Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card ($650/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 4 of 6 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
All Other Eligible Purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr โ that's $255 more than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $255 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers travel credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. With 4 premium perks, heavy spenders on delta purchases and delta airlines can often offset the full fee.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($395 vs $650), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access and travel credits.
Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card ($650/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 4 of 6 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
All Other Eligible Purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr โ that's $255 more than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $255 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers travel credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. With 4 premium perks, heavy spenders on delta purchases and delta airlines can often offset the full fee.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($395 vs $650), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access and travel credits.
Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card ($650/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Capital One

American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 3X |
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card wins in 4 of 6 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Hotels
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Flights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
All Other Eligible Purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
Everyday purchases
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earns 2X on all other spending vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr โ that's $255 more than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $255 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers travel credits, lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, free checked bags. With 4 premium perks, heavy spenders on delta purchases and delta airlines can often offset the full fee.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($395 vs $650), making it the more accessible option.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access and travel credits.
Choose the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Bottom line: The $255 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you:
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Bottom line: The $255 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you:
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Flights | 2X | 1X |
| Hotels | 2X | 1X |
| Everything Else | 2X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Bottom line: The $255 difference is moderate. If you spend consistently on delta purchases and delta airlines, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card's higher earn rates and benefits can easily cover the gap.
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card means losing:
Get the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you: