Card comparison

Amex Delta Gold vs Amex Delta Reserve

Two Delta SkyMiles cards compared

Verified October 2026

TL;DR — quick verdict

The Amex Delta Gold ($150) undercuts the Amex Delta Reserve ($650) on annual fee. Pick the Amex Delta Gold for everyday Dining spending (2x); pick the Amex Delta Reserve for everyday Delta Purchases spending (3x).

At a Glance

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card

Annual Fee
$150
Signup Bonus
40,000 points
Network
American Express
Points Currency
Delta SkyMiles
Earning Rates
Dining 2x
Groceries 2x
Delta Purchases 2x
Other Purchases 1x

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Annual Fee
$650
Signup Bonus
60,000 points
Network
American Express
Points Currency
Delta SkyMiles
Earning Rates
Delta Purchases 3x
Other Eligible Purchases 1x

Category Breakdown

How they compare across key categories

Annual Fee

Amex Delta Gold wins

Amex Delta Gold $150 vs Amex Delta Reserve $650

Welcome Bonus

Amex Delta Reserve wins

Amex Delta Gold: 40,000 points after $1,000 in 3 months vs Amex Delta Reserve: 60,000 points after $4,000 in 3 months

Top Earning Rate

Amex Delta Reserve wins

Amex Delta Gold: 2x on Dining vs Amex Delta Reserve: 3x on Delta Purchases

Perks & Credits

Amex Delta Reserve wins

Amex Delta Gold: 3 listed benefits vs Amex Delta Reserve: 5 listed benefits

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Transfer Partners

Tie

Amex Delta Gold: Delta SkyMiles (earn directly) vs Amex Delta Reserve: Delta SkyMiles (earn directly)

Perks & Benefits

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express

  • Delta Flight Credit ($200)
  • Delta Stays Credit ($100)
  • 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases ($0)

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express

  • Delta Stays Credit ($200)
  • Resy Credit ($240)
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit ($120)
  • Rideshare Credit ($120)
  • 15 Delta Sky Club Visits ($0)

Which Is Right for You?

Get the Amex Delta Gold if...

  • Lower $150 annual fee
  • Earns 2x on Dining
  • Earns 2x on Groceries
  • Delta Flight Credit ($200)

Get the Amex Delta Reserve if...

  • Premium benefits to offset the $650 fee
  • Earns 3x on Delta Purchases
  • Delta Stays Credit ($200)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Amex Delta Gold or Amex Delta Reserve better?

The Amex Delta Gold ($150) undercuts the Amex Delta Reserve ($650) on annual fee. Pick the Amex Delta Gold for everyday Dining spending (2x); pick the Amex Delta Reserve for everyday Delta Purchases spending (3x). Both earn transferable rewards, so many points collectors hold one from each ecosystem.

Which has the lower annual fee, the Amex Delta Gold or Amex Delta Reserve?

The Amex Delta Gold has the lower annual fee at $150, versus $650 for the Amex Delta Reserve.

Which card earns points faster?

The Amex Delta Gold earns up to 2x on Dining, while the Amex Delta Reserve earns up to 3x on Delta Purchases.

Can I have both the Amex Delta Gold and the Amex Delta Reserve?

Yes. They're issued independently, so you can hold both and earn Delta SkyMiles and Delta SkyMiles side by side.

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Need More Points?

Earn bonus points with these credit card offers

Can't find availability at your current points balance? These credit cards earn points you can put towards your next flight.

The Platinum Card from American Express

Personal · Annual fee $895

US only

175,000 points

after $12,000 in 6 months

  • Airline incidentals credit ($200)
  • Uber credit ($200)
  • Lounge access
Learn more & apply

American Express Gold Card

Personal · Annual fee $325

US only

100,000 points

after $8,000 in 6 months

  • Dining credit ($120)
  • Resy credit ($100)
  • Dunkin credit ($84)
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Personal · Annual fee $795

100,000 points

after $6,000 in 3 months

  • Annual Travel Credit ($300)
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit ($120)
  • The Edit Hotel Credit ($500)
Learn more & apply

Chase Ink Business Preferred®

Business · Annual fee $95

100,000 Ultimate Rewards points

after $8,000 in purchases in the first 3 months

  • 3x points on travel & shipping
  • 3x points on advertising
  • 3x points on internet/cable/phone
Learn more & apply

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $5,000 in 3 months

  • Hotel credit ($50)
  • DoorDash DashPass
  • Peloton credit ($60)
Learn more & apply

Capital One Venture Rewards

Personal · Annual fee $95

75,000 points

after $4,000 in 3 months

  • Capital One Travel credit ($300)
Learn more & apply

Credit card approval subject to eligibility. Terms and conditions apply. American Express cards shown are available to US residents only.

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