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Update Aug 5, 2024: Delta and Amex recently updated the rewards you can earn on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card. We’ve updated our article with the most recent information on point earnings.
Delta Air Lines offers seven credit cards in partnership with American Express. If you’re looking for free checked bags, a path to elite status, or lounge access, one of the Delta credit cards can help you get there. (Terms apply to all benefits)
But which credit card is right for you? In this article, we’ll help you decide.
In this article…
Benefits on Delta: Credit card perks when flying on Delta
One of the best reasons to get an airline credit card is for its benefits when flying on the airline. All Delta credit cards with an annual fee offer a free first checked bag. Here’s what you can expect when flying on Delta.
Delta Air Lines personal card benefits when flying on Delta
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  | |
| Annual fee | Annual fee: $0 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $350 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees) |
| Earnings on Delta Air Lines purchases | 2x | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Lounge access (Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner, and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on Delta) | – | – | – | Complimentary lounge access when flying Delta. Receive 4 one-time Delta Sky Club guest passes after account opening and each year after account renewal. Benefit changes 2/1/25. See below for details. |
| Complimentary upgrades | – | – | – | Non-Medallions get upgrades after all Medallions Medallions get upgrade priority. |
| Priority boarding (Zone 5) | – | |||
| Annual companion certificate after renewal | – | – | Main Cabin | First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin |
| $200 Delta flight credit | – | Earned after spending $10,000 in purchase on your card in a calendar year | – | – |
| First checked bag free | – | |||
| TakeOff 15 (15% discount on Delta award travel) | ||||
| 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases | ||||
| MQD Headstart | – | – | ||
| MQD Boost | – | – | $1 MQD for every $20 of purchases | $1 MQD for every $10 of purchases |
Details of Delta personal credit card benefits available when flying on Delta
Here are some more details on the benefits that you’ll get from your personal Delta SkyMiles credit cards when you’re flying on Delta Air Lines.
- Lounge access. Through 2/1/25, receive unlimited Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounge, and The Centurion Lounge access when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
- Delta Sky Club and guest passes. Receive 4 one-time complimentary guest passes to the Delta Sky Club upon account opening and at each renewal. You may also choose to bring up to two guests, or immediate family, at a per-visit rate of $50/person or visit a Grab and Go location at a per-visit rate of $25 per person. Effective 2/1/25, you receive 15 non-transferable Delta Sky Club visits per eligible card, per year to the Delta Sky Club. You will be able to earn unlimited Delta Sky Club visits if you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Complimentary upgrades. If you hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you’ll receive a complimentary upgrade after all Delta Medallion members. If you are a Medallion member, you’ll receive upgrade priority over Medallion members who do not hold either the personal or business variants of the Reserve card.
- Priority boarding. Receive boarding with the Zone 5 when traveling on Delta and Delta Connection flights. Everyone in your same reservation will also receive Zone 5 boarding.
- Companion certificate. Receive a companion certificate that can be used for a U.S. domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flight each year when you renew your card. Companion certificates require payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round trip domestic travel or $250 for round trip international travel.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card holders receive a Main Cabin companion certificate.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders receive a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin companion certificate.
- $200 Delta flight credit. Delta SkyMiles® Gold cardmembers who spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year will receive a $200 Delta eCredit in their SkyMiles account that can be used toward a Delta-marketed flight purchase. The credit expires one year from issuance.
- First checked bag free. Receive a first checked bag for free for yourself and up to 8 other passengers traveling with you on the same reservation when your first flight is on Delta or a Delta Connection carrier. The benefit is for a first checked bag; if you receive a free checked bag from your frequent flyer status or from your class of service, you will not receive an additional checked bag for free. Codeshare flights are not eligible.
- TakeOff 15. Receive an automatic 15% off the miles price of award travel when you book Delta flights through Delta.com or through the Delta app.
- 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases. Use you card for eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages and receive a statement credit for 20% of the amount spent.
- MQD Headstart. As a cardmember, you’ll receive $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (the points you need to earn status with Delta Air Lines) each Medallion year just for having the card.
