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Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards of April 2024

American Express partners with many brands, including Delta, to give you more bang for your buck when it comes to earning rewards. As of April 2024, the company offers seven Delta credit cards with annual fees ranging from $0 to $650, making it easier than ever to earn Delta SkyMiles based on your spending habits.

We reviewed all seven American Express Delta cards to determine if it’s worth adding one to your wallet. The short answer? Yes. Each card has fees and benefits, but all of them allow you to earn SkyMiles on everyday purchases. You may even qualify for Delta flight credit, luggage insurance*, or other benefits.

Learn more about the pros and cons of each card and discover which one we recommend for your circumstances.

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Best Premium Delta Card with Lounge Access

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card®

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

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Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer
60,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a premium Delta card with premium perks to boot. For the average spender, its annual fee is likely more expensive than the value they can get from the card but for the loyal, frequent Delta flyer, it’s rich with high-end benefits.
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Card Details

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  • Reserve your piece of history with the new limited edition Boeing 747 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card design.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person per visit when flying Delta. 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.
  • Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
  • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • $240 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs & Amex Centurion Lounges
  • Annual Companion Certificate, good for one ticket in the same class you’re in
  • Very generous welcome offer
Cons
  • High annual fee ($650)
  • Low rewards rate on non-Delta spending categories
  • Requires good to excellent credit
Bottom Line

The $650 annual fee on this card is a lot to digest but for the luxury traveler who is loyal to Delta when flying, it holds plenty of value.

Best for Most Delta Flyers

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

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Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X miles on restaurant purchases (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and on Delta purchases, and 1X miles on all other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$0 the first year, then $150
Welcome Offer
40,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you make a habit of flying with Delta Airlines, the Delta Skymiles Gold credit card can reward you handsomely for your travels.
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Card Details

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  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
  • You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight.
  • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members can earn up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
  • Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Ability to earn a Delta Flight Credit
  • Generous welcome offer
  • Free checked bag
Cons
  • Comparatively high annual fee after the first year
  • Requires good to excellent credit
  • No Sky Club access
Bottom Line

The perks this card delivers can easily make up for the annual fee but may not be worth it if you aren’t a Delta enthusiast.

Best for Companion Tickets

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X miles on Delta purchases and 3X on purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X miles at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, and earn 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.

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Annual Fee
$350
Welcome Offer
50,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
This card is ideal for travelers who fly with Delta at least once a year and often bring a traveling companion along. Its standout feature is the yearly free companion ticket, which alone can offset the $350 annual fee if fully utilized.
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Card Details

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  • Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
  • $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
  • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Free checked bag
  • Priority boarding benefit
  • Annual companion certificate
Cons
  • $350 annual fee
  • No Sky Club access
  • Miles you earn are brand-specific
Bottom Line

The $350 annual fee is a bit high, but if you fly Delta with a traveling buddy at least once per year, the annual Companion Pass can easily make up for the fee.

Best for No Annual Fee

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

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Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X miles on Delta purchases. Earn 2X miles at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and earn 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.

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Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
10,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
We like the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card® because it offers elevated rewards on Delta purchases without charging an annual fee. This card is perfect for the semi-frequent Delta flyer who still wants to rack up rewards but may not use a Delta card quite enough to make an annual fee worth it.
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Card Details

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  • Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • No annual fee
  • 20% in-flight savings
  • Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
Cons
  • Low earning rate
  • No free checked bags
  • No priority boarding
Bottom Line

It’s not the highest-earning card out there, but for no annual fee, the rewards are decent for an occasional traveler.

Best for Flexible Luxury Benefits

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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Up to 5X Reward Rate

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and 1X points on other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$695
Welcome Offer
80,000 points
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
It’s not specifically a Delta card, but the American Express Platinum card boasts a multitude of premium travel perks. If you’re a luxury traveler who knows how to make the most of a credit card’s offerings, this card can reward you well.
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Card Details

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  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Excellent rewards rate for travel purchases
  • Qualify for $1,500+ in statement credits
  • Very generous welcome offer
Cons
  • High annual fee of $695
  • Many statement credit offers are too specific and hard to use
  • Non-travel-perks aren’t spectacular
Bottom Line

This is quite a spectacular card with incredibly valuable benefits, but the annual fee is objectively very high.

