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Capital One Platinum Secured vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best suited for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers who want to earn miles and enjoy airline-specific perks.
Capital One Platinum Secured Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card(See Rates & Fees).
- It’s an excellent tool for building or rebuilding your credit history, as it reports to all three major credit bureaus.
- The card offers a flexible security deposit, making it more accessible than many of its competitors.
- You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line and can potentially graduate to an unsecured card with responsible use.
Pros
- No annual fee, making it an affordable option for building credit.
- Your payment history is reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build a positive credit profile.
- Offers automatic credit line reviews and a potential path to an unsecured card with responsible use.
Cons
- Carries a high variable APR, making it costly if you carry a balance.
- The card does not offer a rewards program for spending.
- There is no set timeline for graduating to an unsecured card.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It offers a valuable annual companion certificate that enhances travel for couples or families.
- Cardholders receive a suite of benefits that make flying with Delta more convenient, including priority boarding and waived baggage fees.
- For frequent flyers, it provides an accelerated path toward earning Medallion elite status.
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
- Receive an annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight upon card renewal.
- Enjoy travel conveniences like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights.
- Get an accelerated path toward Medallion elite status with Delta.
Cons
- Carries a significant annual fee.
- Lacks complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® lounges.
- Benefits are heavily geared toward loyal Delta flyers, offering less value if you fly other airlines.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Capital One Platinum Secured
Categories
Deciding between these two cards comes down to your current financial goals, as they are designed for completely different users. The question of which is better, Capital One Platinum Secured or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, depends entirely on whether you are building credit or seeking premium travel rewards.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is designed for individuals who are building or rebuilding their credit. It's an excellent starting point for those with a limited or poor credit history who need a straightforward way to establish a positive financial record.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is best for frequent travelers, especially those loyal to Delta Air Lines. The card is geared toward consumers with good to excellent credit who want to earn miles and enjoy premium travel perks.
Redemption
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card does not offer a traditional rewards program like points or cash back. Its main benefit is helping you build or rebuild your credit history through responsible use over time.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: You can redeem the miles you earn for flights with Delta Air Lines and its partners. Other redemption options may include seat upgrades, vacation packages, and other travel-related perks.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare thousands of credit cards based on your personal spending habits.
- Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate potential earnings from different cards using your actual spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
- Check approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your likelihood of being approved for a new card.
- Monitor your finances: Track your transactions, spending, credit score, and progress toward earning sign-up bonuses.
- Get personalized recommendations: Discover new cards matched to your spending history to ensure you're earning the most rewards possible.
- Maximize rewards at checkout: An autofill feature helps you use the best card for every purchase, so you never miss out on points or cash back.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is specifically designed for individuals who are either starting their credit journey or looking to repair a damaged credit history. This makes it an excellent choice for those with limited, poor, or no credit, including people recovering from past financial difficulties. It's also particularly well-suited for students and recent immigrants who need a straightforward tool to establish a positive credit profile in the US.
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 several times a year, especially with a partner or family. These travelers are typically aiming for Delta Medallion status and can take full advantage of valuable perks like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags (Terms apply). Furthermore, this card suits moderate-to-heavy spenders who can maximize rewards on travel and dining while using statement credits to help offset the annual fee.
Alternatives to Consider
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card are on opposite ends of the credit card spectrum, so it's understandable if neither is the right fit for your wallet. If this Capital One Platinum Secured vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum comparison has you looking for a different solution, here are a few alternatives to consider.
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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.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Know where you stand, as requirements can range from poor to excellent credit.
- Plan your spending - Ensure you can naturally meet any minimum spend requirements for a welcome offer.
- Review issuer eligibility rules - Some issuers restrict welcome offers if you have or previously had the card.
Application Strategy
- Align the card with your goals, whether you're earning travel rewards or building credit.
- Don't settle for a lesser welcome offer, as some issuers allow you to decline the card without a hard credit inquiry if the approved offer is lower than advertised.
- Apply when offers are elevated, since the most generous welcome offers can be limited-time promotions.
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
What is a secured credit card?
A secured credit card requires a cash deposit that typically becomes your credit limit. It's designed to help individuals build or rebuild their credit history.
Which card is better for earning travel rewards?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is designed for earning travel rewards, specifically SkyMiles for flights with Delta. The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card does not offer a rewards program.
What kind of credit score do I need for these cards?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card generally requires a good to excellent credit score, while the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is designed for those with fair, limited, or poor credit.
Do both cards have an annual fee?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has no annual fee. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has a significant annual fee in exchange for its premium travel benefits.
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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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