Delta SkyMiles® Reserve vs. SkyMiles® Platinum: Which Card Is Right for Your Travel Style?
5 Min Read | Last updated: June 4, 2026
Is Delta SkyMiles® Reserve or Platinum a better fit for you? See how these Delta SkyMiles® American Express cards compare on perks, annual fees, and premium travel benefits.
At-A-Glance
- The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card elevates the Delta experience with exclusive lounge access, faster Medallion® Status progress, free checked bags, and a higher-value companion certificate.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card offers strong travel perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and a companion certificate—all with a lower annual fee.
- The right choice depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you value premium travel experiences.
When you’re logging a lot of flights, you want a credit card that rewards you for your time in the air. Two of American Express’s frequent traveler Cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Card, offer plenty of ways for Card Members to earn miles and access quality traveling perks, but the one that works best for you could depend on how you like to fly.
Let’s take a look at some of the key differences between the two cards so that you can decide which one is better for you.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Key Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card provides premium benefits for travelers who want to relax in airport lounges, get closer to Medallion Status® to earn more upgrades, avoid checked bag fees, and more for a $650 annual fee.1
Some of the key benefits include:2
- 3X miles on Delta purchases
When reserving flights on Delta with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you earn 3X miles per dollar spent on your flight. On all other eligible purchases, you earn 1X miles. - Companion Certificate
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after Card renewal. 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. - MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
With the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, the MQD Headstart lets you start with 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) deposited into your card-linked SkyMiles account each Medallion Qualification Year. Plus, the MQD Boost allows you to earn 1 MQD every time you spend $10 on your Card. These allow you to fast-track your way to Medallion Status. Learn more about MQD Headstart and MQD Boost. - 15 Delta Sky Club® visits per Medallion® Year
Every year, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members get 15 complimentary visits to the Delta Sky Club. After you spend $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you get unlimited access. Plus, the Basic Card Member receives four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes per Medallion Year. Guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight and accompanied by the Basic Card Member to access the Delta Sky Club. - Complimentary Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
When you use your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card to fly with Delta, you can enter Centurion Lounges around the world free of charge. - $120 Rideshare Credit
Let your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card make your next trip more rewarding. With your $120 Rideshare Credit, earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after your first Card renewal when you use your Reserve Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. That’s up to $120 back annually. Enrollment required. - First Bag Free + Second Bag Free
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights globally for you and up to 8 travel companions in your reservation. Plus, as a Basic Card Member, you can check your second bag for free on domestic Delta flights.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Key Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is another excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers, with an annual fee of $350.3
Some of the highlight offerings are:4
- 3X miles on Delta purchases
As with the Delta Reserve, when you book directly, you earn 3X miles on Delta purchases. - 3X miles on hotels.
When you reserve a hotel stay using your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card, you earn 3X points for every dollar you spend on purchases made directly with hotels. - 2X miles on dining
Earn 2X miles at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. - 2X miles on groceries
Also earn 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets. - Companion Certificate
If you want to bring someone along on your trip, you get a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. Just pay for taxes and fees on their ticket. 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. - MQD Headstart and MQD Boost
Like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, the Delta Platinum Card comes with the MQD Headstart, so you start with 2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs). It also has an MQD Boost, which enables you to earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on your Card. - $120 Rideshare Credit
Get rewarded to and from the airport. After your first Card renewal, enroll and earn up to $10 in statement credits each month when using your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. That’s up to $120 back each year. Enrollment required. - First checked bag free + second bag free on Delta flights
Basic Card Members can check two bags for free on domestic Delta flights. If you are traveling with a guest on the same reservation, they can also check their first bag for free. - Zone 5 Priority Boarding
Board your flights earlier with Zone 5 Priority Boarding.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Reserve vs. Platinum
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | Delta SkyMiles Platinum | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $650 1 | $350 3 |
| Companion Certificate | First, Comfort, or Main (domestic + select nearby international) | Main only (domestic + select nearby international) |
| Lounge Access | 15 Sky Club visits per year (unlimited visits) after $75K spend + Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta | None |
| Medallion Status Boosts | $2,500 MQD Headstart + $1 MQD per $10 spent on purchases | $2,500 MQD Headstart + $1 MQD per $20 spent on purchases |
| Best For | Premium travelers seeking luxury and getting closer to Medallion Status | Frequent Delta flyers seeking value perks. Premium travelers seeking luxury and getting closer to Medallion Status |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Card benefits you more depends on your flying and rewards preferences. If you value lounge access, Medallion Status, and increased benefits for your Companion Certificate, you may prefer the Delta Reserve. If you value more opportunities to earn miles and don’t want to spend as much on an annual fee, you may prefer the Delta Platinum Card.
For some people, the Delta Reserve’s lounge access and faster status-building power are high priorities, so its benefits could be worth the higher fee. If you value premium flying amenities and convenience, you can access more with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card.
While both Cards offer a Companion Certificate each time a Card Member renews their Card, the Reserve Card allows your guest to join you in Delta First and Delta Comfort seating, whereas the Platinum Card only allows guests to sit in the main cabin.
The Takeaway
If you fly Delta frequently, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card can both help you earn miles and give you quality perks. For those who value more premium flying benefits, they might prefer the lounge access and allows you to get closer to Medallion Status than the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card provides. For those who want to focus on earning miles in a variety of ways, along with some nice benefits while they’re flying Delta, the Delta Skymiles Platinum Card might be a valuable choice.
Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles(R) American Express Cards today and see if there’s one that fits best for you.
1 For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
2 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
3 For more on Rates and Fees for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card, click here.
4 For more on Benefit and Offer Terms for the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Platinum Card, click here.
Scott Drueding Hanson is a content writer and copywriter based in Brooklyn. His work focuses primarily on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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