Best Delta Cards
March 31, 2020

If you’re a frequent flyer or planning to increase your flying frequency soon, it may be a worthwhile investment to procure a co-branded airline credit card. Delta Airlines, for example, offers four different personal credit cards – each offering their own rewards rates, perks and bonus-mile deals.
Our team has compiled the list below of the best Delta credit cards.
Best Delta credit card for no annual fee: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Why it’s the best
If you’re fee-averse, the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is the only Delta card offered without an annual fee. The lack of an annual fee is buoyed by a solid welcome offer: new cardholders can earn 15,000 bonus miles through 4/1/2020 after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first three months. Foodies and Delta loyalists will also love the earning rate of two miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurant expenses. For all other purchases, cardholders will earn one mile per dollar spent.
Tend to get a little peckish on flights? You’ll be pleased to know that you’ll get a solid 20% discount in the form of statement credit for in-flight purchases. Eligible purchases include food, beverages and audio headsets on Delta flights.
Bonus points:
Best Delta credit card for budget travelers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Why it’s the best
For most travelers, the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is still worth the $99 annual fee (waived the first year) because of its perks, like your first checked bag free, solid earning rate and priority boarding. You’ll get the most value out of this card if you tend to spend a significant amount on food expenses and Delta flights, since card members earn two miles per dollar spent on U.S. supermarkets, restaurants and Delta flights. On everything else, you’ll earn one mile per dollar.
As a new cardholder, you have the potential to earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within the first three months through 4/1/2020. In addition, cardholders may be able to earn an extra 10,000 bonus miles after the first anniversary of card membership. Taking advantage of all these first-year benefits can result in a windfall of travel rewards if you play your credit cards right.
Bonus points:
Best Delta credit card for the welcome bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Why it’s the best
If you’re looking for a big come-up right out of the gate, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card might be the answer. For signing up, you can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 during the first three months through 4/1/2020. Plus, you will earn extra 20,000 on the first anniversary of your card membership. In addition, new cardholders can earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $25,000 in purchases during a calendar year.
The regular earning rates are nothing to scoff at either, especially if you’re a frequent flyer. Cardholders earn three miles per dollar on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. In addition, members earn two miles per dollar spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets and one mile per dollar for everything else.
Bonus points:
Best Delta credit card for getting elite status: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Why it’s the best
While this might be the most expensive of the Delta credit cards, it offers travelers a seriously upgraded experience. For example, you’ll receive complimentary access to Delta SkyClubs and the Centurion Lounge so you don’t have to wait in the chaos of the gate. Cardmembers also always get their first checked bag free and receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta Airlines flights.
If you want elite status, the Reserve American Express Card offers generous introductory incentives to get you there. New cardmembers will earn 80,000 bonus miles and earn 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) if they spend $5,000 on the card within three months. You can earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000 or more in eligible purchases in a calendar year, up to four times during the year.