The Platinum Card® by American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card are two premium credit cards that cater to travelers seeking exceptional benefits and rewards.
In this comparison, we'll explore the key differences, pros, and cons of each card and its unique travel benefits..
General Comparison: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum Card, offered by American Express, is renowned for its extensive list of travel perks. It provides access to airport lounges worldwide, offers statement credits for travel-related expenses, and includes valuable benefits like travel insurance and concierge services.
Cardholders also earn Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs, providing flexibility in redemption options.
On the other hand, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, co-branded with Delta Air Lines, is tailored for frequent Delta flyers. It offers benefits like complimentary Delta Sky Club access, priority boarding, and a companion certificate each year.
Cardholders earn Delta SkyMiles, which can be used for free flights and upgrades within the Delta network.
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|---|---|---|
The Amex Platinum Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve | |
Annual Fee | $695. See Rates and Fees. | $650. See Rates and Fees. |
Rewards | 5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases. Terms Apply. | 3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta flights and Delta Vacations® with 1X miles on all other purchases. Terms Apply. |
Welcome bonus | 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months |
0% Intro APR | None | N/A |
Foreign Transaction Fee | $0. See Rates and Fees. | |
Purchase APR | 21.24% – 29.24% APR Variable | 20.99%-29.99% Variable
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Compare Rewards: Which Card Gives More?
While the value of Delta miles is usually higher (depending on what you redeem your Amex points), the Platinum card offers more points for the average consumer than Delta points rewards.
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|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | The Platinum Card® | Delta SkyMiles Reserve |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 points | 10,000 miles |
$5,000 – Restaurants | 5,000 points | 5,000 miles |
$6,000 – Hotels | 30,000 points | 6,000 miles |
$8,000 – Airline
| 40,000 points | 24,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 points | 4,000 miles |
Total Points | 89,000 points | 49,000 miles |
Estimated Redemption Value | 1 point ~ 0.6 – 1.6 cents | 1 mile ~ 1.3 cents
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Estimated Annual Value | $534 – $1,424 | $637 |
Travel Benefits: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
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The Amex Platinum Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status: As a Platinum Card member, you have the opportunity to enroll in complimentary Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
- Priority Pass: Platinum Card members enjoy a complimentary membership in Priority Pass Select, granting them access to over 1,400 lounges across the globe. It's important to note that this membership does not include access to Priority Pass restaurant lounges
- Dedicated Service Team: You will get access to a customer service team that is operational 24/7, so you can resolve any issues instantly.
- Up to $200/$120 in Uber Cash. You can also become an Uber VIP to be matched with top rated drivers without needing to meet any minimum ride requirements. Up to $200 if you carry the Platinum Card and $120 for Gold Cards. Enrollment Required.
- Preferred Seating at sporting and cultural events, subject to availability
- $100 experience credit – receive a $100 experience credit when you reserve The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel for a delightful getaway of at least two nights. The specific value of the experience credit may vary depending on the property you choose.
- Extra Cards: Both of these cards allow you to add additional cards to your locknut with no additional fees. This allows you to earn rewards when other people make purchases, such as your spouse, children, or employees.
- $100 Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Get reimbursed for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years.
- Signature perks at upscale hotels, which are part of the Amex Hotel Collection and you book through American Express Travel.
- Up to $200 hotel credit 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 Platinum Card®. Enrollment Required.
- Up to $240 or $20 per month in Digital Entertainment in statement credit when you pay for one or more The New York Times, Peacock or SiriusXM with your card. Enrollment Required.
- Up to $155 in Walmart+ credit. When you use your card to pay for your monthly Walmart+ membership, you’ll get the full cost back every month. Enrollment Required.
- Up to $200 in Airline fee credit per year when you charge incidental travel fees from selected airlines on your card. Enrollment Required.
- Up to $300 back every year in statement credit for eligible Equinox memberships when you enroll and pay using your card (subject to auto-renewal).
- Up to $199 back per year when you use your card to pay for a CLEAR® plus membership. Enrollment Required.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Annual Companion Certificate: You’ll receive a round trip companion certificate for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin roundtrip flights in the U.S., Caribbean, or Central America each year upon card renewal.
- TakeOff 15: Save 15% on Award Travel when booking Delta flights (excluding partner-operated flights and taxes/fees).
- Delta Sky Club® Access:Get free entry to the Delta Sky Club when you fly on a Delta flight on the same day. You'll also get four guest passes each year.
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. - $200 Delta Stays Credit: Every year, enjoy a $200 credit for eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
- Hertz President’s Circle Status: Join the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program and enjoy the benefits of Hertz Five Star Status.
- $240 Resy Credit: Get a $240 credit for Resy, earning up to $20 in monthly credits on eligible Resy purchases.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Get a $120 credit for rideshare services, with up to $10 back each month on U.S. rideshare purchases when using your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. Enrollment is required.
- MQD Boost: Earn $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each year, getting you closer to elite status with MQD Headstart.
- MQD on Purchases: Earn $1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $10 you spend on your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year, helping you reach a higher Medallion Status for the next year.
- First Checked Bag Free: Receive complimentary first checked bag on Delta flights.
- Up to $100 Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Get reimbursed for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every 4 years.
- 20% Back on In–flight Purchases: Receive a 20% statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
- ShopRunner: Enjoy free 2-day shipping at 100+ online stores when you enroll in complimentary ShopRunner membership with your Delta Platinum card.
- Upgrade Priority – When you use your Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, you will have priority over other Medallion members in the same Medallion level and fare class grouping.
- Access to Complimentary Upgrades – If you do not have Medallion Status, your Card automatically adds you to the Complimentary Upgrade list, which is prioritized over Medallion Members.
