Delta Platinum vs. Reserve: Best Delta Credit Card

When it comes to airline loyalty programs and rewards credit cards, Delta Airlines offers customers a vast portfolio of points-earning opportunities. In partnership with American Express, the airline offers partner cards ranging from entry-level to premium cards to match a variety of different spending and travel habits.

If you are a frequent Delta traveler then you may find that the best Delta Credit Cards for you are the Delta Platinum and the Delta Reserve. These premium Delta cards offer a variety of fantastic benefits that will allow you to access luxury travel benefits and points-earning potential. But you need to assess which one of these cards is best suited to you and whether the perks justify paying the annual fee.

In the article below, we will talk you through the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum SkyMiles Benefits and costs to help you make the right decision.

Comparison of Delta Reserve SkyMiles vs. Delta Platinum Benefits and Features

Delta Platinum SkyMiles Card Benefits – Annual Fee $350

· 85,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of opening your account. (This offer is open until 7/17/24.)

· Earn $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to elevated Status for the next Medallion Year

· Get a $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, getting you closer to the Medallion Status for the next Medallion Year quicker.

· 3x miles for each dollar you spend on eligible Delta purchases and stays booked directly with hotels.

· 2x miles on dining and spending at US supermarkets.

· 1x miles for each dollar spent on all other purchases.

· The first bag is checked free on Delta Flights (also available for up to eight travel companions.)

· 15% discount on your award redemption when booking Delta flights.

· Discount on access to the Delta Sky Club.

· Priority Boarding.

· 20% discount on in-flight purchases.

· $100 TSA Precheck or Global Entry statement credit every four years.

· Insurance on eligible Trip Delays.

· Annual companion certificate for a domestic, main cabin, and round-trip flight. (Awarded each year when you renew your card.)

Delta Reserve Card Benefits – Annual Fee is $650

· 95,000 bonus Delta miles after you spend $6,000 within the first six months of opening your account. (This offer is open until 7/17/24.)

· Earn 2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.

· 2x miles on all your Delta purchases.

· 1x miles for each dollar on all other participating purchases.

· Free first-checked bag on Delta flights (also available for up to 8 travel companions.)

· 15% discount on Delta flight award redemptions.

· Complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club

· Priority Boarding

· 20% discount on inflight purchases.

· Up to $100 statement credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry membership every four years.

· 2x Guest One-Time Passes for Sky Club.

· Access to Amex Centurion Lounges (when flying on Delta flights purchased with your Delta Reserve card.)

· Complimentary upgrades for non-SkyMiles elite members.

· Insurance on trip delays.

· Insurance for trip cancellations or interruptions.

· Annual Companion certification for a first-class domestic, main cabin, or Delta Comfort+ round trip when you renew your card.

As you can see from the breakdown above, these are two of the best Delta Credit Cards at the mid-level which allow you to access a variety of different travel perks and earn points quickly based on your spending rates.

The differences between the Delta Reserve and the Delta Platinum SkyMiles benefits concern increased airport lounge access and MQM earning opportunities. When deciding on the best option for you, you will have to weigh up the value of each of these benefits against the annual fee you will be paying each year.

Which Is a Better Fit For You? Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve

Below we will look in a little more detail at the welcome offers, mile-earning rates, and benefits of each offer to help you decide which are the best Delta credit cards for you.

Which Card Has the Best Welcome Offer?

American Express will only allow you to earn one welcome offer on each of its credit cards. These welcome offers can vary, so you need to make sure you are getting the most benefit when you apply. Fortunately, both the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum SkyMiles benefits are currently very generous.

Both cards offer 85,000 miles after you hit spending requirements within the first six months of opening your card account. However, you will need to spend an extra $2000 to unlock this bonus on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. These offers currently expire on July 17, 2024.

These points are worth approximately 1.1 cents when redeemed, so the value of 95,000 miles can be estimated as $1,045. This amount dwarfs the annual fees of both cards, so if you already comfortably spend these amounts on your current cards, this could be a great way to collect some discounts on your future flights.

Which Card Offers the Most Valuable Benefits to You?

There is quite a lot of overlap when it comes to Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum SkyMiles benefits. However, in keeping with its high annual fee, the Reserve card offers elevated perks and access.

Frequent travelers will appreciate the TSA Precheck and Global Entry credit available on both cards, as well as the free checked bag, priority boarding, and 20% discount on inflight purchases.

Both options also allow you to earn Medallion Qualification Miles which will help you to access higher perks through qualifying for elite SkyMiles status. If you spend the required amounts on your chosen card, these can be out towards earning Delta Platinum elite status, with a host of associated perks and benefits. The Reserve offers more opportunities to earn points here, so if elite status is important to you, then this could be a deciding factor.

The SkyMiles Reserve card offers enhanced airport lounge perks as well. When traveling on Delta flights you will be given unlimited access to the Delta Sky Club and you will also access two one-time guest passes each year. If you hold the Delta Platinum card you will only access discounted passes into Sky Club lounges and no free guest passes.

Which Card Allows You to Earn More Miles?

If you are looking to build up air miles quickly, then assessing which card matches your spending habits is important. Delta Platinum offers a wider range of points-earning opportunities rewarding you with 3x points for Delta flights and direct hotel bookings. You can also earn 2x miles for spending at US supermarkets, restaurants, and takeout.

The Delta Reserve has just one bonus spending category, rewarding you 3x miles for each dollar spent on Delta purchases.

Both flights offer 1x miles for all other purchases made with the card. So, here Platinum offers more flexibility when you are looking to build up your Delta AirMiles quickly.

Takeaway - Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Picking a Premium Card for Delta Perks

To decide which are the best Delta Credit cards for you, you need to assess the value of the perks and benefits that come with each annual fee. If you are going to make use of and value the additional SkyClub access available with the Delta Reserve, then this may be a better fit for you. The quicker path to elite status, when you hit spending requirements, may also make spending the $550 a valuable investment for you.

In contrast, Delta Platinum SkyMiles benefits give you more scope to build up your air miles with your everyday spending and be a better fit if your current travel schedule doesn’t justify paying the higher Reserve annual fee for elevated travel and airport perks.

Both the Delta Platinum and Reserve Cards offer fantastic perks for travelers which can help you make savings on your TSA membership, lounge access, and checked bags. The best fit for you will depend on what level of lounge access you want, and whether you travel enough to build up points quickly with the Reserve SkyMiles credit card.