Capital One Platinum Secured vs Delta SkyMiles Gold: Which Is Better In 2026?

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).

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• The card provides key travel benefits that enhance the flying experience for Delta loyalists.
• You can earn rewards on everyday purchases like dining out and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Cardholders receive a discount when redeeming miles for award flights with Delta.

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_{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.}

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Pros

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• Enjoy a first checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• Earn miles on more than just flights, with bonus rewards at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• Redeem your miles for less with a discount on award flights booked with Delta.

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Cons

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• Lacks premium travel perks like complimentary lounge access or a companion certificate.
• Reward earnings are less competitive on purchases outside of select categories.
• Benefits are heavily focused on Delta, making it less valuable for those who don't fly the airline frequently.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express vs Capital One Platinum Secured

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Categories

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Deciding which is better Capital One Platinum Secured or Delta SkyMiles Gold comes down to understanding that each card is designed for a completely different type of user.

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• Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit. It's an ideal starting point for those with a limited or poor credit history, including students and recent immigrants.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is best suited for frequent travelers, particularly those loyal to Delta. It offers benefits that enhance the travel experience for both regular and casual flyers of the airline.

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Redemption

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Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card is not designed for rewards, so it does not earn points, miles, or cash back. Its main function is to help users build or rebuild their credit profile through responsible use.

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Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: As a travel rewards card, its primary redemption option is using the miles you earn for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. Miles can also be applied toward other travel perks like upgrades.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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Kudos is a financial tool that helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the best one for your spending habits.

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• Test drive credit cards: Using your real spending data, Kudos can simulate your potential earnings with a new card before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for your new card within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Detailed approval odds: Get a personalized analysis of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Extra rewards: Unlock incentives like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards to your wallet and earn Kudos Boost rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Personalized card matching: The platform analyzes your transaction history to recommend cards that will maximize your rewards based on your unique spending patterns.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?

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The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who are just starting their credit journey or are looking to repair a damaged credit history. This includes students, recent immigrants to the U.S., and anyone with a limited or poor credit score who may not qualify for a traditional unsecured card. It's particularly well-suited for those who will take advantage of Capital One's digital tools, such as CreditWise, to actively monitor and improve their credit health.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express card is a strong choice for frequent Delta flyers, particularly those who travel with family or check bags a few times a year. Key benefits like the first checked bag free and the TakeOff 15 discount on award travel can provide significant value that easily outweighs the annual fee (Terms apply). This makes it ideal for travelers who want to enhance their Delta experience and make their miles go further without committing to a premium card.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Capital One Platinum Secured vs. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express comparison has left you looking for other options, don't worry. There are several other excellent cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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_{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.}

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Make sure your credit profile matches what the card issuer is looking for.
• Plan your initial spending - Be ready to meet a spending requirement for a welcome offer or pay a security deposit.
• Research the benefits - Understand how the card's perks fit your goals, like earning travel rewards or building credit.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application with a large planned purchase to help meet any initial spending requirements.
• Know the issuer's rules, as some, like American Express, may limit Welcome Offers to once per lifetime.
• Don't settle for a lesser offer; some applications allow you to see specific terms, like a required security deposit, before you commit.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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What is a secured credit card?

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A secured credit card requires a cash security deposit to open the account, which typically becomes your credit limit. It's designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit history with responsible use.

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Can I get the Delta SkyMiles Gold card with a low credit score?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card generally requires a good to excellent credit score for approval. Applicants with a limited or poor credit history may have difficulty qualifying for this type of travel rewards card.

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Do I get my security deposit back with the Capital One Platinum Secured card?

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Yes, you can get your security deposit back from the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card. Capital One will refund your deposit if you close your account in good standing or if they upgrade you to an unsecured card.

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