Which Delta credit card is right for you? Expert advice from frequent Delta flyers
If you fly Delta Air Lines even a few times a year, you've probably wondered whether one of the airline's cobranded cards is worth adding to your wallet. With multiple personal and business options offering overlapping benefits at different price points, choosing the right Delta card can feel more confusing than helpful.
To ease that decision fatigue, we asked members of the TPG staff who actually carry Delta cards which ones they use — and why. Their answers reveal that there's no single "best" Delta card for everyone. Instead, the right choice usually comes down to one or two perks you know you'll use every year, whether that's avoiding fees for checked bags, scoring a companion ticket or getting lounge access.
Here's an overview of the Delta cobranded cards and how to decide which one is the best fit for your wallet.
Related: How many credit cards should you have?
Delta cards at a glance: Annual fees and welcome offers
Here's a quick look at each Delta credit card's annual fee and current welcome offer:
| Card | Annual fee | Current welcome offer |
|---|---|---|
$0 (see rates and fees) | Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. | |
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($150 annual fee thereafter; see rates and fees) | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. | |
$350 (see rates and fees) | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 20,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. | |
$650 (see rates and fees) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. | |
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($150 annual fee thereafter; see rates and fees) | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. | |
$350 (see rates and fees) | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. | |
$650 (see rates and fees) | Earn 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends April 1. |
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Best for: Delta flyers who want to earn Delta SkyMiles without paying an annual fee
Standout perks:
- No annual fee
- Ability to earn miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending
- Pay with Miles option on Delta flights
- 20% back on eligible Delta inflight purchases (not Wi-Fi; savings will be received as a statement credit)
The Delta SkyMiles Blue is a solid entry-level option for travelers who fly Delta infrequently and want a simple way to earn Delta SkyMiles without committing to an annual fee. While it doesn't include premium perks that the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards offer, like a free checked bag and priority boarding, it can still provide value through everyday earning and modest savings when you fly.
Cardholders can redeem miles toward Delta flights using the Pay with Miles feature and receive a statement credit on eligible inflight purchases, making it a practical choice for casual travelers who prefer simplicity over airline extras. Travelers who want more robust perks, however, will likely find greater value in one of Delta's higher-tier cobranded cards.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Blue.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Best for: Occasional Delta flyers (i.e., those who take one to three trips per year) who want straightforward perks and savings
Standout perks:
- First checked bag free (for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation)
- Priority boarding
- 15% off Delta-operated award flights when using miles
- Annual Delta Stays credit
The Delta SkyMiles Gold is built for travelers who don't chase elite status but still want meaningful airline perks a few times a year. Its biggest strengths are practical: a first checked bag free, priority boarding and a 15% discount on Delta-operated award flights. These benefits can quickly offset the annual fee if you take even one or two round-trip flights annually.
These core perks form the foundation of most Delta SkyMiles cards. The higher-tier Platinum and Reserve options, both personal and business, build on this base by adding premium benefits rather than replacing what the Gold card already offers.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card also includes an annual Delta Stays credit, which many cardholders use to further reduce the effective cost of holding the card.
"I don't fly Delta often," said Gabrielle Bernardini, a senior points and miles editor at TPG, "but this card remains in my wallet due to several perks: a free checked bag, priority boarding and 15% off award flight bookings. For me, these travel benefits and the up to $100 annual Delta Stays credit offset the card's $150 annual fee*."
*An introductory annual fee of $0 applies for the first year (then a $150 annual fee applies thereafter).
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Best for: Travelers who fly Delta a few times a year and want more meaningful perks
Standout perks:
- Annual companion certificate
- Boost of Medallion Qualification Dollars toward Delta Medallion status
- Dining, ride-hailing and Delta Stays statement credits
- Enrollment required for select benefits
In addition to the baseline Gold-level travel perks, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum adds benefits that can outweigh the annual fee if used strategically. The most notable is the annual companion certificate, which can be redeemed on a Delta Main round-trip domestic flight (within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year) for a plus-one after each card anniversary. It also provides a MQD boost each year, helping cardholders inch closer to Delta elite status.
TPG director Sophia Fen calls the annual companion certificate and the discount on award travel her favorite Delta SkyMiles Platinum benefits, adding that the statement credits are "always a nice value-add."
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Best for: Frequent Delta flyers who value lounge access and elite-level perks
Standout perks:
- Delta Sky Club access (with annual visit allotment)
- Four one-time Delta Sky Club guest passes per year
- Annual companion certificate (expanded fare eligibility; up to first class)
- Higher MQD boost than the Delta SkyMiles Platinum
- Dining, ride-hailing and Delta Stays credits
- Enrollment required for select benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is Delta's premium personal card focused on comfort and status acceleration. Benefits include Delta Sky Club access (with annual visit limits), guest passes, an annual companion certificate and an MQD boost each year. While the annual fee is higher, loyal Delta flyers often justify it through lounge visits alone.
TPG senior writer Tarah Chieffi says the combination of lounge access, a companion certificate, a discount on award travel and baggage benefits (for herself and her travel companions) makes the Delta SkyMiles Reserve easy to justify year after year.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
Best for: Small-business owners who fly Delta occasionally
Standout perks:
- Annual Delta Stays credit
- Delta flight credit ($200 credit after spending $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year)
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business mirrors many of the personal Gold card's benefits but is structured for business spending. It's useful for freelancers or small-business owners who want to separate expenses while still enjoying Delta perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.
"I don't fly Delta frequently," said TPG lead writer Katie Genter. "But the card's up to $150 Delta Stays credit each calendar year effectively drops the $150 annual fee* to $0. So I find it worthwhile to keep the card for the first checked bag benefit (for me and up to eight companions on my reservation) and the 15% off Delta-operated SkyMiles award tickets."
*An introductory annual fee of $0 applies for the first year (then a $150 annual fee applies thereafter).
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
Best for: Business owners who want status progress plus a companion certificate and statement credits
Standout perks:
- Annual companion certificate
- MQD boost (2,500 MQDs automatically deposited each calendar year)
- Dining, ride-hailing and Delta Stays statement credits
- Enrollment required for select benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business is ideal for semifrequent Delta flyers with business spending. In addition to the baseline perks, it offers an annual companion certificate, an MQD boost and other benefits similar to the personal Platinum card.
TPG principal spokesperson Clint Henderson initially applied for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum for the MQD boost and welcome offer but now finds ongoing value in the card's statement credits, highlighting its appeal beyond the status boost.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Best for: Business travelers who fly Delta frequently and want lounge access, guest passes and elite status boosts
Standout perks:
- MQD boost
- Annual companion certificate
- Dining, ride-hailing and Delta Stays credits
- Complimentary Hertz President's Circle status
- Delta Sky Club access (with annual visit allotment)
- Four one-time Delta Sky Club guest passes per year
- Enrollment required for select benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business is the premium business option, offering Sky Club access, guest passes and an MQD boost. It's designed for frequent flyers with business expenses who want to maximize both comfort and status progression.
"I recently upgraded to this card with a targeted bonus for an organization where I'm the treasurer," said Nick Ewen, a senior editorial director at TPG, "and the MQD boost plus additional Sky Club visits (on top of my personal card) make my travel with Delta more comfortable."
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.
Apply here: Delta Skymiles Reserve Business American Express Card
How to choose the right Delta credit card for your travel style
If you're still unsure, it can help to think less about card names and more about how often — and why — you fly Delta.
- You fly Delta at least once a year and don't want to pay an annual fee: The Delta SkyMiles Blue card can be a good fit.
- You fly Delta once or twice a year and mainly want to save on baggage fees: A Delta SkyMiles Gold card is usually sufficient.
- You fly a few times a year and like the idea of a free companion ticket: The Delta SkyMiles Platinum cards often deliver the most tangible annual value.
- You fly Delta frequently and want lounge access and status boosts: The Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards are built for this type of traveler, offering extra airport perks and lounge access.
Many travelers ultimately choose based on the perk they know they'll use every year, whether that's a companion certificate, lounge visits or simply avoiding fees for checked bags.
Related: How to choose an airline credit card
Bottom line
There's no single "best" Delta credit card for everyone. The right choice depends on how often you fly Delta, which perks you'll actually use (like lounge access or companion certificates) and how much you're willing to pay in annual fees.
TPG staffers consistently say the Delta cards they keep year after year aren't necessarily the flashiest or most expensive. They're the ones that reliably save money, make travel smoother and deliver at least one benefit they know they'll use every single year.
In the end, the smartest Delta credit card is the one with benefits that you'll get to enjoy every time you fly.
Related: Benefits galore: Why the Delta Reserve Amex is my favorite cobranded credit card
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Blue, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Gold, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Gold Business, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Platinum Business, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Reserve Business, click here.