Chase Freedom Unlimited 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 look at why we think the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a strong choice for many travelers.

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• The card is packed with valuable, practical benefits for Delta flyers, including an annual companion certificate and a free first checked bag.
• You'll earn accelerated miles on everyday spending, with 3X miles on Delta and hotel purchases and 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets.
• The annual companion certificate can easily offset the $350 annual fee (See Rates & Fees) if used on a flight of equal or greater value (publisher-formulated estimate).

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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.}

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Pros

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• Receive an annual companion certificate for a domestic main cabin round-trip flight each year upon renewal.
• Accelerate your path to Delta Medallion status through Status Boosts and Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waivers.
• Enjoy valuable statement credits for rideshare and dining, plus a discount when using miles for award travel on Delta flights.

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Cons

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• The card’s annual fee is substantial, and its value is heavily dependent on being a frequent Delta flyer.
• Unlike many premium travel cards, it does not include complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges.
• The popular annual companion certificate comes with restrictions that can make it difficult to use, as it’s limited to certain domestic flights.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express vs Chase Freedom Unlimited®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Unlimited or Delta SkyMiles Platinum, it's crucial to recognize that each card is built for a completely different type of spender and lifestyle.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: This card is best for everyday spenders who want to earn consistent cash back rewards on all their purchases without tracking complicated categories. It's a straightforward option for those new to rewards or looking to build a flexible points strategy.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Tailored for frequent flyers loyal to Delta, this card offers travel-centric benefits designed to enhance the flying experience and accelerate the path to elite status. It's most valuable for those who can take full advantage of its airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as flexible points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase portal. The points can also be combined with premium Chase cards to unlock more valuable travel options with airline and hotel partners.

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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Rewards are earned as Delta SkyMiles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta and its partner airlines. While other options like seat upgrades and vacation packages exist, using miles for award travel typically provides the most value.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®:
  • Travel Portal: While it provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, its ecosystem is geared more toward flexible cash back than premium travel.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card includes a foreign transaction fee, making it less ideal for international spending.
  • Travel Protections: Offers foundational travel protections like trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
  • Lounge Access: Airport lounge access is not a feature of this card.

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• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card:
  • Annual Companion Certificate: A standout feature is the annual companion certificate for a domestic Main Cabin round-trip flight upon card renewal. Terms apply.
  • Baggage & Boarding: Enjoy a first checked bag free on Delta flights for you and up to eight travel companions on the same reservation, along with Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding. Terms apply.
  • Lounge Access: Cardholders can access the Delta Sky Club network for a fee per visit. Terms apply.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck® Credit: Covers the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® via a statement credit. Terms apply.
  • Status Boost: Helps you earn Delta Medallion Status faster by providing Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you meet specific spending thresholds each year. Terms apply.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel. Terms apply.

_{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 cut through the noise, a tool like Kudos can help by comparing nearly 3,000 credit cards with a data-driven approach, helping you find the best fit for your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Before you apply, you can simulate potential earnings on any card using your actual spending data, all without a hard credit pull.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders and those new to rewards, offering a straightforward earning structure without the need to track rotating categories. It's also a strategic pick for existing Chase customers who can pair it with a premium card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®, to maximize the value of their Ultimate Rewards® points. As detailed in our comprehensive guide, this card is ideal for anyone seeking valuable purchase protections and travel benefits without paying an annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express card is an excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their loyalty with airline-specific perks. It's also particularly valuable for travelers aiming to achieve Medallion status or those who travel with a partner and can take advantage of the annual companion certificate. As detailed in this comprehensive card review, the card best suits moderate-to-heavy spenders with good to excellent credit who can fully utilize its benefits.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express comparison shows that neither card is quite right for you, let's look at some other options. There are plenty of other cards that offer compelling rewards and benefits tailored to different needs.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score before applying, as this card generally requires good to excellent credit.

• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the welcome offer requirement without forcing purchases.

• Review the card’s benefits, as many credits and perks require enrollment to activate.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer’s rules, as some welcome offers are limited to once per lifetime.

• Consider your card ecosystem to see how this card’s points can complement your existing rewards.

• Try different application channels if you are targeting a specific elevated welcome offer.

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 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles?

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No, Delta SkyMiles is not a direct transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards. You can, however, transfer points to other airline partners like Air France-KLM Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic to potentially book award flights on Delta.

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is often better for a wide range of everyday purchases due to its bonus categories and flat-rate rewards on all other spending. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is more specialized, primarily rewarding purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels.

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Is the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card worth its annual fee?

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Whether the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is worth its annual fee depends on your travel patterns. Frequent Delta flyers who can maximize benefits like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags will likely find significant value.

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