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Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: An ideal choice for earning flexible rewards on everyday spending like travel and dining.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for loyal Delta flyers who want premium travel perks like lounge access and a companion certificate.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
This section breaks down why we like the Chase Sapphire Preferred®.
- It offers a strong rewards structure with bonus points on travel, dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
- The card includes a suite of robust travel protections, such as trip cancellation insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
- After using the $50 annual hotel credit, spending just $1,500 on dining annually can offset the rest of the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).
Pros
- A flexible rewards program with valuable redemption options, including transfers to popular airline and hotel partners.
- A strong suite of travel insurance benefits, such as trip cancellation coverage and a primary auto rental waiver.
- Useful travel and dining perks, plus no foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
Cons
- It carries an annual fee and lacks premium travel perks like airport lounge access or credits for expedited security programs.
- Qualifying can be difficult due to strict approval criteria, including a high credit score requirement and a restrictive application rule that limits approvals based on recently opened accounts.
- Points are less valuable when redeemed for non-travel options like cash back, and some competing cards offer higher rewards rates in certain spending categories.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a closer look at what makes the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card a top-tier choice for Delta loyalists.
- For frequent flyers, the card unlocks a suite of premium travel perks, including extensive lounge access and priority services on Delta flights.
- Cardholders can offset the annual fee with valuable statement credits for rideshares and dining, adding everyday value beyond travel.
- Using the annual companion certificate for a single domestic first-class flight can easily recoup the card's annual fee (See Rates & Fees). (publisher-formulated estimate)
Pros
Extensive lounge access, including Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges, plus priority services on Delta flights.
An annual companion certificate valid for a domestic round-trip flight in First Class, Delta Comfort, or Main Cabin.
A fast track to earning Delta Medallion status and valuable statement credits for everyday spending on dining and rideshares.
Cons
The card’s high annual fee can be difficult to justify unless you are a frequent Delta flyer who can maximize its travel-specific benefits.
Earning potential is limited on everyday spending, as the card offers a low rewards rate on purchases outside of the Delta ecosystem.
Key benefits like the annual companion certificate and lounge access are subject to significant restrictions that can limit their overall value and flexibility.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®
Categories
Deciding which is better, the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Delta SkyMiles Reserve, comes down to your personal travel style and brand loyalty.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This is a top choice for those looking for a flexible, entry-level travel rewards card. It’s best suited for frequent travelers who want to maximize rewards without paying a premium annual fee.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is designed for frequent Delta flyers seeking premium travel benefits and a fast track to elite status. It is ideal for travelers who fly regularly with Delta and can maximize its airline-specific perks.
Redemption
Chase Sapphire Preferred®: Points earned with this card offer great flexibility, as they can be transferred to a variety of airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel through the Chase portal.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express: Rewards are redeemed as SkyMiles, which are best used for booking flights with Delta and its partner airlines, or for upgrades and other Delta-specific travel experiences.
Travel Perks
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: The travel ecosystem for this card is centered around the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, which offers flexible booking options. It does not charge foreign transaction fees.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card’s ecosystem is built for the loyal Delta traveler, offering premium perks within the airline. Key benefits include complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when flying with Delta. This card does not have foreign transaction fees.
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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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers looking to maximize rewards without paying a premium annual fee. It’s particularly well-suited for individuals who value robust travel protections and flexible redemption options, such as transferring points to airline and hotel partners. As our comprehensive review details, this card is a top-tier entry point into the world of travel rewards for those who dine out and book travel often.
Who Should Choose the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express?
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is primarily designed for loyal Delta flyers who take several domestic or international trips each year. It also caters to travelers aspiring to achieve or maintain Delta Medallion status and those who value premium airport experiences like lounge access. Ultimately, cardholders who can consistently use the annual companion certificate for premium cabin travel will extract the most value from this premium card.
Alternatives to Consider
If the head-to-head Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Delta SkyMiles Reserve comparison has you concluding that neither the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card nor the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the right choice, you're in luck. There are several other excellent travel cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score. Most premium travel cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
- Plan your spending. Make sure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer without forcing purchases.
- Research redemption options. Know how you’ll use your points, whether through airline and hotel transfer partners or other travel benefits.
Application Strategy
- Be aware of issuer rules. Some issuers have unwritten policies, like the Chase 5/24 rule, that can impact your application.
- Align cards with your lifestyle. Pick a card that matches your habits, like a co-branded airline card if you’re loyal to a specific carrier.
- Time your application. Applying before a large, planned purchase can help you meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
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
Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Delta SkyMiles?
No, you cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to the Delta SkyMiles program. However, Chase has other airline and hotel transfer partners that provide flexible redemption options.
How do the lounge access benefits compare between the two cards?
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion Lounge when flying Delta, though terms apply and enrollment may be required. The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer regular lounge access, focusing instead on flexible point redemptions and other travel perks.
Which card is better if I don't fly exclusively with Delta?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card generally offers more flexibility for travelers who are not loyal to a single airline. Its points can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners or used to book travel through the Chase portal.
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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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