Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards of June 2023
Take a look at our top picks, then let us walk you through making the decision.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards || Best travel credit cards
Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $550-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class.
In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travel, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
ALSO CONSIDER: Best credit cards of 2023 || Best airline credit cards || Best hotel credit cards || Best travel credit cards
Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $550-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class.
In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travel, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Most Delta flyers | $0 intro for the first year, then $99 | 1x- Miles | 40,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Elevated benefits | $250 | 1x- Miles | 50,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for No annual fee | $0 | 1x- Miles | 10,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Lounge access | $550 | 1x- Miles | 50,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Business travelers | $550 | 1x- Miles | 70,000 Miles | Apply now on American Express' website |
The Platinum Card® from American Express Apply now on American Express' website | Best for Flexibility + luxury | $695 | 1x- Points | 80,000 Points | Apply now on American Express' website |
Our pick for
Most Delta flyers
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
1x-2x
Miles
40,000
Miles
Even if you travel only a couple of times a year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can more than pay for itself with a strong welcome offer, a generous checked-bag benefit and bonus rewards on everyday spending.
Even if you travel only a couple of times a year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card can more than pay for itself with a strong welcome offer, a generous checked-bag benefit and bonus rewards on everyday spending.
Pros
You earn 2 miles per dollar spent not just on Delta purchases, but also at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets; other spending earns 1 mile per dollar. The first checked bag is free for you and up to eight others on your reservation, you get priority boarding and you get a $100 Delta credit — good for future travel — when you put $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. The new cardholder offer starts you off right, too. Terms apply.
Cons
Unlike Delta's higher-priced offerings, this card doesn't come with any kind of lounge access, nor does it offer a companion certificate or provide a potential boost toward elite status.
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
New: 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.
Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
$100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
Want even more flexibility? 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.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Elevated benefits
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$250
1x-3x
Miles
50,000
Miles
You'll pay more for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card than for the airline's basic card, but you'll also get so much more.
You'll pay more for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card than for the airline's basic card, but you'll also get so much more.
Pros
You earn 3 miles per dollar spent with Delta and on eligible hotel purchases; 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. There's a strong welcome offer, a free checked bag for you and up to eight others on your reservation, priority boarding, a fee credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and an opportunity to earn points toward elite status. Its most valuable perk, though, is the companion certificate each year you renew. Terms apply.
Cons
The companion certificate is good only for domestic travel in the main cabin. This card can get you into Delta's airport lounges, but not for free: It gives you the opportunity to purchase day passes for yourself and up to two guests at a rate of $50 per person. For a companion certificate good in any class, or unlimited lounge access, you'll have to get Delta's top-of-the-line card.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
New: 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.
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.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$250 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
No annual fee
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$0
1x-2x
Miles
10,000
Miles
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card could be a good fit for someone who doesn't travel that often and just wants to earn miles at a steady clip between occasional trips.
The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card could be a good fit for someone who doesn't travel that often and just wants to earn miles at a steady clip between occasional trips.
Pros
The primary selling point on this card is the $0 annual fee. You'll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, as well as at restaurants, and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. There's a modest bonus offer, as well. Terms apply.
Cons
You won't get a free checked bag or priority boarding — signature perks of other airline cards that can more than make up for an annual fee. If you don't fly very often anyway, it might not be worth it to commit to a single airline; a general-purpose travel card with flexible rewards points might be a better fit.
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, beverages, and audio headsets.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Lounge access
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$550
1x-3x
Miles
50,000
Miles
If you spend a lot of time on Delta flights — or in airports waiting to board Delta flights — the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card could be well worth its sizable annual fee.
If you spend a lot of time on Delta flights — or in airports waiting to board Delta flights — the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card could be well worth its sizable annual fee.
Pros
This card gets you into Delta Sky Clubs as well as American Express Centurion Lounges. Each year you renew, you get a companion certificate good for any class of travel, including first class. There's a great welcome offer, a checked bag benefit, priority boarding, a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, a way to earn credit toward elite status and more. As for rewards, you earn 3 miles per dollar spent with Delta and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Terms apply.
Cons
Although the perks can easily cover the cost for frequent flyers, the $550 annual fee can be tough to swallow. Spending rewards are relatively weak compared with some lower-cost Delta cards.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® for you when travelling on a Delta flight.
Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
Earn up to 60,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) With Status Boost® per year. After you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 15,000 MQMs up to four times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.
New: 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.
Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$550 Annual Fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Business travelers
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$550
1x-3x
Miles
70,000
Miles
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit add considerable value, too.
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit add considerable value, too.
Pros
The card gets you into Delta's Sky Clubs (an annual membership costs $545), and you can also use it to access the American Express Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge — The Centurion Studio Partner — when flying Delta. Every year, you get a companion certificate, which lets you bring someone with you on a domestic flight — regardless of what fare class your ticket is. Rewards: 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases (rising to 1.5 miles per dollar after you spend $150,000 in a calendar year). There's a super bonus offer, too. Terms apply.
Cons
All the perks come at a cost, and a high one: The annual fee is $550. However, that fee can be a deductible business expense, and if you use this card as intended, you'll get your money's worth.
Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Eligible Card Members now enjoy exclusive savings on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections. You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you’re traveling together.
When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
Plus enjoy 3X miles per dollar on all eligible Delta purchases.
With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to 4x per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.
Terms and limitations apply.
- View Rates & Fees
Our pick for
Flexibility + luxury
on American Express' website
on American Express' website
$695
1x-5x
Points
80,000
Points
If you prefer Delta but like to keep your options open, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express as an alternative to Delta's Reserve card. The points you earn can be transferred to Delta, or you can use them to book other travel. The card gets you into more airport lounges, too. It's not cheap, though.
