The Best Amex Delta Credit Cards: Comparing the Benefits and Perks

If you’re a frequent Delta Air Lines flyer, chances are you’ve considered one of its branded credit cards.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the opportunity to earn more Delta SkyMiles or get free perks, such as a free checked bag, priority boarding, or those inflight discounts on food and beverage purchases.

However, even once you’ve decided to secure a Delta-branded credit card for all those familiar reasons, you realize that American Express has more than a half dozen different Delta-branded cards from which to choose.

So how do you determine which Delta Air Lines card is right for you?

If you have all the information you need, a decision can be made quickly — and that’s just what we have in mind today. Here’s a dive into the benefits of each Delta-branded credit card to help you compare each of these cards and assist in determining which is the best for your situation.

The Best Delta-Branded Personal Credit Cards

When comparing Delta-branded credit cards, the process becomes easier when we divide the available personal credit cards into 3 categories — solid value, premium, and business.

The cards that have solid value can offer flight benefits and discounts, elevated earnings on Delta purchases, and even a faster path to elite status.

For those frequent Delta flyers who want luxury perks, Delta has a premium card that fits their travel lifestyle.

Then, for those who own a business, whether big or small, American Express offers 3 solid Delta-branded business card options.

Let’s first look at each of the core 3 personal Delta-branded cards and how they compare.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

If you’re ready for your first Delta credit card, the Delta Gold card might check all the boxes.

You’ll be earning plenty of SkyMiles and receive flight benefits such as a free checked bag and priority boarding when flying with Delta.

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Gold Card

• Straightforward earning structure
• Earn $100 flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year on your card
• Free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights for the cardholder and up to 8 additional travel companions on the same reservation
• 20% statement credit for qualifying inflight purchases
• Ability to pay for flights using miles (Pay with Miles)

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

If you’re looking for a few more perks and benefits, aspire to have Delta elite status, or have use for the complimentary annual companion ticket, having the Delta Platinum card may be more your style.

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Platinum Card

• Free checked bag on Delta flights and priority boarding for the cardholder and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation
• 20% statement credit for eligible inflight purchases
• Ability to pay for flights using miles (Pay with Miles)
• Earn Medallion Qualifying Miles and waive elite MQD requirements by spending at least $25,000 on the card in a calendar year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
• Cell phone protection

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

A true Delta loyalist may find themselves frequently waiting for their next Delta flight and may have considered, or purchased, a Delta Sky Club membership.

With the Delta Reserve card, you’ll no longer be paying for a Sky Club membership, plus, you’ll get a whole lot more value for less money. That’s because this premium Delta-branded card comes with complimentary Sky Club access, a first class companion ticket at card renewal, and even upgrade priority over other same-status members.

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Reserve Card

• Domestic first class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin companion ticket certificate at each card renewal (cardholder pays taxes/fees not to exceed $75)
• Earn MQM and an MQD waiver for elite status by spending at least $30,000 on the card in a calendar year
• Ability to pay for flights using miles (Pay with Miles)
• Upgrade priority
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

See how the premium Delta Reserve card compares to the other 2 personal Delta cards — Delta Reserve card vs. Delta Gold card and Delta Reserve card vs. Delta Platinum card.

Bottom Line: Delta has a branded card for every level of Delta flyer, whether you just want to earn additional Delta SkyMiles or you value premium benefits, such as lounge access. All of our featured Delta-branded personal cards come with flight benefits such as priority boarding, a free checked bag, and inflight purchase discounts. 

Best Delta Personal Cards — Summary

All of the Delta personal cards we have mentioned offer elevated earnings of 2 to 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and every other purchase earns at least 1 mile per dollar. Additionally, all of the personal Delta-branded cards offer a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a 20% discount for inflight food/beverage. The cards also offer the Pay with Miles benefit that allows card members to use their miles towards the purchase of a ticket at 1 cent each in value.

Here’s what differentiates the personal Delta-branded cards beyond those core benefits:

The Best Delta-Branded Business Cards

American Express issues 3 Delta business credit cards that parallel the 3 personal Delta cards when it comes to most benefits, a faster path to elite status, and complimentary companion tickets.

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Business Gold Card

• $100 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
• Free checked bag, priority boarding, and 20% discount on inflight purchases
• Ability to pay for flights using miles (Pay with Miles)

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card

Step it up with a larger welcome bonus, a Main Cabin companion ticket certificate each card anniversary, and the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualification Miles.

The Delta Platinum Business card offers the same earnings on Delta purchases, flight benefits, and discounted Sky Club access as the personal Delta Platinum card. You’ll also be able to utilize Pay with Miles and spend on the card to waive the MQD requirements for elite status qualification.

