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When choosing our top Delta picks, we looked at features such as cashback rates, annual fees, earning categories, Delta benefits and other factors that a consumer might find compelling in a travel card. Those cards that outperformed the others in a given category were chosen for our list.
★★★★★
Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter) |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 70,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases |
★★★★★
Annual Fee | $250 |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 3x miles on Delta and direct hotel purchases, 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets and 1x miles for all other purchases |
★★★★★
Annual Fee | $550 |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 3x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases |
★★★★★
Annual Fee | $0 |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 10,000 miles after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 2x miles at restaurants and on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases |
Annual Fee | $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter) |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 2x miles on Delta, US shipping, select US advertising and at restaurants and 1x miles on all other purchases |
Annual Fee | $250 |
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Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 45,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 after making a Delta purchase in the same timeframe |
Rewards | 3x miles on direct Delta and hotel purchases, 1.5x miles on single purchases over $5,000 up to 50,000 miles per year, and 1x miles on all other purchases |
Annual Fee | $550 |
---|---|
Purchase APR | 15.74% to 24.74% variable |
Balance transfer APR | N/A |
Welcome offer | 45,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months |
Rewards | 3x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases on up to $150,000 in a calendar year, then 1.5x miles on non-Delta purchases the rest of the year |
Delta refreshed the welcome offer on all of its cards.
Amex Membership Rewards cards allow you to transfer your Amex points to Delta at a 1:1 ratio, in increments of 1,000, or you can simply redeem your points for a Delta flight. The main benefit to picking an Amex reward card over the Delta cobranded card is in a greater earning and redeeming flexibility. The two most popular credit card choices are:
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | |
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Annual fee | $0 | $0 for your first year, $99 thereafter | $250 | $550 |
Free checked bags | – | First checked bag | First checked bag | First checked bag |
Medallion Qualifying Miles | – | – | 10,000 after spending $25,000 in a calendar year. This bonus can be earned twice a year | 20,000 with welcome offer; 15,000 after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. This bonus can be earned four times a year |
Companion certificate | – | – | One each year upon card renewal | One each year upon card renewal |
Priority boarding | – | Main Cabin 1 | Main Cabin 1 | Main Cabin 1 |
Delta SkyClub access | – | – | Discounted entry for $39 | Complimentary access and two one-time guest passes each year you renew; Complimentary Centurion lounge access if you book your flight with your Delta card |
In-flight discounts | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets |
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit | – | – | $100 every four years | $100 every four years |
Baggage, trip delay and car rental insurance | Car rental loss and damage | Car rental loss and damage | Baggage delay, trip delay, and car rental loss and damage | Baggage insurance, trip delay, trip cancellation, car rental loss and damage |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | |
---|---|---|---|
Annual fee | $0 for your first year, $99 thereafter | $250 | $550 |
Free checked bags | First checked bag | First checked bag | First checked bag |
Medallion Qualifying Miles | – | 5,000 with welcome offer; 10,000 after spending $25,000 in a calendar year. This bonus can be earned twice a year | 10,000 with welcome offer; 15,000 after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. This bonus can be earned four times a year |
Companion certificate | – | One each year upon card renewal | One each year upon card renewal |
Priority boarding | Main Cabin 1 | Main Cabin 1 | Main Cabin 1 |
Delta SkyClub access | – | Discounted entry for $39 | Complimentary access and two one-time guest passes each year you renew; Complimentary Centurion lounge access if you book your flight with your Delta card |
In-flight discounts | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets | 20% back on food, beverages and audio headsets |
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit | – | $100 every four years | $100 every four years |
Baggage, trip delay and car rental insurance | Baggage insurance, Car rental loss and damage | Baggage insurance, trip delay, and car rental loss and damage | Baggage insurance, trip delay, trip cancellation, car rental loss and damage |
Yes, if you’re a frequent Delta flyer, you should get a Delta card. The higher-end Delta cards are packed with plenty of value. In fact, the annual companion certificates included on the Platinum essentially pays for the cost of the card. Add on the other perks, such as Sky Club discounts, travel coverage, and free checked bags, and you’ll have no trouble justifying adding a Delta card to your wallet.
Like most cobranded cards, picking up a Delta card is a little harder to justify if you tend to fly with a variety of airlines. The Delta Gold and Blue also lack enough punch to recommend to either casual or frequent fliers.
To choose the right Delta credit card, ask yourself:
There are many strategies to earn Delta SkyMiles quickly. When you book a flight, enter your SkyMiles number and earn additional 5x miles on Delta flight purchases. Also, once you reach Medallion Status, you can earn from seven to 11 additional miles per dollar, depending on your Medallion Status tier. You can find more information about moving through these elite tiers at our Delta SkyMiles guide.
For the best ways to spend your newly earned miles, check out our SkyMiles redemption guide to squeeze the most value from your redemptions.
The Delta SkyMiles program offers several features, many affected by the type of credit card you have. Here are the most common features you’re likely to encounter and our corresponding guides.
Compare the perks and features of Delta credit cards to find the one with the highest value for your wallet.
Delta credit cards can be useful if you fly with the airline often. You get to enjoy travel perks while earning miles that you can redeem for flights. But to choose the right card, consider how frequently you fly Delta and how much you spend on flights.
Check out more travel credit cards if you’re still trying to figure out which card will make the best travel companion.
This is Delta’s tiered program that gives you benefits like unlimited complimentary upgrades for you and your companion to Delta Comfort+ and first class, waived baggage fees, priority customer service and more.
A store card you can only use at the Horizon Outlet online store.
The Ellevest Debit Card offers rewards, round-ups and ATM rebates, but it’s missing key features.
A secured credit card for building credit with cashback rewards.
The Chase United Quest piles on the perks without breaking the bank.
A store card you can use exclusively at the Horizon Outlet online store.
Use these credit card combinations to boost your rewards earnings.
A small business credit card that automatically donates your cashback rewards to charities.
The Stash debit card earns fractional shares as rewards, but balances don’t earn interest.
Both Chase Sapphire cards now offer an astounding welcome offer value for a limited time.
A minor step up from the standard Capital on Tap card.