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Ask any American their favorite airline and there’s a good chance they’ll say Delta. It’s come out on top of the popularity charts for years and that dominance is unlikely to change anytime soon.
It’s no surprise then that the airline’s loyalty program, respective rewards currency, and airport lounges are some of the most sought-after in the industry. By far the simplest way to gain access to all three is by using one of the carrier’s co-branded credit cards.
With these products, customers can enjoy a shortcut to elite status, large injections of SkyMiles, and even access to the lauded SkyClub lounges. Better yet, six of the airline’s cards are currently offering huge elevated intro bonuses that can award you a large sum of miles in a short time, so it’s never been a better time to apply.
But not every card is created equal — each compliments a different Delta customer and choosing poorly can be a pricey misstep. To help, I’ve thrown together this list of the best Delta Air Lines credit cards, so that you can pick the best one for your lifestyle.
How to decide which Delta card is right for you
Before you make any kind of decision, it’s important to take a look at some important factors that will determine which card will work hardest for you. Consider your travel habits and needs, and keep that data front of mind as you move into the next section.
How often do you fly?
This is the most important question to ask yourself. One of the biggest mistakes new points and miles users make is overestimating the volume of travel they’ll be doing. In doing so, they’ll often pick a premium card with a big spending threshold and a huge annual fee before finding out they won’t even use the vast majority of the benefits the card offers. If you’re only flying once or twice a year, it’s okay, there’s still a card for you.
How often do you fly Delta?
This works in tandem with the first question. If you live near an American Airlines hub with few Delta flights and don’t actively pursue Delta routes unless it’s the most convenient option, you might be better off looking at another airline or a general travel card. If you’re a frequent business flyer through an airport like Atlanta, however, you might find yourself on a Delta flight every week. You should be maximizing those flights by pairing them with the benefits of a strong co-branded card.
How much do you spend?
Your average spending matters whether you’re opening a Delta card or a general travel card. You need to be spending enough (without forcing it) to hit the minimum spending threshold to earn the welcome bonus and to earn enough miles from your everyday spending to validate any annual fee. If you can’t do either of those without spending more than you should, it’s time to look down a card tier.
You’ll also want to look at what you spend the most on and consider a card that offers bonus miles for purchases made in your top spending categories.
Are you chasing elite status?
As much as we’d love it to be, elite status isn’t for everyone. It requires either a lot of spending or a lot of flying with one airline. Some of the cards on this list are valuable tools for fast-tracking your progress to Delta elite status, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth it. You’ll be paying a higher fee for the privilege of being an elite, but it’s never worth risking debt just to get on the plane a little earlier.
Is airport lounge access the priority?
Airport lounge access is an increasingly popular reason for opening a travel credit card. There’s no denying that visiting a lounge can be a wonderful experience, but it’s something to tread carefully on with Delta cards. The carrier recently limited cardholder lounge access in several ways so frequent fliers might feel shortchanged, while those who seldom fly wwill shell out a lot in fees for just a few visits a year.
That said, holding one of Delta’s co-branded credit cards is still one of the best ways to access Delta SkyClubs.
Important perks across Delta cards
Every card mentioned in this list includes two very important perks. The first benefit being TakeOff 15, which gives Delta cardmembers a 15% discount when redeeming miles on all Delta-operated flights. If you redeem miles with Delta with any frequency, this perk can be incredibly beneficial and effectively boosts the value of all your miles by 15%. Plus it requires no strategizing or jumping through hoops to take advantage of.
The cost of checking a bag on domestic Delta flights is $35 one-way or $70 roundtrip—with a family of four, you’re looking at $280 to check in each person’s luggage. Fortunately all Delta cards mentioned on this list allow you to check at least one bag for yourself and up to eight companions traveling on the same itinerary for free. If you fly even just a few times a year, you could be looking at savings worth hundreds of dollars as an individual, or thousands with a medium-to-large family.