- Complimentary Access to Delta Centurion® Lounge – When you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge.
- Priority Boarding: enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on their Delta flights, allowing them to board early, secure overhead bin space for their carry-on luggage, and have a more relaxed start to their journey.
Can I Transfer Amex Platinum Points To Delta?
Yes, you can transfer Membership Rewards points earned with the Amex Platinum Card to Delta SkyMiles. The transfer ratio is 1:1, means typically 1,000 Membership Rewards points to 1,000 Delta SkyMiles.
For customers who are loyal to Delta Air Lines and prefer flying with Delta, having the ability to transfer Membership Rewards points from their Amex Platinum Card to Delta SkyMiles can offer flexibility and ability to enjoy more types of travel benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Both cards offer a variety of insurance benefits. Most of them are quite similar, but there are some differences in coverage between them. Also, some of Delta coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company:
- Fraud Protection: You're protected from fraudulent charges, and if you spot any suspicious transactions, simply contact Amex.
- Baggage Insurance: When you use your card to purchase your fare, you'll have baggage insurance covering up to $500 for checked baggage and $1,250 for carry-on if they're lost, stolen, or damaged.
- Cell Phone Protection: Get reimbursed for cell phone repair or replacement (including cracked screens) up to $800 per claim, with a maximum of 2 approved claims per 12-month period, provided your cell phone line is on a wireless bill paid by your Eligible Card Account, subject to a $50 deductible.
- Return Protection: You can return eligible purchases to Amex if the seller won't accept them, within 90 days from the date of purchase, for a refund of up to $300 per item, with a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, when purchased entirely with your eligible Amex Card.
- Purchase Protection: Covered Purchases made with your Eligible Card are protected for up to 90 days from the purchase date, covering accidental damage, theft, or loss, up to $10,000 per occurrence and $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended Warranty: For Covered Purchases, your Eligible Card extends the original manufacturer's warranty by up to one additional year, applicable to warranties of 5 years or less, up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.
- Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: When you use your Eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire rental, and decline the rental company's CDW, you're covered for Damage to or Theft of a Rental Vehicle in a Covered Territory, with some exclusions and restrictions.
- Trip Delay Insurance: If your round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 6 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can reimburse certain additional expenses, up to $500 per trip, with a maximum of 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive months.
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: When you purchase a round-trip with your Eligible Card and a covered reason cancels or interrupts your trip, you can reimburse non-refundable expenses, up to $10,000 per trip and up to $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive months, subject to terms and conditions.
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Main Drawbacks: Comparison
American Express Platinum Card
- Limited Airline-Specific Benefits
The Amex Platinum Card doesn't offer airline-specific benefits like priority boarding or a companion certificate, which are specific to Delta and available with the Delta Reserve Card.
This means that if you primarily fly with Delta, you may miss out on these perks.
- Not Earning Elite Status
The Delta Reserve Card can help you earn elite status with Delta faster, thanks to the Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) it provides through spending.
The Amex Platinum Card doesn't offer this specific benefit for Delta's loyalty program.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Limited Flexibility
The Delta Reserve Card primarily earns Delta SkyMiles, which are specific to Delta's loyalty program.
In contrast, the Amex Platinum Card earns Membership Rewards points, which can be more flexible because they can be transferred to various airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Smaller Lounge Access Network
The Amex Platinum Card offers access to a broader range of lounges through the Priority Pass Select program, including lounges from various airlines, which can be advantageous for international travel or when you want lounge access on non-Delta flights.
- Less Statement Credits
Compared to the Amex Platinum Card, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card typically offers fewer statement credits for travel-related expenses.
When You Might Want the Amex Platinum?
You might want the Amex Platinum Card over the Delta Reserve Card in several scenarios:
- Versatility in Travel: If you're not exclusively loyal to Delta and prefer the flexibility to book flights with various airlines, the Amex Platinum Card offers more versatility. It allows you to use Membership Rewards points for multiple airlines and offers a broader range of travel benefits, including access to a vast network of airport lounges worldwide.
- Statement Credits: The Amex Platinum Card provides statement credits for a broader range of travel expenses, including airline incidentals, Uber, and Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, which can help offset the card's annual fee.
- Lounge Access Variety: The Amex Platinum Card offers access to a more extensive network of lounges through the Priority Pass Select program, making it suitable for travelers who value lounge access regardless of the airline they're flying.
When You Might Want the Delta SkyMiles Reserve?
You might want the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card over the Amex Platinum Card in the following scenarios:
- Loyalty to Delta: If you are a dedicated Delta Air Lines flyer and prefer to earn and redeem rewards primarily with Delta, the Delta Reserve Card is a more suitable choice. It offers exclusive Delta-related perks and the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) through spending.
- Frequent Delta Travel: If you travel frequently with Delta or if your travel primarily involves destinations within Delta's extensive network, the Delta Reserve Card provides valuable benefits such as complimentary Delta Sky Club access, priority boarding, and an annual companion certificate. These can enhance your Delta travel experience and provide substantial savings.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for a premium travel credit card with airline rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
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|---|---|---|---|
Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | |
Annual Fee | $395 | $550 | $99 (waived for the first 12 months)
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Rewards |
1X – 10X
10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases |
1X – 10X
5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels, car rentals and dining when you purchase through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, immediately after earning your $300 annual travel credit. Also, earn 3x points on dining at restaurants and travel (after meeting the $300 travel credit), then 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
1X – 2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
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Welcome bonus |
75,000 miles
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening |
60,000 points
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
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50,000 Miles
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Purchase APR | 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable) | 22.49%–29.49% variable | 21.24% – 29.99% (Variable) |
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- Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
