Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve: Both get you into any Delta lounge, but one goes even further — here's how to decide which premium card is right for you
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- They both have high annual fees putting them squarely in the "premium" card space
- They both get you access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges when you fly Delta
- It's possible to access Amex Centurion Lounges with both cards
- They're both issued by American Express
The fact that both get you access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges means that people often look at the two cards as relatively interchangeable. However, they've got plenty of differences, too. Here's what to consider when deciding between the two.
Welcome offers
The
It's possible to get significantly more (or less) value from your rewards, depending on how you use them. Read our guides for how to maximize Amex points and how to maximize Delta miles for more information.
Read more: The best rewards credit cards that offer sign-up bonuses of 100,000 points or more
The Platinum Card actually beats the Reserve for earning points on Delta flights
The
In other words, the Amex Platinum actually beats the Delta Reserve when it comes to earning on Delta flights.
Read more: The best credit card for Delta flyers isn't even a Delta card
The Platinum Card offers more extensive lounge access
Both
Both cards also offer access to Amex Centurion Lounges, widely considered to be the best domestic airport lounges in existence. While they can sometimes become a bit crowded, Amex has recently expanded several locations to better handle their popularity. They offer ample seating, fast Wi-Fi, complimentary hot meals, cocktails, coffee, and snacks.
Read more: Amex Platinum card review
The Platinum Card also comes with a complimentary membership in Priority Pass**, a network of more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world.
There are also international Amex-branded lounges you can access as a Platinum cardholder, including in Mumbai, Delhi, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Sydney. You'll also receive access to a handful of other lounge networks, such as Plaza Premium, Air Space, and Escape lounges.
All this to say, the Platinum Card's lounge access is significantly more extensive. If you prioritize airport lounges, you won't find a better card than the Amex Platinum family of cards.
Read more: Best credit cards for airport lounge access in 2022
Both cards offer inflight perks
One of
Read more: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex card review
The
The Reserve also offers a potentially big, rarely discussed perk for Delta Medallion, or elite, frequent flyers. Delta Medallion flyers are eligible for complimentary, space-available upgrades to first-class and Delta One on flights within the US and the region, including Mexico and Central America, and extra-legroom seats on international flights.
For travelers who fly a lot and frequently find themselves one or two upgrade-list spots away from getting that first-class seat, holding the Reserve can be extremely valuable. Upgrades clear in hierarchical order based on a number of factors, such as each passenger's Delta elite status level, the original fare class booked, etc. If you have a Delta Reserve Card, you'll be upgraded before passengers with the same elite status level.
Both cards have high annual fees
As premium cards, both
- Up to $200 in airline fee credits each calendar year**
- Up to $200 in Uber credits each cardmember year**
- Up to $100 in shopping credits for Saks Fifth Avenue (enrollment required) each year, and benefits
- Up to $200 in hotel credits each calendar year toward prepaid bookings at Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts or Hotel Collection properties
- Up to $179 in annual CLEAR credits**
- Up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits**
- Comprehensive airport lounge access
If you can make use of even a few Amex Platinum statement credits each year, you can manage to completely offset the card's annual fee.
The
The Reserve offers an MQD waiver and bonus MQMs
Each level of Delta Medallion frequent flyer status requires you to fly and spend a certain amount with the airline:
- Medallion Qualification Miles (or MQMs) are earned based on how many miles you fly with Delta (or partner airlines)
- Medallion Qualification Dollars (or MQDs) are based on how much you've spent
When you have the
Also, for every $30,000 you spend on the card in a calendar year, you'll get a bonus of 15,000 MQMs — up to four times per year. By spending $120,000 on your card, you can receive up to 60,000 MQMs.
As an airline-agnostic card, the Amex Platinum Card doesn't offer anything comparable. However, only big spenders and frequent Delta flyers who wouldn't otherwise qualify for the next level of status can make use of this benefit.
Read more: Best credit cards to earn airline and hotel elite status
The Amex Platinum also offers hotel benefits, TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR
Amex also offers Platinum cardmembers access to the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts program. When you book participating hotels through Amex Travel (there are nearly 1,000 worldwide), you'll enjoy valuable perks including room upgrades, free breakfast, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and a unique amenity at each hotel, like a credit to use at on-property spas or restaurants.
Plus, as mentioned above, you'll receive up to $200 in hotel credits per calendar year which you can redeem when reserving prepaid bookings with Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts (one-night minimum) or Hotel Collection properties.
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry (which comes with TSA PreCheck) are absolute musts for even a casual traveler. Once you enroll, you can use special lanes to breeze through airport security — you won't have to remove shoes and light coats, and you can leave your laptop in your bag. With Global Entry, you can use a fast lane when you return to the US from abroad, which makes clearing immigration and customs easy and quick. The programs cost $85 (TSA PreCheck) and $100 (Global Entry). American Express will provide an up-to-$100 credit for that fee every four years (memberships are valid for five years).
You'll even be reimbursed up to $179 for CLEAR membership. CLEAR is an expedited screening program allowing you to essentially "cut in line" at the TSA security checkpoints. It costs $179 per year (though it's possible to get it for cheaper).
Read more: I wasn't interested in CLEAR until the Amex Platinum gave it to me for free. It's fantastic.
Amex Delta Reserve also offers a free annual companion pass for domestic flights
Each year on your
A companion pass is essentially a buy-one-get-one-free coupon. When you book a flight for yourself anywhere within the continental US, you can get a second ticket for free, other than minimal taxes and fees. The
Bottom line
Both the
Each charges a steep annual fee but comes with valuable benefits, including airline perks and airport lounge access. The right card for you ultimately depends on your spending and travel habits, and whether or not you prefer flexible points or earning Delta miles exclusively.