Best Delta SkyMiles^® Credit Cards: Which One Should You Get?

Delta Airlines Overview

You earn Delta SkyMiles when you fly with Delta or its partner airlines, spend money on its credit cards or utilize its other non-air partners. These include the Delta shopping portal, dining program and Delta Vacations.

You might already have access to Delta SkyMiles with an American Express credit card that earns Membership Rewards points. Membership Rewards points transfer 1:1 to Delta SkyMiles, and transfers are processed within minutes.

Redeeming them is relatively simple. Your best bet is spending them on Delta-operated flights, specifically on domestic routes. It’s often possible to book off-peak routes for under 5,000 SkyMiles in basic economy, like this flight from Portland International Airport (PDX) to Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

That said, those looking to book international business-class tickets might be disappointed. These often cost 100,000+ SkyMiles, even if you have the TakeOff15 discount (more on that soon) included with some Delta credit cards.

Delta has four elite tiers — Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion — with varying levels of benefits. Elite status is earned when you earn a set number of Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) by flying with Delta and its partners and spending on Delta credit cards.

Check out our guide to Delta SkyMiles for a more detailed program breakdown.

What to look for in a Delta credit card

The best Delta credit card depends on how often you fly, the benefits you need and how high of an annual fee you’re willing to pay. Each one of the many Delta credit cards has different benefits, mileage earning structure and annual fees, some of which are over $600 per year.

Before you decide on a card, consider the benefits. Do you want lounge access? Free checked bags? A companion certificate or a fast track toward elite status? These are all available, but the cards with more premium benefits are more expensive.

Also, think through the rewards you want to earn. If you don’t value Delta SkyMiles, you might want to earn transferable points that you can use to book Delta flights. Meanwhile, those looking to earn MQDs toward status with a credit card must stay within the Delta ecosystem.

Best Delta card with no annual fee: Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

Only one Delta credit card has a $0 annual fee (see rates & fees): the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card. This card has few benefits but could be a good pick for a starter credit card. You can also downgrade higher-fee Delta personal credit cards to this card.

As of October 2026, the card offers 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of opening your account.

Key facts of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card

Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

Fly Further for Free with the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card

• 10,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within 6 months
• 2X miles on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout & delivery in the U.S.
• 1X mile on all other eligible purchases
• 20% savings on eligible in‑flight food, beverages and audio headsets via statement credits
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

Whether you’re hopping a regional flight or tackling transcontinental routes, this no‑fee Delta card lets you earn valuable miles on both travel and everyday dining. Use Pay With Miles at booking to offset ticket costs, redeem for award flights or upgrade your cabin. Plus, manage rewards seamlessly in the AmEx mobile app and enjoy on‑the‑fly savings on every flight.

Terms apply. Bonus miles require $1,000 spend in first 6 months. In‑flight savings post as statement credit within 8–12 weeks. See full terms for details.

Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card?

This card is best for those new to credit cards who want a card without an annual fee. It has a small welcome offer and relatively low mileage earnings, but no annual or foreign transaction fees mean it’s still far better than spending on a debit card.

Best Delta card for free bags: Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

Things start to get more interesting with the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card. It offers a handful of benefits, including a free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, a Delta Stays credit and the opportunity to earn a flight credit every year. It’s also eligible for Delta’s TakeOff15 benefit, which gives you a 15% discount on all Delta-operated award tickets.

The Delta Gold card offers as high as 80,000 bonus miles plus a $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of opening your account. This offer ends November 4, 2026.

Key facts of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

Maximize Your Delta Travel Benefits with the SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

• As high as 80,000 bonus miles + $250 statement credit after $3,000 in purchases within 6 months (offer ends Nov. 4, 2026)
• 2× miles on Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets
• 1× mile on all other eligible purchases
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
• No foreign transaction fees
• First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions on Delta flights
• Priority boarding with Zone 5 access
• 20% savings on in‑flight food, beverages and audio headsets
• $200 Delta flight credit after $10,000 in card spend per year
• $100 annual Delta Stays credit for prepaid hotel stays or vacation rentals
• 15% miles back on Award Travel booked through delta.com or the Fly Delta app

This card delivers powerful perks for Delta flyers—from generous sign‑up miles and annual credits to standout baggage and boarding privileges. Whether you’re checking multiple bags, dining in the sky or booking award travel, you’ll enjoy seamless rewards and travel savings in every corner of the Delta network. Manage your account in the AmEx app and make every trip more rewarding.

Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card?

This card is best for travelers who fly Delta a few times yearly and want base-level benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. These can make your travel experience less expensive and more seamless. Plus, the card’s annual fee is largely offset by the annual Delta Stays credit that can be used toward any prepaid hotel reservation made through Delta Stays.

Best Delta card for earning elite status: Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is the highest-end credit card in Delta’s portfolio. It offers premium benefits like SkyClub access and an annual companion certificate, which allows you to bring another passenger on a domestic or short-haul international flight. The card also offers various statement credits that help offset its massive $650 annual fee (see rates and fees).

The main draw to the card, however, is earning elite status. The card will give you an annual $2,500 MQD headstart toward elite status. Plus, you can earn $1 MQD per $10 spent on the card. If you spend a lot, you could use this card to earn Delta elite status without flying.

For a limited time, the Delta Reserve offers two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates plus 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of opening your account. The certificates are valid for travel within the contiguous U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, must be booked at least 21 days in advance and carry taxes and fees of up to $80 per person. The offer ends November 4, 2026.

Key facts of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Elevate Your Delta Experience with the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

• Two round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates + 50,000 bonus miles after $10,000 in purchases within 6 months (limited-time offer, ends Nov. 4, 2026)
• 3X miles on eligible Delta purchases; 1X mile on all other spend
• 15 Delta Sky Club^® visits per Medallion^® year, plus unlimited access after $75,000 spend and four annual guest passes
• Centurion^® Lounge access when you book a Delta flight
• 2,500 MQD head start each year + 1 MQD per $10 in card spend toward elite status
• $240 Resy^® credit ($20/month) & $120 rideshare credit ($10/month)
• 15% off award travel when you use miles to book flights
• Priority boarding and free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
• $650 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees

This premium card is built for Delta loyalists who want luxury perks and a fast track to elite status. From lounge access and companion privileges to monthly statement credits and accelerated MQDs, every benefit is tailored to enhance your travel. Manage your account and track rewards seamlessly in the AmEx app—then sit back, relax, and let your card take you further.

Terms apply. See American Express for complete details and eligibility.

Who should get the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card?

The Delta Reserve card is best for road warriors who can use its benefits to improve their travel experience and those who want to fast-track their way to Delta elite status. Just opening the card puts you halfway to Silver Medallion status, and you can top-up to higher elite levels by spending on the card.

That said, its $650 annual fee is hard to ignore. Before applying for the card, ensure its benefits match your travel habits and are worth the fee. However, the fee can be recouped for most frequent travelers through the rideshare credit, Delta Stays credit and annual companion certificate.

Best Delta card for lounge access: The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Surprisingly, the best card for you might not be a Delta-branded credit card. If you want to access airport lounges whether or not you’re flying with Delta, The Platinum Card^® from American Express is a great option. It can access lounges within the Amex Global Lounge Collection, encompassing 1,550+ lounges across its lounge partners.

It also offers many interesting benefits and statement credits, including a $200 annual airline incidental fee credit, access to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts hotel bookings, a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit and many others. We’ll outline them below.

It’s worth noting that the card earns Amex Membership Rewards points. These points transfer to 18 airlines and three hotel loyalty programs, including Delta SkyMiles. As such, Membership Rewards points are far more flexible than SkyMiles.

Of course, these benefits come with a price. This card has an $895 annual fee (rates & fees), which can be offset with its statement credits. Either way, it’s a significant upfront expense.

The Amex Platinum offers as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $12,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of opening your account. However, better offers may be available through referral links or targeted mail offers.

Key facts of the Amex Platinum Card

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Unlock Premium Travel & Lifestyle Benefits with The Platinum Card^® from American Express

Welcome Offer: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express delivers exceptional value for travelers and lifestyle enthusiasts. With this premium card, you’ll enjoy:

• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel^®
• Global Lounge Collection^® access to over 1,550 airport lounges including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs^®
• $600 Hotel Credit annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings
• $400 Resy Credit plus exclusive Platinum Nights by Resy restaurant reservations
• $320 Uber benefits ($200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One membership credits)
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 monthly for eligible streaming services)
• $300 lululemon Credit ($75 quarterly)
• $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit annually
• $200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
• $155 Walmart+ Credit for monthly membership
• $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually)

The Platinum Card^® offers premium early check-in and guaranteed 4PM late checkout at Fine Hotels + Resorts^® properties, helping you maximize your vacation time.

