Choosing the right premium travel credit card can significantly impact your travel experience and rewards strategy. Two of the top contenders in this space are the American Express Platinum Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

Both cards offer luxury travel perks, valuable rewards, and premium experiences, but they cater to different types of travelers. This article provides a detailed comparison to help you decide which card aligns best with your travel habits.

The target audience for this comparison includes frequent travelers who seek elite benefits, including lounge access, airline perks, and travel rewards.

Welcome Bonus Showdown

A card’s welcome bonus can provide significant upfront value, making it a key factor in choosing the right card.

Amex Platinum

• Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
• Spending Requirement: Typically requires a high spend within the first three to six months.
• Potential Value: Membership Rewards points can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, or transfers to airline partners, making them highly flexible and valuable for frequent travelers.

Delta Reserve

• Current Welcome Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
• Spending Requirement: Often has a lower spending requirement than the Amex Platinum.
• Potential Value: Delta SkyMiles are best used for Delta flights, making this card more beneficial for loyal Delta travelers.

Which offers more immediate value?

• The save-you-money">cards-can-save-you-money">credit-cards/american-express-platinum-card">Amex Platinum provides greater versatility with transferable points.
• The Delta Reserve delivers direct airline benefits, ideal for Delta flyers.

Annual Fee Analysis

Both cards come with high annual fees, but the perks can justify the cost depending on your travel needs.

Amex Platinum

• Annual Fee: $695
• Justification: Extensive travel credits (Uber, hotel, airline fee, etc.), lounge access, and luxury perks make it worth the price for frequent travelers.

Delta Reserve

• Annual Fee: $650
• Justification: Best for Delta loyalists due to companion certificates, lounge access, and elite status perks.

Which is better?

• The Amex Platinum justifies its higher fee with more diverse travel perks.
• The Delta Reserve is better for those who primarily fly Delta.

Earning Rate Comparison

Amex Platinum

• 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel.
• 5X on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel.
• 1X on all other purchases.
• Point Flexibility: Amex points can be transferred to airlines and hotels, offering great value.

Delta Reserve

• 3X Delta SkyMiles on Delta purchases.
• 1X on all other purchases.
• Mile Value: Best for those who book Delta flights often.

Who earns more?

• The Amex Platinum is superior for general travelers due to its higher rewards rates and flexible points.
• The Delta Reserve is best only if you prioritize Delta flights.

Lounge Access: A Premium Perk

Amex Platinum

• Centurion Lounge access (exclusive lounges worldwide).
• Priority Pass Select membership (over 1,300 lounges globally).
• Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta).
• Overall Value: Best for global travelers who want diverse lounge options.

Delta Reserve

• Unlimited Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta).
• 2 complimentary guest passes per year.
• Overall Value: Best for Delta loyalists who prefer Sky Clubs.

Which is superior?

• Amex Platinum wins with more lounge options.
• Delta Reserve is ideal only if you frequently fly Delta.

Delta Reserve Perks

• Companion Certificate: Get a free domestic First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin ticket each year.
• Free Checked Bag & Priority Boarding: This saves money and time.
• Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) Boost: Helps you achieve elite Delta status faster.

Who benefits the most?

• Frequent Delta flyers who want elite status and extra perks.

Amex Platinum's Diverse Benefits

Key Perks

• $200 Airline Fee Credit: This covers baggage fees and incidentals.
• $200 Uber Credit: Monthly Uber Cash for rides or food delivery.
• $100 Saks Credit: Luxury shopping credit.
• Hotel Elite Status: Automatic Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold status.
• Fine Hotels & Resorts Benefits: Upgrades, early check-in, and more at premium hotels.

Who benefits the most?

• Travelers who want luxury perks beyond just flights.

Choosing the Right Card: Recommendations

Amex Platinum: Best For

✅ Travelers who want luxury benefits across multiple airlines and hotels.

✅ Those who value lounge access beyond just Delta.

✅ People who maximize travel credits and elite status.

Delta Reserve: Best For

✅ Loyal Delta flyers who maximize SkyMiles.

✅ Travelers seeking Delta Medallion status.

✅ Those who value a free companion ticket each year.

Scenarios

• If you travel with different airlines and want luxury perks → Amex Platinum.
• If you fly Delta often and want elite benefits → Delta Reserve.
• If you want the best lounge access possible → Amex Platinum.
• If you value Delta-specific perks like upgrades and companion tickets → Delta Reserve.

Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureAmex PlatinumDelta ReserveWelcome Bonus80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months (as of 2025)60,000 Delta SkyMiles after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months (as of 2025)Annual Fee$695$650Earning Rates5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel 
5x on prepaid hotels via Amex Travel 
1x on other purchases3x miles on Delta purchases 
1x on all other spendingLounge AccessAccess to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta), Priority Pass, and moreAccess to Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge (when flying Delta)Delta BenefitsN/AFree checked bag, priority boarding, annual companion certificate, MQD boostsOther Travel PerksUp to $200 airline fee credit, $200 Uber Cash, $100 Saks credit, Fine Hotels & Resorts benefitsCompanion certificate for domestic, Caribbean, and Central America flightsElite Status PerksMarriott Bonvoy Gold & Hilton Honors GoldMQD Waiver & Status Boost toward Delta Medallion StatusBest ForLuxury travelers, frequent flyers who want flexibility, and those who value premium perksDelta loyalists, frequent Delta flyers, and those aiming for Medallion Status

Both cards offer valuable travel benefits, but the best choice depends on your travel habits.

Key Takeaways

🔹 The credit-cards/american-express-platinum-card">Amex Platinum is best for luxury travelers who want flexibility, premium perks, and broad lounge access.

🔹 The Delta Reserve is ideal for frequent Delta flyers who maximize SkyMiles and Delta-specific perks.

Before choosing, evaluate your travel habits and decide whether you prioritize luxury perks or airline loyalty.