Best for Small Businesses

Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card®

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Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X miles on Delta flights, restaurants, and eligible shipping and advertising purchases. Earn 1X miles per dollar on all other spending categories.

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Annual Fee
$0 the first year, then $150
Welcome Offer
55,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
For small businesses that don’t spend a ton of time or money on flights but make the occasional trip to conferences, meetings, etc., the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card® can reward you well for choosing to fly Delta.
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Card Details

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  • Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases in a year.
  • Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Priority boarding benefit
  • 20% in-flight discount
  • Free checked bag
Cons
  • Has an annual fee after the first year
  • No Sky Club access
  • Miles you earn are brand-specific
Bottom Line

The perks this card delivers can easily make up for the annual fee but may not be worth it if you aren’t a Delta enthusiast.

Best for Semi-Frequent Business Travelers

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card®

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X miles on Delta flights and eligible hotel purchases, 1.5X miles on each purchase of $5,000 or more (max of 50,000 miles per year), and 1X miles on all other purchases.

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Annual Fee
$350
Welcome Offer
65,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
If you travel somewhat frequently for your business and are interested in more premium benefits than the Delta Business Gold card provides like a higher rewards rate and a higher welcome offer, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card may be the next card to add to your wallet.
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Card Details

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  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With the $120 Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
  • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
  • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members. Ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024 to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade.
  • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Free checked bag
  • Priority boarding benefit
  • Annual companion certificate
Cons
  • $350 annual fee
  • No Sky Club access
  • Miles you earn are brand-specific
Bottom Line

If you travel frequently for your business and take a traveling buddy with you at least once per year, it’s easy to make up for this card’s $350 annual fee.

Best Premium Delta Business Card

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card®

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Up to 3X Reward Rate

Earn 3X miles on all Delta purchases and 1X miles on everything else. If you spend $150,000 in a calendar year, you’ll get 1.5X miles per dollar on non-Delta purchases for the rest of the year.

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Annual Fee
$650
Welcome Offer
75,000 miles
Regular APR
20.99% to 29.99% variable
Recommended Credit
Good/Excellent (670 - 850)
Why we like it
Frequent, high-spending business travelers who value perks like exclusive lounge access can benefit highly from the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
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Card Details

More Card Info

  • Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. 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.
  • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
  • Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card. Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
  • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
  • Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
  • As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
  • When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
  • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
  • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
  • Terms Apply.
Pros
  • Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs & Amex Centurion Lounges
  • Annual Companion Certificate, good for one ticket in the same class you’re in
  • Very generous welcome offer
Cons
  • High annual fee ($650)
  • Low rewards rate on non-Delta spending categories
  • Requires good to excellent credit
Bottom Line

For the right business traveler, one who flies almost exclusively with Delta and can take advantage of luxury benefits, this card could be well worth the $650 a year.

Which Delta Amex credit card is right for you?

The best Delta-branded Amex card for you depends on your lifestyle, financial circumstances, and travel habits.

All Delta-branded airline credit cards come with generous intro offers and plenty of travel perks, but they all have unique benefits.

To help you decide which is the best credit card for you, let’s take a closer look at what these travel credit cards have to offer.

Delta American Express Cards for Personal Use

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card® is best for road warriors who want to earn elite status a little faster. Although the annual fee is $650, this Delta credit card gives you access to more than 50 Sky Club locations. Every Sky Club has complimentary food and beverages available, giving you a quiet place to relax before a flight or during a layover. Read more in our Delta SkyMiles Reserve card review.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card® is best for travelers who want to earn double miles on grocery and restaurant purchases. Unlike the SkyMiles Reserve Card, which gives you 3X on Delta flights and 1X on everything else, the SkyMiles Gold Card comes with 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. Read more in our Delta SkyMiles Gold card review.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card® has a $350 annual fee, but you get 3X miles on Delta flights, 2X at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, and 1X on everything else. This credit card is best for people who enjoy traveling with a spouse, best friend, or other companion, as it entitles you to a free round-trip companion ticket once per year. The free ticket is good for a seat in the Main Cabin section of the flight.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card® is best for budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. The no-annual-fee credit card gives you 20% back on in-flight purchases, 2X miles on dining and Delta flights, and 1X miles on all other categories.

