Amex Platinum vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve
The Delta Reserve costs $245 less ($650 against $895) and is built for people who fly Delta. It brings a Companion Certificate valid in First, Comfort or Main, 15 Sky Club visits a year, and a free first checked bag. The Platinum earns more Membership Rewards points, 5× on flights with any airline and prepaid hotels on Amex Travel against the Reserve’s 3× on Delta only, and its points transfer to Delta and other airlines. On the default spend below the Platinum comes out ahead even after the higher fee, though the gap narrows once you count each card’s credits. The Reserve is the better deal when you would use the certificate and lounge visits every year.
Which card earns more on your spending?
Enter what you spend in a typical month. We estimate a year of rewards on each card, after its annual fee.
Estimated rewards per year, after the annual fee
Amex Platinum Wins on your numbers
5× flights on any airline, 5× prepaid hotels on Amex Travel
+$185
Rewards $1,080 · Fee −$895
Delta Reserve
3× Delta purchases, 1× everything else
−$261
Rewards $389 · Fee −$650
Amex Platinum comes out ahead by $446 a year on these numbers.
No single amount flips this: Amex Platinum stays ahead however you change any one box.
How we estimate
- Points are valued at The Points Guy’s October 2026 figures: Amex Membership Rewards 2¢, Chase Ultimate Rewards (Sapphire and Ink Preferred) 2.05¢, Citi ThankYou (Strata Premier and Elite) 1.9¢, Capital One 1.85¢, Bilt 2.2¢, SkyMiles 1.2¢ and Hilton points 0.4¢. Cash back is valued at 1¢, and so are Chase Freedom, no-fee Citi Strata and Double Cash points on their own; pooled with a premium card in the same program they are worth that program’s value.
- Net is a year of rewards minus the annual fee. Credits count only when you turn them on, and only the ones listed under each card.
- Welcome bonuses are left out so the numbers reflect an ordinary year.
- Amex Platinum: 5× flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (first $500,000 a year), 5× prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, 1× else. Delta Reserve: 3× on Delta purchases, 1× else.
- Membership Rewards points are valued at 2¢ and SkyMiles at 1.2¢, The Points Guy’s October 2026 values. Delta prices awards dynamically, so SkyMiles vary the most.
- Companion Certificates, Sky Club visits, bag fees and MQD Boost are not counted. Credits are off until you turn them on; Priority Pass is counted at $100.
- Earn rates checked with issuers in October 2026. Offers change, so confirm terms with the issuer before you apply. Educational estimate, not financial advice.
- Point values from The Points Guy’s October 2026 valuations.
Two cards are only part of the picture. Take these amounts to the full calculator to see which wallet wins across all your spending, including cards you already hold.
Compare every card on your spending →{"a":{"key":"amex-platinum","name":"Amex Platinum","fee":895,"cpp":0.02,"base":1,"earn":[{"inputs":["airfare","otherair"],"rate":5,"cap":500000,"above":1},{"inputs":["portal"],"rate":5}],"creditItems":[{"key":"hotel","name":"$600 hotel credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts or Hotel Collection)","value":600},{"key":"airline","name":"$200 airline fee credit","value":200},{"key":"uber","name":"$200 Uber Cash","value":200},{"key":"resy","name":"$400 Resy and dining credit","value":400},{"key":"entertainment","name":"$300 digital entertainment credit","value":300},{"key":"clear","name":"$219 CLEAR+ credit","value":219},{"key":"lululemon","name":"$300 lululemon credit","value":300},{"key":"equinox","name":"$300 Equinox credit","value":300},{"key":"oura","name":"$200 Oura Ring credit","value":200},{"key":"walmart","name":"$155 Walmart+ credit","value":155},{"key":"uber_one","name":"$120 Uber One credit","value":120},{"key":"priority_pass","name":"Priority Pass lounges (counted at $100, not the $469 list price)","value":100}]},"b":{"key":"delta-reserve","name":"Delta Reserve","fee":650,"cpp":0.012,"base":1,"earn":[{"inputs":["airfare"],"rate":3}],"creditItems":[{"key":"stays","name":"$200 Delta Stays credit","value":200},{"key":"resy","name":"$240 Resy credit","value":240},{"key":"rideshare","name":"$120 rideshare credit","value":120},{"key":"companion","name":"Companion Certificate (your estimate)","value":300},{"key":"club","name":"Sky Club visits (your estimate)","value":250}]},"focus":"","inputs":[{"key":"airfare","prefill":"airfare","noun":"Delta flights"},{"key":"otherair","prefill":"airfare","noun":"flights on other airlines"},{"key":"portal","prefill":"hotels","noun":"hotels booked through Amex Travel"},{"key":"other","prefill":"other","noun":"everyday spending"}],"max":20000,"path":"/credit-card-rewards-calculator","pivot":"airfare","step":10}Which one should you get?
