Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Which card is ideal for Delta enthusiasts?
If you’re seeking the ultimate benefits a credit card offers for frequent Delta travelers, you might think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the best choice, as it’s the premier co-branded Delta consumer card.
Yet, it’s important to compare this card with The Platinum Card® from American Express to find out which is the top card for Delta fliers.
I’ll explore both of these cards to assist you in choosing the right one as you plan your upcoming journeys.
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Comparison of Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve
| Amex Platinum | Delta Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in purchases in your first six months of card membership. You might be targeted for a higher offer through the CardMatch tool. Offers may change at any time, and you may not be targeted for the same offer as another person. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. |
| Earning rates | 5 points per dollar 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)
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel 1 point per dollar on everything else | 3 miles per dollar on eligible purchases with Delta
1 mile per dollar on everything else |
| TPG's August 2024 valuation | 2 cents each | 1.15 cents each |
| Annual fee | $695 (see rates and fees) | $650 (see rates and fees) |
| Lounge access | Access to many lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including:
Enrollment required for select card benefits; terms apply | Access to Delta Sky Club lounges (changes coming in February 2025)*
Four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club upon account opening and each year upon account renewal (when flying Delta), then $50 per person per visit Access to Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta) Enrollment required for select card benefits; terms apply |
| Other standout benefits |
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*Starting February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will be granted 10 visits annually to the Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go when flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
**You must enroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program.
Welcome bonus for Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum currently provides a welcome bonus of 80,000 points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
According to TPG's August 2024 valuations, Membership Rewards points are valued at 2 cents each, making this welcome bonus equivalent to $1,600.
DinogoThe Delta Reserve currently grants 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership.
TPG's valuations estimate Delta miles at 1.2 cents each, so this welcome bonus totals $840 in value.
Winner: Amex Platinum. The welcome offer has a higher value, and the card accrues transferable points that can be used with various airline and hotel partners, including Delta.
Benefits of Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Though it comes with several valuable perks, the sole Delta-specific advantage of the Amex Platinum is unlimited access to Delta Sky Club lounges while flying Delta.
However, this access will be restricted to 10 visits per calendar year starting February 1, 2025, unless you spent at least $75,000 in the prior calendar year. Cardmembers can also bring up to two guests at a fee of $50 each per visit.
As anticipated, the Delta Reserve provides numerous Delta-specific benefits, beginning with access to Delta Sky Club lounges. Cardmembers currently enjoy unlimited complimentary access when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flights.
Additionally, cardmembers receive four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta) and can bring guests for $50 each per visit.
Starting February 1, 2025, cardmembers will be allowed 15 visits to Delta Sky Club lounges each calendar year, which is five more than the Amex Platinum—unless they spent at least $75,000 in the prior year.
CLINT HENDERSON/DinogoYou will also enjoy complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta with a ticket booked on the Delta Reserve. You can bring up to two guests into the Centurion Lounge for a fee of $50 each.
The Amex Platinum provides unlimited access to Centurion Lounges, regardless of the airline you choose to fly.
Delta Reserve benefits encompass several statement credits and complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. These statement credits include:
- Receive up to $240 in annual Resy credits each calendar year (up to $20 per month) for dining at U.S. restaurants
- Enjoy up to $120 in annual ride-hailing credits each year (up to $10 per month) with select U.S. providers. (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).
- Get up to $200 in Delta Stays statement credits for hotel bookings each calendar year
Additional Delta-specific benefits include:
- First checked bag free: The first checked bag is free on Delta flights for you and up to eight travel companions on your reservation
- Priority boarding
- Annual companion certificate: Valid for one round-trip first-class, Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin companion ticket when you cover the taxes and fees on the award ticket and purchase an adult round-trip to any of the 50 U.S. states, Central America, or the Caribbean
- Inflight purchase discount: 20% off eligible pre-purchased meals and inflight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages, and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights, issued as a statement credit
Enrollment is necessary for select benefits; terms apply.
ZACH GRIFF/DinogoA key benefit of the Delta Reserve is the MQD Headstart, which awards cardmembers 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the beginning of the year, plus the ability to earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent using the card.
This benefit is quite impressive and significantly aids in achieving or maintaining elite status with Delta.
Winner: Delta Reserve. As its cobranded nature suggests, the Delta Reserve provides many more Delta-specific perks compared to the Amex Platinum.
It's also worth noting that some benefits of the Delta Reserve are available on the lower-fee Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (refer to rates and fees).
Comparing rewards earned with the Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum earns 5 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or via American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 in purchases annually, then 1 point per dollar) and on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com.
According to TPG's August 2024 valuations, this translates to an impressive 10% return on your spending.
You will also receive 1 Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases, resulting in a 2% return.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGESThe Delta Reserve earns 3 Delta miles per dollar on Delta purchases, yielding a return of 3.6% based on TPG's valuations. For all other purchases, you earn 1 mile per dollar, providing a return of just 1.2%.
Winner: Amex Platinum. The return rate of the Delta Reserve is not competitive, even on Delta purchases. The Amex Platinum outperforms the Delta Reserve for both Delta and everyday spending.
Comparing reward redemption with the Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve
The Amex Platinum earns American Express Membership Rewards points. You'll maximize the value of your Membership Rewards points by transferring them to one of 21 travel partners and redeeming them through the partner for flights or hotel stays. Although there are other redemption options, they offer less value than TPG's September 2024 valuation of Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each.
TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed recently utilized Aeroplan's distance and region-based award chart to secure a lie-flat business-class seat on Turkish Airlines for 45,000 points from Barcelona to Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Air Canada Aeroplan is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards.
The Delta Reserve earns Delta miles, which can be tricky to redeem due to dynamic award pricing. However, there are still excellent opportunities to maximize value from Delta miles, such as Delta's regular flash sales.
DARREN MURPH/DinogoYou can also redeem Delta miles to upgrade your class of service. There are excellent opportunities for flying with international partner airlines using SkyMiles. All SkyTeam partners, like Air France and Korean Air, can be used for award redemptions, along with some non-alliance partners.
Winner: Amex Platinum. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to 18 airline partners and three hotel partners, including Delta, offering significantly more flexibility in how you use your rewards.
Should I choose the Amex Platinum or the Delta Reserve?
Overall, the Amex Platinum is typically the better option for Delta travelers, thanks to its higher earning potential on Delta purchases and broader benefits. However, if your primary goal is achieving Delta elite status, the Delta Reserve is definitely worth considering.
Final thoughts
The Delta Reserve is the ideal option for dedicated Delta frequent flyers. It’s worth considering if you’ll greatly benefit from the companion certificate received annually after your account anniversary and other Delta-centric perks, like a faster route to elite status.
On the other hand, if you prefer access to Delta lounges, entry into Centurion and partner lounges, and the chance to earn versatile Membership Rewards points, the Amex Platinum is the better fit for you.
For more details, check out our comprehensive reviews of the Amex Platinum and the Delta Reserve.
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