With dedicated 24/7 Member Services support and a suite of benefits that deliver over $2,500 in potential annual value, The Platinum Card^® stands apart as a premium travel and lifestyle companion.

Who should get the Amex Platinum Card?

The Amex Platinum is best for frequent travelers who want premium travel perks and airport lounge access when flying with Delta and other airlines. It has a high annual fee, but they’re largely offset when you use the card’s monthly statement credits. You’ll save a nice sum by forgoing airport food and eating at the lounge.

We also like that the Amex Platinum earns Membership Rewards points. You can transfer these to some of our favorite loyalty programs — for example, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Delta SkyMiles — so your points are extremely flexible. You can even pair the Amex Platinum with another Amex card like the American Express^® Gold Card to further boost your points earning on daily purchases.

Best Delta card for business owners: Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards have a small business equivalent. For business owners who travel with Delta often, we recommend the ​​Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card. It offers the same benefits as the personal Delta Reserve benefits mentioned earlier, with some notable improvements.

Key facts of the Delta Business Reserve Card

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business Card

Power Your Business Journeys with the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express^® Card

• 70,000 bonus miles after $6,000 in purchases within your first 6 months
• 3X miles on Delta purchases and direct hotel bookings
• 1.5X miles on U.S. shipping, transit and select business expenses
• 15 Delta Sky Club^® lounge visits per Medallion^® year plus four guest passes
• Up to $200 annual statement credit for Delta in‑flight purchases
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck^® credit up to $100 every four years
• Priority boarding and free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions
• $650 annual fee; no foreign transaction fees

Designed for entrepreneurs who fly Delta often, this card accelerates your miles on core travel and business categories while delivering premium lounge access and travel credits that offset the fee. Enjoy seamless expense management with employee cards at no extra cost, enhanced meeting productivity in Sky Club lounges, and automatic reimbursement for your trusted security screening program. Redeem miles flexibly for award flights or statement credits, and watch your business take off with every dollar spent.

Terms apply. Welcome bonus, lounge access and credits require qualifying purchases. See issuer’s site for full details.

Who should get the Delta Business Reserve Card?

This card is best for business owners who fly Delta often. You can use the card to earn SkyMiles and MQD toward elite status for all business purchases, plus you’ll get all the premium benefits offered by the personal Delta Reserve card.

Bottom line

There’s no one-size-fits-all Delta SkyMiles credit card. With so many options available, it’s in your best interest to look through each card’s benefits and annual fees. Then, assign a value to each benefit based on how often you plan to use it and see if you’ll come out ahead. Pick the card that gives you the best return for your annual fee.

FAQs about Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards

Which Delta credit card has no annual fee?

The Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card is the only Delta cobranded card with no annual fee. It’s a good starter card for earning SkyMiles with minimal benefits.

Which Delta card offers free checked bags?

The Delta SkyMiles^® Gold, Platinum, and Reserve American Express Cards all offer one free checked bag on Delta flights for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation.

Which Delta card is best for earning elite status?

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta Reserve Business Card offer the best path to earning elite status thanks to their MQD Headstart and MQD earnings on spending.

What is TakeOff15?

TakeOff15 is a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights, available to cardholders of eligible Delta SkyMiles credit cards. The discount is applied automatically at booking.

Can I get Delta Sky Club access with a Delta credit card?

Yes. The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Cards offer Delta Sky Club access when flying with Delta the same day.

Which card is best for lounge access on all airlines, not just Delta?

The Platinum Card^® from American Express provides access to 1,550+ lounges worldwide through the Amex Global Lounge Collection, including Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.

Are there Delta credit cards for small business owners?

Yes. Delta offers business versions of its Gold, Platinum, and Reserve credit cards for small business owners. These cards offer similar benefits as their personal counterparts, with some added business tools.