Delta American Express Cards for Business

If you own a business, consider getting a Delta credit card to earn rewards based on your travel habits.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card® is best for small businesses, as it has the lowest annual fee. It may even be a good fit if you’re a freelancer who travels to attend conferences or meet with clients. This business credit card gives you 2X miles on Delta flights, restaurants and eligible shipping and advertising purchases. You also earn 1 mile per dollar on all other spending categories.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card® is the mid-range option. It has an annual fee of $350, but it gives you 3X miles on Delta flights and eligible hotel purchases, 1.5X on each purchase of $5,000 or more (max of 50,000 miles per year) and 1X on all other purchases.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card® is best for frequent travelers who want to reach elite status quickly. You earn 3X miles on all Delta purchases and 1X miles on everything else. If you spend $150,000 in a calendar year, you’ll get 1.5 miles per dollar on non-Delta purchases for the rest of the year.

Delta Amex benefits: What are the perks?

If you have a Delta SkyMiles card, you may qualify for some of the following benefits:

1

Lounge access

The business and personal SkyMiles Reserve cards come with complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs.

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2

Purchase Protection*

When you use a Delta SkyMiles credit card to make a purchase, you get Purchase Protection, giving you extra peace of mind if the item is stolen or damaged. Depending on which card you have, American Express may reimburse you as much as $10,000 per incident.

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3

Rental car & baggage insurance*

If you use a Delta credit card to reserve a rental car, you’ll also get insurance for your rental. This insurance kicks in if you get into an accident or someone steals the vehicle. Card Members also qualify for baggage insurance, which reimburses you under certain conditions. For example, you may receive compensation if your luggage is lost or damaged on a Delta flight.

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4

Checked bags

Most Amex SkyMiles cards allow you to check one bag for free every time you fly with Delta. Currently, Delta charges $35 each way for a standard checked bag. Therefore, you can save $70 on each round-trip Delta flight.

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5

Priority boarding

You may be eligible for priority boarding on Delta-operated flights, allowing you to board the plane and get settled before passengers in other boarding groups.

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6

Discounted Award Travel

You may be eligible for the TakeOff 15 benefit, which gives you a 15% discount on Award Travel booked via Delta.com or the FlyDelta app.

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7

Companion certificates

Some cardholders qualify for a free companion certificate once per year. If you have the SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, the companion ticket is good for a seat in Delta’s Main Cabin. SkyMiles Reserve American Express cardholders can use each companion certificate to purchase a seat in Main Cabin, Comfort+ or First Class.

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8

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits

When you apply through an authorized enrollment provider, you get a $100 statement credit for your Global Entry fee or an $85 statement credit for your TSA PreCheck fee. You can get the Global Entry credit every 4 years or the TSA PreCheck credit every 4.5 years. To learn how these benefits compare, check out our TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry guide.

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*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.

American Express Delta SkyMiles

Let’s examine how you can earn and redeem American Express Delta SkyMiles.

Earning American Express Delta SkyMiles

With Delta-branded American Express credit cards, you earn miles on every eligible purchase.

The number of miles earned depends on which card you have. For example, the personal and business versions of the SkyMiles Reserve Card give you 3X miles on all Delta flights and other Delta purchases. If you fly a lot, getting this card is the best way to leverage your travel spending.

Redeeming Delta SkyMiles

Each Delta mile is worth about 1.3 cents.

Therefore, if you have 50,000 miles, they’re worth about $650 (50,000 x 0.013). However, Delta occasionally has SkyMiles sales, increasing the value of your miles on certain routes. The airline also has last-minute deals on short-haul flights, making it easier to stretch your miles.

Once you accumulate enough miles, you can use them to:

The SkyMiles program even allows you to transfer your miles to one of Delta’s travel partners or donate them to a charitable organization.

