Best Delta credit cards of April 2024
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 4:52 a.m. UTC April 1, 2024
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Delta and its partner airlines offer flights to more than 1,000 destinations in over 60 countries around the world. And Delta offers more than just reach: In 2022, it was the top-performing U.S.-based airline for punctuality, according to a report from OAG, a travel data provider.
If you’re a frequent Delta flier, you might be interested in opening a Delta credit card to earn rewards on your travel. The best Delta credit cards earn rewards on flights, restaurants, and other purchases, and come with perks to enhance your travel experience.
Be sure to compare these cards to those on our lists of the best credit cards to view them outside of the context of this list of cards. Although Delta offers a wide range of co-branded cards, these may not always be the market’s best offerings or right for your particular needs.
Delta offers four personal credit cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The annual fees on these cards range from $0 to $650, with the pricier cards offering bonus perks like a companion ticket and access to the Delta Sky Club.
We analyzed Delta’s credit cards to identify the best cards for different types of Delta flyers and curated this list of their most valuable features. Here are our selections for the best Delta credit cards of April 2024.
Best Delta credit cards
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for earning SkyMiles without an annual fee.
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for a free checked bag and priority boarding.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best for a companion certificate.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for maximum Delta perks.
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 4 cards analyzed.
- 5+ data points analyzed.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best for earning SkyMiles without an annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Best for a free checked bag and priority boarding
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Best for a companion certificate
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Best for maximum Delta perks
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Compare the best Delta credit cards
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Earn 40,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Why this card made the list
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees) is a straightforward choice if you’re looking to earn Delta SkyMiles on a travel card with no annual fee. Although it doesn’t offer the same perks as some of Delta’s other cards, it does give you 20% savings on in-flight Delta purchases in the form of a statement credit.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 10,000 miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Foreign transaction fee: None.
Why this card made the list
Even though the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees) charges an annual fee after the first year, it comes with a free checked bag perk for you and up to eight traveling companions on your reservation that can make the cost well worth it. Along with 20% savings on in-flight purchases in the form of a statement credit, the Gold Delta SkyMiles card comes with priority boarding and a free checked bag when you fly Delta. If you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year, you can earn a $200 flight credit for future travel on Delta. The card also offers an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (up to $100). Enrollment is required for select benefits.
- Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- Rewards: Earn 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Foreign transaction fee: None.
Why this card made the list
Although the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees) carries a sizeable annual fee of $350, it comes with a variety of money-saving perks for cardholders, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, 20% savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases in the form of a statement credit and an annual companion certificate for a friend to fly domestically.
Cardholders can receive 2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQD) each medallion qualification year with MQD Headstart. Plus, earn 1 MQD for each $20 of eligible purchases made on your card in a calendar year which can bring you closer to achieving Medallion status and enjoying the travel perks that come with it.
- Annual fee: $350.
- Rewards: Earn 3 miles per $1 on Delta and purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Foreign transaction fee: None.
Why this card made the list
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, rates & fees) made our best airline cards list for its lengthy list of perks and benefits, including complimentary Delta Sky Club® access for the cardholder. Cardholders will receive four Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve card members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. You’ll also be eligible for complimentary upgrades, when available. This card is primarily aimed at those who want airport lounge access, and are willing to pay for it via ownership of this card.
The card also includes complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounge, a free checked bag, priority boarding, statement credit for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck (up to $100), and 20% savings on eligible in-flight Delta purchases (in the form of a statement credit). You’ll receive an annual companion certificate valid for a domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight in first class, Comfort+ or the main cabin.
- Annual fee: $650.
- Rewards: Earn 3 miles per $1 on Delta purchases and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
- Foreign transaction fee: None.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. In the case of the best Delta credit cards, there are only four consumer Delta cards available and each one is aimed at a different user. The right Delta card for you will be the one that aligns with your willingness to pay annual fees and the perks you’ll get in exchange.
Should you get a Delta credit card?
“Delta Air Lines is consistently one of the most popular airlines among travelers. If you love Delta, a Delta Air Lines credit card from American Express can enhance and optimize your Delta SkyMiles earning, redeeming, and flying. From a big welcome offer to extra benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and extra status miles, you can save hundreds of dollars annually with any of these cards. To make the right choice, think about your next year of travel, how often you’ll fly on Delta, what benefits you like most, etc., then match that up with the right card,” says Zac Hood, travel rewards educator and founder of the app, TravelFreely.com.
If you frequently fly with Delta, a Delta credit card could make your travel experience more enjoyable and you could earn valuable rewards to use for future Delta flights. Depending on the card you choose, you could enjoy perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to the Delta SkyClub lounge.
