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Are you a frequent flyer with Delta Airlines? If so, you may want to consider applying for one of their co-branded credit cards. Delta offers a range of credit cards, each with its own unique benefits and features. From no-annual-fee options to high-end cards with airport lounge access, there is a Delta credit card for every type of traveler. But with so many options, how do you know which one is right for you?
Comparing the best Delta Air Lines credit cards
While you can still earn miles flying, having a Delta credit card helps you earn airline miles quicker on regular purchases and earn frequent flyer perks and elite status. The Delta credit card that’s right for you depends on how often you fly and your desired benefits.
| Card Name | Best for | Highlights | Welcome offer | Annual fee | Bankrate Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Travel rewards newcomers |
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Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. | $0 | 3.4 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Casual Delta flyers |
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Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | 4.4 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Frequent Delta travelers |
|
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $350 | 4.7 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Lounge access and elite status |
|
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | $650 | 4.2 |
Top Delta Air Lines credit cards
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The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the only co-branded Delta credit card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. This card might be a good fit for travel rewards newcomers who want to experience rewards miles for the first time. However, even for occasional Delta travelers, this card doesn’t have much value. It lacks the perks of the other Delta cards, features the smallest welcome bonus and has the lowest rewards rates. The only added benefit is a 20 percent statement credit on in-flight purchases.
It might be worth it to try the Gold version for a year which features no annual fee for the first year (then $150) and downgrade to the Blue if you can’t offset the annual fee but still want to earn Delta SkyMiles.
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Pros
- Delta SkyMiles earned with this card don’t expire.
- You can save money on in-flight purchases with this card.
Cons
- You won’t enjoy any substantial benefits and perks that would provide added value from this card.
- Compared to other Delta cards, you can earn more Delta miles in every category if you are willing to pay an annual fee.
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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card doesn’t charge an annual fee for the first year and provides solid perks and credits even if you don’t fly Delta much. These include a free checked bag for you and up to eight people on your itinerary, priority boarding on Delta flights and discounts on award bookings and in-flight purchases.
The welcome bonus on this card could be enough for a round-trip domestic flight. You’ll also earn 2X miles on Delta purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. The Delta flight credit you can earn toward a future Delta flight is worth pursuing if you occasionally fly with Delta. That and the Delta Stays credit can easily offset the annual fee.
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Pros
- The annual fee is waived the first year and can be offset easily if you can earn and use the Delta credits without overspending.
- The card offers valuable flight perks that can significantly improve your flight experience.
Cons
- This card has no luxury perks, such as complimentary airport lounge access.
- You won’t get any assistance towards earning elite status from this card.
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The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card has a higher annual fee of $350 but may provide the most value in return. In addition to the flight experience features of the Gold card’s version like priority boarding and first checked bag free, you’ll get a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership, Hertz elite status, a higher Delta Stays credit and monthly credits with Resy and rideshare purchases, which can add significant value.
This card does not feature the Gold card’s Delta flight credit, but when you renew your card, you’ll get an annual companion certificate that is good for domestic and most Caribbean or Central American main cabin round-trip flights for the cost of taxes and fees for your guest when you pay your fare. You’ll also earn 3X miles at hotels and Delta flights and a boost towards earning elite status through spending.
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Pros
- The card offers numerous credits and perks that can easily offset the annual fee if you travel with Delta regularly.
- You’ll receive a boost to your elite status every year and the ability to earn status by spending.
Cons
- Credits like the rideshare and Resy credits may be challenging to maximize.
- The annual fee may be too high if you don’t utilize most of the benefits.
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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card gives you enhanced premium benefits compared to the other cards. While the $650 annual fee is high, you’ll receive a complimentary membership to Delta Sky Clubs (through January 31, 2025) and a companion certificate that works for any fare class for round-trip domestic and most Caribbean or Central American flights when you pay your fare and the necessary fees for your companion.
While the rewards-earning structure doesn’t measure up to the Platinum version, the Reserve card is ideal for pursuing elite status. You’ll earn $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each year and an additional $1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card, which is half of what you’d need to spend to earn that with the Platinum version.
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Pros
- The luxury perks and credits can provide outsized value.
- You can earn boosts towards elite status by spending on this card.
Cons
- You can earn significantly more Delta SkyMiles with other Delta cards through everyday spending.
- You won’t get unlimited Delta SkyClub visits after January 31, 2025.
How to choose the best Delta Air Lines credit cards
If you’re having trouble deciding which Delta credit card is best for you, make sure to consider all the differences and decide which card would best suit your needs.
- Annual fee: You’ll need to decide what level of annual fee offers you the best value. The Blue and Gold versions still let you earn miles and offer minimal perks without a high annual fee, but you’ll give up better benefits. The Platinum and Reserve versions provide superior benefits but have a high price tag. Determine whether you’ll use those additional perks to decide if the higher-fee cards could provide better value.
