{"id":36848,"date":"2026-02-25T20:38:03","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T20:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/delta-platinum-vs-delta-reserve-which-should-you-choose\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T20:38:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T20:38:03","slug":"delta-platinum-vs-delta-reserve-which-should-you-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/delta-platinum-vs-delta-reserve-which-should-you-choose\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve: Which should you choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Delta Air Lines<\/span> offers one of the most comprehensive credit card portfolios<\/span> of any major airline. It features entry-level, mid-tier and premium cards for consumers and businesses.<\/p>\n

When it comes to considering benefits and value, some Delta flyers may be stuck between the mid-tier Delta SkyMiles\u00ae Platinum American Express Card<\/span> at a $350 annual fee (see rates and fees<\/span>) or the premium Delta SkyMiles\u00ae Reserve American Express Card<\/span> with its $650 annual fee (see rates and fees<\/span>).<\/p>\n

Dive into this guide to take a look at how two cards stack up and help you decide which card is right for you.<\/p>\n

Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve comparison<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nDelta Platinum<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\nDelta Reserve<\/span><\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
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Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles after meeting two spending thresholds:<\/p>\n
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  • Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership<\/li>\n
  • Plus, earn 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership (for a total of $6,000 in spending to earn the entire bonus)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Offer ends April 1<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n

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Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles after meeting two spending thresholds:<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership<\/li>\n
  • Plus, earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership (for a total of $9,000 in spending to earn the entire bonus)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Offer ends April 1<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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$350<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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$650<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels worldwide<\/li>\n
  • 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and at U.S. supermarkets<\/li>\n
  • 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n

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<\/p>\n
    \n
  • 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases<\/li>\n
  • 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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First checked bag free on Delta flights (including up to eight companions)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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First checked bag free on Delta flights (including up to eight companions)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Complimentary access to the Delta upgrade list for cardmembers<\/span> who are not SkyMiles Medallion Members for Delta One (within the 50 United States), Delta First, Delta Premium Select (within the 50 United States) and Delta Comfort+ after Delta Reserve, Delta SkyMiles\u00ae Reserve Business American Express Card<\/span> and Medallion Members<\/li>\n
  • Complimentary Hertz Five-Star status*<\/li>\n
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees<\/span>)<\/li>\n
  • Travel protections<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Up to $150 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year<\/li>\n
  • Up to $120 annual Resy statement<\/span> credit each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with select U.S. providers<\/span><\/li>\n
  • $120 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4\u00bd years<\/li>\n
  • 20% off inflight purchases in the form of statement credits<\/li>\n
  • 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and fees with this card)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Enrollment is required for select card benefits.<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n

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<\/p>\n
    \n
  • Access to Amex Centurion Lounges (when flying Delta and booking your flight with the Delta Reserve)<\/li>\n
  • Access to Delta Sky Club lounges (15 visits each Medallion year, unless you spend $75,000 in a calendar year to unlock unlimited access)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status*<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Four one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta) each Medallion year, then $50 per person per visit<\/li>\n
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees<\/span>)<\/li>\n
  • Travel protections<\/li>\n
  • Up to $240 annual Resy statement credit each calendar year (up to $20 monthly) for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Up to $200 Delta Stays statement credit per calendar year<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Up to $120 ride-hailing statement credit each calendar year (up to $10 monthly) with select U.S. providers<\/span><\/li>\n
  • $120 statement credit for Global Entry every 4 years or up to $85 for TSA PreCheck every 4\u00bd years<\/li>\n
  • 20% off inflight purchases in the form of statement credits<\/li>\n
  • 15% off award redemptions for Delta flights (when paying taxes and fees with this card)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Enrollment is required for select card benefits.<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Receive a companion certificate each year after you renew your card for a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Receive a companion certificate each year after you renew your card for a Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Earn 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar for every $20 spent, plus receive 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Earn 1 MQD for every $10 spent, plus 2,500 MQDs toward status qualification at the start of the Medallion Qualification year<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

*Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.<\/em><\/p>\n

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Delta Platinum vs. Delta Reserve welcome offer<\/h2>\n

Since American Express only allows you to earn a welcome offer on each of its credit cards once in a lifetime<\/span>, you want to apply when the bonus is high.<\/p>\n

Luckily, the current elevated offers on both the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve are compelling:<\/p>\n

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