With great airline benefits, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is our pick for the best Delta credit card in 2023.
Delta Air Lines is a common favorite among frequent travelers, as well as one of the highest-rated airlines by consumers year after year. In fact, Delta was ranked this year as the No. 1 airline in the U.S. by the Wall Street Journal for the second year in a row, and the company frequently receives accolades for their customer service and record for on-time flights.
With this kind of reputation, it’s no wonder consumers sign up for Delta credit cards in droves. However, it can be difficult to know which Delta credit card is worth it depending on how often you travel and the perks you want.
If you’re looking for a Delta credit card and wondering which one makes the most sense for your travel plans, your budget, and your goals, read on to learn about our top picks.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 50,000 miles (worth around $550 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
If your main goal is racking up as many Delta SkyMiles as you can, the best co-branded card for you is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. This card offers the best earning categories of any co-branded Delta card thanks to its 3X rate on Delta purchases, yet you’ll also get the same rate on purchases made with hotels. Cardholders can enjoy perks like an annual companion certificate upon renewal, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, priority boarding, first checked bag free on Delta flights and more.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 40,000 miles (worth around $440 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is our top choice for a Delta credit card if you’re looking to get a free checked bag on your Delta flights. We recommend this card because it has great travel benefits and a reasonable annual fee.
With this card, you’ll get one free checked bag per flight for yourself and up to eight companions on your itinerary, plus you’ll earn Delta SkyMiles on every purchase. In addition to a variety of bonus spending categories, cardholders will also qualify for priority boarding in Main Cabin 1, in-flight discounts and no foreign transaction fees.
Savvy traveler tip: With no annual fee the first year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is a smart card to consider if you’re hoping to give this frequent flyer program a try for 12 months.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 10,000 miles (worth around $110 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is a great option for a casual Delta customer who is looking for a card with a $0 annual fee. You’ll have the opportunity to earn Delta SkyMiles on your everyday purchases, and you can use your rewards points to book flights with Delta, upgrade your seat or purchase hotel stays and car rentals.
Though the card is far from the best option for earning SkyMiles, its 2X bonus on U.S. restaurant purchases means cardholders can still stack up extra miles without having to pay an annual fee.
Savvy traveler tip: The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card doesn’t have a ton of perks, but the 20% discount on in-flight purchases can help you save money on food and drinks you purchase in the air.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 60,000 miles (worth around $660 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
If you’re trying to gain Delta SkyClub access, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the card for you. It’s the only Delta credit card for consumers that includes complimentary lounge access as a benefit. However, the card has a $650 annual fee, so it’s only worth it for the most frequent Delta flyers.
That said, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card only offers bonus miles for Delta Air Lines purchases, making it less useful for cardholders who don’t often fly with Delta.
Savvy traveler tip: This card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers who want airport lounge access.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 50,000 miles (worth around $750 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
With a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card is a great option for small business owners. Not only will you get a stellar welcome offer, but you’ll also enjoy a first free checked bag on Delta flights, a $100 Delta flight credit (minimum spending requirement applies) and no foreign transaction fees.
For regular Delta customers who happen to own a small business, this card can be a great choice. While other cards may offer higher earning rates, this card isn’t bad for business owners looking for a straightforward rewards card that earns on business-related purchases.
Savvy traveler tip: Consider this card if you frequently pay for business travel and want to start earning even more miles on those purchases.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 60,000 miles (worth around $660 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
For business owners looking to earn a lot of Delta miles right off the bat with a high welcome offer, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card will do just that.
This card’s main drawback is its high $350 annual fee, but the perks can be well worth it. In addition to a solid earning rate, you’ll also get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, an annual companion flight certificate at renewal, a free checked bag and more.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 70,000 miles (worth around $770 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
For business travelers seeking a bit of luxury, consider the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for its multitude of perks and benefits. If you don’t mind the $650 annual fee, you can certainly benefit from the complimentary Delta Sky Club access, complimentary access to the Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge, a Companion Certificate upon card renewal and the priority upgrades that come with this card.
Savvy traveler tip: Once you spend $150,000 or more on this card within a calendar year, you’ll begin earning 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases you make.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points (worth around $880 in airfare)
*Enrollment required for these benefits
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
If you like to fly with Delta but you want the flexibility to use your rewards in several different ways, The Platinum Card® from American Express may be the best choice for you. This flexible travel card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which you can transfer to your SkyMiles account as well as a long list of other airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Cardholders can also enter Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a same-day ticket on a Delta-operated flight. In fact, The Platinum Card® from American Express is the superior option for airport lounges since it also gives you access to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required) and exclusive Amex Centurion Lounges.
Savvy traveler tip: If you are willing to book hotels, flights and other travel through AmexTravel.com, making those purchases with this card will net you 5X points per dollar spent. Terms apply.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points (worth around $660 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
If you’re looking to rack up Delta miles every time you spend at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, the American Express® Gold Card will be perfect for you. This card earns flexible Membership Rewards points on purchases, which can then be transferred to Delta and used toward free flights.
This card also comes with perks like up to a $120 dining credit ($10 monthly, enrollment required), and several travel and purchase protections that make it a great option for everyday use.
Savvy traveler tip: Make sure to add your American Express® Gold Card to your Uber account as your preferred method of payment as soon as you get it. That way, you can start enjoying Uber Cash for U.S. Uber eats and rides right away.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® Points (worth around $1,320 in airfare)
Delta airlines benefits
Verdict
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a great non-co-branded card for small business owners looking to earn Delta miles. Though it comes with a hefty $695 annual fee, cardholders will enjoy luxury benefits like up to a $200 airline fee credit (enrollment required) and numerous credits for other things like Indeed, Adobe and Dell (enrollment required for all of these).
Also, like The Platinum Card® from American Express, it gives you access to Delta SkyClub lounges when traveling on a Delta Flight and other lounges through Amex’s Global Lounge Collection.
Savvy traveler tip: Since this card offers 1.5X points per dollar on regular purchases of $5,000 or more, you can maximize the rewards you earn by using it for all your business expenses over that amount.| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card*
|
Winner (co-branded)
|
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. | $350 | |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card*
|
Free checked bags
|
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 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. | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card*
|
No annual fee
|
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. | Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. | $0 | |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
Sky club lounge access
|
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. | $650 |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
Business
|
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of eligible purchases per category, per year. Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants. Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases. | $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
Business travelers
|
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply. | $350 |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card*
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
Business and luxury
|
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases. | $650 |
Learn More
on American Express's secure site |
|
The Platinum Card® from American Express*
|
Winner (general travel)
|
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply. | $695 | |
|
American Express® Gold Card*
|
Dining and supermarkets (general travel)
|
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants (on up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply | $325 | |
|
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express*
|
Business (general travel)
|
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. | 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. | $695 |
However, it’s possible to get better value for your miles when you book select itineraries, including long haul flights and those in premium cabins.
For example, we searched for award flights from Chicago, Illinois (ORD) to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB) for dates during fall of 2023 and found lie-flat business class seats on partner airline KLM for 179,500 Delta SkyMiles plus $423 in airline taxes and fees.
However, the round-trip flight cost $3,083 in cash on the same dates, so each mile you redeemed would be worth 1.7 cents each.
Any of the Delta credit cards can be “worth it” in a traditional sense, especially since there are options that don’t require an annual fee. That said, there are some important steps you can take to find the card that offers the most perks you can use for the lowest total cost.
Consider these tips to find the best Delta card for the way you travel.
To help you earn the most miles possible, you’ll want to choose the Delta credit card that best aligns with your spending habits. With that in mind, look for a card that offers more points in categories you happen to spend a lot in.
If you love to relax in airport lounges, prefer free checked bags, and don’t want to pay foreign transaction fees, choose a Delta card that offers these benefits. If you rarely use the additional benefits offered by credit cards, choose a Delta card that comes with fewer benefits and doesn’t charge an annual fee.
If a card’s welcome offer is important to you, choose the Delta card with the best offer. Just make sure you can reach the spending requirement without overextending yourself or buying stuff you don’t need.
Though many of these Delta credit cards come with strong welcome offers, high earning rates and a multitude of benefits, you’ll need to make sure the annual fee is within your budget. If you think paying a high annual fee will be difficult for you each year, consider a card with a lower or no annual fee.
For frequent Delta flyers and those who live in Delta hubs, a co-branded Delta credit card can be a great idea. However, if you don’t consistently fly with Delta and you prefer to book whichever flight has the best itinerary for your needs, you may want a non-co-branded card that gives you the option to book with Delta or other airlines instead.
Since Delta is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, any number of Amex credit cards that earn this type of points could suit your needs best.
