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Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Card Wins?

Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Card Wins?

The Delta Gold and AAdvantage Platinum Select offer similar cashback value, but the Delta card is the winner due to its diverse travel perks.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Interest Rates Last Update: November 15, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select credit cards are popular choices among frequent travelers, each offering unique benefits tailored to their respective airlines. Let's compare them side by side:

General Comparison

Both cards charge similar annual fees, don't charge foreign transaction fees, and offer benefits tailored for each airline company.  Here's a side-by-side comparison of the card's main features:

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

Delta SkyMiles® Gold
Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select
Annual Fee
$150, $0 intro first year. (See Rates and Fees.)
$99 (waived for the first 12 months)
Rewards
2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
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.
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership.
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
0% Intro APR
N/A
N/A
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0. See Rates and Fees.
$0
Purchase APR
20.24% – 29.24% Variable
20.74% – 29.74% (Variable)
Read Review
Read Review

Airline Miles Rewards Analysis: Which Card Is Better?

When we analyze the number of points cardholders can get for each card for the same spend, we can see no significant difference between the cards:

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

Spend Per Category
Delta SkyMiles® Gold
Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets
20,000 miles
10,000 miles
$4,000 – Restaurants
8,000 miles
8,000 miles
$5,000 – Airline
10,000 miles
10,000 miles
$4,000 – Hotels
4,000 miles
4,000 miles
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 miles
8,000 miles
Total Points
46,000 miles
40,000 miles
Redemption Value (Estimated)
1 mile = ~1.3 cents
1 mile = ~1.5 cents
Estimated Annual Value
$598
$600

The advantage Platinum Select Card offers simple and flexible redemption options for miles earned. You can use your miles for travel-related expenses like flights and hotels or even get cash back. 

Also, you can redeem miles for a variety of experiences on AA website:

Book an experience with AA Select Platinum card
(screenshot taken by our team from American Airlines app)

The Delta SkyMiles Card gives you plenty of options to redeem your points for travel perks. You can book flights with Delta and its partners to destinations around the world.

You can also use your points for seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and even special experiences. If travel isn’t a priority, you can redeem points for merchandise, gift cards, or statement credits.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 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
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

Airline And Travel Benefits: Comparison

When it comes to extra travel and airline perks, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card is the winner, mainly due to the broader protections and travel insurance it provides:

Delta SkyMiles Gold

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card Review

  • TakeOff 15: Save 15% on Award Travel when booking Delta flights (excluding partner-operated flights and taxes/fees).
  • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Members of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card are eligible to receive an annual rebate of up to $100 on qualifying prepaid Delta Stays bookings made on delta.com.

  • $200 Delta Flight Credit: Upon reaching $10,000 in annual purchases, cardholders can enjoy a $200 Delta Flight Credit, applicable towards upcoming travel expenses.

  • First Checked Bag Free: Receive complimentary first checked bag on Delta flights.
Delta offers free checked bags for Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards
Delta offers free checked bags for Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards (Photo by David Tran Photo/Shutterstock)
  • Pay with Miles Discount: You can receive up to $50 off the cost of your Delta flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem.
  • 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.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers.

Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select

  • First Checked Bag Complimentary: Travelers holding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card are entitled to the benefit of a complimentary first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and up to four companions sharing the same reservation.

  • $125 American Airlines Flight Discount: Those who spend $20,000 or more in purchases throughout the cardmembership year and choose to renew the card are eligible for a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount. 
Fly American Airlines
(Photo by Markus Mainka/Shutterstock)
  • Priority Boarding: Additionally, cardholders enjoy priority boarding privileges on American Airlines flights, affording them the convenience of saving time and increasing efficiency during the boarding process.
  • 25% Discount on Inflight Food and Beverage: Utilizing the card during American Airlines flights grants users a 25% discount on purchases of inflight food and beverages, presenting an opportunity for added savings while in the air.

When You Might Prefer The AAdvantage Platinum Select?

You might prefer the Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select card in the following situations:

  • You're Loyal To American Airlines: Choose the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select if you frequently fly with American Airlines or prefer their extensive route network, maximizing the benefits such as free checked bags and priority boarding.

  • You Prefer The Oneworld Alliance: If you often fly with airlines within the Oneworld Alliance, to which American Airlines belongs, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select card becomes advantageous. It allows you to earn and redeem miles across a broader network of partner airlines, providing greater flexibility in travel options.

  • You're Near American Airlines Hub Proximity: If you live near or frequently travel through an American Airlines hub, such as Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) or Charlotte (CLT), the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select card may be preferable. This card could offer more convenient flight options and better align with your primary airline.

Top Offers

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers From Our Partners

Amex gold

Rewards Plan:
1X – 4X 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 points 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

hilton honors card

Rewards Plan:
3X – 7X 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio, 5x points at U.S. restaurants (including takeout and delivery) U.S.supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and 3x points for each dollar on other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
100,000 points 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership

Marriot bonvoy bevy card art

Rewards Plan:
2x – 6x 6X points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 4X points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year, then 2X points), 2X points on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus:
85,000 points Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.
Top Offers

amex platinum

Rewards Plan:
1X – 5X 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
Welcome Bonus:
80,000 points 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership

amex brilliant

Rewards Plan:
2X – 6X 6 Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy™ program, 3 points at Worldwide restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2 points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
95,000 points 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after spending $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum card

Rewards Plan:
1X – 3X 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
Welcome Bonus:
60,000 miles 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Advertiser Disclosure
The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation.

