Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Head-to-head comparison of every feature, fee, and perk
At a Glance
Annual Fee
$550
vs
$350
Base Rewards
1x
vs
1x
Sign-Up Bonus
$900
vs
$900
Editor Score
9/10
vs
8/10
Detailed Comparison
| Category wins | 5/6 | 1/6 |
| Fees & APR | ||
| Annual Fee | $550✗ Highest | $350★ Lowest |
| Purchase APR | 22.49% – 29.49% | 21.49% – 30.49% |
| Intro APR (Purchases) | ||
| Intro APR (Balance Transfer) | ||
| Foreign Txn Fee | None★ Lowest | None |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 5% | 3% |
| Rewards | ||
| Rewards Type | Points | Miles |
| Base Rewards Rate | 1x★ Highest | 1x |
| Bonus Categories | 10x Hotels (Chase) · 5x Flights (Chase) · 3x Dining | 3x Delta Purchases · 2x Restaurants · 2x Supermarkets |
| Sign-Up Bonus | $900 value★ Highest | $900 value |
| Eligibility | ||
| Credit Score | Excellent (750+) | Excellent (750+) |
| Network | Visa | American Express |
| At a Glance | ||
| Best For | Frequent luxury travelers | Frequent Delta flyers who travel with a companion |
| Ratings | ||
| User Rating | 4.5 / 5★ Highest | 4.2 / 5✗ Lowest |
| Editor Score | 9 / 10★ Highest | 8 / 10✗ Lowest |
| Apply Now | Apply | Apply |
| Full Review | View details → | View details → |
| Pros & Cons | ||
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Our verdict: Too close to call
The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year) and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card ($350/year) compete on different axes. The Chase Sapphire Reserve's strongest category is 10x on Hotels (Chase), while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card leads with 3x on Delta Purchases. The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $200 more per year, so you need at least $200 in incremental rewards to justify it over the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card. At typical spend levels this breaks even somewhere between $6,000 and $12,000 in bonus-category purchases annually. Our model scores these cards effectively even (2-1). Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve if you spend heavily on hotels (chase); pick the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card if you spend heavily on delta purchases.
Too close to call — pick based on your primary spending category
Dimension-by-dimension
| Dimension | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $550/year | $350/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 1x on everything | 1x on everything |
| Top Bonus Category | 10x on Hotels (Chase) | 3x on Delta Purchases |
| Sign-Up Bonus | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months | 90,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in 6 months |
| Lounge Access | Yes | No |
Green checkmark indicates the card that leans stronger on that dimension. Our scoring model evaluates these quantitatively — your specific needs may shift the answer.
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Common Questions
Which is better: Chase Sapphire Reserve or Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
It depends on your spending habits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee and earns 1x base rewards. Compare their bonus categories above to see which aligns better with your spending.
What is the annual fee difference between Chase Sapphire Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $200 more per year, so it needs to deliver that much extra value in rewards and perks to justify the difference.
Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card?
Yes, since these cards are from different issuers (Chase and American Express), you can hold both. Many people pair cards from different banks to maximize bonus category coverage across all their spending.