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Amex Green vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
American Express® Green Card: This card is ideal for earning flexible points on broad travel and dining purchases. Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is best for loyal Delta flyers seeking premium perks like lounge access and a shortcut to elite status. 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.
- It earns bonus points on an impressively broad range of travel and transit purchases, plus dining worldwide.
- Its points are highly flexible and can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners, which can unlock significant value for your travel.
- Cardholders receive annual statement credits for select travel services that can help offset the card's cost.
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
- Earn bonus points on a wide variety of travel purchases and at restaurants worldwide, with flexible redemption options that include transfers to many airline and hotel partners.
- Valuable travel benefits include annual statement credits for select services and no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card has an annual fee, and getting enough value to offset it requires using travel credits for specific services you may not need.
- Some redemption options offer low value, and a key lounge access benefit is being discontinued.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at why the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card (See Rates & Fees) stands out as a top choice for frequent Delta flyers.
- Cardmembers receive complimentary access to an extensive network of airport lounges, including Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge, when flying with Delta (Terms Apply).
- Each year upon renewal, you'll receive a Companion Certificate valid for a domestic round-trip flight, which can provide significant value (Terms Apply).
- The card helps you fast-track your way to Delta Medallion® Status and provides a higher priority for complimentary upgrades (Terms Apply).
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
- Complimentary access to premium airport lounges, including the Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying Delta, provides a comfortable pre-flight experience (Terms Apply).
- The annual Companion Certificate for a domestic round-trip flight offers significant value, potentially covering the annual fee with a single use (Terms Apply).
- Fast-track your way to Medallion® Status and enjoy a higher priority for complimentary upgrades, a key benefit for loyal Delta flyers (Terms Apply).
Cons
- A significant annual fee means you’ll need to take full advantage of the card’s perks to justify the cost.
- The rewards structure is less competitive for everyday spending, as the highest earning rates are reserved for Delta purchases (Terms Apply).
- Most of the card's premium benefits are Delta-centric, offering limited value to travelers who aren't loyal to the airline (Terms Apply).
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs American Express® Green Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Green or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, comes down to your specific travel habits and loyalty preferences. Each card is built for a different type of traveler, offering distinct reward structures and benefits.
- American Express® Green Card is best for general travelers and diners who want to earn flexible rewards on a wide range of travel and restaurant purchases. It's a great fit for those who value points that can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is designed for frequent flyers loyal to Delta who are seeking premium travel perks and an enhanced airport experience. This card is ideal for those who want to fast-track their way to elite status and enjoy exclusive benefits when flying with the airline.
Redemption
American Express® Green Card: You earn Membership Rewards points, which are highly flexible and can be redeemed for travel through the Amex portal or transferred to various airline and hotel partners. Points can also be used for statement credits, gift cards, and merchandise.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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, vacation packages, and other Delta-specific perks.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Green Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built around flexibility. It offers a statement credit for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy and has no foreign transaction fees. Travel can be booked through the American Express Travel portal. Terms apply.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: The ecosystem for this card is deeply integrated with Delta Air Lines. Cardholders receive complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight. It also offers ways to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) to help achieve Medallion Status and provides an annual Companion Certificate after renewal. This card has no foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.
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 data.
- Test drive a credit card: The platform's "Test Drive" feature uses your real transaction history to project your potential earnings with a new card, taking the guesswork out of your decision.
- Personalized approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval likelihood for different cards based on your credit report.
- Exclusive rewards and guarantees: Members can access a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward, a welcome offer guarantee, and extra Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at partner stores.
- Smart wallet features: The tool can autofill the best card for you at checkout and helps you track spending, perks, and your credit score all in one place.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Green Card?
The American Express® Green Card is a great fit for frequent travelers who enjoy the challenge of maximizing rewards and perks. This user is someone willing to put in the effort to leverage the card's valuable transfer partners, turning points into high-value redemptions with various airline and hotel loyalty programs. They will also take full advantage of the rich rewards on travel and dining, along with the card's generous statement credits, though terms apply to all benefits.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is primarily designed for the dedicated Delta loyalist who flies the airline several times a year for business or pleasure. This traveler values premium experiences, seeking to leverage the card's lounge access and fast-track features to achieve or maintain Medallion elite status. Furthermore, it's an ideal choice for those who can consistently maximize the annual companion certificate for significant savings on domestic first-class or comfort-plus travel.
Alternatives to Consider
If this Amex Green vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has convinced you that neither is the right choice, let's look at a few other travel cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most premium American Express cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
- Plan your spending - Make sure you can naturally meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
- Review the card’s benefits - Ensure the statement credits and travel perks align with your spending habits to justify the annual fee.
Application Strategy
- Know the issuer’s rules - Many issuers, including American Express, have restrictions like limiting a welcome offer to once per lifetime.
- Understand the application process - Some applications may let you see your personalized offer before you accept and a hard inquiry is placed on your credit.
- Activate your benefits - Remember to enroll in certain perks like statement credits after approval, as they may not be automatic.
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
Can I have both the American Express® Green Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
Yes, you can hold both cards simultaneously since they are considered different products. This can be a good strategy if you can maximize the unique benefits of each card.
How do I choose between the American Express® Green Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card?
The best choice depends on your travel habits and brand loyalty. Consider whether you prefer flexible travel rewards that can be transferred to various partners or benefits specific to flying with Delta Air Lines.
Do both cards earn the same type of rewards?
No, the cards earn different types of rewards. The American Express® Green Card earns Membership Rewards® points, which are flexible, while the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card earns SkyMiles for Delta's loyalty program.
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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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