Which Is the Best Delta Credit Card Offer?

Delta Air Lines flyers can earn bonus miles, save money on checked bag fees and even enter Sky Clubs by using co-branded Delta SkyMiles credit cards. The options are abundant, so it can feel hard to zero in on which is right for you.

Since Delta loyalists can pick from multiple Delta credit card offers, we'll help you figure out which combination of perks you’d benefit from the most.

Delta SkyMiles American Express credit cards

American Express and Delta have partnered to issue four personal credit cards: the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

Depending on the level of commitment to the airline, you’ll find enough benefits for your travel style. So, what are the Delta credit card offers? Let’s take a look.

Terms apply.

A closer look at Delta credit card offers

Now that you've got an overview of the landscape, let's dive deeper into the factors that might make or break your decision.

Welcome offer

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Given that NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.5 cents each, the welcome offers for these cards are worth $150, $1,050 and $1,350, respectively.

Annual fee

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a starter Delta card because it has a $0 fee but also the fewest benefits.

The midrange Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card charges a $0 intro for the first year, then $99 annual fee, but it comes with free checked bags on Delta flights, priority boarding as well as 20% back on in-flight purchases.

For a $250 fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with an annual companion certificate for an economy domestic flight and discounted Sky Club access on top of additional benefits.

And finally, the premium Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers the most in terms of perks. In exchange for paying a $550 annual membership fee, you get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs plus two day passes for guests per year, access to The Centurion Lounge when flying Delta, plus a companion certificate for a domestic flight in any class.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: What you need to know about the Delta Companion Certificate

Bonus miles on Delta purchases

Delta flyers using the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card earn 2x miles on Delta purchases.

Those who hold either the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card earn 3x miles on Delta purchases.

Additionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card earn 2x miles at restaurants worldwide, and the the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card earn 2x miles at U.S. supermarkets. Note that superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs and meal-kit delivery services do not qualify.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card members also earn 3x miles on eligible hotel purchases.

Terms apply.

Free checked bags

Most co-branded Delta cards, with the exception of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, offer free checked bags to the primary cardholders as well as up to eight other passengers traveling on the same reservation.

You don’t have to pay for your ticket with the SkyMiles card. As long as the card is linked to your SkyMiles number, you’re eligible for the benefit.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: Which Delta credit card should you get?

Delta Companion Certificate

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card provide a valuable perk that can help offset their annual fees — a companion certificate.

The certificate allows you to bring one companion with you on a domestic flight operated by Delta for free (you just have to pay taxes and fees).

• Every year you renew the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you receive a companion certificate valid for a trip in the main cabin, or economy.

• Every year you renew the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you receive a companion certificate valid for the main cabin, Comfort Plus or first class.

Terms apply.

Airport lounge access

The two low-tier Delta cards don’t offer any kind of airport lounge access, but the two high-tier cards do.

If you hold the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, you can buy a day pass to a Delta Sky Club for $39 (valid in conjunction with a same-day Delta boarding pass).

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card members receive complimentary Sky Club membership, which means they can access a Delta airport lounge any time they fly the airline. Two guest passes per year are included for travel companions (then guests can tag along for $39 each after that).

Individual Sky Club membership costs $695 (as of 2023), which is $5 less than the credit card’s annual fee. Additionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders get access to The Centurion Lounge with a Delta boarding pass.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to get into Delta Sky Club before your flight

Medallion status boost

If you’re short of Medallion status and a big spender, the two high-end Delta cards can help you get there.

If you spend $25,000 on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles. You can do so twice per year to earn up to 20,000 MQMs to help you qualify for Medallion status.

If you spend $30,000 on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs toward status. You can do this four times per year and earn up to 60,000 MQMs.

Terms apply.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Apply for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to save time in airport lines and receive up to $100 application fee credit back when you pay with either the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to get TSA PreCheck for free

Cell phone protection coverage

Pay your monthly bill with either the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and get coverage for your device against theft or damage.

Perks that are the same across cards

Regardless of which card you choose, all cardholders have access to these identical benefits.

• In-flight purchases discount: Use either of your Delta cards to pay for an in-flight snack, beverage or Wi-Fi and receive 20% back as a statement credit.

• Pay with Miles: Can redeem SkyMiles at a rate of 1 cent each toward the cost of any Delta cash ticket.

• TakeOff 15: Get a 15% discount on award travel booked with Delta. Note that the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not currently offer this benefit.

• No foreign transaction fees: Some credit cards impose a 3% foreign transaction fee any time you use it abroad, but the fees are waived with all Delta SkyMiles cards.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Choose the best Delta credit card offer for you

With four consumer Delta credit card offers to choose from, you’re sure to find one that fits your travel style. Take a look at your travel frequency, determine which perks you’d use the most and go from there.

While the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card may be appealing with its $0 annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is probably better for most people. It earns bonus points on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets rather than just restaurants. If you can spring for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, it is even more worth it — especially if you aspire to earn Medallion elite status or frequently stay at hotels. The larger welcome offer and status boost can justify the $250 annual fee. Terms apply.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.