Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Platinum: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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This section breaks down the key reasons why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.

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• The annual companion certificate provides a domestic main cabin round-trip flight, which is a standout perk for those who travel with a partner or friend.
• Cardholders receive valuable statement credits for rideshare and dining, plus travel benefits like a free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights.
• The companion certificate alone can offset the $350 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) if used for a flight of equal or greater value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Receive an annual companion certificate each year upon renewal, good for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight.
• Enjoy complimentary travel perks like a first checked bag free and priority boarding on Delta flights, plus travel protections for peace of mind.
• Accelerate your path to Delta Medallion status and take advantage of annual statement credits for services like dining and ridesharing.

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee that is not waived for the first year.
• Lacks complimentary Delta Sky Club® access, a key benefit for many frequent flyers.
• The card’s most valuable perks, like the companion certificate, come with notable restrictions.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express, comes down to your specific spending and travel style.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is an ideal entry-level travel rewards card. It is best for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards on travel, dining, and select online spending.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is designed for frequent travelers, particularly those who are regular flyers with Delta Air Lines.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points are highly flexible and can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase portal. For potentially greater value, you can also transfer your points to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express: Rewards are earned as SkyMiles, which are best used for booking flights with Delta Air Lines and its partners. You can also redeem miles for things like seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and other non-flight rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portal: The Sapphire Preferred card gives you access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® travel portal, where points get a boost in value when redeemed for travel. The Delta Platinum card's rewards are primarily used directly with Delta and its partners, without a comparable portal bonus system.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are great for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees.
• Lounge Access: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers access to the Delta Sky Club for a fee and complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your card (Terms apply). The Sapphire Preferred does not include airport lounge access.
• Airline-Specific Perks: As a co-branded card, the Delta Platinum is packed with airline benefits, including a free first checked bag on Delta flights, an annual companion certificate, and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding (Terms apply). The Sapphire Preferred is a general travel card and doesn't offer airline-specific perks like these.
• Other Benefits: The Sapphire Preferred includes an annual hotel credit and robust travel insurance protections. The Delta Platinum provides a statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (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.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're still unsure, a tool like Kudos can help you make a data-backed decision by comparing nearly 3,000 credit cards.

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• Use the Test Drive feature to simulate how much you’d earn with a new card based on your actual spending history, without a hard credit pull.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Receive personalized card recommendations that match your unique spending patterns.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s rewards when you shop at participating stores with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent choice for frequent travelers and diners looking to maximize rewards on their spending. It serves as a fantastic entry-level travel card, offering valuable points on travel and dining, robust travel protections, and flexible redemption options without foreign transaction fees. For those with good to excellent credit, this popular travel card provides a strong foundation for earning rewards that can be redeemed for future trips.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is tailor-made for dedicated Delta flyers who can take full advantage of its airline-specific perks. It's also a strong contender for couples or families who will benefit from the annual companion certificate, as well as for travelers actively pursuing Delta Medallion status. Ultimately, this card best serves those who spend enough on travel, dining, and groceries to offset the $350 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), as detailed in this comprehensive review.

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.

Alternatives to Consider

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Still on the fence after our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comparison? If neither card feels like the right fit, here are a few other top-tier travel cards to consider.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Issuers like Chase and American Express have specific restrictions that could affect your eligibility.
• Plan your spending - Ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer spending requirement without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spend requirement.
• Know the rules - Be aware of policies like the Chase 5/24 rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime welcome offer rule.
• Track your benefits - Use a tool to track statement credits and benefits to ensure you’re maximizing the card’s value.

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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Which card is better for someone who isn't loyal to a specific airline?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is generally the better choice for travelers who value flexibility. Its Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to a wide variety of airline and hotel partners, unlike Delta SkyMiles which are tied to a single airline.

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Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles?

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No, you cannot transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to the Delta SkyMiles program. However, Chase has numerous other airline transfer partners, including some that are in the same airline alliance as Delta.

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Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card worth it if I only fly Delta a few times a year?

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The value of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card depends on how much you utilize its specific benefits, like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags. If you can maximize these perks on just a few trips, the annual fee can easily be justified.

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