Chase Freedom Unlimited 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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This section breaks down the key reasons why we're fans of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

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• Its annual companion certificate provides a domestic round-trip flight for a travel partner each year upon renewal, valid even in First Class.
• The card includes hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits for popular rideshare and dining services.
• You can effectively cancel out the annual fee (See Rates & Fees) just by using the companion certificate for a premium-cabin ticket (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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• Annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip flight, including in First Class.
• Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and Centurion Lounges when flying with Delta.
• Fast-track to Medallion® elite status with benefits that help you qualify more easily.

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Cons

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• A high annual fee makes it best suited for frequent Delta flyers.
• The card’s most valuable perks are tied specifically to Delta, offering less value if you fly with other airlines.
• Earning bonus miles is limited outside of Delta purchases, and the SkyMiles program can be less flexible than competitors.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve 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 Reserve, it's essential to recognize that these cards are designed for entirely different users and spending habits. One focuses on straightforward cash back, while the other is tailored for premium airline travel.

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a fantastic cash back card for everyday spenders who want consistent rewards without tracking rotating categories. It's ideal for those new to credit card rewards or anyone seeking a straightforward earning structure.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a premium travel card designed for frequent Delta flyers. This card is best for loyalists of the airline who want to maximize their miles and enjoy premium travel benefits like lounge access and a faster path to elite status.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Rewards are earned as points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. These points also offer the flexibility to be transferred to premium Chase travel cards for potentially higher value.

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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Miles earned with this card are primarily redeemed for flights with Delta Air Lines and its partner airlines. You can also use miles for seat upgrades, Delta Vacations packages, and other travel-related perks.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Travel can be booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal. However, this card is not designed for frequent travelers, as it charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad and does not offer premium perks like airport lounge access.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card’s ecosystem is built for the loyal Delta flyer. It includes complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve Card. Key benefits also include an annual Companion Certificate after your account anniversary and a way to accelerate your Medallion® Status with Status Boost®. The card does not charge a foreign transaction fee.

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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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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To cut through the noise and find the perfect card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated cards using your own spending data.

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• Test Drive Any Card: See personalized earnings projections for any card based on your actual transaction history—all before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
• Approval Odds: Get a detailed analysis based on your credit report to understand your chances of approval before you commit.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when you shop at participating stores.
• Personalized Matching: The platform analyzes your spending to match you with new cards that will maximize your rewards.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Unlimited®?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an excellent choice for everyday spenders who value simplicity and consistent rewards without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. It's particularly well-suited for those new to credit card rewards and for existing Chase customers looking to build a powerful rewards strategy by pairing it with a premium travel card. As detailed in our comprehensive review, its combination of no annual fee, purchase protections, and a straightforward earning structure makes it a versatile and valuable option for a wide range of users.

Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?

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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is primarily designed for dedicated Delta loyalists who take several trips with the airline each year for business or leisure. It's an ideal choice for travelers aiming to fast-track their way to Medallion status and those who value premium airport experiences like Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access. Furthermore, cardholders who can maximize the annual companion certificate for a domestic first-class or comfort-plus flight will extract substantial value that can easily justify the card's cost.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this Chase Freedom Unlimited® vs. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comparison has left you feeling like neither is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other excellent credit cards on the market that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Premium cards typically require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review your spending habits – Ensure the card’s benefits align with your lifestyle and travel preferences.
• Know the issuer’s rules – Be aware of any welcome offer eligibility rules, like Amex's once-per-lifetime policy.

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Application Strategy

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• Align the card with your spending habits, whether it's for a specific airline or general rewards.
• Look for card-pairing opportunities to maximize rewards within a single ecosystem.
• Time your application before a large purchase to more easily meet the welcome offer spending requirement.

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 Unlimited and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, on the other hand, has a substantial annual fee to cover its suite of premium travel perks.

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Can I transfer points from the Chase Freedom Unlimited to Delta SkyMiles?

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While you cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to the Delta SkyMiles program, they can be moved to other airline and hotel partners. This flexibility is a key feature of the Chase ecosystem.

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Which card is better for everyday spending?

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The Chase Freedom Unlimited® generally comes out ahead for everyday spending, as it offers strong reward rates across a wide range of common purchase categories. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card's earning structure is primarily focused on rewarding purchases made directly with Delta.

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