CardRewardsEditorial 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/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.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 1X |
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr — that's $500 more than the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $500 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.
Bottom line: The $500 gap is significant. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card only if you spend heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($150 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/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.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 1X |
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr — that's $500 more than the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $500 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.
Bottom line: The $500 gap is significant. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card only if you spend heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($150 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/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.
American Express
American Express
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 1X |
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card wins in 3 of 5 categories. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card leads in 2.
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Airlines
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 2X
Dining
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Grocery Stores
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card earns 2X vs 1X
Delta Purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns 3X vs 1X
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card costs $650/yr — that's $500 more than the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card ($150/yr). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $500 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.
Bottom line: The $500 gap is significant. Choose the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card only if you spend heavily on delta purchases and delta airlines and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a lower annual fee ($150 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 Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express 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.
| 3X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Dining | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you:
| 3X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Dining | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you:
| 3X |
| Delta Airlines | 2X | 3X |
| Delta Purchases | 2X | 1X |
| Dining | 2X | 1X |
| Grocery Stores | 2X | 1X |
| All Other Eligible Purchases | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.
Choosing Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card means losing:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card if you:
Get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card if you: