If you frequently fly Delta Air Lines, having a Delta credit card can help you earn miles for your next award flight and enjoy other perks such as a free checked bag and priority boarding. Luckily, you have no shortage of options to consider.
Delta offers a plethora of credit cards, including four consumer credit cards and three business cards to choose from. But Delta raised its annual fees in early 2024, so make sure you evaluate the benefits offered to see if they're worth the cost to you.
Best Delta Credit Cards
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best card for occasional Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Best business card for occasional Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best card for frequent Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Best business card for frequent Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best card for airport lounge access
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best business card for airport lounge access
- Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best with no annual fee
Featured Delta Credit Cards
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
N/A
19.99% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
- Earns bonus miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
- Intro annual fee is $0 for the first year (then $150)
- You get a free checked bag and Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights
- Doesn't go above and beyond in terms of benefits beyond Delta perks
If you want to earn Delta SkyMiles and can use day-of-travel benefits on the airline, you should consider the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. It has a modest annual fee so it's worth it even if you only fly the airline occasionally.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Card- Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
- 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 on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
- Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- 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.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays 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.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
$650
N/A
19.99% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 100,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin to select destinations
- Access to American Express Centurion Lounges and 15 Delta Sky Club visits each Medallion® Year
- Earns 3 miles on Delta purchases
- Very high annual fee
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta flyers who can use benefits like airport lounge access, which can make the annual fee worthwhile.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/2/2025.
- 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.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- 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.
- 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.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. 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 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping while flying Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
$0
N/A
19.99% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 10,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
- No annual fee
- Earns bonus miles at US restaurants
- Doesn't offer benefits like a free checked bag when you fly Delta
If you want a credit card that earns Delta miles for your everyday spending but absolutely don't want to pay an annual fee, this card is worth considering. While it doesn't offer travel perks like a free checked bag or priority boarding, cardholders do get 20% back as a statement credit on Delta inflight purchases and access to Delta's Pay With Miles feature. For most Delta flyers, however, a Delta card with an annual fee and more benefits will prove more valuable.
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.
- No Annual Fee.
- Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- 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.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Best Delta Credit Card Reviews
Delta SkyMiles are worth an average of 1.1 cents apiece, based on Business Insider's points and miles valuations.
Delta miles aren't just useful for booking flights on Delta. SkyMiles can be redeemed for award tickets on other SkyTeam alliance carriers, including Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and other non-alliance partners like WestJet.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Occasional Delta Flyers
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is best for someone who flies Delta a couple of times a year but doesn't travel regularly enough to use the heftier cards' perks (more on that later).
New cardholders can earn an intro bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. That's worth $880 in travel by our current valuations.
Cardholders earn 2 miles on Delta purchases and at U.S. Supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 1 mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms apply.
One of the card's best benefits is a free first checked bag on Delta flights, for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation. Delta charges $35 each way for your first checked bag, so this can save you up to $70 per person on a round-trip itinerary. Terms apply.
Cardholders and travel companions also get Zone 5 priority boarding. This means you can board the plane sooner, giving you plenty of time to settle into your seat or find overhead space for any carry-on luggage. Zone 5 comes after most Delta elite frequent flyers and premium-cabin passengers, but is usually within the first half of passengers to board. Terms apply.
Other perks include 15% off Delta award flights, a 20% discount on inflight purchases (in the form of a statement credit), such as food or drinks, a $200 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year, and no foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.
Delta's Pay With Miles feature allows any Delta credit cardholder to redeem miles toward paid airfare at a flat rate of 1 cent each, without worrying about award charts or availability. Terms apply.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card has an annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $150 (rates and fees).
Read more about this credit card in our Gold Delta SkyMiles Amex card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Best Business Card for Occasional Delta Travelers
If you're a small-business owner who occasionally flies Delta, the business version of the previous card may suit you better. The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card has a similar annual fee of $0 intro for the first year, then $150.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Cardearns 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for advertising in select media (up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year), 2 miles on eligible purchases with Delta and at restaurants, and 1 mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn an intro bonus of 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership (offer ends 4/2/25). You should have no trouble getting an average of $990 in travel value from this bonus, per Business Insider's valuations.
Read more about this credit card in our American Express Delta Gold Business card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
If you fly Delta somewhat regularly, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is a good choice thanks to the Delta companion certificate — an underrated benefit that can help offset the cost your annual fee.
After your first year with this card, you'll get an annual companion certificate each year at your cardmember anniversary. This certificate is essentially a buy-one-get-one-free coupon, although there are restrictions on how and where you can use it. If you can maximize this benefit each year, it can easily help you justify the card's annual fee of $350. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn an intro bonus of 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership. That's worth an average of $990 in Delta credit, according to our valuations.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card also offers many of the same perks as the Gold cards, like priority boarding and free checked bags on Delta flights. The card also offers credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® as well as select Resy, rideshare, and Delta Stays purchases. Terms apply.
Read more about this card in our Platinum Delta Amex card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Best Business Card for Frequent Delta Flyers
If you're a frequent Delta flyer seeking a small-business credit card, check out theDelta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, which also has a $350 annual fee.
The card earns 3 miles on purchases made directly with Delta and hotels, 1.5 miles on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100,000 per calendar year), and 1 mile on all other purchases. It also comes with statement credits for eligible Resy, rideshare, and Delta Stays purchases. Terms apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card's current welcome offer is 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership (offer ends 4/2/25). That's worth $1,100 in travel, according to our valuations.
Read more about this credit card in our Delta American Express Platinum Business card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Airport Lounge Access
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card can be extremely valuable for status-chasing travelers who frequently fly with this airline. This card has a high $650 annual fee (rates and fees), but comes with premium benefits that can make it worthwhile for some frequent flyers.
This card offers complimentary access to two airline lounge networks when you fly Delta: Amex Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs. Terms apply.
Cardholders get up to 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Club airport lounges worldwide, whenever the cardholder is flying with Delta. If you spend $75,000 or more on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year, you can earn unlimited access for the following year. Terms apply.
Cardholders can also enter Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on a ticket purchased with a U.S.-issued American Express card. Centurion Lounges are known for high-end complimentary food and drinks, so this is a great added value. Terms apply.
Other card benefits include four Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes, up to $120 for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit, and access to complimentary upgrades for non-elite Delta members. Terms apply.
You'll also get a companion certificate each year after your card anniversary. And unlike the certificate from the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, this one can be used on business- and first-class flights in addition to economy-class tickets. Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Cardholders with Delta Medallion elite status are also eligible for complimentary, space-available upgrades to first class and Delta One seats on flights within the U.S. and the region, including Mexico and Central America. They'll also be considered for upgrades to extra-legroom seats on international flights. Upgrades clear in a hierarchical order based on several factors, including each passenger's status level and the original fare class they booked. Terms apply.
New cardholders can earn an intro bonus of 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership (offer ends 4/2/25). That's worth an average of $1,100 in travel, per our valuations. Cardholders also earn 3 miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile on all other purchases. Terms apply.
Learn more about this credit card in our Delta Reserve review.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best Business Card for Airport Lounge Access
Business owners can also consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, which offers similar benefits for small-business users but differs in earning rates: 3 miles per dollar on purchases made directly with Delta, 1.5 miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, U.S. office supply stores, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150,000 in a calendar year, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Terms apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card charges the same high annual fee of $650 as the consumer credit card version. To offset the cost, this card offers new cardholders an intro bonus of 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership (offer ends 4/2/25), worth $1,210 in travel per Business Insider's valuations.
Read more about this credit card in our Amex Business Delta Reserve card review.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for No Annual Fee
If you want to earn Delta miles on your everyday spending without paying an annual fee, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a good option to consider.
This card earns a modest welcome bonus of 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the first six months from account opening.
This card offers relatively limited benefits: there are no foreign transaction fees, and you'll get 20% off eligible inflight purchases on Delta when you pay with the card. That's not bad for a no-annual-fee travel credit card. Terms apply.
Read more about this credit card in our Delta SkyMiles Blue Amex card review.
Delta Credit Card Alternatives
If you aren't committed to a particular airline, our guides to the best airline credit cards and best travel credit cards may help you find options that will work better for you.
The Amex Platinum Card and the Amex Gold Card, for example, both earn Amex points you can transfer to Delta. The Amex Platinum Card also comes with statement credits you can use with an airline of your choice, including Delta (enrollment required).
Read more about these cards in our American Express Platinum card review and our Amex Gold Card review.
If you're looking for a American Express business card that earns Amex points, consider the no-annual-fee The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, which earns 2 Amex points per dollar on up to $50,000 a year. Terms apply.
Learn more in our Amex Blue Business Plus credit card review.
Delta Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
Are American Express Delta cards worth it?
Yes, an Amex Delta credit card can be worth it if you often fly Delta Air Lines and like to earn and redeem Delta miles. Several cards offer a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight companions, while the premium cards come with lounge access to Amex Centurion Lounges and up to 15 visits to the Delta Sky Clubs on select flights each year.
What credit score do you need for a Delta Airlines credit card?
You'll need at least a good credit score to be considered for a Delta card, which means a FICO score of at least 670.
Can you upgrade a Delta Amex card?
Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your Delta credit card to a different Delta product. However, you usually can't earn a welcome bonus if you product-change your Delta card. Amex occasionally targets cardholders for upgrade bonuses, but there's no guarantee you'll get one of these offers. Thus, it's usually better to apply for a new Delta card instead of upgrading or downgrading your existing card.
Are there other ways to enter Delta Sky Club without having a Delta Amex card?
Holding an Amex Delta Reserve card is the cheapest way for those without Delta elite status to gain access to Delta Sky Clubs whenever you fly with Delta. Reserve card members receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club and must spend $75,000 or more in total eligible purchases on the card to earn an unlimited number of visits in a calendar year. The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also offer Delta Sky Club access whenever you fly with Delta and carry your card. Both cards offer 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. Cardholders can unlock unlimited visits after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
Which credit card is best for Delta?
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Cardcan be a great choice for Delta travelers who check bags when they fly, while the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card is best for premium travelers who value airport lounge access. But if you aren't loyal to a single airline, the Amex Platinum Card or the Amex Gold Card may be more useful since they earn Amex points that transfer to Delta. Terms apply.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Delta Credit Cards
Our editorial team evaluates each credit card's merits and detractors, comparing annual fees against value and benefits. When considering credit cards for Delta travelers, here are some of the criteria we considered:
Delta-specific benefits — Each card in this guide offers special perks for Delta cardholders. Even the no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers 20% off inflight purchases and serves as a useful card to keep on international trips, since there are no annual fees.
Value relative to cost — Some of these credit cards charge sky-high annual fees, but come with premium benefits that offset the price. Every traveler's needs are different, which we consider when presenting a range of options.
Interested in learning more about how we rate credit cards? Read Business Insider's guides to the best credit cards and the best small-business credit cards.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please click here.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.
Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
