How to get priority boarding with Delta Air Lines

Delta priority boarding is a benefit that lets you board flights before general boarding groups. To use it, simply line up at the gate when the gate agent calls your group. Normally, Main Cabin 1 priority boarding costs $15. However, you can get the benefit — and perhaps board even earlier — through Delta credit cards, being a Delta Medallion Member and more.

How to get Delta Air Lines priority boarding

There are a number of ways to board your Delta flight sooner, including:

• Purchasing a higher fare class.
  The higher the fare class, the earlier you will board the plane. Boarding order starts from Delta One, First Class or Delta Premium Select and Delta Comfort+.
• Earning elite status.
  Rising up the ranks within the Delta frequent flyer program lets you board early. Diamond Medallion members board first, followed by Platinum Medallion and Gold Medallion members. Silver Medallion members board with Main Cabin 1.
• Earn elite status with partner airlines.
  Sky Priority boarding can be used by Flying Blue Platinum and Gold members, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members, Virgin Australia Platinum and Gold members, GOL Smiles Diamond members and SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
• Get an eligible Delta credit card.Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardmembers enjoy Main Cabin 1 boarding. Only basic cardmembers — not authorized users — are entitled to use Delta priority boarding with up to nine passengers traveling on their reservation.
• Purchase Delta priority boarding.
  You can purchase Main Cabin 1 priority boarding for $15, but you will lose this perk if you change your flight.
• Being an active duty US military member.
  Those carrying a military ID can board before anyone else.

Compare credit cards with Delta priority boarding

With any of the cards listed below, you’ll get Main Cabin 1 group priority boarding.

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Name	Product	Welcome offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card		35,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on Delta purchases, restaurants and at US supermarkets and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)		With a welcome offer worth up to $600, up to 2x miles on select purchases, and assorted Delta perks, this is a strong choice for Delta fans. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card		40,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 after making a Delta purchase in the same timeframe	3x miles on Delta and direct hotel purchases, 2x miles at restaurants and US supermarkets and 1x miles for all other purchases	$250		This card boasts a welcome offer worth up to $720, an annual companion certificate and valuable Delta perks. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card		40,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months	3x miles on direct Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases	$550		Delta's luxury offering shines with access to Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges, an annual companion certificate and more valuable travel perks. Rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card		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	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	$250		Earn 45,000 miles and 5,000 MQMs after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card		40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months	2x miles on Delta, US shipping, select US advertising and at restaurants and 1x miles on all other purchases	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)		Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months. Rates & fees	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card		45,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months	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	$550		Earn 45,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Rates & fees	View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How to get Delta Air Lines priority boarding with your credit card

1. Get an eligible Delta Air Lines credit card.
2. Use your card to purchase Delta airfare.
3. You will automatically receive Main Cabin 1 group priority boarding.

Bottom line

The most frequent flyers and elite members of the SkyMiles program, along with active US military personnel get to board among the first. If you don’t fly as often, you can board right after them with an eligible Delta Air Lines credit card or if you purchase a priority boarding ticket.

However, if you fly on other airlines, check out other airline cards that offer priority boarding and compare your options.

Frequently asked questions

• How do I know which boarding group I'm in?

  The boarding group is printed on your boarding pass. For example, Sky Priority.

• How do I earn elite tier status?

  You need to fly a number of qualifying miles or segments with Delta and to spend a number of qualifying dollars on Delta airfare. To learn more, check out our guide on Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer program.

• Can authorized cardmembers use priority boarding?

  Authorized users of eligible Delta credit cards can only use priority boarding if they are on the same reservation as the basic card member.

Pictures: GettyImages