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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Which credit card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
Ryan is a former TPG credit cards writer who has been around points and miles for several years and has published content at Miles to Memories, AwardWallet and The Points Guy. His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether this points & miles stuff is illegal.
When Ryan worked as a TPG credit cards writer, he oversaw refreshes of card reviews and card offer stories. He enjoyed racking up cash back and helping readers maximize their points and miles for their next big trip.
also contributed to this story
June 25, 2025 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
When booking Delta Air Lines flights, travelers can choose from a range of cards, including those with Delta branding and general travel rewards cards.
Key benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding are linked to your Delta loyalty account, not the card used for payment.
This flexibility allows you to select a card that offers the best insurance protections or rewards value for flight purchases.
Some inflight discounts and lounge access require payment or presentation of specific cards.
What to consider
To receive a 20% inflight discount, eligible Delta cards must be used for onboard purchases.
Lounge access may require showing the appropriate card at entry, even if another card was used for booking.
Per TPG's June 2025 valuations, reward values vary by card and booking method, impacting the overall return.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which cards maximize rewards and benefits for Delta flights, including how to combine perks from multiple cards.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Before you reach for your wallet to pay for a Delta Air Lines flight, you might pause to wonder which credit card to use. Should you use the one that says "Delta" on the front, or should you pay with something else?
In many credit card decisions, you may have to sacrifice benefits to earn additional points and miles. Does that hold true here?
Let's look at which credit cards you might use to pay for a Delta flight and the benefits associated with your options.
Comparing credit cards for Delta Air Lines flights
In addition to using a Delta cobranded credit card, you could also pay with a travel rewards card that earns transferable points on travel purchases, such as your next flight reservation with Delta. Here are some cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards:
First checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight companions) traveling on the same reservation and a second checked bag free for the cardmember (and up to eight eligible Delta card-carrying companions) traveling on the same reservation for a domestic U.S. flight
Priority boarding on Delta flights
20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets
$200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 or more on your card within a calendar year
$0 introductory annual fee, then $150 (see rates and fees for the Delta Gold; see rates and fees for the Delta Gold Business)
5 points per dollar (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
10 cents
Delta Sky Club access (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.)
However, you would still enjoy checked bag benefits and early boarding benefits that come from having the Amex Delta Reserve, for example, even though you didn't pay for your flight with that card.
Inside a Delta A220-300 aircraft. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The only situation in which you must use your card is when you make an onboard purchase with Delta. To enjoy your 20% discount (in the form of a statement credit), make inflight food and beverage purchases with your eligible Delta card; if you pay with another card, you won't receive this benefit. You may also be asked to show your Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business card when visiting lounges before your flight.
Outside of flights, use your Delta card to enjoy perks like MQD boosts from making purchases on the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum cards. But this may not impact which card you use to pay for your Delta flight, assuming you're meeting those spending thresholds through other purchases.
Options abound; there are many different credit cards you could use when paying for a flight — whether that's buying a cash ticket at a great price or paying the taxes and fees when redeeming your miles. If you're making a reservation with Delta, there are many benefits you may be able to enjoy on your flight simply by having a Delta credit card in your wallet.
The good news is that you can enjoy many of these benefits regardless of which credit card you use to pay for your flight. This leaves you free to use whichever card you want to enjoy the insurance protections or bonus points offered on other cards in your wallet.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Platinum Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Blue card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
