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Key takeout
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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.
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Delta Skymiles® Gold American Express Card It offers a higher welcome bonus and lower annual fees.
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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 | |
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Welcome bonus |
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Remuneration rate |
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Annual fees |
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The benefits of frequent flyers |
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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.
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