Which Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Is Right for You? Gold, Platinum and Reserve Compared

Delta offers three SkyMiles credit cards through American Express, but choosing among them isn't simply a matter of deciding how many miles you want to earn. The bigger differences are in the travel benefits you receive and how much you're willing to pay for them.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card offers core travel benefits for a lower annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card adds a Companion Certificate and Medallion benefits and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers premium perks such as Delta Sky Club access.

Here's how the three Delta SkyMiles cards compare and what to consider before choosing one.

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Delta SkyMiles cards at a glance

The three cards share several Delta travel benefits, but their annual fees, rewards and premium perks vary considerably. Here's a quick look at how the Delta SkyMiles cards compare.

Terms and restrictions apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the entry-level option for Delta travelers who want useful airline perks without a high annual fee. With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150, it can be a good fit for occasional Delta flyers who aren't looking for premium benefits such as lounge access or help earning Medallion status.

Key benefits include:

• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
• 2X miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets
• First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide and second bag free when flying domestically
• 15% discount on eligible Delta award travel
• Zone 5 priority boarding
• Up to $100 annually in Delta Stays statement credits on eligible prepaid hotel or vacation rental bookings
• $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year
• Up to $120 in annual rideshare statement credits after your first card renewal, enrollment required
• No foreign transaction fees
• Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the middle ground between the Gold and Reserve cards. Its $350 annual fee makes it better suited to regular Delta travelers who can make use of its annual Companion Certificate or benefits that can help them earn Medallion status.

Key benefits:

• Receive a Companion Certificate for a Delta Main round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America each year after renewing the card. Government-imposed taxes and fees of $22 to $250 apply, along with other restrictions.
• Receive $2,500 in Medallion Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year.
• Earn $1 MQD for every $20 in purchases with MQD Boost.
• Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets and 1X miles on other eligible purchases.
• Save 15% when using miles to book eligible Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
• Get your first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide and your second bag free when flying domestically.
• Receive a statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• Get up to $120 annually in Resy statement credits and up to $120 annually in rideshare statement credits. Enrollment requirements apply.
• Be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list with an eligible ticket after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees.
• Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the premium option, with a $650 annual fee. It's geared toward frequent Delta flyers who place more value on benefits such as airport lounge access, a more flexible Companion Certificate and additional help earning Medallion status than on everyday rewards.

Key benefits:

• Receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits each Medallion Year when flying Delta. Spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year to unlock unlimited Delta Sky Club access.
• Get complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges when applicable flight and payment requirements are met.
• Receive an annual Companion Certificate after renewal for an eligible Delta First, Delta Comfort or Delta Main round-trip flight to qualifying domestic, Caribbean or Central American destinations. Government-imposed taxes and fees of $22 to $250 apply, along with other restrictions.
• Receive $2,500 in Medallion Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year.
• Earn $1 MQD for every $10 in purchases with MQD Boost.
• Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X miles on other eligible purchases.
• Save 15% when using miles to book eligible Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app.
• Get your first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide and your second bag free when flying domestically.
• Receive upgrade priority over other eligible travelers with the same Medallion tier, product, fare experience and Million Miler milestone.
• Get up to $240 annually in Resy statement credits and up to $120 annually in rideshare statement credits. Enrollment requirements apply.
• Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees.

Which Delta SkyMiles card should you choose?

The biggest differences among the three Delta cards become more important as the annual fees increase. Instead of focusing on which card has the longest list of perks, consider which benefits you would realistically use.

Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card if: You fly Delta occasionally and want benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding and discounted award travel without paying a high annual fee.

Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card if: You fly Delta regularly and expect to use the annual Companion Certificate. It could also make sense if you're working toward Medallion status and can benefit from MQD Headstart and MQD Boost.

Consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card if: You're a frequent Delta traveler who values Delta Sky Club access, can use the more flexible Companion Certificate or wants stronger help earning Medallion status.

Keep in mind that statement credits only provide their full potential value when you're spending money you would have spent anyway. A dining or rideshare credit shouldn't be a reason to spend more simply to use the benefit.

Which Delta SkyMiles card fits your travel style?

Whether a Delta SkyMiles card is worth its annual fee largely depends on how often you fly Delta and which benefits you use.

The Gold Card provides many of the basic airline perks for a relatively modest annual fee after the introductory first year. With the Platinum and Reserve cards, the calculation depends more heavily on whether you'll use benefits such as a Companion Certificate, Medallion perks and, with the Reserve, airport lounge access.

Before applying, consider how often you fly Delta, whether you typically check bags and whether you'd use the higher-tier benefits. The card with the most perks isn't necessarily the one that will provide the most value for you.

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* Eligibility and Benefit level of American Express insurance varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.