Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards of December 2024
Updated: Dec 19, 2024Take a look at our top picks, then let us walk you through making the decision.
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Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $650-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travelers, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
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Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $650-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travelers, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
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Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $650-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travelers, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Delta Air Lines has a credit card for nearly every category of Delta flyer — from a $0-annual-fee option for occasional travelers to a $650-a-year card with airport lounge access, generous checked-bag benefits and an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. In general, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits and perks you'll get from your Delta Air Lines credit card. Below, you'll find our picks for different types of travelers, followed by a guide to choosing the right Delta credit card for you.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards of December 2024
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Best for Most Delta flyers
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Best for Elevated benefits
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Best for No annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Lounge access
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for Business travelers
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Flexibility + luxury
Show SummaryHide Summary
Best Delta Air Lines Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
FULL LIST OF EDITORIAL PICKS: BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR DELTA AIR LINES
Before applying, confirm details on issuer's website
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Our pick for: Most Delta flyers
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card pays bonus rewards not only on Delta flights but also at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets, making it the rare airline card that's great for everyday spending. A best-in-class checked-bag benefit (first bag free for you and up to eight others on your reservation), priority boarding and the opportunity to earn a flight credit each year make this card a bargain for Delta stalwarts. Read our review.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Rewards
2 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases.
2 miles per dollar on restaurant purchases worldwide (and takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets.
1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Notable perks
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other passengers on the same reservation.
Priority boarding.
$200 Delta flight credit, good for future travel, after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
$100 Delta Stays credit.
15% off when you redeem miles to book an award flight at delta.com or on the Delta app (does not apply to partner flights or taxes and fees).
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Bonus offer
Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
. . .
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Our pick for: Elevated benefits
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card comes at a higher cost than the baseline Delta card, but it earns miles on flights at a higher rate and, most important, provides a companion certificate each year upon renewal, which can more than make up the cost. Checked bag benefits and other perks add even more value. Read our review.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Rewards
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
3 miles per dollar spent directly with hotels.
2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide (and takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets.
1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Notable perks
Annual companion certificate upon renewal. (Certificate is good for the main cabin for someone traveling with you on one round-trip domestic flight or flight to select Mexican, Caribbean or Central American destinations, less some taxes and fees.)
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other passengers on the same reservation.
Priority boarding.
Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Up to $120 a year ($10 per month) in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
Up to $120 a year ($10 per month) in statement credits on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers using your enrolled card.
$150 Delta Stays credit.
15% off when you redeem miles to book an award flight at delta.com or on the Delta app (does not apply to partner flights or taxes and fees).
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
This card earns Medallion Qualifying Dollars (toward elite frequent flyer status).
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Bonus offer
Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
. . .
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Our pick for: No annual fee
To unlock the most valuable perks of airline credit cards, you'll have to pay an annual fee. But if you're a leisure traveler just hoping to earn airline miles in the background, it's hard to do better than the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Read our review.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Rewards
2 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases.
2 miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide (and takeout and delivery in the U.S.).
1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Notable perks
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases. Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: Bonus offer
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply.
. . .
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Our pick for: Lounge access
Every airline has a premium card that gets you into its airport lounges, but the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card also gets you into American Express's Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, and it comes with an annual companion certificate that's good even in first class. Read our review.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Rewards
3 miles per dollar spent on eligible Delta purchases.
1 mile per dollar on other purchases.
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Notable perks
Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta.
Four one-time-use guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs each year.
Complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
Annual companion certificate upon renewal. (Certificate is good for first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin for someone traveling with you on one round-trip domestic flight or flight to select Mexican, Caribbean or Central American destinations, less some taxes and fees.)
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other passengers traveling on the same reservation.
Priority boarding.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Up to $240 a year ($20 per month) in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
Up to $120 a year ($10 per month) in statement credits on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers using your enrolled card.
$200 Delta Stays credit.
15% off when you redeem miles to book an award flight at delta.com or on the Delta app (does not apply to partner flights or taxes and fees).
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
This card earns Medallion Qualifying Dollars (toward elite frequent flyer status).
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Bonus offer
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
. . .
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
Our pick for: Business travelers
If your business has you on the road a lot, you'll appreciate the airport lounge access on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, which includes both Delta's own Sky Clubs and American Express's Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. The annual companion certificate — which is good even in first class — and the checked-bag benefit add considerable value, too. Terms apply. Learn more and apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Rewards
3 miles per dollar spent on purchases directly with Delta.
1.5 miles per dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases.
1 mile per dollar on other purchases. (This rises to 1.5 miles per dollar for the rest of the year after spending $150,000 in a calendar year.)
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Notable perks
Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta.
Complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
Annual companion certificate upon renewal. (Certificate is good for first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin for someone traveling with you on one round-trip domestic flight or flight to select Caribbean or Central American destinations, less some taxes and fees.)
First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other passengers traveling on the same reservation.
Priority boarding.
Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Up to $240 a year ($20 per month) in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
Up to $120 a year ($10 per month) in statement credits on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers using your enrolled card.
Access to complimentary seat upgrades even without elite frequent flyer status.
15% off when you redeem miles to book an award flight at delta.com or on the Delta app (does not apply to partner flights or taxes and fees).
20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases.
This card earns Medallion Qualifying Dollars (toward elite frequent flyer status).
Terms apply.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Bonus offer
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
. . .
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Our pick for: Flexibility + luxury
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a hefty annual fee, but travelers who like to go in style (and aren't afraid to pay for comfort) can more than get their money's worth. Enjoy extensive airport lounge access, hundreds of dollars a year in travel and shopping credits, hotel benefits and more. That's not even getting into the high rewards rate on eligible travel purchases and the rich welcome offer for new cardholders. Read our review.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Rewards
5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per year).
