By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Personal Financing PlannerPersonal Financing Planner
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Personal Finance
  • Banking
  • Mortgages
  • Credit Card
  • Loans
  • Budgeting
  • Retirement
Notification Show More
Personal Financing PlannerPersonal Financing Planner
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Personal Finance
  • Banking
  • Mortgages
  • Credit Card
  • Loans
  • Budgeting
  • Retirement
Follow US
Personal Financing Planner > Credit Card > Delta Sky Meal Gold Vs. Delta Sky Meals Reserve
Credit Card

Delta Sky Meal Gold Vs. Delta Sky Meals Reserve

June 13, 2025 8 Min Read
Share
8 Min Read
Delta Sky Meal Gold Vs. Delta Sky Meals Reserve
SHARE

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Key takeout
  • Main details
  • Delta Skymiles Gold vs. Delta Skymiles Reserve Highlights
  • Which cards make the most money?
    • Examples of spending
  • Why do I need to get a Delta Skymiles Gold American Express card?
  • Why do I need to get the Delta Sky Meals Reserve American Express Card?
  • Conclusion
Young happy woman walking through the airport.

Ivan Pantic / Getty Images

Key takeout

  • Choosing credit cards for these two airlines can be challenging as both cards can be able to repay miles firmly on flights and other purchases.

  • Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card It offers a higher welcome bonus and lower annual fees.

  • Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card Delta purchases offer better return rates and lounge access.

Choosing an airline credit card is not always easy. This applies to those who have their favorite Frequent Flyer Program. After all, most major airlines boast co-branded cards aimed at a wide range of travelers, including premium cards with lounge access and basic airlines with just a handful of perks.

If you are a delta loyalist, you probably have noticed a variety of delta credit cards, each with different benefits and fees. Two of the most popular delta cards are also the two of the most different. Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card.

If you’re hoping to fly with Delta more frequently and want to earn miles while earning the benefits of a frequent flyer, learn how credit cards from these two airlines compare.

Main details

Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card Delta Skymiles® Reserve American Express Card
Welcome bonus

  • With your first six months of card membership, you will earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,000 on a new card on a $3,000 purchase.

  • With your first six months of card membership, you will earn 100,000 miles after spending a $6,000 qualifying purchase on your new card.

Remuneration rate
  • Earn double miles at delta purchases, US supermarkets and restaurants around the world, including takeout and delivery in the US
  • Earn 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Earn 3x miles with your Delta purchases.
  • Earn 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Annual fees
  • The annual party referral fee for the first year was $0, followed by $150.
The benefits of frequent flyers
  • Check the check bag for free on Delta Flight first
  • After spending $10,000 per calendar year, delta credits of $200 a year
  • 15% off if you use miles to book your Delta flight at delta.com
  • There are no foreign transaction fees
  • 20% discount on purchases in flight
  • Zone 5 priority boarding
  • Check the check bag for free on Delta Flight first
  • There are no foreign transaction fees
  • 20% discount on purchases in flight
  • Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding
  • Earn MQD towards Elite Status
  • Companion certificate for annual renewal
  • Delta Sky Club Membership + 2 Free Guest Passes
  • Elite Member Upgrade Priority
  • Free Centurion Lounge Membership

Delta Skymiles Gold vs. Delta Skymiles Reserve Highlights

When you compare credit cards from these two airlines, you will notice some similarities and some major differences. Each card stands out in the following important categories:


Welcome Bonus Winner


Reward rate winner


Annual fee winner


Foreign transaction fee winners

Which cards make the most money?

If you spend a lot of money on Delta Flights each year, you can move on by earning triple miles per dollar per dollar spent on airfares with your Delta Sky Meals Reserve Card. However, if you plan to use more cards for your daily purchases, the Delta Skymiles gold cards could leave more miles at the end of the year.

The following example spending shows how much the average family can earn on miles with both cards.