As you compare all the best Delta credit cards, you’ll also want to focus on options that offer a selection of perks you’ll actually use. The chart below highlights the most common Delta card benefits and how they can be beneficial to you.
| Delta credit card benefit | How it works |
|---|---|
| Delta companion ticket | Annual companion tickets from Delta let you get a free companion fare when you buy an eligible ticket. That said, you do have to pay government mandated taxes and fees (usually up to $80) for the companion ticket. |
| Delta priority boarding | Get on the plane and get settled in your seat early on in the boarding process. |
| Delta Sky Club access | Enjoy a cozy atmosphere plus complimentary food and drinks in Delta Sky Club lounges. Note that you do have to have a same-day boarding pass for a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight to gain entry. |
| Free checked bags | With certain co-branded Delta credit cards — such as the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — cardholders can check their first bag for free on Delta flights. This perk is typically good for up to nine passengers on the same reservation. |
| Flight credit | Some Delta credit cards offer annual flight credits you can earn when you meet a minimum spending requirement. |
| In-flight discounts | All co-branded Delta cards offer a 20% savings on in-flight purchases, such as food or beverages, on Delta Air Lines. When you pay for eligible expenses, be sure to use your Delta credit card for payment — the discount will be applied as a statement credit to your purchase. |
The Delta SkyMiles program no longer offers an award chart, and their dynamic pricing model makes it so you may not know how many miles you need for a flight until you’re ready to book. However, there are some general rules of thumb and ranges to consider. For example, you can frequently find round-trip domestic flights in economy for less than 15,000 miles, and round-trip international flights in economy for as little as 52,000 miles.
Depending on how often you fly with Delta and how likely you are to use the cards’ benefits, a co-branded Delta card could be well worth the investment. After all, benefits such as complimentary checked baggage can net you hundreds or even thousands of dollars of value each year with Delta.
That said, you’ll get the most bang for your buck if you choose the right Delta credit card for the way you travel and how often you travel. By taking the time to compare the best co-branded Delta credit cards we highlighted on this page, you’re bound to find the right fit.
Browse the section below if you have unanswered questions on Delta credit cards. If you’re curious how the benefits of the cards compare to the benefits of elite status on Delta, check out our Medallion status guide.
The best way to get approved for a Delta credit card — or any travel card, for that matter — is to have a good-to-excellent credit score. If your score is below this threshold, you can take steps to raise it by paying your credit card bills on time, keeping your utilization below 30% and holding off on making new applications for credit.
The best Delta credit card for earning SkyMiles is the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, which has a large bonus and lets you Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card all offer one free checked bag per eligible flight. This is a potential savings of $60 per person round-trip. However, the free bag perk applies to up to nine companions on the same reservation. This makes it considerably more lucrative for big families or groups traveling on the same itinerary.
Delta SkyMiles are a type of rewards program currency that allows you to earn award flights and other types of rewards, such as gift cards or merchandise, for spending money with Delta and through their co-branded credit cards. Once you have enough SkyMiles to make a redemption, you can visit the Delta SkyMiles program website and redeem your SkyMiles for rewards.
MQDs are a metric used to help you achieve elite status with the Delta SkyMiles program, and they are based on how much you spend with Delta and partner airlines each year. You can use MQDs along with Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) to qualify for different levels of status with Delta. For example, you need $3,000 in MQDs, plus either 25,000 MQMs or 30 MQSs, to qualify for Silver status with Delta.
Note first that award flights technically aren’t “free,” as you’ll still need to pay taxes and fees for your flight. The answer to this question varies widely, depending on timing and routes. However, you may only need a few thousand miles to book a short, off-peak award flight with Delta.
Delta SkyMiles are valued at roughly $0.011 per mile— keep in mind, though, that Delta doesn’t publish the value of Delta SkyMiles. The value you obtain by using Delta SkyMiles can vary widely depending on how you redeem them.
Delta is a part of the SkyTeam Alliance, and you can use the miles you earn with Delta cards for flights on any of its 18 alliance partners. In other words, miles not only give you access to Delta’s flight network, but also to a vast worldwide network of airlines, with more than 1,150 destinations in 175+ countries. Your elite status benefits, including lounge access, also apply to flights with Delta’s SkyTeam Alliance partners, so you can fly in style to almost any place you want to travel.
These are SkyTeam Alliance’s other members: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air, MEA, Saudia Airlines, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Xiamen Airlines.
To make choosing the right card easier, we’ve looked at credit cards reviewed on LendingTree as well as cards on major issuer sites to compile a list of the best rewards credit cards available right now. Our recommendations are based on the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections, lounge membership and airline companion passes. Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more on how we calculate rewards.
The information related to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
