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Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex

At our sample profile ($31,100/yr spend, only “easy” credits counted), the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex comes to $1,613 in the first year and $233 a year after that; the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex comes to $353 and −$247. Annual fees are $350 and $650, against $420 and $590 a year in stated credits. Figures from the issuers’ pages, checked October 23, 2026; your spending will change the result.

Data checked by Chris Manns · Last updated October 23, 2026

	Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card	Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Issuer	American Express	American Express
Annual fee	$350	$650
Welcome bonus	As high as 90,000 miles≈ $1,380after $4,000 in 6 months; + $300 statement credit	50,000 miles≈ $600after $10,000 in 6 months
Rewards currency	Delta SkyMiles	Delta SkyMiles
Value per point	~1.2¢ each, median of 6 published valuations	~1.2¢ each, median of 6 published valuations
Earning	3x Delta only Flights (booked with the airline) 3x Hotels (booked with the hotel) 2x Dining & takeout, Groceries 1x everything else	3x Delta only Flights (booked with the airline) 1x everything else
Fee vs stated credits	$350 vs $420stated credits a year (face value)	$650 vs $590stated credits a year (face value)
Yearly cost after year 1	$320fee − $30 of “easy” credits (our default)	$620fee − $30 of “easy” credits (our default)
Year 2+ value*	$233 each year after the first, after the annual fee	−$247 each year after the first, after the annual fee
First-year value*	$1,613	$353
Credits & perks	Rideshare credit niche $120/yr · up to $10/mo Resy credit niche $120/yr · up to $10/mo Delta Stays credit niche $150/yr · up to $150 per year Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) fee credit easy $120 every 4 yrs ≈ $30/yr · once every 4 years (Global Entry) / 4.5 years (TSA PreCheck)	Resy credit niche $240/yr · up to $20/mo Rideshare credit niche $120/yr · up to $10/mo Delta Stays credit niche $200/yr · up to $200 per year Global Entry ($120) or TSA PreCheck (up to $85) fee credit easy $120 every 4 yrs ≈ $30/yr · once every 4 years (Global Entry) / 4.5 years (TSA PreCheck)
Perks (no $ unless the issuer states one)	Companion Certificate each year after renewal (Delta Main round-trip, U.S./Mexico/Caribbean/Central America; taxes and fees extra) First checked bag free (second bag free on domestic Delta flights) MQD Headstart and MQD Boost toward Medallion status Hertz Five Star status 15% off Delta award travel (TakeOff 15)	15 Delta Sky Club visits per Medallion Year (unlimited after $75,000 spend); Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta Companion Certificate each year after renewal (Delta First, Comfort or Main round-trip) First checked bag free (second bag free on domestic Delta flights) MQD Headstart and MQD Boost toward Medallion status Hertz President’s Circle status
Source	Issuer page	Issuer page

Face value isn’t real value: a credit only saves you money if you’d have spent it anyway. *Year 2+ and first-year values use our sample profile and default credit ticks. Add a third card · How we calculate

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex: quick answers

Which has the bigger welcome bonus, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex?

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex has the bigger headline bonus in dollars: As high as 90,000 miles (≈$1,380) vs 50,000 miles (≈$600), at median published point values, checked October 23, 2026.

Which has the lower annual fee?

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex: $350 vs $650 a year.

Which costs less after year 1, once credits are counted?

Yearly cost after year 1 (annual fee minus the easy credits we count by default): Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex $320, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex $620. Tick the credits you’d really use on each card page to get your own figure.