Examples of spending

Let’s say you have a family of four with parents under the age of 50 and two children, ages 8 and 10. According to the USDA, a “moderate” budget could cost an average of $15,933.60 a year on groceries ($1,327.80 a month). For example, take a $4,800 per year ($400 per month) on meals (including takeout and delivery), $5,000 per year on a Delta flight, and $12,000 per year on other purchases ($1,000 per month).

Here’s how each card’s revenue pans out:

Delta Skymiles Gold American Express Card Delta Skymiles Reserve American Express Card
US supermarket spending 31,867 miles 15,933 miles
Eating out 9,600 miles 4,800 miles
Delta Flight 10,000 miles 15,000 miles
Other expenditures 12,000 miles 12,000 miles
Total miles 63,467 miles 47,733 miles

You accumulate miles faster, especially if you plan to use your Delta Skymiles Gold Card for your daily spending, especially while you’re at a US supermarket or eating out. However, this is just one example of spending, and if you travel more than eating, the results can lean towards the favour of the Delta Sky Meals Reserve Card.

Why do I need to get a Delta Skymiles Gold American Express card?

Most of the time, the Delta Skymiles Gold American Express Card is for Delta enthusiasts who want basic benefits but are willing to pay a premium for lounge access. Below are some of the main factors to consider when looking at offers for this card.

Why do I need to get the Delta Sky Meals Reserve American Express Card?

Delta’s Sky Meals Reserve American Express Card will charge you $650 There are many reasons why annual fees and frequent flyers sign up with a large group. Before signing up for a credit card with this premium airline, consider the following factors:

Conclusion

If you can’t decide which credit cards for these two airlines, you need to remember that in theory you can have both over time. This is because American Express has a “once in a lifetime” rule, allowing you to earn one bonus with each card product.

However, first you need to decide which of these two cards is most useful to you. In the meantime, you may also consider other travel credit cards, including credit cards from other airlines that work with a variety of frequent flyer programs, such as American Aadvantage and United MileagePlus.

Was this page helpful?

Why you want feedback?
Feedback helps us improve our content and services. It takes less than a minute to complete.

Your response is anonymous and will only be used to improve our website.

Helps to improve content


Thank you for your feedback!

Your input will help us improve our content and services.

See also  The Despicable Psychology of Credit Card Expenses |
TAGGED:Credit Card
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Articles

How to use budget categories

If you want to succeed financially, you need to budget your money,…

What is a No-Doc mortgage?

Philip Spears/Getty Images. Illustrations by Austin Coule Certification/Bankrate Key takeout With No-Doc…

FlexJobs Review: Is FlexJobs membership worth the money?

Looking for a real FlexJobs review? Continue reading. I paid for the…

5 Ways to Attain Your Goals with Examples to Motivate You

Many of us enjoy talking about our goals and dreaming about our…

I’m stocking up on credit card points

Last weekend I went out for a drink with my brother and…

How to get a safe business loan

Key takeout A secured loan uses assets as collateral to support the…

You Might Also Like

What are the best APRs for credit cards?
Credit Card

What are the best APRs for credit cards?

By Personal Financing Planner
Unlimited Ink Business Benefits Guide
Credit Card

Unlimited Ink Business Benefits Guide

By Personal Financing Planner
Best 5% cashback credit card
Credit Card

Best 5% cashback credit card

By Personal Financing Planner
Discover it Miles vs. Bank of America Travel Rewards Card
Credit Card

Discover it Miles vs. Bank of America Travel Rewards Card

By Personal Financing Planner
personalfinancingplanner
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Topics
  • Banking
  • Budgeting
  • Credit Card
  • Investing
  • Loans
  • Mortgages
  • Personal Finance
  • Retirement
  • Banking
  • Budgeting
  • Credit Card
  • Investing
  • Loans
  • Mortgages
  • Personal Finance
  • Retirement
Legal Pages
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Editor's Choice
Forget the money! I’m aiming for 1 million with SIPP
Can I have two car loans at once?
by:altcoin
Mortgage Interest Deduction: How it works

© 2025 All Rights Reserved | Powered by Personal Financing Planner

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?