How to use the Delta Stays credit on the Delta Amex cards

Plenty of credit cards offer hotel statement credits to cardmembers as a benefit. The Delta Air Lines and American Express family of cards is no different, with one of the more underrated credits offered on most of the Delta cards being the annual Delta Stays credit.

While this is a valuable benefit that can help offset some of the annual fees the cards charge, many cardmembers forget to use it before it expires at the end of the year.

So, let's dive into how to use — and maximize — the Delta Stays credit.

What is the Delta Stays credit?

The Delta Stays credit is an annual statement credit on select Delta Amex cards for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta's hotel platform, powered by Expedia. It offers $100 to $250 back each calendar year, depending on which card you have.

Which cards offer the Delta Stays credit?

Six of the seven Delta cards receive the credit; the only one that doesn't offer the credit is the entry-level Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Here are the annual amounts broken down by card:

Related: Current welcome offers on Delta Amex cards

Key terms

Here are some important things to note when using the credit:

• Only prepaid stays are eligible.
• The amount of the credit is per calendar year.
• The credit does not have to be used all at once. It can be used on multiple stays until you reach the full value.
• There is no minimum night requirement for this credit, which is an advantage considering some other credit cards' hotel statement credits require you to book at least two nights.
• If your stay costs more than the credit value, it will effectively be applied as a discount.
• If you have multiple Delta cards, you will receive multiple credits. However, the credits cannot be stacked on the same reservation.
• You'll earn 2 or 3 SkyMiles per dollar spent (depending on which card you have), as well as Medallion Qualification Dollars.

If you have hotel elite status, keep in mind that you typically won't receive any of those benefits or earn loyalty points when booking through an online travel agency like Delta Stays. So, if you stay at a hotel chain where you hold status, be prepared for your benefits to not be honored.

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My recommendation is to use hotel credits like these at the hotel chains you don't have any status with or at boutique hotels not part of a loyalty program.

Related: Benefits galore: Why the Delta Reserve Amex is my favorite cobranded credit card

How to use the Delta Stays credit

Booking with this credit is simple and can be done in just a few easy steps:

• First, go to the Delta Stays website and select the "Stays" (for hotels) or "Vacation Rentals" tab.
• Then, input your destination, dates, and number of nights and travelers.
• Next, select the property you want to stay at.
• At checkout, select a prepaid rate to qualify for the credit. Many prepaid rates are fully refundable, giving you flexibility if your plans change — but avoid options that say "Reserve now, pay at hotel" since they aren't prepaid.
• Finally, pay with your Delta credit card.

After you book and pay for a hotel through Delta Stays, the terms and conditions state that the credit can take up to 90 days to post to your account. However, the credit usually posts much quicker than that, typically within four days.

Related: Maximize hotel free night certificates by planning your credit card applications

How the TPG staff has maximized the credit

This credit is an easy way to reduce travel costs, and when used strategically, it can even cover an entire night's stay. Here's how a few of us at TPG have put this perk to work.

Making early flights easier

Nick Ewen, TPG's senior editorial director, used his credit after a weeklong getaway to Prince Edward Island. With a 9 a.m. departure from the airport in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the next day, he stayed at a hotel just steps from the terminal. Instead of dealing with a predawn drive, he simply walked from his room to the airport — about 50 steps away.

The room cost $252, but thanks to the up to $200 credit on his Delta Reserve, he paid just $52 out of pocket. It was a stress-free end to his trip and a smart way to maximize the credit's value.

Turning a long drive into a short hop

Gabrielle Bernardini, TPG's senior points and miles editor, used her credit on a family trip to Italy. After exploring the Dolomites, she needed to catch an early morning flight from Venice to Sicily. Rather than waking up in the middle of the night for a three-hour drive, she booked a night at an independent hotel just 10 minutes from the airport.

The stay cost $184, but after applying her Delta Stays credit from her Delta Gold, she paid only $84. It made an early travel day much smoother — and cheaper.

My plan for a free night in South Africa

As for me, I'm planning to use this year's credit during an upcoming trip to South Africa. I'll be there for a few weeks, so covering even one night makes a difference.

I've chosen the Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank, which comes in under $100 per night. I don't hold elite status with Hyatt, so I'm not missing out on any perks by booking through Delta Stays — and I'll effectively get a free night just by using the credit on my Delta Gold.

Related: Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is still one of the best cards I've added to my wallet

Tips for using the Delta Stays credit

To get the most value from your annual Delta Stays credit, keep these tips in mind:

• Watch the calendar. The credit is issued per calendar year and doesn't roll over. Avoid booking stays at the very end of December because if you book Dec. 30 or 31 and the credit posts in January, you'll lose that year's credit entirely. Treat it as a use-it-or-lose-it perk.
• Target short stays. The credit works best on one- or two-night stays costing $100 to $250 (depending on which card you have). This keeps your out-of-pocket cost low and your value high.
• Compare prices. Rates through Delta Stays can sometimes be higher than booking directly with the hotel. For instance, when I looked at my South Africa hotel, the Delta Stays rate was $14 higher than booking directly with Hyatt. The small difference didn't bother me since the stay was effectively free, but it's worth checking.
• Look beyond the big chains. Booking boutique hotels or vacation rentals can be a smart move since you won't miss out on hotel loyalty points or elite perks you might otherwise earn from major chains.
• Consider using it abroad. Hotel prices in some international destinations can be far lower than in the U.S. Some TPG staffers, like me, prefer to use this credit abroad, where it can sometimes cover multiple nights.
• Book prepaid stays. To trigger the credit, you must book a prepaid stay through the Delta Stays website. If it's not prepaid, you won't receive the statement credit.

Bottom line

The Delta Stays credit is a simple way to get real value from your Delta credit card. Depending on your card, you'll get $100 to $250 back each year on prepaid hotel bookings made through the Delta Stays portal, helping to offset the annual fee and perhaps even cover a full night's stay.

Just be sure to use it before the calendar year ends, and give yourself enough time for the credit to post. A little planning can turn this often overlooked perk into an easy win.

Related: Which credit card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?