Best Airline Credit Cards for Delta Flyers in 2024

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ByRajiv Baniwal
Reviewed byLee Huffman
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ByRajiv Baniwal
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Reviewed byLee Huffman
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Updated: March 14, 2024

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If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, you might benefit from getting a personal or business Delta credit card from Amex. These cards let you earn SkyMiles, although the miles-per-dollar rate depends on the card you get. All the cards from this category also give you the ability to earn spend-based welcome bonus miles.

Using Amex’s credit cards for Delta flyers outside of the U.S. is ideal, and none of them come with foreign transaction fees. However, you might need to pay an annual fee. For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes with an annual fee of $250.

You also need to pay attention to the airline and airport benefits you stand to enjoy, given that these vary from one Delta credit card to the next.

This article is part of our larger series on
Best Airline Credit Cards

MoneyGeek’s Take: Top 5 Credit Cards for Delta Flyers

Quick Summary

Just how many SkyMiles you stand to earn depends on the card you get and its bonus categories. In addition, the number of bonus miles provided through welcome offers is not the same across all cards. We’ve selected the top Delta credit cards after taking these factors into account, as well as others such as annual fees, airline/airport benefits and APRs. You may scroll further down the page to see what the other good cards from this category have to offer.


  • Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

    A great miles rewards card with no annual fees


    • up to 2 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $0Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    We love the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card for more than its no-annual-fee feature. This card lets you earn 2X miles on restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases. All other purchases come with 1X miles.

    An welcome offer gives you the ability to earn 10,000 bonus miles. All you need to do is spend at least $1000 on purchases within the first six months.

    This card comes with no international transaction fees, which makes it perfect for use when traveling overseas. Other travel benefits include earning 20% as a statement credit when you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases and complimentary car rental loss and damage insurance.

    Cardholders also stand to benefit through purchase and fraud protection in different scenarios.

    Pros

    • No annual fee
    • With welcome offer
    • Gives perks for Delta purchases
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Cons

    • Good/excellent credit needed
    • Limited benefits compared to others
    • No lounge access perks
    • Less rewarding for non-Delta spend

    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.

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

    A great card for frequent business travelers who want to enjoy Delta travel perks and pursue elite traveler status


    • 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99%–29.99% VariableAPR
    • $350Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    If you're a frequent Delta flyer or business owner looking for premium travel perks, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card could be a game-changer for you. The card's welcome offer alone is a head-turner and can easily cover a round-trip flight. The annual fee is offset by value-added features like annual companion tickets and discounted lounge access. Plus, it's versatile in earning miles on both everyday and large business expenses.

    Pros

    • High rewards potential
    • Generous welcome offer
    • Offers savings on Delta flights
    • With annual companion benefit

    Cons

    • Includes an annual fee
    • Requires good to excellent credit
    • High rewards are limited to Delta and hotels
    • Welcome Offer: Earn 65,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enjoy a Companion Certificate each year after renewal of your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • Earn 1.5X miles* on eligible transit and U.S. shipping purchases, plus single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more. Terms and miles cap apply. *If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply.
    • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Members save 15% 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.
    • With the $120 Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
    • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members. Ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024 to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade.
    • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $200 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
    • Terms and limitations apply.
    • See rates and fees
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

    An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles


    • 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $350Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    We recommend the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card to people who fly with Delta frequently. While this card comes with a $350 annual fee, it offers a number of Delta- and SkyMiles-specific benefits.

    A welcome offer gives you the ability to earn 50,000 bonus miles by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months. All purchases made directly with Delta earn 3X miles, as do hotel bookings made directly with hotels. A couple of categories come with 2X miles and all others with 1X miles.

    Cardholders may check their first bags on Delta flights for free, and they receive one domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate every year. You also get a fee credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck. Using this card outside of the U.S. makes sense as it comes with no foreign transaction fees.

    Cardholders stand to benefit through different travel insurance coverage and purchase protection.

    Pros

    • Generous welcome offer
    • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
    • Free first checked bag on Delta flights
    • Get to the next Medallion membership status faster
    • Exclusive rate for Delta Sky Club access
    • 20% back as a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases
    • Statement credit toward Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Complimentary travel insurance and purchase protection

    Cons

    • $350 annual fee
    • Cannot transfer miles to other airline loyalty programs
    • Penalty APR may apply in case of late/returned payments
    • Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Receive a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express 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 $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
    • 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 and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
    • $120 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
    • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
    • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive $100 back for Global Entry or up to $85 back for TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • $350 Annual Fee.
    • Terms Apply.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

    A card that offers generous rewards for business travelers who fly Delta frequently.


    • 1–3 Miles per $1Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $650Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    If you're a frequent Delta flyer looking to amplify your travel experience, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card could be a game-changer. This card goes beyond just earning you miles; it elevates your entire journey. With accelerated rewards for high spenders and elite status within reach, your loyalty pays off in big ways. You'll also enjoy exclusive lounge access and discounts on award travel, bringing a touch of luxury to your trips. While the annual fee and APR are on the higher side, the lavish benefits can make it well worth the investment for the right traveler.

