Editor's note: Big changes are coming to Delta's SkyMiles program in 2024, including how members can earn elite status. The carrier will also be cutting back Sky Club lounge access. Read more on these upcoming changes here.

Once partners, now competitors, Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines each have a large presence at Seattle-Tacoma International and Los Angeles International airports. If you live near one of these cities or are planning a trip to visit, you’ll likely have flight options on both carriers. If you’re not already loyal to one or the other, you’ll need to ask yourself which airline is better for your travel goals.

To help you decide whether to fly with Alaska Airlines versus Delta, here's a look at where they fly, what their fees are and which one of their loyalty programs best meets your needs.

Where they’re based and where they fly

Winner for most flight options: Delta

While both airlines are members of travel alliances that greatly expand their reach worldwide, Delta serves twice as many destinations as Alaska as well as several additional continents.

Alaska’s flight coverage

Alaska serves 120 destinations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica and Belize. It’s also a member of the Oneworld alliance, partnering with 13 airlines to offer flights to 900 destinations in 170 countries.

Alaska's U.S. hubs:

Anchorage, Alaska.

Los Angeles.

San Francisco.

Portland, Oregon.

Seattle.

Other U.S. focus cities:

San Diego.

San Jose, California.

Delta’s flight coverage

Delta serves about 275 destinations across six continents. The airline is a SkyTeam member, which means it partners with 17 airlines that fly to more than 1,000 cities in 170 countries.

Delta U.S. hubs:

Atlanta.

Boston.

Detroit.

Los Angeles.

Minneapolis-St. Paul.

New York-John F. Kennedy.

Salt Lake City.

Seattle.

Delta’s key international markets:

Amsterdam.

London-Heathrow.

Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Seoul.

Mexico City.

Tokyo-Haneda.

Travel credit card availability

Winner for most valuable airline credit card: Delta

While Alaska offers two cards to its frequent flyers (one personal and one business card), Delta offers an array of options ranging from starter to premium cards.

Alaska credit cards

Alaska Airlines Visa® credit card

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Annual fee: $95.

Welcome offer: Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska's Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

Earning rates:

3 miles per dollar spent on Alaska purchases.

2 miles per dollar spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases

1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Other benefits:

Free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to six other passengers.

Companion Fare (buy a ticket for a companion for $99 plus tax). Existing cardholders prior to Jan. 18, 2023, still earn an annual Companion Fare regardless of spend, whereas new cardholders must meet a $6,000 minimum spend annually to be eligible for the perk.

20% back on in-flight purchases.

No foreign transaction fees.

Alaska also offers a business card, which has similar benefits as the consumer card above.

Delta credit cards

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

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Rates & Fees

Annual fee: $0.

Welcome offer: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Earning rates:

2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Other benefits:

20% back on in-flight purchases.

Pay with Miles to reduce the cost of Delta tickets.

No foreign transaction fees.

Terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

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Rates & Fees

Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.

Welcome offer: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Earning rates:

2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets.

1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Other benefits:

First checked bag free.

Access to priority boarding.

$100 Delta credit after making $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year.

Terms apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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Rates & Fees

Annual fee: $250.

Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Earning rates:

3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and directly at hotels.

2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets.

1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Other benefits:

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck enrollment fee credit.

Delta companion certificate (domestic main cabin).

$39 Delta Sky Club access.

Elite status boost after spending $25,000 in a calendar year up to two times through Dec. 31, 2023. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more atdelta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.