If you prefer Delta but like to keep your options open, consider The Platinum Card® from American Express as an alternative to Delta's Reserve card. The points you earn can be transferred to Delta, or you can use them to book other travel. The card gets you into more airport lounges, too. It's not cheap, though.
Pros
Start with a rich welcome offer, then earn 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines, as well as on flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. (Other travel purchases earn 2x points; everything else earns 1x.) You can transfer points to Delta or more than a dozen other partners, or use them to book other travel. The card gets you into more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including AmEx's own lounges and Delta's Sky Clubs when flying Delta. You're eligible for hundreds of dollars a year worth of travel and shopping credits (including $200 a year for incidental fees on an airline you choose). There's cell phone protection, concierge service and more. Terms apply.
Cons
The $695 annual fee is one of the highest around, even if you get a lot for it. Since it's not a branded Delta card, you won't get free checked bags (although you could use your airline fee credit for bag fees).
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Walmart+ members enjoy shopping perks – both online and in-store – at Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive a statement credit that covers the full cost each month. $12.95 plus applicable taxes. Plus Up Benefits not eligible.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Benefit renews annually.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back per calendar year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Learn more.
$189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®.
$100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
$300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction, and an Equinox+ subscription is required.
Add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile on the Resy app or website and unlock Global Dining Access by Resy to exclusive tables and events.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.
- View Rates & Fees
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DELTA AIR LINES CREDIT CARD FOR YOU
By Gregory Karp and Sara Rathner, NerdWallet
Delta Air Lines flyers have four consumer credit cards to choose from, which can accommodate newbies, leisure flyers and seasoned road warriors alike.
Delta cards aren’t your only choice for earning rewards toward flights, of course. General-purpose travel credit cards also have an allure.
But if you’re considering Delta-branded cards, which have some specific benefits, choosing the right one comes down to the perks you want and the annual fee you’re willing to pay.
The basics at a glance
Examining basic card features side by side helps when choosing.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|---|
ANNUAL FEE | |||
$0. | $0 intro for the first year, then $99. | $250. | $550. |
WELCOME OFFER | |||
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply. | Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply. |
SPENDING REWARDS | |||
• 2x on Delta purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 1x on other purchases. | • 2x on Delta purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 2x at U.S. supermarkets. • 1x on other purchases. | • 3x on Delta purchases. • 3x on eligible hotel purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 2x at U.S. supermarkets. • 1x on other purchases. | • 3x on Delta purchases. • 1x on other purchases. |
CHECKED BAG BENEFIT / PRIORITY BOARDING | |||
None | • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other people on your reservation. • Priority boarding. | ||
AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS | |||
None. | None. | Discounted. | Yes. |
COMPANION CERTIFICATE | |||
None. | None. | Good for domestic main cabin only. | Good for domestic first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin. |
Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). |
Delta and American Express also offer business-specific versions of the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, with fees and benefits similar to the consumer cards. Learn more about those cards here:
What’s different?
Annual fee
Like most mega-airline credit card lineups, Delta’s offerings go from low annual fee — in this case $0 — to a luxury card, in this case with airport lounge access, for $550. Terms apply.
The more you pay, the more rewards and perks you get. The key is evaluating whether you’ll use those extras and whether they’re worth paying the higher annual fee.
Checked bags and early boarding
Checked-bag-fee waivers can be a huge money saver when a single checked bag can cost $60 round trip. And Delta cards that offer it are generous, with the cardholder and up to eight others on the travel itinerary qualifying for a free first checked bag. Early boarding is also a perk many travelers enjoy. Terms apply.
The biggest difference here is that the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers no free checked bags or early boarding. The other cards do.
Companion certificate
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card come with annual companion certificates — rare and valuable perks that cover the cost of a round-trip domestic ticket for someone flying with you once each year. That alone could make up for the annual fee. The certificate with the Reserve card even applies in first class. Terms apply.
Rewards
While all of these cards offer bonus rewards for Delta purchases, the three least expensive cards all offer additional bonus categories as well. Terms apply.
Delta Sky Clubs access
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with full access to the Delta-branded airport lounges and American Express Centurion lounges. You’ll also get two one-time guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs annually. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with discounted daily access — $50 per day, as of this writing. The two lowest-tier cards come with no lounge benefit. Terms apply.
What’s the same?
Rewards currency
All cards issue rewards and bonuses in Delta SkyMiles.
20% in-flight savings
All cards offer the same 20% statement credit for such in-flight purchases as food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets on Delta-operated flights. In-flight wireless internet access is excluded. Terms apply.
American Express
All cards come from the same issuer. American Express is widely accepted in the U.S., but you may run into vendors abroad that won’t accept it.
No foreign transaction fees
As you would expect for cards aimed at travelers, none of these cards put a surcharge on purchases outside the U.S.
Other choices
An airline card is not your only choice. General travel credit cards offer rewards that can be used on a variety of travel spending, not just a single airline. Redeeming rewards for credit against a Delta Air Lines purchase or other travel spending essentially “erases” it from your balance. That makes these cards a good choice for people who spread their business around.
Also note that some credit card rewards can be converted into Delta SkyMiles. Examples are Membership Rewards from American Express and points from loyalty programs of such hotels as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton, IHG and Radisson.
How to decide
All but the most casual flyers might rule out the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. It’s so short on perks, including no free checked bags, it might not be worth bothering with unless you really want SkyMiles and insist on an annual fee of $0. A simpler cash-back card might yield more value.
Maybe the closest call for most Delta flyers is between the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If you’ll use the companion pass, step up to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Airport lounge membership and a first-class domestic companion pass are differentiators for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Ultimately, choosing the right card means picking your perks and deciding whether the annual fee — or lack of one — is right for you.
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.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.
Last updated on May 18, 2023