When You Might Prefer The Delta SkyMiles Gold?

You might prefer the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card in these situations:

  • Dedicated Delta and SkyTeam Traveler: If you often fly with Delta Airlines or other carriers in the SkyTeam alliance, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is a great choice. It’s designed to enhance your travel experience with perks that align with the SkyTeam network.

book a flight with Delta gold card miles.
book a flight with Delta gold card miles. (Screenshot taken by our team from delta app)
  • You Want Broader Protections And Travel Insurance: If you are looking to get broader coverage, the Delta Gold card may be a better option.
  • You're Near Delta Hub Proximity: Opt for the Delta SkyMiles Gold if you live near or frequently travel through a Delta hub like Atlanta or Boston. Choosing a card aligned with the dominant airline in your region can provide more convenient flight options and increased accessibility.

Compare The Alternatives

If you're looking for an airline credit card with travel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:

jetblue plus card

southwest_rapid_rewards_premier_art

united_explorer_card

The JetBlue Plus Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
United Explorer Card
Annual Fee
$99
$99
$95 ($0 first year)
Rewards
1X – 6X 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores and 1X points on all other purchases
1X – 3X 3X points on Southwest® purchases,2X on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car partners, local transit and commuting, including rideshare, internet, cable, phone services, and select streaming and 1X points on all other purchases.
1X – 2X 2x per $1 spent on United purchases, hotel accommodations, restaurants & eligible delivery services and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
50,000 points 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days
40,000 Points 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 4 months.
50,000 miles 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Foreign Transaction Fee
$0
$0
$0
Purchase APR
20.74% – 29.99% variable
20.99% – 27.99% variable APR
21.49% – 28.49% variable APR

Compare AAdvantage Platinum Select

We think that for most consumers, the no-annual-fee AAdvantage MileUp card may be a better option. When you may consider the Platinum Select?

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp vs. Platinum Select

Paying an annual fee with higher rewards rate & benefits, or getting a no annual fee card with access to Amex membership?

Here's our analysis: Delta SkyMiles Blue vs AAdvantage Platinum Select

The AAdvantage Platinum Select and the Southwest Premier card share many common features.

Here's where each card shines: AAdvantage Platinum Select vs. Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier

The Citi/AAdvantage Executive offers better cashback value and perks than the Platinum Select, but usually it doesn't worth the annual fee.

Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite vs. Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select

While the AAdvantage Platinum Select and the United Explorer Card have many common features, the Explorer card is our winner. Here's why.

Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select vs. United Explorer: How They Compare?

While the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select wins at cashback value, the Aviator Red World card offers better airline perks.

AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard vs AAdvantage Platinum Select

While the airline perks are quite comparable, the JetBlue Plus Card emerges as the preferred choice thanks to higher cashback rates

Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select vs JetBlue Plus Card: Side By Side Comparison

Compare Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold offers higher annual cashback and better perks than the Delta Blue card. But is it worth the annual fee? It depends.

Delta SkyMiles Blue vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: How They Compare?

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is more expensive but offers more premium benefits than the Delta Gold. Here's our complete comparison.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card vs Platinum: How They Compare?

If you're looking for airline travel rewards, there is a clear winner. But what about other premium travel benefits? Here's our comparison.

Delta SkyMiles Gold vs Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority: Which Gives You More?

If you're a dedicated Delta traveler, the Delta SkyMiles Gold may be your top pick, while the Amex Gold offers a broader range of benefits.

Delta SkyMiles Gold Card vs. Amex Gold: Which One Wins?

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum is more expensive but offers more premium benefits than the Delta Gold. Here's our complete comparison.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card vs Platinum: How They Compare?

While the Delta SkyMiles Gold extra perks are better, the JetBlue Plus Card is our winner in this comparison due to its higher cashback value.

The JetBlue Plus Card vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Side By Side Comparison

The Delta SkyMiles Gold and the United Explorer Card offer airline benefits and similar fees. The SkyMiles Gold is our winner – here's why.

United Explorer vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Side By Side Comparison

While Alaska Visa Signature card offers higher miles rewards ratio on airline, the Delta SkyMiles Gold is our winner. Here's why.

Alaska Visa Signature vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Side By Side Comparison

Both Hawaiian and Delta SkyMiles Gold have similar annual cashback values and diverse airline benefits, so there is no clear winner.

Hawaiian World Elite Mastercard vs. Delta SkyMiles Gold: Side By Side Comparison

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.

This website is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

This website does not include all card companies or all card offers available in the marketplace. This website may use other proprietary factors to impact card offer listings on the website such as consumer selection or the likelihood of the applicant’s credit approval.

This allows us to maintain a full-time, editorial staff and work with finance experts you know and trust. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impacts any of the editorial content on The Smart Investor.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, The Smart Investor does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

Learn more about how we review products and read our advertiser disclosure for how we make money. All products are presented without warranty.