Plus, you’ll earn rewards back on your purchases and get 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible in-flight Delta purchases you make on snacks, drinks, and other items. At the same time, you may be able to find other travel rewards cards with even better rewards structures.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, for example, offers 5 points per $1 on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per $1 on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases and has a $95 annual fee. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a $550 annual fee but earns 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases.
If you want a travel card that offers more rewards on your purchases outside of flying, a Delta credit card might not be the way to go. But if you frequently fly with Delta or one of its partner airlines, a Delta Blue, Gold, Platinum or Reserve credit card could be a valuable addition to your wallet.
Guide to Delta credit cards
What are Delta SkyMiles and how do they work?
Delta SkyMiles are the rewards you earn when you charge purchases to your Delta credit card. You can redeem SkyMiles for travel with Delta or one of its partner airlines. You can book with any of these partner airlines via Delta.com:
- Air France
- Cape Air
- China Eastern
- China Airlines
- China Southern
- Hawaiian Airlines
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Korean Air
- LATAM
- Mandarin Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Tarom Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
- Xiamen Airlines
With these partners you can use your Delta miles to directly book flights on these airlines. You must have a minimum of 5,000 miles to redeem, which equates to $50 toward your ticket. You can also contact Delta to have them book with your miles on the following partner airlines:
- Air Europa
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Czech Airlines
- Kenya Airways
In addition to using your miles to book flights, you can also use SkyMiles to upgrade your seats, use for premium drinks in a Delta Sky Club, for ticket change fees, to redeem for Delta gift cards, magazines or to shop with miles via the Delta SkyMiles Marketplace. You can also gift, transfer or donate your SkyMiles via Delta.com
How to get a Delta credit card
You can apply for a Delta credit card on the American Express website. The application asks for personal details, such as your name, Social Security number, and total annual income. After submitting your application, American Express will run a hard credit inquiry to review your credit standing, which could ding your credit score by a few points. You could get a decision on whether or not you qualify for the card in as little as 30 seconds, or a notice that says Amex is reviewing your application further.
Pros of Delta credit cards
- Travel benefits. All cards offer 20% back in the form of a statement credit on eligible in-flight Delta purchases and no foreign transaction fees. The Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards also offer a 15% discount for award travel booked with the airline.
- Miles never expire. As long as your account is open and in good standing, your Delta SkyMiles won’t expire.
- Pay with miles. The cards unlock the ability to use miles to offset the price of a flight. For every 5,000 SkyMiles you redeem, you’ll get $50 off the cost of your Delta flight.
- Free checked bags. The Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards all offer free checked bag perks.
- Protection perks. All four cards come with secondary auto rental coverage¹, purchase protection and extended warranty coverage².
Cons of Delta credit cards
- Low ongoing earn rate. Some cobranded credit cards offer ultra-high rewards rates for spending within the brand, but these cards do not.
- Limited travel protections. None of the cards offer primary auto rental coverage, not even the $650-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
- May be geographically undesirable. If you don’t fly to or from a location where Delta has a presence, accruing Delta SkyMiles will be of little use to you.
- Limited redemption options. Although Delta has a robust list of travel airline partners, you can’t use your rewards to book other types of travel without booking through Delta Vacations.
Considering a more flexible travel rewards card?Here’s how the Delta SkyMiles Reserve stacks up against The Platinum Card from American Express
How to maximize the value of your Delta credit card
You can maximize the value of your Delta credit card by utilizing your travel benefits and charging your purchases strategically. Most Delta cards, for instance, offer elevated earnings on Delta purchases and on restaurant dining. You should also make sure before applying for a new Delta credit card that you can hit the spending requirement to earn the welcome bonus within the specified time frame — as a welcome bonus is one of the best ways to rack up travel rewards quickly.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Three of Delta’s four personal credit cards come with a free checked bag when you fly Delta: the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. The only Delta card that doesn’t come with a free checked bag is the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card.
Although Delta doesn’t disclose the specific credit score you need to open a Delta credit card, you likely need a good credit score of which FICO typically defines as 670 or higher. Keep in mind that there is no exact credit score that will guarantee your application for a particular card will be approved as lenders take a variety of factors into account when making their decision, including your income.
Medallion® Qualification Dollars are rewards that you earn when you purchase flights on Delta or one of its partner airlines or earn them as bonuses on a Delta credit card. After earning a certain number of MQDs, you could qualify for Delta Medallion Status. There are three tiers—Silver, Gold and Platinum—and each comes with travel perks, such as free checked bags, priority check-in and free upgrades.
You can choose to “Pay With Miles” for a flight once you’ve accrued a minimum of 5,000 Delta SkyMiles.
You can use Delta SkyMiles on Delta, Delta Connection carriers, and Delta’s more than 30 partner airlines in the SkyTeam alliance and other partnerships.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card please visit this page.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card please visit this page.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card please visit this page.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card please visit this page.
¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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