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Capital One Platinum Secured vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card is designed for building or rebuilding your credit history, especially if you have a limited or poor credit profile.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This premium travel card is best for frequent Delta flyers looking to enjoy luxury perks like lounge access and a path to elite status. Terms apply.
Capital One Platinum Secured Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card (See Rates & Fees).
- It's an accessible card for building credit, thanks to its flexible security deposit requirements.
- Capital One reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus, which is crucial for establishing or improving your credit.
- With responsible use, you may be automatically considered for a higher credit line and have a path to graduate to an unsecured card.
Pros
- No annual fee, which makes it a cost-effective option for building credit.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus, a key feature for establishing a positive credit history.
- You’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit line and may be able to graduate to an unsecured card over time.
Cons
- The card comes with a high variable APR, which can be costly if you don't pay your balance in full each month.
- You won't earn any rewards—like cash back or points—for your spending.
- A security deposit is required to open the account, which ties up your funds.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card(See Rates & Fees).
- It provides exceptional value for frequent Delta flyers through a suite of premium travel perks.
- The card offers access to an extensive network of airport lounges, including Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges.
- Cardholders can fast-track their way to Delta Medallion elite status with qualifying purchases.
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.
Pros
- Extensive airport lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges.
- An annual companion certificate that can be used for domestic first-class, comfort, or main cabin flights.
- An accelerated path to Delta Medallion elite status and complimentary upgrade priority.
Cons
- A substantial annual fee that requires frequent travel on Delta to justify the cost.
- Limited bonus categories mean slower mile-earning on everyday purchases compared to other premium cards.
- The card’s most valuable perks are tied to Delta, making it less suitable for travelers who aren't loyal to one airline.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs Capital One Platinum Secured
Categories
Choosing between these two cards is less about which is better, Capital One Platinum Secured or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, and more about understanding which one aligns with your current financial goals.
- Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a valuable tool for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit, making it ideal for those with a limited or poor credit history.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a premium travel card designed for frequent Delta flyers who want to enjoy luxury perks and fast-track their way to elite status.
Redemption
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: This card is designed for building credit and does not offer a rewards program. Its primary "redemption" comes in the form of getting your security deposit back after demonstrating responsible card use and potentially graduating to an unsecured card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: As a premium travel card, redemption is centered around the Delta Air Lines ecosystem. Cardholders can use their accumulated miles for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related purchases with Delta and its partners.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make an informed decision, you can use a tool like Kudos, a financial companion that helps you compare top-rated cards and maximize rewards.
- Test Drive Feature: Simulate how much you could earn with a new card using your real spending data before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
- Detailed Approval Odds: Get a comprehensive analysis of your approval chances for a credit card based on your credit report.
- $100 Kudos Kickstart+: Unlock $100 in rewards when you add select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
- Personalized Recommendations: Discover new cards that are personally matched to you based on your actual transaction history.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Platinum Secured?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is an excellent tool for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit profile. It is particularly well-suited for those with a limited or poor credit history, such as students, recent immigrants, or anyone recovering from past financial missteps. With no annual fee and flexible security deposit requirements, the card offers an accessible pathway to establishing a positive payment history with all three major credit bureaus.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is designed for the quintessential Delta loyalist—someone who flies the airline several times a year for business or pleasure. It's especially beneficial for travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Medallion status and those who value premium lounge access at the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge. Finally, cardholders who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for a first-class or comfort-plus domestic flight will find the card's value proposition compelling. Terms apply.
Alternatives to Consider
If this Capital One Platinum Secured vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison shows that neither card is quite right for you, don't worry. These two cards serve very different users, so let's explore a few other alternatives that might be a better match.
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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
Before You Apply
- Know your credit score: Your score will determine which cards you are likely to be approved for.
- Review the requirements: Make sure you can comfortably meet any spending thresholds or deposit requirements.
- Align benefits with your lifestyle: Choose a card whose benefits match your spending habits and goals.
Application Strategy
- Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet any spending requirements.
- Look for soft pulls: Some issuers let you check for offers with no impact to your credit score.
- Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of any restrictions on new accounts or welcome offer eligibility.
Our Methodology
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.
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
Which card is better for building credit?
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is specifically designed for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, however, typically requires a good to excellent credit score for approval and is not intended for credit building.
What credit score is needed for each card?
While specific credit score requirements aren't public, the Capital One Platinum Secured card is aimed at users with fair or limited credit. Conversely, you will likely need a good to excellent credit score to be approved for the premium Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Can I upgrade from the Capital One card to the Delta card?
No, a direct upgrade is not possible because the cards are issued by two different banks, Capital One and American Express. You would need to submit a new application for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card once your credit profile meets the issuer's requirements.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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