Chase Freedom Flex 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 breakdown of why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a top-tier choice for loyal Delta flyers.

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• It offers premium lounge access, including 15 annual visits to the Delta Sky Club® and access to Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
• The card provides a significant boost toward Medallion Status through spending, making it easier to achieve elite perks.
• The annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin flight can easily offset the $650 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), especially when used for premium travel (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Extensive lounge access, including complimentary entry to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta.
• An annual companion certificate valid for domestic round-trip flights, including in first class.
• Accelerated path to Medallion elite status and a variety of travel credits that enhance the travel experience.

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Cons

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• Its high annual fee can be difficult to justify for travelers who don’t fly with Delta frequently.
• The card’s benefits and bonus rewards are heavily focused on Delta, offering limited value on non-Delta purchases or for travelers who aren't loyal to the airline.
• The SkyMiles program lacks a published award chart, which can make the value of your miles unpredictable and planning for award travel more difficult.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs Chase Freedom Flex®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, comes down to your personal spending habits and travel goals. One card is a flexible cash back earner with no annual fee, while the other is a premium travel card for loyal airline flyers.

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• Chase Freedom Flex® is best for savvy spenders looking to maximize cash back through rotating bonus categories without paying an annual fee. It's a great choice for those who spend frequently on dining, drugstores, and travel booked through the issuer's portal.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is designed for frequent Delta flyers who want premium travel perks. This card is ideal for travelers who value benefits like airport lounge access and a faster path to elite airline status.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards can be redeemed for cash back, or for other options like travel and gift cards through the Chase portal.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Rewards are earned as miles that can be used to book flights with Delta and its partners, or for other travel perks like seat upgrades.

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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 on a Delta-marketed or operated flight. The Chase Freedom Flex® does not include airport lounge access.
• Travel Booking: With the Chase Freedom Flex®, travel can be booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. For the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, miles are typically redeemed for flights directly with Delta and its partner airlines.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: A foreign transaction fee applies to purchases made abroad with the Chase Freedom Flex®. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has no foreign transaction fees.
• Airline-Specific Perks: As a co-branded airline card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card offers a range of benefits for Delta flyers, such as a first checked bag free, priority boarding, and an annual Companion Certificate after card renewal. The Chase Freedom Flex® does not have these types of airline-specific benefits.
• Trusted Traveler Programs: Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card can receive a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. The Chase Freedom Flex® does not offer this perk.

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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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the right choice, a tool like Kudos can help you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards using your own spending data.

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• “Test drive” a credit card before you apply, using your real spending data to see personalized earnings projections.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, ensuring Kudos will match any better offer you find within three months.
• Track your spending, monitor transactions, and keep an eye on your credit score all in one place.
• Unlock special offers, like a $100 Kudos Kickstart+ reward for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great fit for savvy spenders who enjoy optimizing their rewards without paying an annual fee. It particularly suits those who don't mind activating rotating quarterly bonus categories to maximize earnings and also frequently spend on dining and at drugstores. Additionally, it's a popular choice for cardholders looking to build a "Chase trifecta" by pairing it with premium cards to pool Ultimate Rewards® points, as detailed in this cash back card review.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is tailored for dedicated Delta loyalists, including both business and leisure travelers who frequently fly with the airline or its partners. It's particularly valuable for those aspiring to achieve or maintain Medallion status and individuals who prioritize premium airport experiences like access to the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges. Additionally, travelers who can consistently leverage the annual companion certificate for first-class or premium-cabin travel will extract significant value, making it a strong choice for couples or friends who travel together annually.

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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Deciding between cards can be tough, and if the Chase Freedom Flex® vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comparison didn't produce a clear winner for you, other excellent options are available. Let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better fit for your spending habits.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review issuer application rules - Some issuers have restrictions based on how many cards you've recently opened or your history with the bank.
• Understand the card's management needs - Be prepared to enroll in benefits or activate bonus categories to maximize your rewards.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the welcome offer spending requirement.
• Know issuer-specific rules - Be mindful of policies like the Chase 5/24 rule that can affect your approval odds.
• Confirm your bonus eligibility - Some issuers, like American Express, may limit welcome offers to once per lifetime for a specific card.

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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What are the annual fees for the Chase Freedom Flex and Delta SkyMiles Reserve?

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The Chase Freedom Flex℠ has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for earning rewards. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, on the other hand, has a premium annual fee that covers its extensive travel perks like lounge access.

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Which card is better for earning rewards on everyday spending?

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For general everyday purchases, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ often provides more value with its rotating 5% cash back categories and strong earning rates at restaurants and drugstores. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card is primarily optimized for earning miles on Delta flights and vacations.

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Can I get airport lounge access with these cards?

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Airport lounge access is not a feature of the Chase Freedom Flex℠. In contrast, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers cardholders complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and The Centurion® Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or operated flight.

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