Delta Airline Credit Cards Review
With more than 160 million annual passengers and 5,800 daily flights, Delta Airlines stands as the second-largest U.S.-based airline.
Frequent fliers with Delta can find savings and improve their travel experience if they opt for one of the airline’s credit cards.
We reviewed each one to help you pick the best Delta credit card offer for you.
Delta Airlines markets three credit cards:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Credit Card from American Express ($150 Annual Fee, $0 for the first year)
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Credit Card ($350 Annual Fee)
- Delta Reserve credit card from American Express ($650 Annual Fee)
The three cards are very similar in many regards, including their miles-earnings ability, interest rates, priority boarding privileges and shopping protections.
A few key features differentiate the three Delta credit card offers.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Credit Card
With an ongoing annual fee of $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year), the is the lowest-tiered credit card from the airline. It offers 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, dining in the U.S., groceries at U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
Cardmembers get to check their first bag for free on every Delta flight, which is a saving of $60 per round trip flight. Priority boarding adds another $10 value.
Essentially, a cardmember can recoup the cost of the annual fee with two roundtrip flights per year in which they check one bag.
Taking advantage of the other features will only generate more value from the $150 annual cost.
Read Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Editor's Review
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Credit Card
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Credit Card is the middle-tiered card from Delta, but it is just a small step up from the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, as seen from a slight increase in the annual fee to $250.
The features of Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is almost the same as the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, except for the addition of the annual companion certificate, annual spend bonuses and baggage insurance.
Upon renewal of your card each year, received a domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate (taxes and fees may still apply).
Cardmembers earn 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) after making $25,000 in card purchases each year. Spend $50,000 in purchases during any year and earn an additional 10,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs. (MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.)
Earn enough MQMs under Delta’s Medallion program and passengers receive a long list of travel benefits and perks, varies by the Medallion status (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond).
Another new card feature is baggage insurance, which covers lost, stolen or damaged carry-on or checked baggage.
Those who are considering theDelta SkyMiles Platinum Credit Card should plan on achieving a Medallion program status.
Otherwise, cardmembers are paying more per year (versus the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express) for baggage insurance -- some travelers may find it to be worth the peace of mind.
Delta Reserve Credit Card
The Delta Reserve credit card from American Express is the top-tier credit card from the airline. With an annual fee of $550, the card may seem expensive. But, for the frequent Delta flyer, the cost is easily worth it.
The prominent perk with the Delta Reserve credit card from American Express is the annual domestic companion certificate (domestic first class, Delta Comfort+ or domestic main cabin). Depending on the flight, this ticket alone could be worth the entire annual fee or more.
Additionally, with $30,000 in purchases, Delta Reserve credit card from American Express cardmembers earn 15,000 bonus miles and 15,000 MQMs per year; with 60,000 in purchases, cardmembers earn another 15,000 bonus miles and 15,000 MQMs. (MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.)
Delta customers who tend to fly with others -- even if they don’t fly often or spend a large amount annually -- can find great value from the Delta Reserve credit card from American Express, despite its $450 price tag.
A combination of the companion ticket and free checked bags is enough to make up the cost of the annual fee.
Those who do expect to spend a lot of money on the Delta Reserve credit card from American Express will see even more benefits through the Medallion program since the Delta Reserve credit card from American Express makes it easier to get a higher Medallion status.