- Airport lounge access: If you want airport lounge access, you’ll need to pay the $650 fee for the Reserve card. Through January 31, 2025 you’ll get unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs or Amex Centurion Lounges when you fly with Delta. If you travel frequently, that may be a better option than paying the $695 Delta Sky Club membership fee.
- Elite status: If you want your credit card spending to help you work towards elite status, you’ll need either the Platinum or Reserve versions. Both give you a $2,500 annual boost to your MQDs. You’ll also earn an additional $1 MQD when you spend $10 on your Reserve card or $20 on your Platinum card. Frequent Delta travelers can quickly rack up status and additional Delta SkyMiles by putting their travel spending on these cards.
- Flight benefits: Make sure the card you’re considering offers the perks you’ll use most. Depending on which version you choose, you can take advantage of free checked baggage, priority boarding, statement credits on in-flight purchases, complimentary upgrades, a credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck or travel insurance benefits.
Other cards to consider
Delta co-branded cards aren’t the only way to earn Delta SkyMiles. Depending on your spending habits, they might not be the best way to earn them. Business owners can also consider the business credit card version of Delta co-branded cards to serve their business needs better.
Membership Rewards cards
American Express Membership Rewards points are transferable to Delta at a 1,000:1,000 ratio for a small excise tax. This can be a great way to boost or supplement your Delta SkyMiles balance. Plenty of American Express credit cards earn Membership Rewards, covering numerous potential bonus categories:
Depending on your spending habits and travel preferences, these cards can provide substantial rewards and benefits to enhance your travel experience. You’ll also have significantly more flexibility when redeeming your points, whether for cash back or any of Amex’s travel partners.
Delta co-branded business credit cards
Business owners can opt for the business credit card version of the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards. Business versions have the same annual fee as their personal counterparts. While the features and benefits are generally similar, here are the differences you’ll find between the personal and business options:
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The welcome offer on the Amex Gold Business is a bit better than the personal version. The business card offers 55,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first six months, while the personal version gives you 40,000 miles for spending only $2,000 in that time frame.
While the personal version earns 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets, the business card replaces that with 2X miles for purchases at U.S. shipping and advertising in select media for up to $50,000 per category annually. Also, the Delta Stays credit is worth up to $150 on the business card while the personal version offers just up to $100.
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The Amex Platinum Business card’s welcome offer is also higher than the personal card. The business card offers 65,000 miles for spending $6,000 in the first six months, while the personal version is worth 50,000 miles for spending only $3,000 in the same amount of time.
The personal card earns 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, while the business card only earns 1.5X on shipping and transit purchases up to $100,000 in combined eligible purchases and on any single eligible purchase of $5,000 or higher. However, the business card boosts the Delta Stays credit to up to $200 instead of up to $150 on the personal card.
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As we consistently see, the welcome offer on the Amex Reserve Business card is more than the personal version for double the spending. The business card is worth 75,000 miles for spending a hefty $10,000 in the first six months, while the personal version provides 60,000 miles for spending only $5,000 in the first six months.
While the personal card has no additional bonus categories outside of Delta purchases, the business card earns 1.5X on transit, U.S. shipping, U.S. office supply store purchases and any eligible purchases after spending over $150,000 in annual eligible purchases. The business card increases the Delta Stays credit to $250 from $200 on the personal version.You’ll see that the business cards have a higher welcome offer and offer $50 more in Delta Stays credit. They also feature business-centric bonus categories instead of everyday spending bonuses on personal cards. If your business needs can benefit more from a business card, consider going that route.
Frequently asked questions
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The minimum SkyMiles required for a free Main Cabin flight is 12,000, but the amount varies greatly depending on the flight details, such as destination and travel dates. For premium seats, the mileage needed increases significantly.
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According to Bankrate’s valuations, Delta SkyMiles are typically worth around 1.2 cents each for economy flights. This value is subject to change due to Delta’s dynamic pricing for award tickets, so it’s wise to look for redemptions that meet or exceed this value for the best deal.
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Delta credit cardholders may not see lower sticker prices on tickets, but they can save through miles earned and a 15 percent discount on award flights for most Delta SkyMiles credit cardholders. Additional benefits like priority boarding and free checked bags also contribute to overall travel savings. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not qualify for the 15 percent flight discount.
What’s next?
Match your travel needs and your budget with Bankrate’s tools.
The bottom line
Choosing the best Delta SkyMiles credit card depends on your individual travel habits and priorities. Whether you are a frequent flyer looking for elite perks or a casual traveler seeking no annual fees, there is a Delta credit card option for you. Additionally, consider other credit cards to maximize your rewards and flexibility. When deciding on the best Delta credit card for you, carefully compare and contrast all the important factors to make the best decision for you.
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