IHG One Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is a top-tier travel card.

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• This card comes with a suite of premium travel benefits, including extensive lounge access and a fast-track to Medallion status for loyal Delta flyers.
• While it has a significant annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card includes valuable statement credits for rideshares and dining that help offset the cost.
• The annual companion certificate alone can justify the annual fee, as using it for just one domestic first-class flight can recoup the entire cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Extensive lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges.
• An annual companion certificate valid for domestic flights, including in first class.
• A clear path to Delta Medallion status and other travel perks like a free checked bag 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.}

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Cons

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• The card’s benefits are heavily skewed toward loyal Delta flyers, making it difficult to justify the high annual fee if you fly with multiple airlines.
• Outside of Delta purchases, the rewards earning rate is not competitive with other premium travel cards.
• The value of SkyMiles can be unpredictable due to a lack of a published award chart, and the miles are generally less flexible than transferable points from other rewards programs.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs IHG One Rewards Premier

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Categories

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When choosing a premium travel card, it's important to align its benefits with your travel style. So, which is better IHG One Rewards Premier or Delta SkyMiles Reserve depends entirely on whether your loyalty lies with a specific hotel chain or airline.

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• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is designed for frequent travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties and want to maximize hotel-specific perks like elite status and anniversary nights.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card caters to loyal Delta flyers seeking premium travel benefits, including airport lounge access, a path to elite status, and an annual companion certificate.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Premier: Points earned with this card are most valuable when redeemed for award nights at IHG's extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts. While points can be transferred to airline partners, this option generally provides a lower value in return.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express: The miles earned are primarily used for booking flights with Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam partners. Redemptions offer flexibility for air travel, from domestic flights to premium cabin seats on international routes.

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Travel Perks

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• Lounge Access: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta; enrollment may be required for select benefits. The IHG One Rewards Premier card does not offer airport lounge access as a core benefit.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are well-suited for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Travel Network: The Delta Reserve card's ecosystem is centered on Delta Air Lines and its SkyTeam partners, making it ideal for loyal Delta flyers. In contrast, the IHG Premier card's benefits are tied to the global network of IHG Hotels & Resorts, benefiting travelers who frequently stay at their properties.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To ensure you're choosing the right card for your spending habits, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards and maximize your rewards.

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• Test drive credit cards using your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations based on your actual spending history.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring if you find a better offer within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Unlock a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
• Track your progress toward sign-up bonuses and monitor your spending across multiple cards in one place.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is a strong contender for travelers who regularly stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts, such as Holiday Inn, InterContinental, or Kimpton. This card is particularly valuable for those who appreciate the automatic Platinum Elite status and can maximize the annual Anniversary Free Night certificate. Additionally, travelers who often book longer award stays can leverage the fourth-night-free benefit, making this travel card a strategic choice for maximizing rewards.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express is tailor-made for frequent Delta flyers who can leverage its premium perks to easily offset the annual fee. This includes travelers who value airport lounge access, such as the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, and those who can maximize the annual companion certificate for a first-class or comfort-plus trip. Additionally, it's a powerful tool for anyone aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status through its spending boosts, making it a top choice for loyalists seeking an upgraded travel experience and first-class benefits.

_{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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So you've weighed the IHG One Rewards Premier vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison and neither card feels quite right. Let's explore a few other top-tier travel cards that could be a better match for your needs.

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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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score: You will likely need good to excellent credit for approval.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of application restrictions, as some issuers limit welcome offers based on your card history.
• Have a spending plan: Ensure you can meet the spending requirement for the welcome offer through your normal purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Be patient for the best offer: Wait for an elevated welcome bonus to maximize your value.
• Align with your loyalty: Pick cards that match your travel habits, such as a hotel card if you frequent a specific chain or an airline card for a preferred carrier.
• Time your application: Apply before a large purchase to help meet the spending requirement naturally.

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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Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles?

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Generally, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles programs. Each loyalty program operates independently, so points earned in one are meant to be used within that specific ecosystem.

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Which card is better for earning elite status?

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The IHG One Rewards Premier card automatically grants you Platinum Elite status, offering a clear path to hotel benefits. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card helps you earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) toward airline status but does not grant it outright upon getting the card.

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Do the free night awards from these cards have restrictions?

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Yes, both cards come with award restrictions; the IHG card's Anniversary Free Night is subject to a point redemption cap, while the Delta card's Companion Certificate is limited to specific fare classes and destinations.

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