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Amex Green vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- American Express® Green Card: This card is ideal for earning valuable, transferable points on a wide array of travel and dining purchases worldwide. Terms apply.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is best for frequent Delta flyers looking to earn miles quickly and enjoy airline-specific perks like an annual companion certificate and free checked bags. Terms apply.
American Express® Green Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's break down why the American Express® Green Card (See Rates & Fees) stands out in a crowded field of travel rewards cards.
- The card offers an impressive rewards rate on a wide spectrum of travel expenses and dining purchases across the globe.
- Its points are incredibly flexible, giving you the freedom to transfer them to a variety of airline and hotel partners to maximize their value.
- Cardholders receive valuable annual statement credits for popular travel services, adding significant value for frequent flyers.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
Earns bonus points on an exceptionally broad range of travel and dining purchases worldwide.
Features highly flexible points that can be transferred to a large number of airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Includes valuable travel perks like an annual statement credit for CLEAR+® membership and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
The annual fee is on the higher side for a non-premium travel card and may not be justified for all users.
Maximizing the card's value can be complex, as it requires effort to find high-value redemptions and navigate transfer partners.
Some of the card's travel credits and benefits are less flexible or useful compared to those offered by competing cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here's a closer look at the features that make the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card (See Rates & Fees) a compelling option for many travelers.
- The annual companion certificate, which provides a domestic round-trip flight for a travel partner each year upon renewal, is one of the card's most valuable perks.
- Cardmembers can accelerate their path to Medallion status while enjoying travel day conveniences like a free first checked bag and priority boarding.
- The card also offers valuable statement credits that help offset spending on dining and rideshare services.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- The annual companion certificate is a standout feature, offering a domestic main cabin round-trip flight for a travel partner each year upon renewal.
- New cardmembers can earn a generous Welcome Offer, and all cardholders benefit from travel day perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding.
- The card provides an accelerated path to Delta Medallion status and offers valuable statement credits for rideshare and dining purchases.
Cons
- The card carries a significant annual fee that is not waived in the first year.
- Key benefits like the annual companion certificate have notable restrictions, limiting their use primarily to domestic flights.
- It does not include complimentary Delta Sky Club access, a key perk found on other premium airline cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs American Express® Green Card
Categories
The question of which is better, Amex Green or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, comes down to what kind of traveler you are and what rewards you value most.
- American Express® Green Card is a flexible travel and dining card designed for frequent travelers who want to earn transferable points across a wide range of purchases.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a co-branded airline card best suited for frequent Delta flyers looking to earn airline-specific perks and accelerate their path to elite status.
Redemption
American Express® Green Card: Points are earned in the Membership Rewards® program, offering the flexibility to transfer them to various airline and hotel partners. You can also redeem them for travel, gift cards, or statement credits through the American Express portal.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Rewards are earned as Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. Miles can also be used for seat upgrades, lounge access, and other Delta-specific perks.
Travel Perks
American Express® Green Card: Offers statement credits for CLEAR Plus membership and for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy. This card does not have foreign transaction fees. Travel can be booked through the American Express portal, and rewards earned are transferable as miles to a variety of airline partners.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Provides complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club when flying with the airline and includes an annual companion certificate. Cardholders also receive their first checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights. This card has no foreign transaction fees and provides a way to earn miles toward Delta Medallion Status.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards based on your own spending habits.
Test drive credit cards: Use your actual spending data to see personalized earnings projections before you apply, all without impacting your credit score.
Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to estimate your chances of being approved for specific cards.
Comprehensive card explorer: Browse and compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the perfect match.
Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better offer within three months of approval, Kudos will match it.
Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s rewards when you shop at your favorite stores.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?
The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for frequent travelers and diners who want to earn rewards on a broad spectrum of purchases. Cardholders can maximize value by earning 3X points on travel, transit, and restaurant spending worldwide and then leveraging Amex's transfer partners for high-value redemptions. This card is best suited for those who will take advantage of its travel-focused statement credits, including up to $209 for a CLEAR® Plus membership and up to $100 for LoungeBuddy access, which help offset the $150 annual fee. Terms apply.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is tailor-made for loyal Delta flyers who travel with the airline several times a year. It's particularly valuable for status seekers aiming for Medallion status and for couples or families who can take full advantage of the annual companion certificate. Ultimately, the card best serves moderate-to-heavy spenders who can maximize the travel perks and statement credits to easily offset the annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
After diving into the Amex Green vs. Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison, you might find that neither card quite hits the mark for your needs. Fortunately, the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and other options could provide a better return on your spending.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score: American Express cards generally require a good to excellent credit history.
- Plan your spending: Ensure you can meet the Welcome Offer spending requirement through your regular purchases.
- Review Amex application rules: Your eligibility for a Welcome Offer may be impacted if you have or have had the same card.
Application Strategy
- Time your application wisely: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement for the Welcome Offer.
- Choose the right card for you: Ensure the card’s benefits, like the Delta Companion Certificate, align with your spending and travel habits.
- Don’t settle for a lower offer: You can often decline a specific Welcome Offer if it’s lower than you expected without impacting your credit score.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the American Express® Green Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card part of the same rewards program?
No, they operate on different rewards systems. The American Express Green Card earns flexible Membership Rewards points, while the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card earns miles directly with the Delta SkyMiles program.
Which card is better for a traveler who isn't loyal to a specific airline?
A flexible rewards card like the American Express Green Card is often more suitable if you fly with various airlines. A co-branded card is designed to provide the most value when you frequently fly with that specific airline and its partners.
Can I use rewards from both cards to book flights on Delta Air Lines?
Yes, but through different methods. You can use miles from the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card directly for award flights, and you can transfer Membership Rewards points from the American Express Green Card to your SkyMiles account. Terms Apply.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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