The best Delta credit cards (and how to pick the right one for you)

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If you’re looking to enhance your flying experience with Delta, you’ll be happy to know that great perks like annual companion certificates, priority boarding and free checked bags are all within reach. You can choose from several Delta credit cards, each of which offers different types of perks and benefits that can enhance your flying experience and also save you time and money.

Best Delta credit cards

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Best for annual companion certificate
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Best for annual companion certificate
• Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express: Best for frequent Delta flyers
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card: Best for frequent Delta flyers

How we choose the best Delta credit card

It’s important to get value out of a card in the long run, and it’s helpful when you can earn a welcome bonus to quickly see value out of a card. Here are a few of the things we look at when choosing the best Delta credit cards:

Welcome bonus: A strong welcome bonus can quickly give you a large enough stash to take a luxury vacation on short notice. We like cards with valuable welcome bonuses because you can quickly come out ahead with tremendous value, especially on a card that carries an annual fee.

Rewards for everyday purchases: We prefer cards that offer the ability to steadily rack up rewards on everyday purchases. If you choose one that earns rewards to match your daily spending patterns, it’s an especially great way to steadily accumulate points for your next trip.

Perks and benefits: This can be one area packed with value that is sometimes overlooked. We like perks that can not only save you money like free checked bags but can also enhance your flying experience, like airport lounge access and priority boarding.

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

The Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card has an intro bonus of 30,000 Delta miles after you spend $1,000 within the first three months, and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase within your first three months.

With Delta’s Pay With Miles feature, that bonus is worth at least $300 and can be worth even more if used for an award flight.

Beyond just the welcome bonus, you can continue earning rewards with your daily purchases:

• 2 miles per $1 spent with Delta
• 1 mile per $1 spent on everything else
• Terms apply

Perks

You don’t want to forget about the Amex Delta Gold card’s benefits and perks because they can save you quite a bit of money as well. For instance, you and up to eight additional traveling companions can receive free checked bags if you’re all on the same reservation. With checked bag fees typically starting around $30 per bag, this could amount to a significant amount of savings for everyone.

You can also 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.

And if you don’t like waiting to board the plane, you’ll be happy to hear that Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles cardmembers receive priority boarding, so you’ll have more time to find storage for your bags and get settled in without feeling rushed.

Is it worth the annual fee?

For an annual fee of $95 (which is waived for the first year) (see rates and fee), you can easily make the fee worthwhile, especially when you consider the value of the welcome bonus alone. And when you consider the ability to earn daily rewards for your purchases and the other perks on the card that can save you time and money, this card is a no-brainer.

Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles card bottom line

If you’re not sure you travel enough to make enough use of these perks, this is a great card to start with. The card carries a very reasonable annual fee of just $95 (see rates and fee), which is waived for the first year, and the value of the welcome bonus alone can be worth hundreds of dollars more than the annual fee itself.

Apply here: Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express

 Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

With the Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles Business credit card, you can earn 30,000 Delta miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months, and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase within your first three months.

Just like the personal version of the card, you’ll earn rewards on your daily purchases too:

• 2 miles per $1 spent with Delta
• 1 mile per $1 spent on everything else
• Terms apply

Perks

The Gold Delta SkyMiles business card’s benefits and perks are similar to the personal version of the card, as you and up to eight additional traveling companions can receive free checked bags if you’re all on the same reservation. You’ll also receive priority boarding and 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on select in-flight purchases.

Is it worth the annual fee?

Given the value of the welcome bonus and perks, the Gold Delta SkyMiles business card is definitely worth the $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). And because the annual fee is waived for the first year, you have plenty of time to use the card to make sure it’s right for you, even if you’re not entirely sure.

Amex Gold Delta SkyMiles Business card bottom line

If you’re a business owner, this is a great way to separate your business expenses, making it a lot easier to find deductions when you file your taxes. Plus, you’ll receive virtually the same benefits as the personal version of the card, like free checked bags and inflight savings.

Apply here: Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express

Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

The Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card has a welcome bonus of 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $1,000 in the first three months. Plus, you can earn an additional $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase within your first three months.

In addition to earning the welcome bonus, you can continue to get great value from the card by using it for your daily purchases. You’ll earn:

• 2 miles per $1 spent with Delta
• 1 mile per $1 spent on everything else
• Terms apply

Perks

The Amex Platinum Delta benefits go beyond just the bonus miles. Each year when you renew the card, you will receive a companion certificate that allows you to add another passenger to a domestic round-trip flight reservation for only the cost of taxes and fees.

You can save more money on checked bag fees because as a cardmember, you and up to eight additional traveling companions can also receive free checked bags if you’re all on the same reservation. Checked bags generally cost $30 each way ($60 round-trip per person), so if you’re traveling with a large group, you could end up saving as much as $540 for a round-trip flight.