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
1 point per dollar on other purchases.
Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Notable perks
Access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, including:
The issuer's own Centurion and International American Express Lounges.
Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta.
Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required).
Lounges in the Plaza Premium, Escape and Airspace networks.
Automatic elite status in the Marriott and Hilton hotel loyalty programs.
$200 annual credit for incidental fees on an airline you choose, for such things as checked bag fees or in-flight purchases (but not airfare or upgrades).
Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, plus a $199 credit per year for Clear.
Up to $240 a year (allocated at up to $20 a month) toward eligible subscriptions for Peacock, the Wall Street Journal, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
Cellphone protection.
Concierge service.
Access to invitation-only events and preferred seating at certain venues.
Hundreds of dollars are year in credits for other shopping, travel and lifestyle expenses.
Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Bonus offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
• • •
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DELTA AIR LINES CREDIT CARD FOR YOU
Delta Air Lines flyers have four consumer credit cards to choose from, which can accommodate newbies, leisure flyers and seasoned road warriors alike.
Delta cards aren’t your only choice for earning rewards toward flights, of course. General-purpose travel credit cards also have an allure.
But if you’re considering Delta-branded cards, which have some specific benefits, choosing the right one comes down to the perks you want and the annual fee you’re willing to pay.
The basics at a glance
Examining basic card features side by side helps when choosing.
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|---|
ANNUAL FEE | |||
$0. | $0 intro for the first year, then $150 | $350. | $650. |
WELCOME OFFER | |||
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months. Terms Apply. | Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. | Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. | Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. |
SPENDING REWARDS | |||
• 2x on Delta purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 1x on other purchases. | • 2x on Delta purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 2x at U.S. supermarkets. • 1x on other purchases. | • 3x on Delta purchases. • 3x on eligible hotel purchases. • 2x at restaurants. • 2x at U.S. supermarkets. • 1x on other purchases. | • 3x on Delta purchases. • 1x on other purchases. |
CHECKED BAG BENEFIT / PRIORITY BOARDING | |||
None | • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 other people on your reservation. • Priority boarding. | ||
AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS | |||
None. | None. | None. | Yes. |
COMPANION CERTIFICATE | |||
None. | None. | Good for main cabin only, on roundtrip domestic flights or flights to select Caribbean or Central American destinations. | Good for first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin, on roundtrip domestic flights or flights to select Caribbean or Central American destinations. |
Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). | Terms apply (see rates and fees). |
Delta and American Express also offer business-specific versions of the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, with fees and benefits similar to the consumer cards. Learn more about those cards here:
What’s different?
Annual fee
Like most mega-airline credit card lineups, Delta’s offerings go from low annual fee — in this case $0 — to a luxury card, in this case with airport lounge access, for $650. Terms apply.
The more you pay, the more rewards and perks you get. The key is evaluating whether you’ll use those extras and whether they’re worth paying the higher annual fee.
Checked bags and early boarding
Checked-bag-fee waivers can be a huge money saver when a single checked bag can cost $70 round trip. And Delta cards that offer it are generous, with the cardholder and up to eight others on the travel itinerary qualifying for a free first checked bag. Early boarding is also a perk many travelers enjoy. Terms apply.
The biggest difference here is that the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers no free checked bags or early boarding. The other cards do.
Companion certificate
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card come with annual companion certificates — rare and valuable perks that cover the cost of a round-trip ticket for someone flying with you once each year. That alone could make up for the annual fee. The certificate with the Reserve card even applies in first class. Terms apply.
Rewards
While all of these cards offer bonus rewards for Delta purchases, the three least expensive cards all offer additional bonus categories as well. Terms apply.
Delta Sky Clubs access
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with full access to the Delta-branded airport lounges and American Express Centurion lounges. You’ll also get two one-time guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs annually. The lower-tier cards come with no lounge benefit. Terms apply.
What’s the same?
Rewards currency
All cards issue rewards and bonuses in Delta SkyMiles.
20% in-flight savings
All cards offer the same 20% statement credit for such in-flight purchases such as food and alcoholic beverages on Delta-operated flights. In-flight wireless internet access is excluded. Terms apply.
American Express
All cards come from the same issuer. American Express is widely accepted in the U.S., but you may run into vendors abroad that won’t accept it.
No foreign transaction fees
As you would expect for cards aimed at travelers, none of these cards put a surcharge on purchases outside the U.S.
Other choices
An airline card is not your only choice. General travel credit cards offer rewards that can be used on a variety of travel spending, not just a single airline. Redeeming rewards for credit against a Delta Air Lines purchase or other travel spending essentially “erases” it from your balance. That makes these cards a good choice for people who spread their business around.
Also note that some credit card rewards can be converted into Delta SkyMiles. Examples are Membership Rewards from American Express and points from loyalty programs of such hotels as Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton, IHG and Radisson.
How to decide
All but the most casual flyers might rule out the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. It’s so short on perks, including no free checked bags, it might not be worth bothering with unless you really want SkyMiles and insist on an annual fee of $0. A simpler cash-back card might yield more value.
Maybe the closest call for most Delta flyers is between the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. If you’ll use the companion pass, step up to the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Airport lounge membership and a first-class companion pass are differentiators for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Ultimately, choosing the right card means picking your perks and deciding whether the annual fee — or lack of one — is right for you.
• • •
NerdWallet's Gregory Karp and Sara Rathner contributed to this article.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
Insurance Benefit: Cell Phone Protection
Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Last updated on December 19, 2024
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
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