Pick Amex Platinum if…
- You want the most points from everyday travel and hotel spend.
- You want points that transfer to Delta and many other airlines, not miles that only work on Delta.
- You want the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, not just Delta Sky Clubs.
Pick Delta Reserve if…
- You fly Delta often enough to use 15 Sky Club visits a year.
- You want a Companion Certificate on a First, Comfort or Main round trip each year after renewal.
- You want your first checked bag free, and a second free on domestic Delta flights.
What actually differs
Checked with the issuers in October 2026. Terms change, so confirm with the issuer before you apply.
Annual fee
Amex Platinum
$895 ($195 for each Additional Platinum Card)
Delta Reserve
$650 ($175 for each additional Reserve Card)
Earning
Amex Platinum
5× flights booked with airlines or Amex Travel (first $500,000 a year); 5× prepaid hotels on Amex Travel; 1× else
Delta Reserve
3× Delta purchases; 1× else
Points
Amex Platinum
Membership Rewards, which transfer to Delta and many other airline and hotel partners
Delta Reserve
Delta SkyMiles
Credits
Amex Platinum
$600 hotel, $400 Resy, $300 digital entertainment, $300 lululemon, $300 Equinox, $200 Uber Cash, $200 airline fee, $200 Oura, $219 CLEAR+, $155 Walmart+, $120 Uber One
Delta Reserve
$240 Resy, $200 Delta Stays, $120 rideshare, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
Delta Sky Club
Amex Platinum
10 visits a year on eligible Delta flights
Delta Reserve
15 visits each Medallion Year when flying Delta; unlimited after $75,000 of purchases in a calendar year
Companion Certificate
Amex Platinum
None
Delta Reserve
Delta First, Comfort or Main round trip within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, each year after renewal
Bags and status
Amex Platinum
$200 airline fee credit for one selected airline
Delta Reserve
First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide, second free on domestic Delta flights; 2,500 MQD Headstart and $1 MQD per $10 spent
| Feature | Amex Platinum | Delta Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 ($195 for each Additional Platinum Card) | $650 ($175 for each additional Reserve Card) |
| Earning | 5× flights booked with airlines or Amex Travel (first $500,000 a year); 5× prepaid hotels on Amex Travel; 1× else | 3× Delta purchases; 1× else |
| Points | Membership Rewards, which transfer to Delta and many other airline and hotel partners | Delta SkyMiles |
| Credits | $600 hotel, $400 Resy, $300 digital entertainment, $300 lululemon, $300 Equinox, $200 Uber Cash, $200 airline fee, $200 Oura, $219 CLEAR+, $155 Walmart+, $120 Uber One | $240 Resy, $200 Delta Stays, $120 rideshare, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit |
| Delta Sky Club | 10 visits a year on eligible Delta flights | 15 visits each Medallion Year when flying Delta; unlimited after $75,000 of purchases in a calendar year |
| Companion Certificate | None | Delta First, Comfort or Main round trip within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, each year after renewal |
| Bags and status | $200 airline fee credit for one selected airline | First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide, second free on domestic Delta flights; 2,500 MQD Headstart and $1 MQD per $10 spent |
FAQ
For earning, yes. The Platinum earns 5× on flights with any airline and on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel, and its Membership Rewards points are worth more than SkyMiles. The Reserve is better if you fly Delta enough to use the Companion Certificate and the 15 Sky Club visits, and you want to pay $245 less in fees.
The Reserve. It includes 15 Sky Club visits each Medallion Year when you fly Delta, and unlimited access after $75,000 of purchases in a calendar year. The Platinum includes 10 visits on eligible Delta flights as part of the Global Lounge Collection, which also covers Centurion Lounges.
No. The Companion Certificate comes with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, each year after you renew it.
Yes. Delta is an Amex Membership Rewards airline transfer partner, so Platinum points can be moved to SkyMiles. Check Amex’s current transfer ratio and any transfer bonus before you move points.
We use 1.2¢ per mile, The Points Guy’s October 2026 valuation. Delta prices awards dynamically, so your value can be higher or lower. Membership Rewards points are valued at 2¢ if you transfer them.