If you’re looking for a relaxing airport experience, you’ll also receive priority boarding and discounted Delta Sky Club airport lounge access. You can also receive inflight savings of 20% off eligible inflight purchases when you pay with the card.

Is it worth the annual fee?

The Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles annual fee of $195 ($250 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020) (see rates and fees) can be worth it if you fly just a few times with Delta each year. The welcome bonus alone is more than enough to make the annual fee worthwhile, and perks like the companion certificate, free checked bag perk, inflight savings and discounted Delta Sky Club access give you plenty of opportunities to get tons of value out of the card.

Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles card bottom line

If you fly even a small handful of times with Delta, you can get incredible value from this card. The value of the welcome bonus alone makes the annual fee worthwhile, not to mention other perks like the annual companion certificate and free checked bags.

Apply here: Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express

Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

When you open the Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles business credit card, you can earn an intro bonus of 35,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first three months. Plus, a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase within the first three months.

You’ll also earn the following for your everyday spending:

• 2 Delta miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases
• 1 Delta mile per dollar spent everywhere else
• Terms apply

Perks 

Just like the personal version of the card, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles business credit card benefits include an annual companion certificate each year upon renewing the card which is valid for round-trip main cabin domestic travel. You’ll also get your first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation (a savings of $30 per bag per person), 20% inflight savings, and discounted Delta Sky Club airport lounge access.

Is it worth the annual fee?

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles business credit card’s annual fee of $195 ($250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020) (see rates and fees) can be worth it for some people. The welcome bonus alone, for instance, is worth several hundred dollars, and perks like free checked bags could also save you hundreds of dollars if you travel with a large group of people.

Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business card bottom line

 If you’re a business owner who flies frequently with Delta, this card is certainly worth considering. You can easily get more value out of the card than the annual fee thanks to the welcome bonus and perks like free checked bags and an annual companion certificate.

Apply here: Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express

Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express

Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

The Amex Delta Reserve credit card has an intro bonus of 40,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.

If you redeem through Delta Pay With Miles, you can get at least $400 worth of value from the welcome bonus, and you’ll earn the following for your everyday purchases:

• 2 Delta miles per dollar spent with Delta Air Lines. When you buy a ticket, book a Delta Vacation or use your card for in-flight purchases, you’ll earn double miles.
• 1 Delta mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
• Terms Apply

Perks

The Amex Delta Reserve benefits are top-notch for Delta flyers. For starters, you receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges worldwide, so you’ll be able to enjoy free food and drinks and a quiet place to relax before your flight. Depending on the location, you might even be able to enjoy a shower or spa.

Amex Delta Reserve cardmembers will also receive priority boarding, so you have more time to get settled in and find space to store your bags.

You’ll also be treated to a number of other money-saving perks, like free checked bags, an annual companion certificate and 20% savings on select inflight purchases.

Is it worth the annual fee?

Although the Amex Delta Reserve annual fee of $450 ($550 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020), (see rates and fees) this is still well worth it for frequent Delta flyers given the value of the welcome bonus and perks like the annual companion certificate, priority boarding, free checked bags, Delta Sky Club lounge access and more.

Amex Delta Reserve card bottom line

If you frequently fly on Delta, this is one of the best cards you can pick up if you’re looking for a premium Delta flying experience.

Apply here: Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express

Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card

 Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

When you open the Amex Delta Reserve for Business card, you can earn 40,000 Delta miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 within the first three months. You’ll also earn:

• 2 Delta miles per dollar spent when you use your card for purchases directly with Delta
• 1 Delta mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Terms apply

Perks

The Amex Delta Reserve for Business card benefits are similar to what the personal version has. You’ll receive an annual companion certificate, along with free checked bags, complimentary Delta Sky Club access, priority boarding and inflight savings.

Is it worth the annual fee?

 The Amex Delta Reserve for business card’s annual fee of $450 ($550 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020) (see rates and fees) can be worth it if you frequently fly Delta, you can definitely make this fee worth it thanks to the value of the welcome bonus and perks like the annual companion certificate, complimentary Delta Sky Club access, free checked bags, priority boarding, inflight savings and more.

Amex Delta Reserve for Business card bottom line

If you’re eligible as a business owner and frequently fly on Delta, this is one of the best cards out there if you’re looking for a premium flying experience.

Apply here: Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card

The best Delta credit cards

Here’s a quick recap of our favorite Delta credit cards:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Best for occasional Delta flyers
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Best for annual companion certificate
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Best for annual companion certificate
• Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express: Best for frequent Delta flyers
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card: Best for frequent Delta flyers

For rates and fees of the  Amex Delta Gold card, please click here

For rates and fees of the Gold Delta SkyMiles business card, please click here

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Delta card, please click here

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles business card, please click here

For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, please click here

For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve for business card, please click here