For those who are among Delta Air Lines’ top elite flyers and want a card to match, then consider the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card. Your Delta SkyMiles Medallion elite status pairs well with this luxury card, which further upgrades your travel experience in the air and on the ground thanks to airline-related perks.

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card comes with basic benefits including no travel blackout dates, miles that never expire and no limits on how many you can earn, plus a slew of great travel perks.

Use miles to pay for flights, seat upgrades and merchandise in the SkyMiles Marketplace. You can also donate, gift and transfer miles or spend them on unique SkyMiles Experiences.

We examine the pros and cons of Delta’s luxury card. And if you don’t want to be tied down to one airline, but still want an American Express-branded travel card, we’ll compare it to The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

• Welcome offer

  New cardholders have the ability to earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 medallion® qualification miles (mqms) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months.

• Earn more MQMs

  The card offers ways to keep your Medallion elite status based on yearly spending. Each year, cardholders can earn up to 60,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs): Earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000 in a calendar year on the card. If in that same calendar year you make purchases of $60,000, $90,000 or $120,000 or more, you will receive an additional 15,000 MQMs for each threshold you meet.

• Travel companion perks

  The card comes with a free checked bag and priority boarding for the cardholder and up to nine companions on the same reservation. You can use the priority airport screening checkpoint line unless you have TSA Precheck. Save 20% on pre-purchased meals and in-flight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets when using the card.

• Annual companion pass

  Every time the card is renewed, you receive a free domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate.

• High annual fee

  The card comes with a $550 annual fee, which is not unusual for a luxury card.

• Travel restrictions for companion pass

  You can only use your yearly companion pass in the 48 contiguous states.

• Pay to play

  If you’re depending on this card to help you maintain your elite Medallion status on Delta, keep in mind that you’ll need to spend $120,000 to get 60,000 MQMs via Status Boost.

  To see rates & fees for Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card please click here.

Compare it to The Platinum Card^® from American Express

 

If you’re not ready to be tied to Delta Air Lines but still want a luxury American Express card that comes with airline and travel perks, then The Platinum Card^® from American Express could be a good alternative. Because membership has its privileges, this card has a $695 annual fee, tops in the luxury cards category.

The credits that come with this card are almost enough to cover that high annual fee. They include $200 in Uber Cash credits ($15 in Uber Cash each month and $35 in December); $200 to cover airline fees on the carrier of your choice; and up to $100 to cover enrollment fees for Global Entry or TSA Precheck (enrollment required).

New cardmembers receive the following welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Use those points at the Membership Rewards® website for everything from hotels to airline flights. Cardmembers earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.

Another benefit with this card is Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy gold elite status (enrollment required). Hilton gold includes 80% tier bonus points per hotel stay, automatic space-available room upgrades, guaranteed member discount, no resort fees on reward stays, early check-in and late check-out, fifth standard reward night free and free breakfast daily. Marriott gold gives you a 25% points bonus, an automatic enhanced room at check-in when available, a late check-out, a dedicated customer service line and free enhanced in-room Wi-Fi.

This card comes with much better airport lounge access, including Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, international American Express lounges, Priority Pass Select, Airspace and Escape.

Under the Fine Hotels & Resorts program, receive free benefits with an average total value of $550, such as daily breakfast for two, room upgrade when available, a property amenity valued at $100, guaranteed 4 p.m. late check-out and noon check-in when available; and free Wi-Fi.

With Membership Rewards, you’re not stuck with only Delta Air Lines miles. Instead, your points can be transferred to 18 airline or three hotel loyalty programs. You never have to worry about blackout dates or seat restrictions when booking travel at Membership Rewards.

If you need help, the Platinum Card Concierge has trained staff to help with services such as custom travel itineraries, restaurant reservations and tickets to sports and entertainment events. There’s also cell phone protection, return protection and extended warranty.

But be warned — unlike traditional cards, The Platinum Card^® from American Express allows you to carry a balance for certain charges, but not all. And surprisingly enough, this card doesn’t come with the travel protections you’d expect from a luxury card, such as travel accident insurance and emergency evacuation and transportation.

When choosing between these two cards, there’s only one question to ask: Are you loyal to Delta Air Lines?

If you’re loyal Delta frequent flyer, the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is a no-brainer, since it comes packed with perks designed to make your travel on the airline better. And it comes with solid options to help you maintain your elite Medallion status. But on the minus side, other luxury cards offer more points and miles per dollar spent on broader travel, dining, gas and supermarket purchases.

If you want more flexibility with how you earn and redeem your miles and you’re not wedded to a single airline, then The Platinum Card^® from American Express may be a better fit. It offers myriad perks that more than cover its $695 annual fee.