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Update February 1, 2024: Delta has updated the benefits and pricing of most of its credit cards. We’ve updated this guide with the latest earnings rates, pricing, and benefits when flying on Delta.
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.
Article overview
Here’s what’s in the post. Click on a section to jump directly there.
- Points earnings – Comparison of rewards across all Delta credit cards.
- Delta benefits – Benefits that improve your experience when flying on Delta Air Lines.
- Statement credits – Statement credits are available on the Platinum and Reserve personal and business cards.
- Delta credit card welcome bonuses – Earn a welcome bonus for getting a new Delta credit card.
Delta credit card rewards
If you’re looking to earn SkyMiles by spending on Delta Air Lines credit cards, take a look at the chart below. The amount of miles you earn for spending on the Delta cards is broken down by category. If you’re looking to earn the most miles, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is the winner. This card offers bonus miles on Delta purchases, hotels, U.S. restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets.
Personal Delta SkyMiles credit card rewards
Here’s what each of Delta’s personal credit cards earns. 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 fee: $0 | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| Delta Air Lines purchases (Includes purchases made directly with Delta) | 2x | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Hotels | – | – | 3x | – |
| Restaurants | 2x | 2x | 2x | – |
| U.S. supermarkets | – | 2x | 2x | – |
| Other purchases | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x |
Small business Delta SkyMiles credit card earning rates
| 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 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| Delta Air Lines purchases (Includes purchases made directly with Delta) | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Hotels | – | 3x | – |
| Restaurants | 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 |
| U.S office supply store purchases | – | – | 1.5x |
| Eligible transit (Includes rideshare, taxicabs and more) | – | 1.5x (on up to $100,000 of combined eligible purchase per year, then 1x) | 1.5x |
| Large purchases ($5,000 or more) | – | 1.5x (50,000 mile cap applies) | – |
| Other purchases | 1x | 1x | 1x 1.5x miles on other purchases after you spend $150,000 on your card in a calendar year |
Delta Air Lines card benefits 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 | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| 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 (Main Cabin 1) | – | |||
| 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 Main Cabin 1 group when traveling on Delta and Delta Connection flights. Everyone in your same reservation will also receive Main Cabin 1 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 | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| 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 (Main Cabin 1) | |||
| 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 the Main Cabin 1 group when traveling on Delta and Delta Connection flights. Everyone in your same reservation will also receive Main Cabin 1 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.
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 | Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| Delta Stays credit | – | $100 | $150 | $200 |
| Resy credit | – | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $240 ($20 per month) |
| Rideshare credit | – | – | $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 | Annual fee: $350 | Annual fee: $650 |
| Delta Stays credit | $150 | $200 | $250 |
| Resy credit | – | $120 ($10 per month) | $240 ($20 per month) |
| Rideshare credit | – | $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.
Current Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses
Delta Air Lines and Amex offer welcome bonuses for new cardmembers who get a new Delta credit card and meet spending requirements. Here are the details on the best Delta Air Lines credit card new customer bonuses.
| Delta Credit Card | Welcome Bonus | Full Welcome Bonus |
|---|---|---|
 Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card Annual fee: $0 | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Annual fee: $350 | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Annual fee: $650 | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card Annual fee: $350 | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
 Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Annual fee: $650 | bonus_miles | bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees) |
More details about the Delta Air Lines credit card welcome bonuses
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
(See Rates and Fees)
Our take on the welcome bonus: We know of no previous elevated welcome offers on this card, so if you’re planning on getting this card, there’s no reason to wait.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 2x on Delta purchases. 2x at restaurants. 1x on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
(See Rates and Fees)
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome offer is the business-as-usual offer. Since the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card has no annual fee in the first year ($150 thereafter), this is probably the best offer to pick up on the personal cards if you’re interested in SkyMiles.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Rewards: 2x on Delta purchases. 2x at restaurants. 2x at U.S. supermarkets. 1x on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: First checked bag free. $200 Delta flight credit after $10k in purchases in a year. Up to $100 annually in Delta Stays credits.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
(See Rates and Fees)
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome bonus is the business-as-usual offer on this card.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $350.
Rewards: 3x on Delta purchases. 3x on eligible hotel purchases. 2x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. 1x miles on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: First checked bag free. Annual main Cabin companion certificate upon renewal. MQD Headstart. MQD Boost.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full (See Rates and Fees)
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome bonus is the business-as-usual offer on this card. The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card’s welcome offer requires quite a bit of spending. Unless you’re interested in the Reserve card’s benefits, it might be better to get the welcome bonus on the Delta SkyMiles Gold card.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $650.
Rewards: 3x on Delta purchases. 1x miles on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: Sky Club access. Annual first class companion certificate upon renewal. MQD Headstart. MQD Boost.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome offer is the business-as-usual offer. You’ll earn more SkyMiles with the welcome bonus on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card than you will with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, so this is probably the better offer.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
Rewards: 2x on Delta purchases. 2x at restaurants. 2x on up to $50k of U.S. purchases for advertising in select media. 2x on up to $50k of U.S. shipping purchases. 1x on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: First checked bag free. $200 Delta flight credit after $10k in purchases in a year. Up to $150 annually in Delta Stays credits.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
(See Rates and Fees)
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome bonus is the business-as-usual offer on this card.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $350.
Rewards: 3x on Delta purchases and eligible hotel purchases. 1.5x on single eligible purchases of $5k or more (terms and mile cap apply.) 1.5x on up to $100k of eligible transit. 1x on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: First checked bag free. Annual Main Cabin companion certificate upon renewal. MQD Headstart. MQD Boost
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card welcome bonus
card_name welcome bonus:
bonus_miles_full
(See Rates and Fees)
Click here to learn more and apply.
Our take on the welcome bonus: The current welcome bonus is the business-as-usual offer on this card. For the amount of SkyMiles you get, the spending requirement is quite high. Unless you’re getting this card specifically for its suite of benefits, going for the welcome bonus on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card is probably a better bet.
The link above is our affiliate link. We always show you the best offer, and this is the best offer we know about on this card.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card at a glance:
Annual fee: $650.
Rewards: 3x on Delta purchases. 1.5x on U.S. shipping, U.S. office supply stores, and eligible transit. 1.5x on eligible purchases for the rest of the year after you spend $150,000 on your card. 1x on other eligible purchases.
Benefits: Sky Club access. Annual first class companion certificate upon renewal. MQD Headstart. MQD Boost.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
The Delta Rideshare/Uber credit cannot be used for Uber Eats purchases per the terms and conditions.
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; terms apply
- 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.