wi-Fi, and earn 18 points per $1 spent at Hilton properties.
$200 Prepaid Hotel Credit
Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your card.
American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts
When you stay at Fine Hotels & Resorts, you’ll receive these benefits:
- Room upgrades, when available
- Complimentary breakfast for 2 each day
- Noon check-in and late checkout
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Local amenity valued at $100
The Hotel Collection
On stays of 2 nights or more, you’ll receive a $100 credit towards on-site property amenities including dining, spa, and resort activities. You’ll also be earning 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid bookings.
Hotel Program Benefits — Delta Reserve Card
The Delta Reserve card does not offer any hotel specific benefits.
Rental Car Program Benefits — Amex Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum card comes with these rental car program benefits:
- Avis Preferred Club — Receive a 25% discount on base rates and a 1 car class upgrade based on availability.
- Hertz Gold Plus Rewards — Receive a 1 car class upgrade when you rent an intermediate size vehicle or greater.
- National Emerald Club Executive — Select an upgraded preferred car, experience easy returns, rent full size or greater, and receive a 1 class upgrade, plus qualify for accelerated earnings towards free rentals.
Rental Car Program Benefits — Delta Reserve Card
The Delta Reserve card does not offer any rental car program benefits.
Bottom Line: When we compare hotel and rental car program benefits, the Amex Platinum is a clear winner. With hotel and rental car program elite status, special amenities, perks, discounts, and property credits, the card delivers plenty of value in these benefit categories.
Comparing Delta-Specific Benefits
You’ll receive complimentary Delta Sky Club access with either the Amex Platinum card or the Delta Reserve card. Image Credit: Delta Air LinesFor the Delta frequent flyer, there are plenty of benefits realized by having a Delta-branded card. However, let’s compare Delta-specific benefits that are offered on each card and see how they measure up.
| Delta Benefit | Amex Platinum Card | Delta Reserve Card |
| Free checked bag, priority boarding, for the cardholder and up to 8 travel companions, upgrade priority for cardholder over those at the same status level who do not have the Delta Reserve card | No | Yes |
| Pay for Delta flights using rewards points/miles | Yes, by using Membership Rewards on Amex Travel or by transferring points to Delta | Yes, by using Delta SkyMiles |
| Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs | Yes, for cardholder only when traveling same-day on Delta | Yes, for cardholder only when traveling same-day on Delta |
| Access to Centurion Lounges | Yes, when flying on any airline; cardholder plus 2 guests at no extra charge | Yes, when flying on Delta; up to 2 additional guests at $50 each per visit |
| Faster path to Delta Medallion elite status | No | Yes, the ability to waive revenue MQD requirements and earn Medallion Qualification Miles by spending on the Delta Reserve card |
| Annual Delta Companion Ticket | No | Complimentary main cabin, Comfort +, or first class companion ticket each year |
| Savings on Delta | Discount on Delta Private Jets card which includes 20% off Delta Private Jets commercial flights | 20% statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases |
Bottom Line: Delta travelers may receive benefits with the Amex Platinum card that other travel rewards cards do not offer, such as Delta Sky Club and worldwide lounge access. While the Delta Reserve card offers Delta-specific benefits, Delta Medallion elite flyers who already receive these benefits may find greater overall value with the Amex Platinum card.
Statement Credits and Additional Benefits
Statement Credits
Statement credits can deliver direct economic value if you can use these benefits. Here are the statement credits available with each card when you make an eligible purchase.
| Card | Statement Credits |
| Amex Platinum card | |
| Delta Reserve card | - Up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
|
| Note that terms apply and enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits. |
Travel Benefits and Protections
Since both the Amex Platinum card and Delta Reserve card are premium level cards issued by American Express, they have the same travel and shopping benefits/protections, except where noted.
- No foreign transaction fees — Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
- Trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance — Both cards offer the same benefits of $10,000 per occurrence up to a maximum of $20,000 per 12 month period for each coverage
- Global Assist Hotline — Enjoy 24/7 assistance for planning your trip and during your travels. Cardholders have access to customs information, emergency transportation assistance, weather, currency conversion, lost luggage assistance, and more.
- Rental car loss/damage insurance — Receive complimentary secondary rental car insurance that covers damage, theft, and loss of use. You’ll also have access to purchase low-cost Premium Car Rental Protection.
- Baggage insurance — You could receive a benefit if your luggage is lost, stolen, or damaged. The Amex Platinum card offers up to $3,000 for carry-on and $2,000 for checked baggage. The Delta Reserve card limits of coverage are $1,250 for carry-on and $500 for checked baggage. Limits on both cards are per covered person, per trip.
Shopping Benefits and Protections
- American Express Auto Purchasing Program — Save on your new car purchase and be able to charge at least $2,000 or more on your eligible card. You’ll also receive up to $2,000 in post-purchase benefits.
- Purchase protection — Purchase an eligible item with your card and if it is damaged or stolen, you could receive up to $10,000 per incident/$50,000 per year. You’ll have coverage for 90 days from the date of purchase.
- Return protection — If a merchant won’t accept the return of an eligible item you purchased with your card (within 90 days), you could receive up to $300 per item, $1,000 per year.
- Cell phone protection — Cardholders now receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection (2 claims per year with up to $800 for each claim) against theft and damage, including cosmetic damage (like a cracked phone screen). Each claim has a $50 deductible and your monthly phone bill should be paid with your card to receive coverage.
This is not an all-encompassing list of benefits and protections. Access each card’s individual membership benefits for full descriptions and for the terms and conditions of each coverage.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card offers a higher amount of statement credits compared to the Delta Reserve card. If you use these benefits, you could partially offset the cost of the annual fee on the card. Travel and shopping benefits and protections are similar on both cards.
Annual Fees and Adding Additional Users
Annual fees on the Amex Platinum card and Delta Reserve card have increased. You can expect to pay a high annual fee when you are approved for either of these cards.
The Amex Platinum card charges $175 total for adding up to 3 additional authorized users (see rates and fees). The Delta Reserve card charges $175 for each additional authorized user (see rates and fees).
Hot Tip: See how the Amex Platinum card stacks up to another popular Delta card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Final Thoughts
The Delta Reserve card is geared towards the Delta loyalist who travels primarily on Delta Air Lines. The card comes with enough benefits to make a positive difference in your travels with Delta and also help you qualify for elite status.
However, for Delta Medallion elites who are also frequent international travelers flying on a variety of airlines, the better value may be realized with the Amex Platinum card with its higher earnings on flights and its collection of luxury travel perks.
The Amex Platinum card isn’t airline-centric like the Delta Reserve card but still offers Delta flyers plenty of benefits.
Which of these cards makes sense for you will depend on how much you’ll use the benefits offered on each card, your level of spending on flights, your redemption preferences, and your frequency of international travel.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve card, please click here.
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