Delta Platinum vs Delta Reserve
The Delta Platinum comes out ahead for all three spending profiles we tested. Below: what each card pays after fees for three spending profiles, the break-even, and a live calculator for your own numbers. Card terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
Simulated results
Five years, welcome offers counted when the profile's own spending reaches them, points valued as cash (SkyMiles at 1.0¢). Merchant credits like Uber or DoorDash aren't counted for typed profiles; they show up in the break-even instead. Assumes you fly mostly Delta; companion fares and checked bags count once you tell the calculator below you use them.
| Profile | Delta Platinum: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years | Delta Reserve: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $891 | −$9 | $854 | $100 | −$400 | −$1,502 |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $1,222 | $322 | $2,510 | $330 | −$170 | −$350 |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $1,660 | $760 | $4,700 | $618 | $118 | $1,090 |
The break-even
Everyday spender
Delta Reserve trails Delta Platinum by $471 a year. It wins only if its companion perks, lounge access, free checked bags, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $471 a year to you.
With about 2 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $261 a visit.
Balanced
Delta Reserve trails Delta Platinum by $572 a year. It wins only if its companion perks, lounge access, free checked bags, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $572 a year to you.
With about 5 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $105 a visit.
Frequent traveler
Delta Reserve trails Delta Platinum by $722 a year. It wins only if its companion perks, lounge access, free checked bags, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $722 a year to you.
With about 14 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $50 a visit.
Try it with your spending
Starts from the Balanced profile. Change any number, or drop in your statements; they're read on this device and never uploaded.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
Side by side
| Term | Delta Platinum | Delta Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer and network | American Express, American Express | American Express, American Express |
| Annual fee | $350 | $650 |
| Requires | Nothing extra | Nothing extra |
| Welcome offer | 90,000 points after $4,000 in 6 months (as high as; offers vary) | 50,000 points after $10,000 in 6 months |
| Earning | 3x on Delta purchases (flights, seats, upgrades, Delta Vacations, Delta Stays, in-flight food and drink) · 3x on purchases made directly with hotels · 2x at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. · 2x at U.S. supermarkets · 1x on everything else | 3x on Delta purchases (flights, seats, upgrades, Delta Vacations, Delta Stays, in-flight food and drink) · 1x on everything else |
| Rewards currency | Delta SkyMiles | Delta SkyMiles |
| Statement credits | $120 Resy credit ($10 a month) · $120 rideshare credit ($10 a month) · $150 Delta Stays credit | $240 Resy credit ($20 a month) · $120 rideshare credit ($10 a month) · $200 Delta Stays credit |
| Lounges | None | Delta Sky Club, American Express Centurion Lounge, Escape Lounges (The Centurion Studio Partner) |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Authorized users | No fee | $175 each |
| Availability | Open to new applicants | Open to new applicants |
| Verified | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Is the Delta Platinum worth its $350 fee? · Is the Delta Reserve worth its $650 fee? · Compare every card with your statements