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If you're a Delta frequent flyer and you enjoy visiting the Delta Sky Club® before your flight, you know how expensive and difficult it is to access these premium lounges. Although Delta stopped selling lounge day passes years ago, you can still access a Sky Club in several ways, even if you're flying economy.
Two personal
So, which one is better for you? Let's compare them.
Platinum Card® vs. Delta Reserve at a Glance
First, let's look at each card's core benefits side by side:
| Benefit | Amex Platinum | Delta Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 (Rates & Fees) | $650 (Rates & Fees) |
| Earning on Delta flights | 5X Membership Rewards points | 3X Delta SkyMiles |
| Base Delta Sky Club visits | 10 per Medallion Year | 15 per Medallion Year, plus four guest passes |
| Centurion Lounge Access | Yes, on any airline | Yes, when flying Delta on a ticket booked with the card |
| Companion certificate | No | Yes, each year after renewal |
| Medallion status boost | No | 2,500 MQDs each year, plus 1 MQD per $10 spent |
| Free checked bag on Delta | No | Yes |
| Authorized user fee | $195 for each additional Platinum Card® for Authorized Users | $175 for each additional Delta Reserve |
$895Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
$650Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
As you can see, both cards cost a lot to keep in your wallet each year. However, each offers statement credits that can help cover some (or all) of the annual fees in addition to limited access to Sky Clubs. And as you'd expect, the Delta co-branded card comes with more opportunities to earn Delta status than the Platinum Card®.
Welcome Offer
The Platinum Card® offers the following welcome offer:
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.Meanwhile, the Delta Reserve offers the following welcome offer:
You may be eligible for as high as 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.To evaluate each offer, it helps to understand the value of a Membership Rewards point versus a Delta SkyMiles. On average, AwardWallet users redeem Membership Rewards points for 2.06¢ per point, while Delta SkyMiles average 1.41¢ per mile.
That's a substantial difference in value, which can significantly affect the overall value of a sign-up bonus. At those values, the top Platinum Card® offer is worth about roughly 4X the Delta Reserve offer.
Winner: Platinum Card®
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 08/2026.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 60+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to The Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Whatever the occasion, choose from our two signature collections of premium hotels, curated to inspire and excite you when you book through Amex Travel™: Fine Hotels + Resorts® is a collection of over 1,900 luxury hotels that are destinations unto themselves and the Hotel Collection includes over 1,400 upscale hotels in desirable destinations.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
Annual Fee
The Platinum Card® has a $895 annual fee (Rates & Fees), while the Delta Reserve charges $650 to keep the card (Rates & Fees).
The main takeaway is that both cards are premium credit card offerings. As a result, their annual fees reflect that. The rest of the post evaluates each card's value relative to that annual fee, but ultimately, the Delta Reserve is less expensive.
Winner: Delta Reserve
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card during a calendar year. Reserve Card Members can also enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounges when you book your Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases.
- Global Dining Access by Resy gives you special access to sought-after U.S. Resy restaurants when you add your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from Resy.com or the Resy app.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment Required.
- Check your first bag for free on Delta flights worldwide and get a second bag free when flying domestically.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Rewards Earning
Both cards offer bonus points on certain spending categories. The Platinum Card® offers the following:
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
On the contrary, the Delta Reserve earns the following miles for spending:
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
The key takeaway is that it's better to buy Delta tickets on the Platinum Card®, even when you hold Delta's most premium credit card. Plus, neither card offers many bonus points in other categories, and only the Platinum Card® rewards 5X Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
That makes both cards poor choices for everyday spending, but one important detail to consider: Delta status. With the Delta Reserve, you'll earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) on spending, which you'll need to earn Medallion status each year.
Still, the higher-earning credit card wins.
Winner: Platinum Card®
Statement Credits
With the hefty annual fee, cardholders hope to recoup their costs, and more, with card benefits. One way to do so is through the card's statement credits.
The Platinum Card® offers the following statement credits each year:
- Up to $400 with Resy ($100 per quarter).
- Up to $600 ($300 semi-annually) on Lodging Credit, valid on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts®, The Hotel Collection, and Airbnb Luxe bookings through American Express Travel®. Starting January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the credit.
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December) and up to $120 for Uber One annually.
- Up to $200 in airline fee credit per calendar year with one selected airline.
- Up to $300 per year ($25 per month) in Digital Entertainment Credits.
- $300 per year ($75 per quarter) at Lululemon.
- Up to $300 per year towards Equinox or Equinox+ membership.
- Up to $219 per year towards CLEAR+ membership.
- Up to $155 per year towards Walmart+ ($12.95 per month, plus taxes and fees).
- Up to $200 per year towards Oura Ring purchases.
- Up to $120 waived on TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry fees (every 4 years).
All in, that's roughly $3,000 per year in annual value, if you can use them all.
The Delta Reserve offers a pared-down list of its own:
- Up to $240 with Resy ($20 per month).
- Up to $200 per year on Delta Stays.
- Up to $120 per year ($10 per month) on select rideshare providers.
- Up to $120 waived on TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry fees (every 4 years).
Keep in mind, credits valid monthly or quarterly can't roll over to the next period. They are “use-it-or-lose-it,” and tracking all the credits has become a part-time job for some. Still, if many of the credits save you money on things you'd spend on anyway, they're a good way to recoup some of the annual fees.
Winner: Platinum Card®
Lounge Access
Delta Sky Clubs
Since Delta flyers are the target market, Sky Club access is likely a major reason to choose either card. The Platinum Card® offers 10 complimentary Sky Club visits each year, while the Delta Reserve offers 15 per year. Each visit is good for 24 hours, so in theory, it could cover a longer trip with multiple segments. Guests are $50 per visit, up to two per visit with the Platinum Card®, while the Delta Reserve offers four free guests per year, then $50 per guest thereafter.
You can earn unlimited Sky Club visits with either card. You'll need to spend $75,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Keep in mind, Sky Clubs are notoriously busy and can sometimes have wait times. This can take some of the allure away from Sky Club access, and defeats the purpose of a convenient, stress-free place to wait before your flight.
Centurion Lounges
Centurion Lounges have sprouted up at dozens of airports worldwide. As the first credit card company to build dedicated lounges, Amex was ahead of what the market craved.
With the Platinum Card®, you'll enjoy complimentary Centurion Lounge access, no matter which airline you're flying. Guests are $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 to 17. You'll enjoy two free guests after $75,000 in purchases in a calendar year.
The Delta Reserve allows for Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta on a flight purchased with the card. Guests are $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2 to 17.
Other Lounges
Each card allows for unlimited Escape Lounge access (though Delta Reserve need to be flying Delta, on a ticket purchased with the card). Both cards allow for up to two complimentary guests.
The Platinum Card® offers access to the overall Global Lounge Collection®, which including Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Based on access alone, it's safe to say which card wins here. Still, if you're only interested in Sky Clubs, the Delta Reserve could win out thanks to additional complimentary visits each year.
Winner: Platinum Card®
Delta Travel Benefits
This category is lopsided, as you'd expect when one card is a co-branded Delta card. The Delta Reserve includes:
- A Companion certificate: Each year after you renew, you receive a certificate for a companion's round-trip ticket in Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main when you buy one ticket for yourself. Valid regions include the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. You'll pay taxes and fees on the companion ticket. Delta Main Basic fares aren't eligible.
- Free checked bags: Your first checked bag is free on all Delta flights, and a second bag is free on domestic flights.
- 15% off award flights: The discount applies to Delta-operated flights booked with miles on delta.com or in the Fly Delta app.
- Upgrades: Cardholders without Medallion status are added to the complimentary upgrade list after Medallion members (good luck!). Cardholders with status also get priority over other members in the same Medallion tier and fare.
- Boarding and inflight savings: Zone 5 priority boarding and 20% back on inflight food and drink purchases.
The companion certificate is a solid benefit. On a first-class round trip costing $650 or more, a single certificate covers the Delta Reserve annual fee. Keep in mind that it arrives after your first renewal date.
The Platinum Card® has no Delta-specific perks beyond Sky Club visits. However, you can apply its $200 airline fee credit to Delta for checked bags and seat fees.
Medallion Status
The Delta Reserve is the only card of the two that helps you earn Medallion status. You receive 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each qualification year through MQD Headstart, and you earn 1 MQD for every $10 you spend on the card through MQD Boost. So, to earn Medallion status without flying, you'll need to spend, after the Headstart:
- Silver: $25,000
- Gold: $75,000
- Platinum: $125,000
- Diamond: $255,000
Obviously, there's no need to earn Delta status if you aren't flying Delta at least somewhat regularly. If you buy a couple of Delta One tickets each year, holding the card is a great way to fast-track your elite status.
Winner: Delta Reserve
Other Travel Benefits
Away from the airport, the Platinum Card® also offers solid benefits. It includes Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite and Hilton Honors™ Gold Status, access to Fine Hotels + Resorts, and rental car status with Hertz (President's Circle), Avis (Preferred), and National (Emerald Club Executive). The Delta Reserve includes Hertz President's Circle status, but no hotel status.
Travel protections are fairly equal. Both cards include trip delay insurance of up to $500 per trip for delays of more than six hours, plus trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $10,000 per trip ($20,000 max per 12 months).
One difference is baggage insurance. The Platinum Card® insures carry-on bags up to $3,000 per person in losses, while the Delta Reserve offers only $1,250. Checked bags for Platinum Card® are insured up to $2,000 per person, while the Delta Reserve offers only $500 in coverage.
Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.
Winner: Platinum Card®
Should You Carry Both Cards?
Some use cases support holding both cards. Sky Club visits from the two cards can stack, so holding both gives you 25 visits per year, plus the Delta Reserve‘s four guest passes.
The annual fees total more than $1,500, though. That could make sense for travelers who visit Sky Clubs more than 15 times a year and can use most of the credits on both cards. For everyone else, one card that matches your travel style is probably enough.
Bottom Line
For travelers who fly nearly all Delta, the Delta Reserve is the stronger card at a lower price. If Delta is your main airline but not your only one, the Platinum Card® delivers more value throughout your travel year. To see how the Delta Reserve compares with the rest of the lineup, read our guide to Delta
$650Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
$895Rates & Fees
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees)
