When you're looking at premium travel credit cards, two names consistently rise to the top: The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Both pack serious travel perks, but choosing between them depends entirely on your travel style and priorities.

If you're torn between these two powerhouses, you're not alone. We've broken down everything you need to know to make the smartest choice for your wallet and your wanderlust.

Quick Answer: Which Card Wins?

Choose the Amex Platinum if: You want maximum flexibility, fly multiple airlines, and love luxury travel perks across all aspects of your lifestyle.

Choose the Delta Reserve if: You're a Delta loyalist focused on earning elite status, want more Delta Sky Club access, and prioritize airline-specific benefits.

Now let's dive into the details that matter most.

Annual Fees: The Price of Premium

Both cards come with substantial annual fees, but the investment can pay off handsomely for frequent travelers:

• Amex Platinum: $695 per year
• Delta Reserve: $650 per year

That $45 difference might seem minimal, but when you factor in the vastly different benefit structures, every dollar counts toward your overall value calculation.

Welcome Bonuses: Starting Strong

Here's where things get interesting. The Amex Platinum currently offers welcome bonuses as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 in the first six months, though offers vary by applicant.

The Delta Reserve offers 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first six months (offer ends July 16, 2025).

Why this matters: Membership Rewards points transfer to multiple airline partners at 1:1 ratios, giving you incredible flexibility. Delta miles, while valuable, lock you into Delta's ecosystem and dynamic pricing structure.

Earning Rates: Every Dollar Counts

The earning structures couldn't be more different:

Amex Platinum

• 5x points on flights booked directly or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel
• 1x points on everything else

Delta Reserve

• 3x miles on Delta purchases
• 1x miles on all other purchases

The reality check: Based on current valuations, Delta miles are worth about 1.25 cents each, giving you only a 3.8% return on Delta purchases and 1.3% on everything else. You can definitely do better with other cards for everyday spending.

Lounge Access: Where You'll Spend Your Layovers

This is where both cards shine, but differently:

Amex Platinum

• Access to American Express Centurion Lounges
• Priority Pass Select membership
• Delta Sky Club access (10 visits when flying Delta)
• Access to over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries

Delta Reserve

• 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year when flying Delta
• Unlimited Delta Sky Club visits after spending $75,000 annually
• Four guest passes for Delta Sky Club each year
• Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta

Bottom line: If you want global lounge access regardless of which airline you fly, the Amex Platinum wins hands down. But if you're a Delta devotee who wants more Sky Club visits, the Delta Reserve delivers.

Travel Credits and Lifestyle Perks

Here's where the cards truly diverge:

Amex Platinum Perks

• Up to $200 annual Uber Cash ($15 monthly plus $20 in December)
• Up to $200 airline fee credit annually
• Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit
• $300 Equinox credit
• Up to $155 Walmart+ membership credit
• Up to $199 CLEAR Plus credit

Delta Reserve Perks

• $240 Resy dining credit (up to $20 monthly)
• $120 rideshare credit (up to $10 monthly)
• Annual companion certificate for domestic flights
• $2,500 MQD Headstart toward elite status
• MQD Boost: $1 MQD for every $10 spent
• First checked bag free on Delta flights

The lifestyle factor: The Amex Platinum caters to a luxury lifestyle beyond travel, while the Delta Reserve focuses almost exclusively on enhancing your Delta experience.

Elite Status Benefits

This is where Delta loyalists will find the Reserve particularly appealing:

The Delta Reserve offers MQD Headstart ($2,500 in Medallion Qualifying Dollars annually) and MQD Boost (earning $1 MQD for every $10 spent). This makes reaching Delta elite status significantly easier.

The Amex Platinum, meanwhile, provides Hilton Gold and Marriott Gold status automatically, plus elite status with multiple rental car companies.

The Flexibility Factor

Here's the crucial difference: Membership Rewards points from the Amex Platinum transfer to numerous airline and hotel partners, including Delta, Air France-KLM, British Airways, and more. This flexibility means you're never locked into one program's pricing or availability.

Delta miles, while valuable, tie you exclusively to Delta's award chart and dynamic pricing. Delta's dynamic pricing can make it frustrating to redeem Delta SkyMiles compared to transfer partners with fixed award charts.

Which Card Fits Your Travel Style?

Choose the Amex Platinum if you:

• Fly multiple airlines regularly
• Want maximum redemption flexibility
• Value luxury lifestyle perks beyond travel
• Travel internationally frequently
• Prefer having options over airline loyalty

Choose the Delta Reserve if you:

• Fly Delta almost exclusively
• Want to earn or maintain Delta elite status
• Value frequent Delta Sky Club access
• Primarily travel domestically
• Want airline-specific perks like companion certificates

The Bottom Line

Both cards can easily justify their annual fees for the right traveler. The Amex Platinum appeals to luxury travelers seeking flexibility and comprehensive travel benefits, while the Delta Reserve caters specifically to Delta enthusiasts who want to maximize their loyalty program benefits.

Our recommendation: If you're unsure about your airline loyalty, start with the Amex Platinum. Its transferable points and broader benefit structure provide more opportunities to extract value regardless of how your travel patterns evolve.

Remember, with both cards offering substantial welcome bonuses and Amex's one-bonus-per-lifetime rule, timing your application when bonuses are elevated is crucial.

Ready to maximize your airport experience? Consider pairing either card with a Priority Pass membership for even more lounge access options.

For more travel security, check out our guide on choosing the right travel insurance to protect your next adventure.

Looking to compare other premium cards? Read our detailed comparison of Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and discover the best credit cards for families.

Both cards require excellent credit for approval. Consider factors like your current credit card portfolio, spending patterns, and travel goals before applying.

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