IHG One Rewards Traveler 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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Here’s a breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a strong contender for frequent flyers.

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• Cardholders receive valuable travel perks like an annual companion certificate and a free first checked bag on Delta flights.
• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), the card offers accelerated miles-earning on Delta purchases, hotels, restaurants, and at U.S. supermarkets.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight can easily offset the card's annual cost (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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• Includes an annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight and a free first checked bag on Delta flights.
• Provides an accelerated path to Delta Medallion® status for loyal flyers.
• Offers various travel protections and statement credits for rideshare and dining services.

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Cons

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• Carries a significant annual fee that isn't waived in the first year.
• Lacks complimentary Delta Sky Club® access, a perk often expected with premium travel cards.
• Key benefits like the companion certificate have notable restrictions, and the card's overall value is heavily dependent on frequent travel with Delta.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs IHG One Rewards Traveler

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Traveler or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, ultimately depends on whether your travel patterns favor hotel stays or airline loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card is best suited for budget-conscious travelers and occasional IHG guests who want to earn hotel points and receive basic travel benefits without an annual fee.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: This card is designed for frequent Delta flyers and status seekers who want to earn miles rapidly and enjoy premium perks, including benefits for companion travel.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for reward nights across the wide portfolio of IHG Hotels & Resorts. Cardholders can also use a combination of points and cash to book stays, offering flexibility in redemption.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Miles are redeemed for flights with Delta Air Lines and its airline partners through the SkyMiles program. Redemptions can also be used for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and other travel-related rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card's perks are tied to the IHG hotel portfolio. It offers a fourth reward night free on point redemptions of four nights or more and grants automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status. It does not offer airport lounge access and charges a foreign transaction fee on international purchases.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Benefits are focused on enhancing the Delta flying experience. Key perks include an annual Companion Certificate for a qualifying round-trip flight, access to the Delta Sky Club for a fee, and a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Additionally, cardholders get their first checked bag free on Delta flights and receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. This card does not have foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards: Use your real spending data to simulate how much you would earn with a new card before you apply, all without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized recommendations: Get matched with cards that will earn you the most rewards based on your unique spending history.
• Approval odds analysis: Receive a detailed analysis of your chances of getting approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, the platform will match it.
• Stackable rewards: Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when you shop at your favorite stores, which you can stack on top of your existing credit card rewards.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for those new to hotel loyalty programs or travelers who can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on longer award stays. Overall, it serves as a practical entry point into the IHG One Rewards ecosystem, offering basic protections and the ability to accumulate points on everyday spending.

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 travel several times a year, especially those chasing Medallion status or families looking to save with the annual companion certificate. Moderate to heavy spenders who can leverage the card's bonus categories and statement credits will also find it a rewarding choice. You can learn more about whether this card is right for you in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our IHG One Rewards Traveler vs Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express comparison didn't help you find the perfect card, don't worry. There are several other excellent travel rewards cards to consider, each with its own unique set of benefits.

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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: Issuers generally require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds on rewards cards.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can naturally meet any minimum spending requirements for a welcome offer.
• Review the benefits: Understand the card’s perks to ensure they align with your travel and spending habits.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules: Issuers may limit welcome offers based on your recent card application history.
• Try a reconsideration line: If your application isn't approved instantly, you can often call the bank to ask for a manual review.
• Leverage existing relationships: A positive history with an issuer may increase your approval odds for one of their cards.

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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Direct transfers between IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles are generally not supported. However, you might find indirect transfer options available through a mutual flexible rewards program partner.

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Which program is better for someone who travels for both business and leisure?

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The best choice depends on your travel patterns, as using both programs can be highly effective for mixed travel. Delta SkyMiles is tailored for frequent flyers, whereas IHG One Rewards delivers excellent value on hotel stays.

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Do points expire in IHG One Rewards and Delta SkyMiles?

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Delta SkyMiles do not expire, which provides excellent long-term flexibility for members. IHG One Rewards points will expire for Club level members after 12 months of account inactivity, but this policy does not affect members who hold elite status.

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