- MQD Boost. When you use your eligible Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card, or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you’ll earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars for your purchases. The amount you earn varies by card.
Delta Air Lines small business card benefits when flying on Delta
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Annual fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $350 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees) |
| Earnings on Delta Air Lines purchases | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Lounge access (Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner, and The Centurion® Lounge when flying on Delta) | – | – | Complimentary lounge access when flying Delta. Receive 4 one-time Delta Sky Club guest passes after account opening and each year after account renewal. Benefit changes 2/1/25. See below for details. |
| Complimentary upgrades | – | – | Non-Medallions get upgrades after all Medallions Medallions get upgrade priority. |
| Priority boarding (Zone 5) | |||
| Annual companion certificate after renewal | – | Main Cabin | First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin |
| $200 Delta Flight Credit | Earned after spending $10,000 in purchase on your card in a calendar year | – | – |
| First checked bag free | |||
| TakeOff 15 (15% discount on award travel) | |||
| 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases | |||
| MQD Headstart | – | ||
| MQD Boost | – | $1 MQD for every $20 of purchases | $1 MQD for every $10 of purchases |
Details of Delta small business credit card benefits available when flying on Delta
Here are some more details on the benefits that you’ll get from your small business Delta SkyMiles credit cards when you’re flying on Delta Air Lines.
- Lounge access. Through 2/1/25, receive unlimited Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounge, and The Centurion Lounge access when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
- Delta Sky Club and guest passes. Receive 4 one-time complimentary guest passes to the Delta Sky Club upon account opening and at each renewal. You may also choose to bring up to two guests, or immediate family, at a per-visit rate of $50/person or visit a Grab and Go location at a per-visit rate of $25 per person. Effective 2/1/25, you receive 15 non-transferable Delta Sky Club visits per eligible card, per year to the Delta Sky Club. You will be able to earn unlimited Delta Sky Club visits if you spend $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.
- Complimentary upgrades. If you hold the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, you’ll receive a complimentary upgrade after all Delta Medallion members. If you are a Medallion member, you’ll receive upgrade priority over Medallion members who do not hold either the personal or business variants of the Reserve card.
- Priority boarding. Receive boarding with Zone 5 when traveling on Delta and Delta Connection flights. Everyone in your same reservation will also receive Zone 5 boarding.
- Companion certificate. Receive a companion certificate that can be used for a U.S. domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flight each year when you renew your card. Companion certificates require payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round trip domestic travel or $250 for round trip international travel.
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card holders receive a Main Cabin companion certificate.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card holders receive a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin companion certificate.
- $200 Delta flight credit. Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business cardmembers who spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year will receive a $200 Delta eCredit in their SkyMiles account that can be used toward a Delta-marketed flight purchase. The credit expires one year from issuance.
- First checked bag free. Receive a first checked bag for free for yourself and up to 8 other passengers traveling with you on the same reservation when your first flight is on Delta or a Delta Connection carrier. The benefit is for a first checked bag; if you receive a free checked bag from your frequent flyer status or from your class of service, you will not receive an additional checked bag for free. Codeshare flights are not eligible.
- 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases. Use you card for eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages and receive a statement credit for 20% of the amount spent.
- TakeOff 15. Receive an automatic 15% off the miles price of award travel when you book Delta flights through Delta.com or through the Delta app.
- MQD Headstart. As a cardmember, you’ll receive $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (the points you need to earn status with Delta Air Lines) each Medallion year just for having the card.
- MQD Boost. When you use your eligible Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Card, or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you’ll earn Medallion Qualifying Dollars for your purchases. The amount you earn varies by card.
Rewards: Earn SkyMiles by using Delta credit cards
Generally, airline credit cards are less-rewarding for spending than cash-back or transferable point credit cards. In most cases, you can earn more valuable rewards on most of your spending by using other cards.
However, it can still make sense to use Delta credit cards for spending. If you’re trying to earn Delta Medallion Qualification Dollars by spending on one of the Reserve or Platinum cards or going for one of the Delta Flight Credits offered on the Gold cards, it may make sense to put a limited amount of spending on your Delta cards. Here’s what each of the Delta credit cards earns.
