Disclaimer
This article only compares Delta SkyMiles cards. 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. We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our selection of products is made independently of our relationship to advertisers. Rates and welcome offers checked as of February 6, 2025.
Looking to bank some Delta SkyMiles to cover the cost of an upcoming trip? Delta and American Express cobranded credit cards just got even better welcome offers, which could earn you thousands of SkyMiles. These travel credit cards come in three tiers, each with varying reward rates, benefits and annual fees.
If you are unsure of how credit cards or credit scores work, read up on our guide on how to choose a credit card for you.
What's new?
Updated bonus offers. Since our last review of these cards in September, Amex has increased the top bonus offer from 70,000 SkyMiles to 100,000. And happily, the Platinum and Reserve cards still provide annual free companion tickets.
Apply with confidence. You can now check if you are approved for one of these cards without a "hard pull," meaning your credit score won't be affected. If you choose to accept the card, of course, your credit score may decrease for a time, as would happen with any credit card application.
Quick List
In a hurry? Here's a brief overview of the cards on our list, along with quick links that let you jump down the page to read more information on each card we feature.
Delta SkyMiles Gold
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles (worth up to $960) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership. Gold card offers two SkyMiles per dollar spent on purchases with Delta, restaurants and U.S. shipping providers, and one mile per dollar on other purchases. Terms apply. Read more below >
This mid-tier card will run you $350 a year in the annual fee, but the welcome offer is 90,000 miles. That's worth about $1,080 when redeemed for travel. You also receive a free companion ticket each year after you renew your card, with some limitations. Terms apply. Read more below >
This premium travel card is packed with perks, like lounge access. You can earn 100,000 bonus miles (worth up to $1,200) after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months. You also receive a free companion ticket each year after you renew your card, with some limitations. Terms apply. Read more below>
Why Delta SkyMiles?
Hitching your rewards wagon to just one airline can be a risk if the quality of service erodes over time. According to a report by airline analytics company Cirium, Delta was the most on-time North American airline in 2021, 2022 and 2023, demonstrating quality management over time. And you can redeem miles through many other domestic and international partner carriers. Kiplinger readers recently voted the Delta Skymiles credit card program outstanding for customer service.
According to Bankrate, Delta SkyMiles are worth 1.2 cents per mile.
Hot tip: Are you an Airbnb fan? Book your Airbnb stay through a special portal provided by the SkyMiles program and enter your SkyMiles member number. Earn one mile for each dollar spent on your Airbnb rental, excluding taxes and fees. For details, see our article Save on Airbnb with Credit Card and Airline Rewards.
Delta Skymiles Gold
- Interest rate: 19.99% to 28.99% variable APR for purchases. See rates and fees.
- Annual fee: $0 intro fee for the first year, then $150 annual fee.
- Top rewards rate: Earn two miles per dollar on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Other rewards: 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.
- Free baggage checks: 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.
- Redemption: Miles can be used for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection carriers (Endeavor Air, Inc., Republic Airline, and SkyWest) and on 30+ partner airlines. Want even more flexibility? 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.
- Intro bonus: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Terms apply
Delta SkyMiles Platinum
- Intro offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
- Interest rate: 19.99% to 28.99% variable APR for purchases. See rates and fees.
- Annual fee: $350.
- Rewards rates: Earn three Miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made with hotels. Earn two per dollar Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets, and earn one Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- 15% Discount on award trips: 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.
- Free baggage check: The first checked bag is free, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person.
- Priority boarding: Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
- Avoid long lines: Receive either a $120 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 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. Here's the difference between Clear vs PreCheck vs Global Entry.
- Medallion program: Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card with MQD boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Redemption: Miles can be used for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection carriers (Endeavor Air, Inc., Republic Airline, and SkyWest) and on 30+ partner airlines. Want even more flexibility? 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.
- Terms apply
- See rates and fees.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve
- Intro offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.
- Interest rate: 19.9% to 28.99% variable APR for purchases. See rates and fees.
- Annual fee: $650.
- Rewards rates: Earn three miles per dollar on Delta purchases and one mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
- Lounge access: Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club®.
- Annual companion ticket: Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- 15% Discount on award travel: 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.
- Delta Sky Club lounge access: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Centurion Lounge access: Get complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Free baggage check: Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights.
- Skip long lines: Statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Here's the difference between Clear vs PreCheck vs Global Entry.
- Medallion program: Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Redemption: Miles can be used for travel on Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection carriers (Endeavor Air, Inc., Republic Airline, and SkyWest), and on 30+ partner airlines.
- Terms apply
- See rates and fees.
All three of these cards are a solid option for travelers who fly frequently on Delta Airlines. American Express cards offer attractive perks for international travelers, such as rental car insurance* and no foreign transaction fees.
Other options you might consider are travel cards from Chase and Capital One that currently have intro offers worth over $700. Both cards partner with many airline frequent flyer programs, but not with Delta. So, if Delta is your primary airline, one of the SkyMiles American Express cards profiled here may be your best bet.
Want more credit card options? Check out our other picks for travel rewards credit cards. You can use our tool below to help find the right credit card for you.
Disclaimer
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.
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- Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards 2024: Airline Credit Card Rewards Programs
* Eligibility and Benefit level of American Express insurance varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Disclaimer
As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view of the best deals and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities.
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