Suppose you’re looking for the best benefits a credit card can provide to travelers who frequently fly Delta. In that case, you may assume the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card would be best since it’s the top-tier cobranded Delta consumer card.
On the other hand, what about The Platinum Card® from American Express? It’s another top-tier premium card that offers some stellar benefits to frequent travelers.
It’s important to compare them to determine which is best for Delta flyers, especially after the Amex Platinum card’s latest refresh.
Let’s review these cards to help you decide which is best for you as you plan your future trips.
Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve comparison
| Amex Platinum | Delta Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| <strong>Welcome bonus</strong> | Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Offer ends Oct. 29. |
| <strong>Earning rates</strong> | <ul> <li>Earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent)</li> <li>Earn 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with Amex Travel</li> <li>Earn 1 point per dollar spent on everything else</li> </ul> |
<ul> <li>Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases with Delta</li> <li>Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else</li> </ul> |
| <strong>TPG’s September 2025 <a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/guide/monthly-valuations/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>valuations</a></strong> | 2 cents each | 1.15 cents each |
| <strong>Annual fee</strong> | $895 (see <a href=”/tc/22504813?pid=22504813&name=The%20Platinum%20Card%C2%AE%20from%20American%20Express&data-testid=ratesFees” target=”_blank”>rates and fees</a>) | $650 (see <a href=”/tc/6573?pid=6573&name=Delta%20SkyMiles%C2%AE%20Reserve%20American%20Express%20Card&data-testid=ratesFees” target=”_blank”>rates and fees</a>) |
| <strong>Lounge access</strong> | Access to many lounges through the <a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/american-express-platinum-lounge-access/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>American Express Global Lounge Collection</a> for eligible cardmembers, including:<p></p> <ul> <li><a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/guide/the-ultimate-guide-to-amex-centurion-lounges/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Centurion Lounges</a></li> <li>Delta Sky Club lounges (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; 10 visits per calendar year, unlimited visits after $75,000 in spending in a calendar year)</li> <li><a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/guide/all-about-priority-pass-program/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Priority Pass™ Select membership</a> (not including restaurants)</li> </ul> <p><em>Enrollment is required for select card benefits.</em></p> |
Access to Delta Sky Club lounges (15 visits in a calendar year, unlimited visits after $75,000 in spending in a calendar year)<p></p> <p>Four one-time guest passes upon account opening and each Medallion year thereafter (when flying Delta), then $50 per person per visit</p> <p>Access to Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta)</p> <p><em>Enrollment is required for select card benefits.</em></p> |
| <strong>Other standout benefits</strong> | <ul> <li>Up to $600 in hotel statement credits per calendar year (up to $300 semi-annually), valid on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more) when you pay with your Amex Platinum</li> <li>Up to a $400 Resy statement credit (up to $100 each quarter) per calendar year for dining at eligible U.S. restaurants</li> <li>Up to a $300 annual statement credit for Lululemon purchases per calendar year (up to $75 per quarter; U.S. stores and online only; outlets excluded)</li> <li>Up to $200 in Uber Cash each calendar year (up to $15 each month, plus a bonus up to $20 in Dec.) for U.S. purchases (Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card)</li> <li>Up to <a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/choosing-your-amex-platinum-200-airline-fee-credit/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>$200 airline fee credit</a> per calendar year</li> <li><a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/global-entry/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit</a> every 4-4½ years ($120 Global Entry credit every 4 years, up to $85 TSA PreCheck credit every 4½ years)</li> <li>Up to <a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/amex-platinum-saks-fifth-avenue-credit/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>$100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits</a> each calendar year (up to $50 semi-annually)</li> <li><a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/guide/what-is-marriott-elite-status-worth/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Marriott Gold</a>, <a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/guide/what-is-hilton-elite-status-worth/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Hilton Gold</a> and Leaders Club Sterling Silver status</li> </ul> <p><em>Enrollment is required for select card benefits.</em></p> |
<ul> <li><a href=”https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/save-family-money-delta-companion-ticket/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Companion certificate</a> for a round-trip flight each year upon renewal of your card for first class, Comfort or Main Cabin (including $22 and $250 for taxes and fees) to select destinations each year after card renewal (Delta basic economy is not eligible for this benefit)</li> <li>First checked bag free, priority boarding, inflight savings and access to complimentary upgrades on Delta flights</li> <li>Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) for every $10 spent, plus 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the qualification year</li> <li>Up to $240 Resy credit (up to $20 per month) at U.S. Resy restaurants per calendar year</li> <li>Up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year</li> <li>Up to $120 ride-hailing credit with select U.S. providers per calendar year (up to $10 in statement credits each month)</li> <li>Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status</li> </ul> <p><em>Enrollment is required for select card benefits.</em></p> |
Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve welcome bonus
Find out your Amex Platinum offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Based on TPG’s valuations, Membership Rewards points are worth 2 cents each, making this welcome bonus worth up to $3,500.
The Delta Reserve currently offers new cardmembers the chance to earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends Oct. 29.
Based on TPG’s valuations, Delta miles are worth 1.15 each, making this welcome bonus worth $1,438.
Remember that Amex only allows you to earn one welcome bonus per card in a lifetime, so make sure you get the best possible offer for the card you want to apply for.
Winner: Amex Platinum. The welcome offer is worth more, and the card earns transferable points that can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners, including Delta.
Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve benefits
While it has many useful perks, the only Delta-specific benefit you’ll get with the Amex Platinum is access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta.
Access is limited to 10 day visits per calendar year, but you can get unlimited access after spending $75,000 in a calendar year. Cardmembers may also bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person per location.
The Amex Platinum offers unlimited access to Centurion Lounges for eligible cardmembers, regardless of which airline you’re flying.
The Delta Reserve offers many Delta-specific perks, starting with access to Delta Sky Club lounges. Cardmembers receive 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flights.
That’s five more than the Amex Platinum. Similar to it, you’ll get unlimited Sky Club access after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
In addition, cardmembers receive four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club each Medallion year (when flying Delta). After that, a guest pass is $50 per guest.
You’ll also get complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket purchased using the Delta Reserve. You can bring up to two guests into the lounge with you for a fee of $50 each.
The benefits trade-off to think about is that the Amex Platinum is considered more of a general travel and lifestyle card. Some notable benefits that came with the card’s latest refresh include (enrollment is required for select benefits):
- Up to $600 in hotel statement credits per calendar year (up to $300 semi-annually), valid on prepaid Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (of two nights or more) when you pay with your Amex Platinum
- Up to a $400 Resy statement credit (up to $100 each quarter) per calendar year for dining at eligible U.S. restaurants
- Up to a $300 statement credit for Lululemon purchases per calendar year (up to $75 per quarter; U.S. stores and online only; outlets excluded)
The Delta Reserve’s notable statement credits include:
- Up to $240 Resy credit every calendar year (up to $20 in statement credits monthly) toward dining at U.S. restaurants
- Up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit for hotel bookings every calendar year
- Up to $120 ride-hailing credit each calendar year (up to $10 statement credits monthly) with select U.S. providers
Other Delta-specific benefits include:
- First checked bag free: First checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to eight companions traveling with you on your reservation
- Companion certificate after account anniversary: Valid for one round-trip first-class, Comfort or Main Cabin companion ticket when you pay taxes and fees on the award ticket and purchase an adult round-trip to all 50 U.S. states, the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico
- Discount on inflight purchases: 20% savings in the form of a statement credit for eligible pre-purchased meals and inflight purchases of food and beverages on Delta-operated flights
- Priority boarding: Applies to the primary cardmember and up to eight passengers on the same reservation
- 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights
Enrollment is required for select benefits.
An important advantage of the Delta Reserve is the MQD Headstart, which gives cardmembers 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the year and the ability to earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card.
This is an impressive benefit and a way to earn or greatly assist you in earning elite status with Delta.
Also note that some of the Delta Reserve’s benefits are also available on the lower-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (see rates and fees).
The Amex Platinum has fewer Delta perks, which means cardmembers need to maximize its Delta benefits and the card’s other perks to truly get full value from the card.
Winner: Delta Reserve. As indicated by its cobranded status, the Delta Reserve offers many more Delta-specific benefits than the Amex Platinum.
Related: How to use credit cards to defeat basic economy
Earning rewards with the Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum earns
- 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent) and 5 points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Based on TPG’s valuations, this means you’ll get an impressive 10% return on Amex Travel or direct airline purchases (up to the spending cap) and a 2% return on all other purchases.
The Delta Reserve earns:
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases (3.45% return based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations)
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases (1.15% return)
As a cobranded card, the Delta Reserve’s earning rate is weak compared to the Amex Platinum. The primary benefit of spending on the Delta Reserve card is gradually earning MQDs.
Winner: Amex Platinum. The Delta Reserve’s rate of return isn’t competitive even on Delta purchases.
Related: Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
Redeeming rewards with the Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum earns American Express Membership Rewards points. You’ll get the best value from your Membership Rewards points when you transfer them to one of Amex’s travel partners and then redeem them through the partner for flights or hotel stays.
Other redemption options exist, but they all provide less than TPG’s valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents apiece.
TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed took advantage of Aeroplan’s distance and region-based award chart to book a multicity business-class ticket from Madrid to Istanbul with a one-week stopover in Zurich for 25,000 points. Amex Membership Rewards transfers to Air Canada Aeroplan at a ratio of 1:1.
The Delta Reserve earns Delta SkyMiles, which can be frustrating to use due to dynamic award pricing. But there are still some great ways to get value from Delta miles.
For example, Delta offers relatively frequent flash sales.
You can also use Delta miles to upgrade to the next class of service. There are also great sweet spots for flying international partner airlines with SkyMiles.
All SkyTeam partners, such as Air France and Korean Air, are available for award redemptions, as well as some nonalliance partners.
Winner: Amex Platinum. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners, including Delta, so you have a lot more flexibility when using your rewards.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
Should I get the Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve?
In general, the Amex Platinum will be the best choice for Delta travelers due to its higher earn rate on Delta purchases and wider-reaching benefits, including more extensive lounge access. However, if you’re focused on Delta elite status and want to maximize the card’s companion certificate, then the Delta Reserve is worthy of consideration.
Bottom line
The Delta Reserve is a better choice for Delta flyers seeking to achieve or maintain elite status. However, if you’d prefer a card that grants Delta, Centurion and partner lounge access plus the ability to earn flexible Membership Rewards points, then the Amex Platinum has the upper hand.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Amex Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Apply here: Amex Platinum
Apply here: Delta Reserve
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Platinum, click here.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