Personal Delta SkyMiles credit card rewards
Here’s how many SkyMiles you’ll earn per dollar when you use each of Delta’s personal credit cards. For small business credit cards, scroll down to our small business credit card table.
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Annual fee | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) |
| Delta Air Lines purchases made directly with Delta. | 2x | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Hotels worldwide | – | – | 3x | – |
| Restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. | 2x | 2x | 2x | – |
| U.S. supermarkets | – | 2x | 2x | – |
| Other purchases | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
More on the categories of Delta’s personal credit cards
Here’s a bit more on each of the rewards categories offered on the Delta Air Lines personal credit cards.
- Delta Air Lines purchases includes purchases at Delta.com, in the Fly Delta app, and through phone reservation. Delta Air Lines purchases also includes Delta Stays prepaid hotel and vacation rental bookings on the Delta Stays platform and Delta Vacations® packages but not other all-inclusive packages. Delta purchases do not include Delta Gift Cards, purchases made at deltashop.com, or the Delta Flight Museum.
- Hotels worldwide include charges payments made directly to the hotel (e.g. upon check-in or check-out). You will not earn bonus miles in this category for bookings made through third-parties including online travel agents. You may receive bonus points for incidental charges charged to the room and paid for with your card at checkout.
- Restaurants worldwide include standalone restaurants. You may not receive bonus miles for a restaurant located within another establishment, such as a hotel, casino, or event venue, or for food purchased through a third-party delivery service outside the U.S.
- U.S. supermarkets are supermarkets located within the United States. Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, and meal-kit delivery services are not considered supermarkets.
- Other purchases includes other purchases that are eligible to receive SkyMiles. Some purchases, such as fees, interest charges, and purchases of some cash-equivalents may not receive rewards.
Small business Delta SkyMiles credit card earning rates
Here’s how many SkyMiles you’ll earn per dollar when you use each of Delta’s small business credit cards.
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
| Annual fee | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) | annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) |
| Delta Air Lines purchases made directly with Delta. | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Hotels worldwide | – | 3x | – |
| Restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S. | 2x | – | – |
| U.S. purchases for advertising in select media. | 2x (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x) | – | – |
| U.S. shipping purchases | 2x (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1x) | 1.5x (on up to $100,000 of combined eligible 1.5x category purchases per year, then 1x) | 1.5x |
| U.S office supply store purchases | – | – | 1.5x |
| Transit (Includes ride share, taxicabs. and more.) | – | 1.5x (on up to $100,000 of combined eligible 1.5x category purchases per year, then 1x) | 1.5x |
| Large purchases ($5,000 or more.) | – | 1.5x (on up to $100,000 of combined eligible 1.5x category purchases per year, then 1x) | – |
| Other purchases | 1x | 1x | 1x 1.5x miles on other purchases after you spend $150,000 on your card in a calendar year |
More on the categories of Delta’s personal credit cards
- Delta Air Lines purchases includes purchases at Delta.com, in the Fly Delta app, and through phone reservation. Delta Air Lines purchases also includes Delta Stays prepaid hotel and vacation rental bookings on the Delta Stays platform and Delta Vacations® packages but not other all-inclusive packages. Delta purchases do not include Delta Gift Cards, purchases made at deltashop.com, or the Delta Flight Museum.
- Hotels worldwide include charges payments made directly to the hotel (e.g. upon check-in or check-out). You will not earn bonus miles in this category for bookings made through third-parties including online travel agents. You may receive bonus points for incidental charges charged to the room and paid for with your card at checkout.
- Restaurants worldwide include standalone restaurants. You may not receive bonus miles for a restaurant located within another establishment, such as a hotel, casino, or event venue, or for food purchased through a third-party delivery service outside the U.S.
- U.S. purchases for advertising in select media means advertising, eligible purchases of online, television, and radio advertising must be purchased from media providers located in the U.S. Direct mail services and lead generation services do not qualify for bonus miles.
