Why I Pay $1,000+ a Year for the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve Cards

The Platinum Card^® from American Express isn’t the issuer’s only premium card. There are luxury cards in its Delta, Hilton, and Marriott portfolios that are worthwhile for travelers.

While the cards have a few overlapping benefits, I still can justify keeping the Amex Platinum card and the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card in my wallet. Let’s look at when it makes sense to have both cards, especially if you’re a Delta frequent flyer.

Amex Platinum Card vs. Delta Reserve Card

The Amex Platinum card is a classic premium travel card. It has many great benefits (enrollment required for some), like extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel and rental car elite status, and a host of travel-friendly statement credits.

That said, the card has a relatively high $695 annual fee (rates & fees).

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club^® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve card focuses on the most frequent Delta flyers. You’ll enjoy a free checked bag on Delta flights, the ability to earn Medallion status more quickly, an annual companion certificate, and a handful of statement credits (some require prior enrollment).

This card has a $650 annual fee (rates & fees).

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

70,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $840

Annual Fee

$650

APR

20.24%-29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its MQD Headstart towards status boost, lounge access, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases.
• 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights.

Cons

• $650 annual fee (rates & fees)
• No bonus categories other than Delta purchases

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Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion^® Year to the Delta Sky Club^® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion^® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
• Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+^®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
• $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• With your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program

Universal Lounge Access and Extra Sky Club Visits

Generally, the Amex Platinum card offers more extensive airport lounge access when flying with any airline, while the Delta Reserve card offers more Sky Club passes (only when flying with Delta).

For reference, the Amex Platinum card includes 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year when flying same-day with Delta, although you can unlock unlimited visits when you spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year. The card includes a Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required) and unlimited access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, and Escape Lounges. You can also access select Lufthansa lounges when flying same-day with Lufthansa Group airlines.

Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve card includes 15 Sky Club visits per year when flying same-day with Delta, with unlimited visits available after spending $75,000 in a calendar year. Cardmembers can also access Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges before a same-day Delta flight.

I don’t spend $75,000 per year on either of these cards, but having 20 annual Delta Sky Clubs visits from both cards is sufficient for me. Since I also fly other airlines throughout the year, lounge access when flying on any airline via the Amex Platinum card is a big benefit, too. This is especially true as there are Centurion Lounges at my 2 home airports: New York (LGA) and New York (JFK).

Useful Statement Credits

Many in the travel world have referred to premium cards as “coupon books,” mainly because these cards include a package of statement credits that can be earned throughout the year. These statement credits help offset the high annual fees of these cards, but you have to remember to use them as they don’t roll over.

With the Amex Platinum card, I make full use of the following benefits that help recoup the annual fee (some require enrollment):

• Up to $200 Uber Cash credit: Add your card as the payment method in your Uber app and get up to $15 per month in credit and $35 in December, for U.S. Uber Eats orders and Uber rides
• Up to $200 airline fee credit: Designate an airline to receive credit for up to $200 per calendar year on incidental expenses, such as baggage fees and seat selection
• Up to $200 prepaid hotel credit: Book a prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection stay with your card to get $200 back in statement credits each year. (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum 2-night stay.)
• Up to $240 digital entertainment credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your card on one or more of the following: Disney+, The Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve card has fewer statement credits, but I find them easier to use. The card includes up to $200 in annual Delta Stays prepaid hotel credit, up to $10 in monthly ride-share credits, and up to $20 per month in Resy dining credits (enrollment required for some benefits). I use these perks entirely, which gives me a huge chunk back on the annual fee.

Delta Reserve Card Has Delta-Specific Benefits

While the benefits of the Amex Platinum card and Delta Reserve card overlap somewhat, it’s not a 1:1 overlap. Namely, the Delta Reserve card offers a handful of Delta-specific benefits that I value highly.

For starters, the Delta Reserve card makes it easier for me to maintain Delta Platinum Medallion status. The card’s Medallion Boost feature automatically gives cardmembers 2,500 MQD per year toward Delta elite status, plus the ability to earn 1 MQD per $10 spent on the card.

If I’m short on MQD for my desired Medallion status tier, I can put an estimated tax payment on the Delta Reserve card to make up the difference (and earn SkyMiles in the process).

Further, this card may improve my spot on the complimentary upgrade list. In short, having the Delta Reserve card gives members priority over other travelers in their same Medallion tier. For example, I would get the upgrade if it came down to me and a Platinum Medallion who doesn’t have a Delta Reserve card.

The card also includes an annual companion certificate, valid on domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flights. This one-time pass works on Main Cabin, Comfort+, and First Class itineraries when available.

You’re only liable to pay government-imposed taxes and fees on the companion’s ticket, which range between $22 and $250. Since I opened the card in 2020, my wife and I have used the certificate to save thousands of dollars on trips to Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Portland.

Finally, the Delta Reserve card (and other eligible Delta cards) includes the TakeOff 15 benefit. This benefit gives cardmembers an instant 15% discount on Delta award tickets operated by Delta Air Lines or Delta Express. Over the years, this has saved me thousands of SkyMiles.

As a Delta Medallion member, I find these elite status benefits extremely useful, including upgrades, preferred seating, priority check-in, and bonus SkyMiles earning. The Delta Reserve card makes doing this easier with the MQD Boost benefit — while upgrade priority, included companion certificate, and TakeOff 15 benefit sweeten the deal.

Amex Platinum Card Has Other Travel Benefits

The Amex Platinum card has a handful of other benefits I value greatly as a frequent traveler. One of these is rental car elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National upon enrollment. I rent with all 3 of these companies regularly, and having elite status has generally made the experience smoother.

It’s also worth noting that the card includes Hilton Gold status and Marriott Gold Elite status upon enrollment. I have higher statuses with these hotel groups through other means, but the Amex Platinum card ensures I won’t fall below the Gold level so long as the card is open and in good standing.

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I also use the Amex Platinum card’s Global Dining Access by Resy benefit a couple of times per year to get a table at hard-to-reserve restaurants. This is especially helpful in New York City, where many trendy restaurants are hard to reserve without priority.

My wife and my parents are authorized users on my Amex Platinum card. This costs $195 per authorized user (rates & fees), but it’s well worth it since each receives lounge access benefits. This even includes their own allocation of 10 visits to the Delta Sky Club, which is helpful when my wife and I travel together.

Final Thoughts

The Amex Platinum card and Delta Reserve card are among the most premium travel cards available. Having both in your wallet could be worthwhile for those who frequently fly with Delta. They have high annual fees, but I keep both around thanks to their high-end travel benefits and suite of statement credits.