Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Picking a premium card for Delta perks
Editor's Note
Delta Air Lines offers one of the most comprehensive credit card portfolios of any major airline, with entry-level, mid-tier and premium cards for consumers and businesses.
Frequent Delta flyers are going to spend plenty of time considering whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers enough premium benefits and value to justify paying their annual fees (see rates and fees of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve).
I'll look at how the mid-tier Delta Platinum card stacks up against the premium Delta Reserve to help you decide which card is right for you.
Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve comparison
| Feature | Delta Platinum | Delta Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership. |
| Annual fee | $350 (see rates and fees) | $650 (see rates and fees) |
| Earning rates | 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels
2 miles per dollar at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases | 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases |
| Baggage | First checked bag free on Delta flights (including up to eight companions) | First checked bag free on Delta flights (including up to eight companions) |
| Travel perks |
Enrollment required for select card benefits; terms apply |
Enrollment required for select card benefits; terms apply |
| Companion certificate | Domestic, Caribbean or Central American Main Cabin, round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card | Domestic, Caribbean or Central American first class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card |
| Status Boost | Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) for every $20 spent plus 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year | Earn 1 MQDs for every $10 spent plus 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year |
*Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.
Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve welcome offer
Since American Express only allows you to earn a welcome offer on each of its credit cards once per lifetime, you want to apply when the bonus is high. Luckily, the current offers on both the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve are compelling:
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in your first six months of card membership.
TPG September 2024 valuations peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, putting the Delta Platinum welcome offer at $720 and the Delta Reserve welcome offer at $840.
Winner: Delta Reserve. The slightly higher welcome offer gives this card the upper hand, and the minimum spending requirement is reasonable.
Related: The best time to apply for these Amex cards according to offer history
Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve benefits
As you can see in the chart, these two cards overlap on many benefits. Specifically, both cards include discounted Delta award redemptions when you book with your card, the first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on your reservation, priority boarding and 20% off inflight purchases.
Both cards also offer a MQD earning and status boost, but they differ here. The Delta Platinum card offers cardmembers 2,500 MQDs each Medallion qualification year, in addition to allowing cardmembers to earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent.
Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve offers the same 2,500 MQD headstart, but cardmembers earn a better 1 MQD for every $10 spent on their card.
The most notable difference between the card benefits is Delta Sky Club access. With the Delta Reserve, you'll receive unlimited access when traveling on same-day Delta-marketed flights.
However, beginning Feb. 1, 2025, visits will be capped at 15 day visits annually — unless the cardmember spends at least $75,000 in the previous calendar year, in which case they'll get unlimited access. Cardmembers also receive four one-time guest passes for Sky Club; after that, they'll be charged $50 per person per visit.
Both cards come with an annual companion certificate for flights to all 50 U.S. states, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The Delta Platinum's certificate is for a Main Cabin flight, while the Delta Reserve's can be used for first-class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin flights.
Additionally, statement credits on both cards offer cardmembers even more value. The Delta Reserve card includes an up to $240 annual Resy credit every calendar year (up to $20 monthly) at U.S. Resy restaurants, up to $120 annual ride-hailing credit each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with select U.S. providers and up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit each year for hotel bookings.
Delta Reserve cardmembers also receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle status. Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.
On the other hand, the Delta Platinum has slightly tapered down credits, such as an up to $120 Resy credit (up to $10 monthly) at U.S. Resy restaurants each calendar year, up to $120 ride-hailing credit every calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with select U.S. providers and up to $150 Delta Stays statement credit each year, along with Hertz Five Star status. Enrollment is required for select benefits, and terms apply.
Winner: Delta Reserve. Higher statement credits, lounge access, an improved companion certificate and a better MQD earning rate give this card the lead.
Related: How to get upgraded on Delta
Earning miles with the Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
The Delta Reserve has one bonus category: Delta purchases. As a cardmember, you'll earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
The Delta Platinum, on the other hand, offers a much wider range of bonus opportunities. Cardmembers earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases and on direct hotel purchases, as well as 2 miles per dollar on dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets.
Additionally, cardmembers earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Winner: Delta Platinum. The card offers additional earning categories over the Delta Reserve.
Related: 16 ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles
Redeeming miles with the Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
SkyMiles earned from both the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cards can be used toward travel on Delta flights and that of partner airlines, including Air France-KLM, Saudia Airlines and Korean Air, as well as nonalliance partners.
However, Delta uses a dynamic award pricing system, so redemption rates fluctuate greatly.
The Delta SkyMiles program still has some sweet spots, including SkyMiles deals. These flash sales offer impressive discounts on Delta-operated economy flights and even, at times, Delta One awards.
Award tickets booked and paid for using a Delta cobranded card also receive a 15% discount on the mileage cost.
Winner: Tie as both cards redeem miles in the same way.
Should I get the Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve?
When comparing a premium rewards card to a non-premium card, the biggest question is whether the increased annual fee is worth it for the extra benefits you receive. If you're willing to pay a higher annual fee for Sky Club access and a faster path to elite status, the Delta Reserve is your better choice. If you want more bonus-earning categories and a lower annual fee, go with the Delta Platinum.
How to switch from the Delta Platinum to the Delta Reserve
Most card issuers allow upgrades within the same family of credit cards. This can be a great option for someone looking for additional perks without the hard inquiry accompanying an application for a new product.
To upgrade from the Delta Platinum to the Delta Reserve card, call the customer service number on the back of your card. However, you should think very carefully before doing this. By upgrading, you'd be forgoing a welcome bonus on the Delta Reserve.
It may be worth waiting for an upgrade offer on the Delta Platinum before switching. If you'd like to go the opposite path with a downgrade, you can change the Delta Reserve to the Delta Platinum by calling the number on the back of your card.
Read more: The ultimate guide to credit card upgrades
Bottom line
As you can see, the two cards have several overlapping benefits. However, the cards have some significant differences — the biggest ones involving lounge access, a better companion certificate and higher statement credits on the Delta Reserve.
Which card is better for you will come down to whether you'll get enough value from the Delta Reserve's benefits to justify paying its higher annual fee or prefer the lower annual fee of the Delta Platinum and its better earning rates.
To learn more, read our full reviews of the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve.
Related: Delta Gold Amex vs. Delta Platinum Amex
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, click here.