If you frequently fly with Delta Air Lines, a co-branded credit card can help you earn miles faster and enjoy valuable travel perks. Delta offers several credit card options through its partnership with American Express, each with different rewards structures, benefits, and annual fees.
My favorite card duo for Delta is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (review) along with American Express Platinum Card® (review).
The card combination gets you benefits on Delta including free first checked bag, priority boarding, and a 15% award discount with the Delta Gold, and airport lounge access with the American Express Platinum.
1. Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Best Value Overall
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (review) offers valuable perks for occasional Delta flyers at a reasonable annual fee. With benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding, this card can easily pay for itself if you fly Delta even a few times per year. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earn SkyMiles: 2x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases, at US supermarkets, and at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the US); 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to 8 travel companions, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year, 15% award discount, up to $100 back per year as a statement credit to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
2. American Express Platinum Card®
Best for Airport Lounge Access
American Express Platinum Card® (review) offers the most comprehensive airport lounge network available, giving you access to premium Centurion Lounges plus thousands of other lounges worldwide. You can easily offset the card’s large annual fee through generous credits for Uber, hotels, digital entertainment, Resy dining, and lifestyle brands like lululemon. Earning Points: 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel®, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year; 5x points on on prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com; 1x points on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
3. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Best Mid-Tier Delta Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (review) comes packed with Delta-specific perks like priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounts on award flights. The card’s annual companion certificate and ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars through spending make it worthwhile for those chasing Delta elite status. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases and at hotels; 2x SkyMiles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, companion certificate at renewal each year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, 15% award discount, $150 annual Delta Stays credit, $120 Resy credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), $120 rideshare credit on U.S. rideshare purchase (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz Five Star status, secondary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
4. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
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The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card (review) is an entry-level option for earning Delta miles on business expenses. It includes useful travel benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding, making it a good choice for less frequent Delta flyers. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 2x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases, at restaurants, US shipping (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x), US advertising in select media (up to $50,000 per year, then 1x); 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit after you spend $10,000 on your card in a calendar year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, 15% award discount, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and baggage insurance plan.
5. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Best Premium Delta Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (review) offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including airport lounge access and an annual companion certificate. While it comes with a high annual fee, frequent Delta flyers can find significant value through its array of travel benefits and ability to boost elite status qualification. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases; 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: * 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.
6. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Best Premium Delta Business Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (review) offers premium perks for frequent Delta flyers, including lounge access and a companion certificate. While it has a high annual fee, the card can provide great value through its elite status boost, upgrade priority, and travel credits for loyal Delta customers. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases; 1.5x SkyMiles on transit, shipping, and office purchases; 1.5 SkyMiles per dollar on all non-Delta purchases after spending a total of $150,000 in a calendar year; and 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible spending. Card Benefits: * 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. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
7. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
Best Mid-Tier Delta Business Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (review) offers valuable perks for frequent Delta flyers, including priority boarding and a free checked bag. It also provides opportunities to earn elite status faster through spending and bonus Medallion® Qualification Dollars. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning SkyMiles: 3x SkyMiles on Delta Air Lines purchases and purchases directly with hotels; 1.5x SkyMiles on transit, shipping and purchases of more than $5,000 (up to $100,000 per year); and 1x SkyMiles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to eight travel companions, companion certificate at renewal each year, 20% back on in-flight purchases, 15% award discount, $200 annual Delta Stays credit, $120 Resy credit at U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), $120 rideshare credit on U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 in statement credits per month; enrollment required), Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit, Hertz Five Star status, secondary rental car insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
8. Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Best for No Annual Fee
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card (review) is Delta’s starter credit card option for those new to the SkyMiles program. The card keeps things simple with basic earning rates and practical perks like inflight discounts, though frequent Delta flyers might want to consider more premium options. Welcome Bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Earning Rewards: 2 SkyMiles per dollar at purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines, and restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.; and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: 20% back on in-flight purchases, extended warranty, purchase prtoection, secondary rental car insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and access to Amex Offers.
Our Methodology
When curating our list of the best credit cards, we employ a comprehensive review process that reviews over 150 cards to ensure we provide recommendations that suit a wide array of financial needs and preferences. Our methodology is data-driven and consumer-focused, taking into account the following key factors:
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Welcome Bonuses: We assess the value of the welcome bonuses offered by credit cards, understanding that a substantial initial bonus can significantly enhance the cardholder’s value proposition.
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Fees: It’s essential to consider the cost of owning a credit card. We evaluate annual fees, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees, among others, to determine how they might offset the card’s benefits.
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Rewards: We analyze the rewards structure of each card, looking at the earning rate on purchases, the variety of categories that earn rewards, the overall value of the rewards points or miles, and redeeming points, miles, or cash back.
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Travel Benefits: For cards tailored towards travelers, we review all of the cards’ travel benefits including, airport lounge access, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees, to judge the card’s utility for frequent travelers.
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Purchase Benefits: We also consider purchase benefits such as extended warranty, purchase protection, cell phone insurance, and return protection, which can provide additional value and peace of mind for cardholders.
Our selections are regularly updated to reflect the most current offers and card features, ensuring our readers have access to the most relevant and beneficial credit card options on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Get a Delta Credit Card?
Having a Delta co-branded credit card is important for frequent Delta flyers because it allows them to earn miles on everyday purchases, which can be redeemed for award flights, upgrades, and other rewards. Delta credit cards offer benefits such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases, which can save travelers money and improve their overall flying experience.
How To Maximize Your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
To maximize your Delta SkyMiles credit card, consider the following strategies:
Take advantage of welcome bonuses by meeting the minimum spending requirements within the specified timeframe. These bonuses can give your mile balance a significant boost.
Utilize the card’s travel benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and lounge access, to save money and enjoy a more comfortable travel experience.
Watch for SkyMiles Flash Sales and other promotional offers to book award flights at reduced rates, stretching your miles further.
Pay attention to your card’s annual benefits, such as companion certificates or travel credits, and use them before they expire to maximize their value.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here. 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.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here. 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.
