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If you’re a regular flyer with Delta, you may have considered a co-branded Delta credit card. These cards are designed for those who are brand loyal to Delta to enjoy rewards, perks and other benefits.
So, here we’ll delve into the best credit cards for Delta flyers to help you to find the right option for you.
Delta Vs. General Travel Credit Card
Many people struggle to appreciate the difference between Delta credit cards and general travel cards. However, the distinction is very simple.
Although both cards are designed for those who travel and want travel rewards and benefits, general travel cards are not tied to one carrier. This does mean that you may miss out on airline-specific perks, but the rewards may be better for you if you’re not a Delta loyalist.
Is a Delta Credit Card Worth It?
There is no easy answer to this question as it depends on the value that you ascribe to the card. If you typically fly with Delta or you have a Delta hub in a nearby city, you are likely to get the most benefit from this type of card.
On the other hand, if you tend to search for the best flight deals regardless of the airline or carrier, a general travel credit card may be better for you.
To understand this a little better, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Delta credit cards.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Airline Specific Benefits |
Airline Specific Benefits |
Loyalty Program Boost | Rewards for General Spending |
Enhanced Rewards | Limited Redemption Options |
- Airline Specific Benefits
The most obvious advantage of a Delta credit card is that you can enjoy Delta specific benefits.
This can include perks such as priority boarding, priority screening, free checked bags and discounts for in flight food, drinks and services.
- Loyalty Program Boost
If you’re a member of the Delta SkyMiles loyalty program, having a Delta co-branded credit card can be a great way to boost not only your miles balance but also your elite status.
Having a card could make the difference between achieving a base tier or a higher tier, with even more perks.
- Enhanced Rewards
Another advantage of a Delta credit card is that you can receive a higher tier of rewards.
While you may be able to earn miles for everyday purchases, you are likely to get more miles when you make Delta purchases compared to the rewards you would get with a general card.
- Airline Specific Benefits
This is both a pro and a con depending on your travel habits. If you’re not flying Delta, you are not likely to get many benefits.
- Rewards for General Spending
Typically, you’ll not get many miles for general spending, which means that you may not want to use a Delta card as your everyday credit card.
- Limited Redemption Options
While the top travel credit cards typically offer the greatest redemption value when you use your points or miles for travel, they often offer alternatives.
However, with a Delta credit card, you are likely to have very limited alternatives to using your miles for travel and travel related purchases.
Best Delta Co-Branded Credit Cards
Now we’ve covered the basics of how to choose a credit card, we’ll delve into the options for Delta co-branded credit cards.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
Rates & Fees, Terms Apply
This card has a modest annual fee which is waived for the first year. It has a two tiered reward structure with the higher tier including Delta purchases, U.S grocery stores and restaurants around the world. You can also enjoy car rental cover, purchase protection, extended warranties and a complimentary ShopRunner membership.
Despite the low annual fee, this card offers some valuable Delta perks including free first-checked bags, 20% back on inflight purchases, up to $100 in Delta flight credit per calendar year, priority boarding and Pay with miles providing greater flexibility when you book using Delta.com. You can compare the Delta gold card with one of its top alternatives, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.
- APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $99, $0 intro first year
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Rewards Plan: 2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases (Terms Apply)
- Welcome Bonus: 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate period: N/A
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express
Reward details
Current Offer
60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
This is the premium co-branded Delta card that carries a premium annual fee. The reward structure is designed for the frequent Delta flyer, since it is two tiered only offering additional miles on Delta purchases.
While the high annual fee may be a little off putting, the long list of perks should easily offset this cost. These include complimentary Delta Sky Club access (effective 2/1/25, members will receive 10 visits per year), complimentary Centurion Lounge access, an annual Delta companion certificate, upgrade priority with access to complimentary upgrades, trip cancelation and interruption insurance along with the travel insurances you get with the Platinum card.
One of the Reserve card's main competitors is Chase's United Infinite card. If you're unsure which of them is better - it's time to compare.
- Rewards Plan: 3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta flights and Delta Vacations® with 1X miles on all other purchases
- APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $550
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Welcome Bonus: 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate: N/A
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
This is the base Delta co-branded card that has no annual fee, but it does still offer some good Delta perks. The reward structure is two tiered weighted towards Delta and dining purchases. You can enjoy savings on Delta in flight purchases, Pay with Miles, car rental coverage and access to the Global Assist Hotline.
These perks and the lack of an annual fee makes this card a good choice for those who don’t fly regularly but want to accumulate miles for a special trip or annual vacation. Here's a comparison of the Skymiles Blue card and the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.
- Rewards Plan: 2X miles for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide and Delta purchases and 1X miles for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases
- APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $0
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate: None
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Reward details
Current Offer
Credit Rating
Annual Fee
0% Intro
APR
This card has a reasonable annual fee, but the additional cost over the Gold card is more than covered with the additional perks. The card has a three tiered reward structure weighted towards Delta and hotel purchases, but you can also earn extra points in U.S grocery stores and restaurants.
The list of Delta perks for this card include free first checked bags, savings on in-flight purchases and an annual companion certificate each year. There is also reimbursement for your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee, car rental insurance, trip delay insurance and a baggage insurance plan with up to $1,250 of cover.
You’ll also get the same purchase protections and extended warranty plans as you get with the Gold card. This makes the card ideal for regular or frequent Delta flyers.
- Rewards Plan: 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
- APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
- Annual fee: $250
- Balance Transfer Fee: N/A
- Foreign Transaction Fee: $0
- Welcome bonus: 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
- 0% APR Introductory Rate: None
How to Compare a Credit Card for Delta Flyers
In addition to the Delta co-branded cards, there are other general travel credit cards that could benefit you. So, it is important that you compare all the options to decide which one is best for you.
