{"id":44018,"date":"2026-10-02T23:51:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T23:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=44018"},"modified":"2026-10-02T23:51:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T23:51:41","slug":"premium-airline-cards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/premium-airline-cards\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta vs. United vs. American: Which Premium Airline Card Is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even if you fly just a few times each year, co-branded airline credit cards can provide benefits to help justify the annual fee. For many travelers, paying a sub-$100 annual fee for a free first checked bag and other savings<\/a> can make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n

Premium airline rewards credit cards take this a step further, with benefits that make it feel like you have top-tier elite status. In this post, we break down the welcome offers, earning potential, and key benefits of the premium Delta, American, and United credit cards.<\/p>\n

Comparing the major similarities and differences among these premium airline credit cards can help you decide which is right for you.<\/p>\n

Overview of the Best Premium Airline Credit Cards<\/span><\/h2>\n

With the constant changes to premium co-branded cards<\/a>, picking the best one can be challenging. There\u2019s significant overlap among their perks and benefits, but comparing the differences can have a big impact on which card provides the best long-term value.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve summarized each card in the table below, followed by a deeper analysis of key features. We'll cover lounge access, free checked baggage, travel protection, and perks to elevate your travel experience with each airline.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Benefits <\/th>United Club\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/th>Citi\u00ae<\/sup> \/ AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> Executive World Legend Mastercard\u00ae<\/sup><\/a>
\n<\/th>		Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/a>
\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Annual Fee<\/b><\/td>$695
\n (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/td>		$695
\n<\/td>		$650 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Authorized User Fee<\/b><\/td>$0 (Rates & Fees<\/a>)<\/td>$175 for the first three authorized users, then $175 each<\/td>$175 <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Welcome Offer<\/b><\/td>Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.<\/td>For a limited time, earn 125,000 American Airlines AAdvantage\u00ae<\/sup> bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases in the first 5 months of account opening.<\/td>Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11\/4\/2026.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bonus Earnings Toward Elite Status<\/b><\/td>Earn 1 PQP for every $15 spent (up to 28,000 PQP spent in a calendar year) <\/td>10,000 Loyalty Points boost after earning 50,000 Loyalty Points in a single year, and another 10,000 after earning 90,000 LP.<\/td>\u2022 2,500 MQDs head start each year
\n\u2022 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card each year<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lounge Access<\/b><\/td>\u2022 United Club (1 adult and dependent children under 18 years of age)
\n(Authorized users do not get their own membership)<\/td>		\u2022 Admirals Club (+ 2 guests or immediate family) (AU cardholders also get access via their own membership)<\/td>\u2022 Delta Sky Club\u00ae<\/sup> & international partner lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed\/operated flight
\n\u2022 4X one-time guest passes for complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club
\n\u2022\u00a0The Centurion Lounge - When flying a same-day Delta-marketed\/operated flight paid for with a U.S.-issued American Express rewards Card
\n
\nReserve Card members get 15 Delta Sky Club visits yearly. Spend $75,000+ on the card in a calendar year for unlimited visits - Learn more<\/a>.)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Free Checked Bags<\/b><\/td>\u2022 2 each for you and a companion on the same ticket
\n\u2022 Ticket must be purchased using this card to qualify for the benefit <\/td>		\u2022 Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 companions
\n\u2022 Adding your AAdvantage number to the reservation triggers the benefit<\/td>		\u2022 1 each for you and up to 8 companions on the same ticket
\n\u2022 Additional second free checked bag for cardholders on Delta domestic flights
\n\u2022 Adding your SkyMiles number to the reservation triggers the benefit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Companion Flight Ticket<\/b><\/td>N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td>\u2022 Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip companion certificate each year in Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main upon renewal of your Card
\n\u2022 Pay just taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Baggage Delay<\/b><\/td>\u2022 6 hours
\n\u2022 $100 day up to 3 days<\/td>		N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Auto Rental CDW<\/b><\/td>Primary coverage and provides reimbursement up to $60,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles with an MSRP of $125,000 or less.<\/td>Secondary in the U.S., primary outside the U.S. for up to $75K <\/td>Secondary up to $75K <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Additional Perks & Benefits<\/b><\/td>\u2022 Expanded award availability
\n\u2022 Premier Access (priority airport services)
\n\u2022 Close-in award fees waived
\n\u2022 Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets
\n\u2022Instacart+ Membership
\n\u2022 Various statement credits including rideshare, rental cars, and Instacart+
\n
\n
\n<\/td>		\u2022 Priority check-in, airport screening, and early boarding
\n\u2022 Up to $120 in annual credits with Avis and Budget on prepaid rentals
\n\u2022 Up to $120 in annual Lyft credits
\n\u2022 Up to $120 in annual Grubhub credits<\/td>		\u2022 Priority boarding
\n\u2022 Up to $200 Delta Stays credit annually
\n\u2022 Up to $120 Rideshare credit annually
\n\u2022 Up to $240 Resy credit annually<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n

*Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/span><\/h2>\n

Welcome offer<\/span><\/h3>\n

As Delta's top-tier consumer card, the Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/a> often has welcome offers to match. New applicants can earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, plus 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership (a 21+ day advance purchase is required and taxes and fees of up to $80 per person apply; offer ends 11\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n

Compared to other premium airline credit cards, the Delta Reserve has had some of the most varied offers over the years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Feature benefits and lounge access perks<\/span><\/h3>\n

Delta Reserve<\/a> cardholders receive complimentary Delta Sky Club\u00ae<\/sup> access when traveling same-day on Delta, plus four Delta Sky Club<\/a> one-time guest passes each year. After that, you can bring up to two guests for $50 per person, per visit. However, cardholders are limited to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year unless they spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year.<\/p>\n

\"the
Credit: Delta<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

You also receive a Delta Companion Certificate<\/a> each year after renewing the card. The certificate is valid for round-trip itineraries in Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main flights to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America. All you'll pay is the government-imposed taxes and fees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, you'll get priority boarding and a free checked bag for up to eight companions flying on the same reservation. The card also includes the following annual credits:<\/p>\n