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September 24, 2024: We’ve updated our guide to make the Delta benefit tables easier to read. Hat tip to reader Josh W. for suggesting how we could tighten up this information.
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 when flying Delta: Sky Miles credit card perks specific to Delta Air Lines flights
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.
Additional details on each benefit can be found below the tables or by clicking on the linked benefit names. Terms apply to all benefits.
Benefits of personal Delta credit cards
| 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 | annual_fees | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| (See Rates and Fees) | (See Rates and Fees) | (See Rates and Fees) | (See Rates and Fees) | |
| Earnings on Delta Air Lines purchases | 2x | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases | ||||
| First checked bag free | – | |||
| TakeOff 15 (15% discount on Delta award travel) | – | |||
| Priority boarding (Zone 5) | – | |||
| Complimentary upgrades | – | – | ||
| MQD Headstart | – | – | ||
| MQD Boost | – | – | $1 MQD for every $20 of purchases | $1 MQD for every $10 of purchases |
| $200 Delta flight credit | – | Earned after spending $10,000 in purchase on your card in a calendar year | – | – |
| Annual companion certificate after renewal | – | – | Main Cabin | First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin |
| Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access | – | – | – |
Benefits of small business Delta 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 | annual_fees | annual_fees |
| (See Rates and Fees) | (See Rates and Fees) | (See Rates and Fees) | |
| Earnings on Delta Air Lines purchases | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases | |||
| First checked bag free | |||
| TakeOff 15 (15% discount on award travel) | |||
| Priority boarding (Zone 5) | |||
| Complimentary upgrades | – | ||
| MQD Headstart | – | ||
| MQD Boost | – | $1 MQD for every $20 of purchases | $1 MQD for every $10 of purchases |
| $200 Delta flight credit | Earned after spending $10,000 in purchase on your card in a calendar year | – | – |
| Annual companion certificate after renewal | – | Main Cabin | First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin |
| Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access | – | – |
Delta Sky Club® Access: Entry into airport lounges when traveling on Delta
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card both offer cardmembers access to the Delta Sky Club®. Here’s what these cards offer through 1/31/2025. See below for important changes coming in 2025.
- Access to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on Delta under the following conditions:
- You must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight departing from or arriving at the airport in which the Sky Club you are accessing is located.
- You may access the Delta Sky Club within three hours prior to your flight or during your connection.
- You may not be traveling on a Basic Economy (E) or similar ticket.
- You may access the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta partner flight that is not marketed or operated by Delta by paying a per-visit fee.
- Four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.
Changes coming in 2025: Limits to Sky Club access.
In 2025, Delta Sky Club access is changing. Here’s how:
Effective 2/1/2025, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. If you want to earn an unlimited number of visits each year, starting on 2/1/2025, you must spend $75,000 or more in eligible purchases on your card in a calendar year.
A “visit” includes all entries into a Sky Club within 24 hours of your first entry. For example, if you enter the Delta Sky Club in Minneapolis at 9:00 a.m., fly to Detroit, and enter the Sky Club at 3:00 p.m. on the same day, both entries will count as the same visit.
Once you’ve met the qualifying spending, you’ll receive unlimited visits through the end of the following calendar year. For example, if you spend $75,000 on your card from January 1, 2025 and August 15, 2025, you’ll receive Delta Sky Club access through the end of 2026, the calendar year after the year in which you met the spending requirements. Amex’s terms state that the unlimited Sky Club access is usually processed within a week of satisfying the spending requirements, but that it may take up to 12 weeks to become effective in some cases.
Complimentary upgrades: A chance to get up front, even without Medallion status
Complimentary upgrades are a benefit of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card on tickets purchased on or after February 1, 2024.
If you are an eligible card member and request an upgrade, you may receive complimentary upgrades to seats in the following cabins:
- Delta One® (within the 50 United States)
- First Class
- Delta Premium Select® (within the 50 United States)
- Delta Comfort+®
If an upgrade is available, you will only be upgraded after all Medallion members and, if you hold a Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, after Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardmembers are upgraded.
Basic Economy fares (E fares) are not eligible for complimentary upgrades. Terms apply. Benefit terms and conditions are subject to change.
Priority boarding: Zone 5 for you and everyone traveling with you
When you book a Delta or Delta connection flight, you are eligible to receive Zone 5 boarding if you hold an eligible card. Everyone in your same reservation traveling with you will also receive Zone 5 boarding. Delta does not offer Zone 5 boarding on Delta Shuttle flights.
If you hold Medallion status and are eligible for a higher boarding priority don’t worry…you will receive the highest boarding priority you are eligible for.
Zone 5 boarding is available on all Delta Sky Miles credit cards that carry an annual fee.
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.