The Best Air Lines Delta Credit Cards
Best card for the occasional Delta flyer: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card should be the go-to card for any occasional Delta customer. What’s occasional? Anywhere from a couple of flights a year to around four or five seems to be the sweet spot.
Its reasonable $150 annual fee is waived for the first year, so you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs initially, and it’s currently offering an elevated introductory offer of 80,000 SkyMiles after spending $3,000 within six months of opening an account. One SkyMile is worth around 1.3 cents, so you’re looking at getting over $1,000 worth of flights from the welcome bonus alone.
For a low-priced card, it boasts a number of notable perks, with the free checked bag perk stealing the show as a true money saver. Checked baggage on domestic flights is priced around $70 per roundtrip flight—with a family of four, you’re looking at $280 of savings on a single trip.
Two other money-saving perks that shouldn’t be too hard to use are the $200 Delta flight credit which you’ll earn after spending $10,000 on the card in a calendar year, and the $100 statement credit you’ll receive when booking a prepaid hotel or vacation rental through Delta Stays on Delta.com.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
80,000 Bonus Miles
after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent example of an airline card that’s easy to keep in your wallet. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 the years after, but if you and a partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a solid 80,000-point intro bonus and simple rewards-earning categories, and it’s almost a no-brainer for anyone with even a little domestic US travel on the horizon.
PROS
- The 80,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $3,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many.
- The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee.
- A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple.
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet
- Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
CONS
- SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
- Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Best card for outsized value: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offering takes things up a notch. It offers almost everything the Gold card does plus increases the number of statement credits (as well as their total dollar value), but it also throws in some heavier-hitting travel perks.
The highlight of these is the annual Companion Pass, which can be used for roundtrip main cabin flights in the US, the Caribbean, and Central America. This perk allows you to bring a companion along on a flight with you for free (although you’ll have to pay minimal taxes and fees) and can be valued well above the card’s $350 annual fee if used strategically.
Its elevated intro bonus is only 10,000 SkyMiles higher than the Gold. You’ll earn 90,000 SkyMiles after spending $4,000 within six months of opening the account. If you combine the bonus with all of the card’s perks, it’s easy to squeeze impressive outsized value from the Delta Platinum. You won’t have trouble getting at least $1,200 worth of travel from the 90,000 bonus miles.
If you have one eye on elite status, the card also gives you a leg up on the competition with a $2,500 MQD headstart each Medallion Qualification year and a solid boost on MQD earnings, with an extra $1 MQD earned for every $20 spent on the card.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
90,000 Bonus Miles
after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is an excellent choice for frequent Delta travelers who want to maximize their flying experience and earn rewards. It offers valuable perks such as a free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding and an annual companion certificate which allows cardholders to bring a guest on a domestic flight (and some international destinations) for just the cost of taxes and fees.
Additionally, cardholders can earn miles not only on Delta purchases but also on everyday spending, which can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, or vacation packages. Plus, if you’re chasing elite status, you can earn a $2,500 MQD head start just for holding the card in addition to the ability to earn more MQD while spending. While it does come with an annual fee, the benefits can easily outweigh the cost for those who fly frequently with Delta.
PROS
- The 90,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an extremely achievable $4,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many.
- The card’s annual companion pass can be a huge money saver if maximized correctly.
- $120 Resy Credit: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 back each month in statement credits.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- You can earn up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your card through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking can be a huge money saver.
- A simple 2X miles on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery), and U.S. supermarket transactions make earning points simple.
- Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
CONS
- $350 annual fee
- Mileage earning rates for spending aren’t amazing
Annual Fee: $350 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Best card for lounge access and frequent Delta travelers: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the most premium of all the Delta cards but comes with a hefty $650 annual fee. It might be a stretch for the casual or even moderate Delta customer, but for regular fliers with an eye on the luxurious side of things, it’s the one to go for.
