Card comparison · American Express
Delta Platinum vs Delta Reserve
The Delta Platinum ($350 annual fee) ranks #28 and the Delta Reserve ($650) ranks #92 of the 294 credit cards we score. Here they are side by side, from our card database.
Side by side
| Delta Platinum | Delta Reserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | American Express |
| Annual fee | $350 | $650 |
| Welcome offer | Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026. | Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026. |
| Rewards |
|
|
| Intro APR | — | — |
| Ongoing APR | — | — |
| Balance transfer fee | — | — |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Our overall score | 64 (#28 of 294) | 56 (#92 of 294) |
| Grocery ranking | #36 of 57 | not in this list |
| Dining ranking | #50 of 67 | not in this list |
| Airline ranking | #20 of 39 | #37 of 39 |
| Hotel ranking | #14 of 23 | not in this list |
| Apply now | Apply now |
Offers, fees and APRs are shown as stored in our database and can change at any time; terms apply. Always confirm current terms on the issuer’s site before applying. Not financial advice. Partner links, where they exist, never change the order. Affiliate disclosure.
Which one fits you
- Higher overall score: Delta Platinum (64 vs 56). Our score weighs rewards value, fees, the welcome offer and APR; see how we score cards.
- Lower annual fee: Delta Platinum, by $300 a year ($350 vs $650). The pricier card has to earn at least $300 more in rewards or credits you actually use to come out ahead.
- Grocery: only Delta Platinum is in our grocery ranking (#36 of 57).
- Dining: only Delta Platinum is in our dining ranking (#50 of 67).
- Airline: Delta Platinum ranks higher in our airline ranking (#20 vs #37 of 39).
- Hotel: only Delta Platinum is in our hotel ranking (#14 of 23).
How we compared them
Every figure comes from our card database (checked against each issuer’s site) as of October 21, 2026 and is shown as stored, without our own estimates. Ranks use our overall score and, for categories, the score each category ranking is built on. Neither card can pay to rank higher, and partner links never change a score or an order. Terms apply; confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Delta Platinum better than the Delta Reserve?
By our overall score the Delta Platinum ranks higher (64 vs 56), but the better card is the one that fits your spending: compare the rewards rows above with where you spend most, and whether you'd use enough of the higher-fee card's benefits to cover its fee.
Which has the lower annual fee, Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve?
The Delta Platinum: $350 vs $650, as stored in our database.
What are the welcome offers on the Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve?
Delta Platinum: Apply and find out your welcome offer: As High As 90,000 Bonus Miles + Earn a $300 Statement Credit after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount. Offer ends 11/04/2026. Delta Reserve: Earn two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/4/2026. Offers change often; terms apply.
Which is better for everyday categories like dining, groceries or travel?
Grocery: only Delta Platinum is in our grocery ranking (#36 of 57). Dining: only Delta Platinum is in our dining ranking (#50 of 67). Airline: Delta Platinum ranks higher in our airline ranking (#20 vs #37 of 39). Hotel: only Delta Platinum is in our hotel ranking (#14 of 23).