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

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "781", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Most Premium Delta Offer"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

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

‍

• The card offers access to a network of exclusive airport lounges for a more comfortable travel day.
• It provides significant value through an annual companion flight and helps you achieve elite status with the airline faster.
• Cardholders enjoy a more seamless journey with perks like complimentary checked bags and priority boarding.

‍

_{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

‍

• Annual Companion Certificate for domestic travel, valid for any cabin including First Class.
• Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta.
• A powerful tool for earning Medallion® Status faster and receiving upgrade priority.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card’s most valuable perks are heavily skewed towards Delta-loyal flyers, diminishing its worth for those who fly with multiple airlines.
• Its rewards structure is not competitive for everyday spending, as bonus earnings are focused primarily on Delta purchases.
• The value of SkyMiles can be unpredictable due to the lack of a published award chart, which can make planning award travel challenging.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs Capital One Platinum

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the Capital One Platinum or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, is straightforward as they cater to completely different consumer needs. One is a tool for establishing credit, while the other is a premium card for frequent flyers.

‍

• Capital One Platinum Credit Card: This card is designed for credit-builders, particularly individuals with fair credit who are looking to establish or improve their credit history.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: As a premium travel card, this is ideal for frequent Delta flyers who want access to exclusive perks like lounge access and a path to elite status.

‍

Redemption

‍

Capital One Platinum Credit Card: This card does not earn rewards like points or cash back. Its primary function is to help users build or rebuild their credit history through responsible use over time.

‍

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Rewards are earned in the form of miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta Air Lines and its partners. You can also use miles for other travel perks, such as seat upgrades.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

For a personalized comparison based on your own spending, a tool like Kudos can help you find the best card by analyzing your transaction history.

‍

• Test drive credit cards: Before applying, you can simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending data, with no hard credit pull required.
• Approval odds analysis: Get a detailed analysis of your approval chances based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: Kudos will match a better welcome offer if you find one within three months of approval.
• Extra rewards: Earn additional rewards (Kudos Boost) on top of your card's rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Bonus tracking: Monitor your progress toward earning new card sign-up bonuses for free.

Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum?

‍

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is designed for consumers focused on building or rebuilding their credit health. This makes it an ideal choice for first-time card users, students, or anyone with a fair credit score looking to establish a positive financial history. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who value a straightforward, no-annual-fee card to improve their credit without the complexity of a rewards program.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

‍

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card is tailored for loyal Delta flyers who frequently travel with the airline for business or leisure. These travelers will get the most value from its premium perks, such as Delta Sky Club access and a clear path to Medallion status (Terms apply). It's also an excellent choice for those who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class or Comfort+ flight, effectively offsetting the card's annual fee.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

If the Capital One Platinum vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has left you feeling that neither card is the right fit, don't worry. We've rounded up a few other excellent cards that might be a better match for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["509", "118"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["Exceptional Value", "Generous Travel Rewards"]} ]]

‍

_{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 - Most premium cards, like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card, require good to excellent credit.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Ensure you can meet the spending requirement naturally to earn the bonus points.
• Research the benefits - Know how you will use the card’s perks, from statement credits to travel partners, before you apply.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Choose the right card - Apply for cards that match your credit profile to increase your approval odds.
• Know the issuer's rules - Be aware of policies like the once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule from some issuers.
• Time your application - Align your application with planned large purchases to help meet spending requirements for a welcome offer.

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

‍

Which card is better for someone new to credit?

‍

The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is specifically designed for individuals with fair or limited credit history, making it an excellent choice for building or rebuilding credit. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express® Card, on the other hand, typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval.

‍

Does the Capital One Platinum card earn rewards?

‍

No, the Capital One Platinum Credit Card does not offer a rewards program. Its primary purpose is to help users build credit responsibly without the complexity of earning miles or points.

‍

Is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card's annual fee worth it?

‍

For frequent Delta flyers, the card's annual fee can be easily justified by its premium benefits, such as airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate (Terms Apply). However, if you don't travel with Delta often, you may not get enough value to offset the cost.

‍

‍