- U.S. shipping purchases includes courier, postal, and freight shippers located in the U.S.
- U.S office supply store purchases are purchases made at office supply stores located in the U.S. Office supply stores are in the business of selling a range of office supplies, including items like: paper, notebooks, office equipment, and office furniture.
- Transit purchases include purchases with train, taxicab, ride share service, ferry, toll, parking, bus, and subway merchants. Purchases of airfare, car rental and cruises are not considered eligible transit purchases.
- U.S. supermarkets are supermarkets located within the United States. Superstores, convenience stores, warehouse clubs, and meal-kit delivery services are not considered supermarkets.
- Large purchases are single purchases of $5,000 or more made using your card.
- Other purchases includes other purchases that are eligible to receive SkyMiles. Some purchases, such as fees, interest charges, and purchases of some cash-equivalents may not receive rewards.
Delta Air Lines card statement credits
In February 2024, Delta refreshed its Delta credit card lineup, adding statement credits for Delta Stays, Resy and rideshare. Here are the details on these statement credits. Here are the details on the Delta Air Lines credit card statement credits.
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Annual fee | Annual fee: $0 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $350 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees) |
| Delta Stays credit | – | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Resy credit Enrollment required. | – | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $240 ($20 per month) |
| Rideshare credit Enrollment required. | – | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $120 ($10 per month) |
The small business cards all offer slightly higher amounts of credits for Delta Stays. The Resy and rideshare credits are similar to the equivalent personal cards.
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| | | | |
| Annual fee | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $350 (See Rates and Fees) | Annual fee: $650 (See Rates and Fees) |
| Delta Stays credit | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Resy credit (Enrollment required.) | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $240 ($20 per month) |
| Rideshare credit (Enrollment required.) | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $120 ($10 per month) |
More on the statement credits offered by the Delta credit cards
- Delta Stays credit. When you use your eligible card to pay for a prepaid hotel stay through Delta Stays, you can get statement credits that offset your charge, up to the card’s annual Delta Stays credit limit. Each eligible card offers a different amount of credit for Delta Stays and your available credit amount resets with the calendar year.
- Resy credit. You can receive a credit each month when you use your eligible card to pay for U.S. restaurant purchases at restaurants that offers reservations through Resy.com and the Resy app. Credits reset monthly. Enrollment required.
- Rideshare credits. Earn up to $10 each month in statement credits when you make eligible purchases in the U.S. with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, or Alto. Enrollment required.
Delta Air Lines credit card welcome offers
Delta Air Lines credit cards all feature new cardmember welcome offers that allow you to earn SkyMiles when you’re approved for a card and meet minimum spending requirements. We have a separate article covering the welcome offers in-depth, but here are the current welcome offers on Delta credit cards:
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees)- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) - Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) 
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees)- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) - Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees) - Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: bonus_miles_full
Annual fee: annual_fees (See Rates and Fees)
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the companion certificate in the first year I hold a Delta Platinum or Reserve card?
The companion certificate is awarded each cardmember anniversary year after your first when you pay your annual fee. You won’t receive a companion certificate in your first year of card membership.
Can I bring a guest into the Sky Club if I have access with my credit card?
With the February 2024 updates to the Reserve cards, you’ll get guest access passes when you renew your card. You can use these guest passes for one-time entrances to the Sky Club for your guests, or your can pay a per-person charge to grant them access.
Can you use the Uber credit for Uber Eats purchases?
The Delta Rideshare/Uber credit cannot be used for Uber Eats purchases per the terms and conditions.
Do you have to reserve through Resy for the Resy credit?
No. You only need to make a purchase at a restaurant that partners with Resy to receive the Resy credit.
Rates and fees for Delta Air Lines credit cards
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees; terms apply
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees; terms apply
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees; terms apply
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
- For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link: See Rates and Fees
Advertiser disclosure: Cards and Points has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Cards and Points and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on this site are from advertisers. Compensation may affect how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies or all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Terms apply to all credit card benefits.