It’s now the only Delta card with access to SkyClub locations. For now, visits are unlimited, but come February 2025 entries will be capped at fifteen annually unless cardholders spend $75,000 in a calendar year on the card. The Companion Pass is also available with the Reserve, but you’ll be able to get even more value here as you’re able to bring along a friend or family member in First Class, too.
The card also comes with a range of easy-to-use statement credits on things like ridesharing apps, dining out, and hotel stays. Plus you’ll earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of card membership. You’ll be able to book no less than $1,300 worth of flights on Delta (or its partners) with the bonus.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
110,000 Bonus Miles
after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is built for frequent Delta fliers who want the most return from their loyalty. Regular business travelers will make the most from the card.
Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You’ll get four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year, and up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location thereafter. Starting 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. Earning an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25 requires the total eligible purchases on the card to equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
You’ll also receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
There’s a bevy of other benefits, like up to $240 in statement credits for U.S. Resy restaurants, and up to $120 in statements credits for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
PROS
- The card comes with Delta Sky Club® access at no cost, with the option to bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. Earning unlimited visits each year starting 2/1/25 can be achieved when the total eligible purchases on the card equals $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.)
- You’ll receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card.
- Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- First checked bag free on Delta flights
- 3X miles on Delta purchases
- 1X mile on all other eligible purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year
- Up to $120 in statement credits for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Up to $240 in statement credits at U.S. Resy restaurants.
CONS
- The high $650 annual fee is only worth it for very frequent Delta travelers or high spenders
- Its miles-earning potential is relatively low for a high-end card; the only bonus spend category is 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases
Annual Fee: $650 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Best all-around Delta business card: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card business card mirrors its opposite number on the personal side in many ways. Its current elevated intro bonus is slightly higher, you’ll earn 90,000 SkyMiles after spending $6,000 within the first six months of opening the card. We value those bonus miles at nearly $1,200.
The free checked bag perk remains, immensely helpful for any group business trips while those putting at least $10,000 a year on the card can enjoy a $200 flight credit for future travel.
The annual fee is just $150 a year, with the first year being waived, making it an approachable card for any small business owner with an eye on Delta rewards. It’s a strong card designed to help the casual business traveler save in the long run.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
90,000 Bonus Miles
after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card isn’t a showstopper, but it’s an excellent keeper card for anyone who flies Delta once or twice a year. Its annual fee is $0 for the first year and then $150 after that, but if you, a friend, employee or business partner fly one roundtrip a year with Delta, its free checked bag benefit already makes up for that fee. Throw in a huge 90,000-point intro bonus, an annual $150 credit for a hotel or vacation rental stay booked via Delta Stays, and it’s east to see why this is a popular airline card for small business owners.
PROS
- The 90,000-mile intro bonus is earned by spending an achievable $6,000 in six months—well within a realistic budget for many businesses.
- The free first-checked bag for everyone on the booking more than validates the $150 annual fee.
- The card earns 2X miles on dining at restaurants and on Delta purchases, plus 2x miles at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 annually is a nice reward that shouldn’t be too hard to meet.
- Save on your next stay with the card’s annual statement credit of up to $150 to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
CONS
- SkyMiles award redemption rates on Delta’s partners can be pricey
- Its 2X miles on Delta purchases is lower than what its sister cards earn
- $150 annual fee is higher than other airline cards in a similar tier
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Best business card for steady rewards earning: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Specific businesses can take advantage of the strong earning potential offered by the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. With a generous 1.5x miles earned on an array of transit and domestic shipping purchases, as well as on single purchases over $5,000, the right business can reap the rewards with ease.
As with its personal card sibling, the Companion Pass for roundtrip economy flights is also available each cardholder year. This card boasts a slightly higher bonus: you’ll earn 100,000 SkyMiles after spending $8,000 within six months of opening the card. Those miles are worth $1,300 towards travel on Delta Air Lines, and you can use miles on Delta’s partners too.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
100,000 Bonus Miles
after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card is an ideal tool for business owners who frequently fly with Delta and want premium travel benefits. It’s got a few perks that make it much easier to earn elite status with Delta. Plus its annual companion certificate can save you a ton on your next Delta flight, as it allows you to bring along a companion to anywhere in the US and select international destinations for just the cost of taxes and fees. It also offers statement credits for rideshare purchases and Resy restaurant reservations, both of which can help recoup the cost of the annual fee.
