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Card vs Card Comparison

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum
vs
Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

Updated

Two cards, head-to-head. We break down earning rates, perks, transfer partners, and the real scenarios where each one wins.

American Express

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum

Annual fee

$350

Points

Delta SkyMiles

Signup bonus

75K miles plus 10K MQM after $4K in 6 months

Top earning rates

  • →3x on Delta and select hotels
  • →2x on dining and grocery (up to $5K)
  • →1x everywhere else

Top perks

  • →Annual companion certificate good in Main Cabin (48 contiguous states)
  • →First checked bag free for cardholder plus 8 companions
  • →20% off in-flight Delta purchases
See Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum detailsarrow_forward

American Express

Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve

Annual fee

$650

Points

Delta SkyMiles

Signup bonus

60K miles plus 10K MQM after $6K in 6 months

Top earning rates

  • →3x on Delta flights
  • →1x on everything else (weakest baseline)

Top perks

  • →Delta Sky Club access plus Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
  • →Annual companion certificate good in domestic First Class
  • →Reserve MQM boost toward Medallion status
See Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve detailsarrow_forward

The verdict

When each card wins.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum wins if

Pick this if you fly Delta a few times a year and want the companion certificate without paying Reserve prices.

Honest downside: Companion certificate is Main Cabin only, far less valuable than the Reserve's First Class cert.

Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve wins if

Pick this if Delta is your default airline and you would buy a Sky Club membership anyway.

Honest downside: 1x baseline earn is genuinely poor. Only makes sense if Delta is your dominant airline.

At a glance

Side-by-side spec sheet.

SpecAmex Delta SkyMiles PlatinumAmex Delta SkyMiles Reserve
Annual fee$350$650
Points currencyDelta SkyMilesDelta SkyMiles
Signup bonus75K miles plus 10K MQM60K miles plus 10K MQM
Top earn category3x on Delta and select hotels3x on Delta flights
Second earn category2x on dining and grocery (up to $5K)1x on everything else (weakest baseline)
Third earn category1x everywhere elseStandard 1x earn
Signature perkAnnual companion certificate good in Main Cabin (48 contiguous states)Delta Sky Club access plus Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
IssuerAmerican ExpressAmerican Express

Questions

Frequently asked.

Which is better, Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve?

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Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum wins if you fly Delta a few times a year and want the companion certificate without paying Reserve prices. Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve wins if delta is your default airline and you would buy a Sky Club membership anyway.

Can I have both the Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum and the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve?

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Both cards are issued by American Express, so the issuer's application rules apply. Many cardholders carry both if the perks don't overlap, but check your issuer's velocity rules before applying for two cards close together.

Which has the higher annual fee, Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve?

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Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve has the higher annual fee at $650, compared to $350 for Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum. Whether the pricier card is worth the difference depends on which credits and perks you use each year.