Fortunately, this can be quite straightforward if you know the factors to consider.
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The Annual Fee
The first thing that you need to look at is the annual fee that applies to the card. Generally, the higher the annual fee, the greater the perks, but you need to be comfortable paying the card’s annual fee.
You’ll need to think about whether you’ll use all the card benefits and easily offset the annual fee. If you’re not confident that you’ll manage this, you should look at cards with more modest fees.
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The Benefits Package
This follows on from the previous point, but you need to be realistic about the card benefits that you will use and what has no value for you.
For example, if you travel light and rarely check bags, getting free checked bags will not be important to you. However, if you want to ensure that you have plenty of room in the overhead bins for your bag, priority boarding is a good perk for you.
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The Rewards Structure
As we touched on earlier, travel credit cards are typically biased towards travel for earning rewards, but some cards do offer the potential to earn rewards on your everyday purchases.
If you’re not a regular traveler, but want to accumulate travel rewards, you need to pick a card that will allow you to earn miles or points on groceries, gas, dining and other everyday purchases.
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The Redemption Options
If you’re happy to spend all of your rewards on your future travel, you will be spoilt for choice in your credit card options.
On the other hand, if you want more flexible redemption options, you will need to check the card details very carefully.
When You May Want to Skip a Delta Credit Card?
Of course, there are also some circumstances when a Delta credit card may not be a good fit for you. These include:
- You are not Delta loyal: If you are not particularly bothered which airline operates your flights, you are likely to get better benefits with a general travel credit card. While you may benefit from the Delta perks if it is operating your flight, the rewards weighted towards Delta are likely to limit how many miles or points you can earn.
- You don’t have good credit: Unfortunately, you need to have good to excellent credit to qualify for most American Express cards, including Delta. So, if your credit is less than ideal, you may be better looking at a more basic travel credit card and working towards a Delta card in the future.
When is a Delta Credit Card a Good Idea?
A Delta co-branded credit card is a good idea in a number of circumstances such as:
- You live near a Delta hub: If you have a Delta hub in a nearby city, the chances are that you’ll be using a Delta operated flight any time you fly, which means that you can earn rewards and enjoy the airline specific perks.
- You’re brand loyal to Delta: If you enjoy flying Delta and always look for a Delta operated flight each time you travel, a co-branded Delta credit card is a natural choice for you. You’ll enhance your flying experience with your Delta card perks.
- You want an elite status boost: If you’re already an elite status member or are looking to achieve elite Delta status, a co-branded credit card can be a great way to boost your qualification status.
How to Get a Credit Card for Delta Flyers?
If you want a Delta co-branded credit card, you can apply via the Delta website or by visiting the partner brand American Express.
- Find the Appropriate Product Page: As we’ll discuss in a few moments, there are several Delta co-branded credit cards, so you’ll need to find the product page for the appropriate card on the American Express or Delta website. You can read through the information and if you’re happy to proceed, click on “Apply.”
- Complete the Application: After you click on “Apply” you’ll be directed to an application form, which you’ll need to complete. This will require filling in all the mandatory fields including your name, contact information, Social Security Number, income details and some other financial data.
- Submit Your Application: After you click “Submit,” the American Express team will assess your application and will provide an approval decision. You’ll be notified if your application has been approved and successful applicants can expect to receive their card in approximately 7 to 10 days.
How to Check If You Are Eligible for a Delta Card
Fortunately, American Express has a pre qualification feature on its website which can allow you to check if you’re eligible for Delta SkyMiles cards. The process is quite simple as you just need to submit a basic application. You’ll find the pre-qualify button on the credit card product page and this will direct you to the basic application.
The great thing about this feature is that it will not impact your credit to check if you’re eligible. This is because the process only involves a soft credit pull. This allows American Express to assess your eligibility without the search appearing on your credit report. Amex will only initiate a hard credit pull if you decide to proceed with a full application.
How We Picked the Best Delta Cards
We assessed a number of credit cards for Delta flyers, with the most obvious choices being Delta co-branded cards. However, there are other card options which may appeal to you. We prioritized Delta specific perks to determine the best cards, but these may or not have value for you.
We also assessed the annual fees charged by the card issuer. Obviously, there is a balance between the annual fee and the card benefits and we feel that the Delta SkyMiles credit card line manages this balance well.
Even the top of the line card provides a collection of excellent benefits including complimentary lounge access, which should easily offset the cost of the fee if you’re a regular or frequent flyer.
FAQs
Which credit cards transfer points to Delta Airlines?
Delta only has one credit card transfer partner; American Express Membership Rewards.
How do you add a credit card to the Delta app?
Log into the Delta app and then from your My Delta screen, you’ll need to select “My Wallet” and “Stored Payment Methods”. From this tab, you can add another payment and enter your credit card information.
Do Delta credit card miles count towards status?
Your Delta credit card can provide MDQs or MDMs which can help you to achieve Delta elite status.
How do you Activate a Delta Airlines Credit Card?
You can call the number on the sticker attached to your new card or the Amex helpline to activate your new card. You’ll need to verify your personal details with your card number and personal information such as your Social Security Number to activate your card.
How Many Delta Airline Miles Do You Need for a Free Flight?
This depends on the flight. You can compare the Miles cost for various flights on the Delta website.
Can I use Delta miles to pay my credit card?
You cannot redeem Delta miles for statement credit on your credit card bill.
Does the Delta credit card have foreign transaction fees?
No, Delta co-branded credit cards do not impose foreign transaction fees.
Does a Delta credit card pay for Global Entry?
Yes, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve cards offer reimbursement for your Global Entry application fees if you use your card to pay for them.
How do you cancel a Delta credit card?
You will need to call the Amex helpline to cancel your Delta SkyMiles card and the representative can guide you through the cancelation process.
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