Its 100,000-mile bonus is quite enticing and can help cover the cost of your next vacation — we value those miles at $1,300 in flights on Delta.
PROS
- The card is offering a massive 100,000-mile intro bonus, which can easily cover the cost of multiple round-trip flights within the U.S.
- Earn 3x miles at Delta; 1.5x miles on transit and eligible U.S. Shipping; 1.5x miles on eligible purchases of $5K or more, up to $100K; Earn 1x miles on all other purchases.
- Get a free checked bag for everyone on your booking, up to 8 people.
- Enroll and earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. That’s up to $120 back each year.
- The card can help you earn elite status 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.
- If you have an eligible ticket you’ll be added to the complimentary upgrade list, however, you’ll be after those with more premium Delta cards and Delta Medallion elite status.
- You can earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ($120 per year).
- Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
CONS
- $350 annual fee
- Its mileage earning rates for spending aren’t stellar for a card with this high of an annual fee
Annual Fee: $350 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Best business card for chasing elite status: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Once again, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card ups the elevated intro bonus to a sizeable 120,000 SkyMiles (and also enlarges the spending requirement): you’ll earn 120,000 SkyMiles after spending $12,000 within six months of opening the card. With this welcome bonus, you could get a whopping $1,500+ worth of flights.
As expected, the Reserve’s perks mirror the personal card, including the Companion Pass, MQD boosts and headstart, and Delta SkyClub lounge access. The $650 annual fee is high, but those who can take advantage of the intro bonus and strong statement credits should have no issues recouping the value.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
110,000 Bonus Miles
after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
For high-spending business owners who frequently fly with Delta, the Delta SkyMiles SkyMiles® Business American Express Card offers top-tier benefits. While the annual fee is substantial, the perks more than compensate, including access to Delta Sky Clubs (starting 2/1/25, Reserve cardholders receive 15 visits annually; unlimited visits require $75,000 or more in purchases between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and in subsequent years). Cardholders also enjoy Amex Centurion Lounge access, free checked bags, a companion ticket that can be used for first class tickets, priority boarding, and a quicker path to Delta’s elite Medallion status through significant card spending.
Plus, the eye-popping 110,000 bonus miles is among the highest we’ve ever seen on the card.
PROS
- You’ll earn a whopping 110,000 bonus miles after meeting the minimum spending requirements, which should easily get you $1,400 worth of flights on Delta
- Access to Delta SkyClub’s, Amex Centurion lounges, and Escape lounges. Plus you’ll also receive four Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year to bring companions along with you.
- The card’s companion certificate improves upon the Platinum’s, as it can be used for a first-class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin round-trip flight
- Earn 3x miles at Delta, 1.5x miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply store purchases, 1x miles on all other purchases
- You can earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ($240 per year).
- Enroll and earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. That’s up to $120 back each year.
- The card can help you earn elite status with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 of purchases.
- Earn up to $250 per year as a statement credit after using the card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Card members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- If you have an eligible ticket you’ll be added to the complimentary upgrade list, however, you’ll be after those with Delta Medallion elite status.
CONS
- $650 annual fee
- Its miles-earning rate isn subpar, especially for a card with this high of an annual fee.
- Delta SkyClub access will be capped at 15 visits a year, unless you spend $75,000 or more on your card in a year.
Annual Fee: $650 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The point
Delta’s range of co-branded credit cards is currently offering huge elevated introductory bonus offers making it the best time to apply for one of the cards. Each card has its merits and suits a particular type of traveler, so crunch the numbers before picking the right card for you.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