    Pros

    • High earnings on Delta purchases
    • Generous welcome bonus
    • Free Delta Sky Club access
    • Bonus miles after meeting the spending threshold

    Cons

    • Comes with a hefty annual fee
    • Potentially high APR
    • Good to excellent credit needed
    • Benefits are limited to Delta
    • Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
    • Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
    • Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
    • Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
    • Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
    • As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
    • Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
    • Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
    • Terms and limitations apply.
    • See rates and fees
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

    A good travel card with a great rewards program for frequent Delta flyers.


    • 1–3 Miles per $1*Rewards Rate
    • 20.99% – 29.99% VariableAPR
    • $650Annual Fee
    • Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit

    We recommend the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Card to people who feel they might be able to offset its $650 annual fee by making good use of its features and benefits. For starters, it comes with a welcome offer that lets you earn 60,000 bonus miles by spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months. See rates and fees

    You get to earn 3X miles per dollar on Delta purchases and all other purchases come with 1X miles per dollar. All cardholders get a round-trip companion certificate each year. You get two Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year, as well as unlimited access to The Centurion Lounge. You also stand to benefit through priority in upgrades, checking your first bag for free and receiving statement credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees.

    Some of the other benefits include no foreign transaction fees, 20% back on in-flight purchases, purchase protection and extensive travel insurance coverage.

    Pros

    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Complimentary premium lounge access
    • Car rental loss and damage insurance
    • Great welcome offer
    • Trip delay insurance
    • Trip cancellation coverage
    • Savings on in-flight purchases
    • Baggage insurance
    • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
    • First checked bag free
    • Annual companion certificate
    • Status boost feature
    • Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver
    • High miles reward rate

    Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.


    Cons

    • High annual fee
    • High regular APR
    • Good/Excellent credit requirement
    • Fewer rewards than other Delta cards
    • Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® and bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person per visit when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
    • Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
    • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
    • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
    • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
    • Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • $240 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
    • $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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.
    • With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
    • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • $650 Annual Fee.
    • Terms Apply.

Summary of the Best Airline Cards for Delta Flyers

Go through this Delta credit card comparison table to determine how all the cards from this segment fare against each other based on parameters such as who these cards work best for, the credit you need to apply, reward rates and annual fees.

  • Credit Card
    Best For
    Avg. Reward Rate
    Annual Fee
    Credit Needed
  • Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
    A great miles rewards card with no annual fees
    up to 2 Miles per $1*
    $0
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
    A great card for frequent business travelers who want to enjoy Delta travel perks and pursue elite traveler status
    1–3 Miles per $1
    $350
  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
    An excellent card for earning Delta SkyMiles
    1–3 Miles per $1
    $350
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
    A card that offers generous rewards for business travelers who fly Delta frequently.
    1–3 Miles per $1
    $650
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
    A good travel card with a great rewards program for frequent Delta flyers.
    1–3 Miles per $1*
    $650
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
    Great rewards for Delta loyalists
    1–2 Miles per $1
    $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
    Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
    A great credit card for individuals looking for basic travel perks and more opportunities to earn miles
    1–2 Miles per $1
    0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
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MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP

Some Delta credit cards allow you to earn Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) and a spending waiver towards elite status. For big spenders, this can help you reach higher levels of status and benefits quickly. -- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.

How to Compare Airline Credit Cards & Intro Offers

Given the number of credit cards for Delta flyers from which you get to choose, it’s important that you pay attention to your spending patterns and specific requirements before making a decision.

1

Welcome offer

It’s common for Amex Delta credit cards to come with welcome offers. For example, the Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card lets you earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) by spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months. With the Amex Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card, you get to earn 60,000 bonus miles, 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and a $100 statement credit if you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months.

2

Miles-per-dollar rate

The miles you earn depend on the Delta credit card you get. For instance, the Amex Delta SkyMiles Blue Card offers 2x miles per $1 on dining at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and on purchases made directly with Delta. All other purchases earn 1x miles per $1. With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you earn 3x miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and 1x miles per $1 on all other purchases.

3

Annual fee

Annual fees of the top credit cards for Delta flyers vary significantly. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card comes with a $99 annual fee that Amex waives for the first year. On the other hand, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card charges a $550 annual fee.

4

Foreign transaction fee

While the existing credit cards for Delta flyers come with no foreign transaction fees, this aspect might warrant your attention if new cards enter the picture or if there are changes in fee structures.

5

APR

The APR that will apply on your Delta credit card essentially depends on your creditworthiness. However, rewards credit cards usually charge higher APRs than cards without rewards, and the latter might work better for you if you plan to maintain revolving balances in your account.

6

Airline/airport benefits

These basically depend on the annual fee you’re willing to pay. For example, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card with an annual fee of $550 offers spend-based bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waivers, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and The Centurion Lounge, companion certificates, upgrade priority, your first bag checked for free and fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Amex makes none of these benefits available through its no-annual-fee Delta SkyMiles Blue Card.

7

Other features/perks

Some standard features/benefits you may expect from your Amex Delta credit card include savings on in-flight purchases, purchase protection, extended warranty, fraud protection, as well as access to Global Assist Hotline and American Express Experiences.

Further Reading

About Rajiv Baniwal


Rajiv Baniwal headshot

Rajiv Baniwal is a journalist who has been covering financial topics for over 15 years. Meticulous in his research, he provides accurate and up-to-date information. His expertise includes mortgages, loans, credit cards, insurance and international money transfers.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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