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

If you’re on the fence about applying for this card, now is as a good time as any to pull the trigger. That’s because for a limited time through October 30, 2019, you can earn an increased welcome bonus of 60,000 Delta miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases 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 $600 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 special perks the card has to offer 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), 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, 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.

Further reading:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express review
• Is the American Express Delta Gold Card worth it?
• American Express Delta Gold Card benefits and perks

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

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, this card is definitely worth the $95 annual fee. 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.

Further reading:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express review
• Is the American Express Delta Business Gold Card worth it?
• American Express Delta Business Gold Card benefits and perks

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

Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express

Intro bonus and ongoing earnings

Through October 30, 2019, the Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card is offering an increased welcome bonus of 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 MQMs after you spend $3,000 on purchases 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 SkyMiles credit card has a lot more to offer than 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 credit card currently carries an annual fee of $195 ($250 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020), but even if you fly just a few times with Delta each year, you can easily come out ahead. 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.

Further reading:

• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express review
• Is the American Express Delta Platinum worth it?
• American Express Delta Platinum benefits and perks

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 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, you’ll receive 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 Amex Platinum Delta SkyMiles card carries a fee of $195 ($250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020), but there are plenty of ways you can come out ahead. 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.

Further reading:

• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express review
• Is the American Express Delta Platinum worth it?
• American Express Delta Platinum benefits and perks

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 card is currently offering an increased limited-time welcome bonus. Through October 30, 2019, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months.

If you redeem through Delta Pay With Miles, you can get at least $750 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 offers top-notch perks 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 carries a hefty annual fee of $450 ($550 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020), 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.

Further reading:

• Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express review
• Is the American Express Delta Reserve worth it?
• American Express Delta Reserve benefits and perks

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 carries many of the same perks as the personal version. 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?

 This card carries an annual fee of $450 ($550 if application is received on or after January 30, 2020), but 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.

Further reading:

• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card review
• Is the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card worth it?
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card benefits and perks

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

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