Which Is the Best Delta Credit Card Offer?

Jul 7, 2024 8:50 AM

Editor's note: Big changes are coming to Delta's SkyMiles program in 2024, including how members can earn elite status through credit card spending. The carrier will also be cutting back cardholder Sky Club lounge access. Read more on these upcoming changes here.

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.

	Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card	Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card	Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card	Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
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 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
Annual fee	$0.	$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.	$250.	$550.
Delta SkyMiles earned	2x.	2x.	3x.	3x.
Bonus miles earned	2x at restaurants worldwide.	2x at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide.	3x at hotels; 2x at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.	N/A.
Free checked bags	No.	Yes, up to nine per booking.	Yes, up to nine per booking.	Yes, up to nine per booking.
Companion certificate	No.	No.	Domestic main cabin.	Domestic first class, Comfort+ or main cabin.
Delta Sky Club access	No.	No.	Yes, $50 per person.	Yes, complimentary.
Medallion status boost	No.	No.	Earn 10,000 MQMs after $25,000 in purchases (twice per calendar year).	Earn 15,000 MQMs after $30,000 in purchases (four times per calendar year).
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit	No.	No.	Yes.	Yes.
In-flight savings	20%.	20%.	20%.	20%.
Cell phone insurance	No.	No.	Yes.	Yes.
Foreign transaction fees	No.	No.	No.	No.

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 40,000 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 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.

Given that NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, the welcome offers for these cards are worth $150, $600 and $750, respectively.

Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles with our favorite Delta cards

Check out our nerdy picks for the best Delta credit cards and find the right card for you.

BROWSE CARDS

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 introductory annual fee 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.

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