Additional Card Options for Delta Flyers

If Delta is your favorite airline, you can maximize your travel benefits by pairing a SkyMiles credit card with the American Express Platinum or Gold Card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 5X Membership Rewards Points on eligible prepaid hotels and flights (up to $500,000 in flights per calendar year). You also earn up to a $200 hotel credit (given in statement credits), up to a $200 airline fee credit (given in statement credits), up to $200 in Uber Cash, and up to a $240 digital entertainment credit (given in statement credits). Cardholders have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection and premium status with Hertz Presidents Circle, Avis Preferred and National Car Rental Emerald Club. Although the Platinum Card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees, it does have an annual fee of $695.

Read more in our comprehensive comparison of Delta Reserve vs. Amex Platinum.

American Express Gold Card®

If you don’t fly often enough to justify the $695 annual fee for the Platinum Card, consider getting the American Express Gold Card. Not only do you earn rewards on Delta purchases, but you can earn 3X Membership Rewards Points on any flight booked directly with an airline or with AmexTravel.com. The Gold Card also gives you 4X points on U.S. restaurants and supermarkets. Like the Platinum Card, the Gold Card doesn’t have any foreign transaction fees. Its annual fee is just $250 (see rates and fees).

Is getting a Delta Amex card worth it?

A Delta-branded American Express card is absolutely worth it if you make frequent Delta purchases.

You can use one of these cards to earn rewards on airfare, Delta gift cards, in-flight purchases and more. Delta credit cards are also ideal for people who live near one of Delta’s hubs. A Delta-branded card may also be worth it if you make frequent trips overseas, as American Express doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.

How to apply for a Delta Amex card

You can apply online for a Delta Amex card from the comfort of your own home.

To apply online for a Delta Amex personal card, select the link below for your preferred card, learn more about your chosen card, and apply if you decide a Delta Amex card is right for you.

You can learn more about your preferred Delta-branded Amex business card through these links and choose to apply if you decide a Delta Amex business card is right for you:

You’ll need to provide all of the required information to submit your application, including:

Keep in mind that due to strict credit requirements, Delta Amex credit cards are somewhat hard to get. Even though American Express does not publish minimum scores, cardholders have commented that you need at least a 670 to qualify.

Note: 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.

Delta Amex FAQs

Do Delta Amex credit cards give you Delta status?

You don’t automatically get Delta Medallion status, but you may be able to reach your target status a little faster. For example, some cards give you MQMs after spending a certain amount of money in a calendar year. These MQMs may give you a boost to the Silver, Platinum or Diamond level.

Which Delta Amex credit card gets you lounge access?

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card gives you complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges.

What is the credit limit on an American Express Delta card?

When you apply for a credit card, the issuer assigns a credit limit based on your income, credit score, and other factors. Some customers have limits as low as $1,000, but if you have a strong credit profile, you may qualify for a much higher spending cap.

How much does a Delta American Express card cost?

These cards have annual fees ranging from $0 to $650.

Is an Amex Delta card hard to get?

Amex Delta cards are somewhat hard to get due to the strict credit requirements. American Express doesn’t publish minimum scores, but based on comments from cardholders, you need at least a 670 to qualify. To increase your approval odds, hold off on applying until you have a 700 or higher.

Are American Express Delta SkyMiles hard to get?

It’s easy to earn SkyMiles, as each Delta card allows you to earn anywhere from 1X to 5X miles on travel, dining, grocery shopping, and other categories.

Do Delta credit cards have foreign transaction fees?

None of the Delta SkyMiles credit cards have foreign transaction fees, so you’re free to use them as you please when traveling outside of the U.S.!

Leigh Morgan
Leigh Morgan Personal Finance

Leigh Morgan is a seasoned personal finance contributor with over 15 years of experience writing on a diverse range of professional legal and financial topics. She specializes in subjects like navigating the complexities of insurance, savings, zero-based budgeting and emergency fund development.

In the last 5 years, she’s authored over 300 articles for credit unions, digital banks, and financial professionals. Morgan is also the author of “77 Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse,” a book focused on helping caregivers protect the elderly from financial scams.

In addition to her writing skills, she brings real-world financial acumen thanks to her previous experience managing rental properties as part of a $34 million real estate portfolio.

* Opinions expressed here are those of the LA Times Compare Cards Team and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser or entities included within this content. See our editorial policy for more details.

All products or services are presented in this content without warranty. The information, including card details such as rates and fees, is accurate at the time of publish. Please visit each bank's website directly for the most current information.

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