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Platinum Business Card

• Discounted Sky Club access
• Main Cabin companion ticket certificate at each card renewal
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit
• Cell phone protection

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business Credit Card

If your business involves you traveling frequently on Delta, the Delta Reserve Business card should be on your list for consideration.

Earnings on the Delta Reserve Business card for Delta purchases parallel the personal Delta Reserve card. It also has the same flight benefits and the ability to use miles via Pay with Miles for your flight purchases.

Additionally, you’ll find some of the same elevated benefits such as complimentary Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Club access, a first class companion ticket certificate, and MQM earning opportunities.

Top Reasons To Get the Delta Reserve Business Card

• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access for the cardholder and discounted access for up to 2 guests
• 2 free one-time Sky Club guest passes annually
• Domestic first class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin companion ticket certificate at each card renewal
• Upgrade priority over same status members who do not have the card
• Cell phone protection

Bottom Line: Delta-branded business card earnings and benefits closely follow the personal versions of the card with the exception of the Delta Business Gold card that offers elevated earnings on select business purchases. 

A Faster Path to Elite Status With Delta-Branded Credit Cards

Frequent Delta flyers who wish to achieve Medallion elite status have an opportunity that is second to none among airline-branded credit cards — a faster path by spending on some Delta-branded cards.

Here’s what it takes to earn Delta Medallion elite status and how Delta-branded cards can help you get there faster.

To reach Delta Medallion elite status each year, you must fly a specified number of miles or segments, spend a specified level of dollars on Delta flights (MQD), or spend a specified level on your Delta credit card, thus waiving the MQD requirement.

Spending $25,000 in a calendar year on the Delta Platinum card, Delta Platinum Business card, Delta Reserve card, or the Delta Reserve Business card will waive the Medallion Qualifying Dollar requirement for elite levels up to and including Platinum level. To waive the MQD requirement for Diamond level elite status, you must spend $250,000 on a card in a calendar year.

In addition to waiving the MQD requirement for elite status by spending on your card, you can also earn MQM. Delta Platinum cards (both personal and Business) earn up to 20,000 MQM each calendar year and each Delta Reserve card can earn up to 60,000 MQM.

Bottom Line: If Delta Medallion elite status is important to you, you can reach elite status quickly by having the MQD requirement waived and earn additional MQM each calendar year by spending on the Delta Platinum card, the Delta Platinum Business card, the Delta Reserve card, or the Delta Reserve Business card.

Additional Benefits — Delta-Branded Credit Cards

All of the credit cards we’ve discussed in this article come with member benefits that may have varying limits depending on the card.

These benefits include:

• Global Assist Hotline — Receive assistance planning for your trip or while you’re traveling for customs information, emergency transportation assistance, weather, currency conversion, or lost luggage assistance.
• Rental Car Loss/Damage Insurance — Receive secondary rental car insurance that covers damage, theft, and loss of use. Cardholders also have the option to purchase Amex Premium Protection for 1 low fee that covers the entire rental period. Fees range from $12.95 to $24.95 depending on the location and coverage level chosen.
• Baggage Insurance — Coverage is provided for checked or carry-on luggage that is lost, stolen, or damaged.
• Purchase Protection — If an eligible item you purchased with your card is damaged or stolen, you’ll have coverage for 90 days from the date of purchase

This list is a general overview of additional benefits and is not all-encompassing. To view the actual list and descriptions of benefits/protections for each card, including the terms and conditions, you can access the benefit policy guides for all Delta-branded American Express cards.

Everything Else You Need To Know

For those looking for a Delta SkyMiles credit card with no annual fee, American Express does issue a basic SkyMiles credit card.

The Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card comes with a welcome offer and earns 2 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases and at restaurants worldwide. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar.

The card does not come with any flight benefits but does allow you to pay for your flights with miles (Pay with Miles). The Delta Blue card also does not charge foreign transaction fees (rates and fees).

If you live outside of the U.S., particularly in either Mexico or parts of Asia, you may still be able to secure an international Delta-branded credit card.

We’ve also written specifically about your options to learn more about the best credit cards for Delta flyers.

Hot Tip: Want to learn more about how credit cards can help you obtain airline elite status? Check out our informative article. 

Final Thoughts

Delta’s collection of branded credit cards is unique. You won’t find another group of airline credit cards that allows you to earn qualifying miles (the same as flown miles) towards elite status at the rate Delta cards do.

With additional perks such as lounge access, a free checked bag, priority boarding, and the ability to earn double, even triple, SkyMiles on Delta purchases, a Delta frequent flyer can benefit greatly by having a Delta-branded credit card.

If you’re a frequent flyer and travel on a variety of airlines, spend a lot on travel in general, and value luxury travel perks, however, there are several travel rewards credit cards that should also be considered.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card, click here.