Stephanie Stevens is an associate writer with TPG's credit cards team. She focuses on creating timely credit cards content for TPG readers.
October 22, 2026 • 14 min read
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Quick summary
Delta offers a range of airline cards for both personal and business use, each tailored to different travel frequencies and preferences.
Key benefits across options include free checked bags, priority boarding, companion certificates and lounge access, with perks varying by card tier.
Choosing the right card depends on how often you fly, which specific benefits matter most and your willingness to pay for enhanced features.
TPG staff emphasize that the best choice is the one with perks you reliably use, not necessarily the most premium or expensive option.
What to consider
Some cards provide statement credits for eligible travel or dining purchases, which can offset costs if used strategically.
Eligibility for welcome offers may vary, and certain perks like companion certificates or lounge access are limited to higher-tier options.
Enrollment may be required for select benefits, and terms apply to features such as checked bag waivers and annual credits.
What you'll miss from the article
Personal insights from TPG staff on which airline cards they use and why, plus detailed comparisons to help match perks to your travel habits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
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:
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)
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 125,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year ($150 annual fee thereafter; see rates and fees)
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 85,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 125,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card
Best for: Delta flyers who want to earn Delta SkyMiles without paying an annual fee
THE POINTS GUY
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 of food and beverages (not Wi-Fi; savings will be received as a statement credit)
The 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 the 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.
Cardmembers 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.
Best for: Occasional Delta flyers (i.e., those who take one to three trips per year) who want straightforward perks and savings
THE POINTS GUY
Standout perks:
First two checked bags free: 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
15% off Delta-operated award flights when using miles
The 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: two first checked bags free (subject to terms), 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.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold card also includes an annual up to $100 Delta Stays statement 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 content strategist at TPG, "but this card remains in my wallet due to several perks: free checked bags, 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).
Up to $150 in Delta Stays statement credit every calendar year for eligible bookings
Up to $10 in monthly Resy statement credit (up to $120 per calendar year) for use at eligible U.S. Resy restaurants
Up to $10 in monthly ride-hailing credit with select providers (up to $120 per calendar year) for U.S. ride-hailing purchases
(Enrollment is required for select benefits.)
In addition to the baseline Gold-level travel perks, the 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 (plus taxes and fees between $22 and $250). It also provides an MQD boost each year, helping cardmembers inch closer to Delta elite status.
TPG principal spokesperson Clint Henderson particularly appreciates the card's statement credits, saying, "I love the Delta Stays credit and the rideshare and Resy credits that come with it."
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
The 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.
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card
Best for: Small-business owners who fly Delta occasionally
THE POINTS GUY
Standout perks:
Delta flight credit ($200 credit after spending $10,000 on purchases in a calendar year)
The 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 two free checked bags (first checked bag free on flights worldwide and a second checked bag on U.S. domestic flights) and priority boarding.
"I don't fly Delta frequently," said TPG loyalty programs lead writer Katie Genter. "But the card's up to $150 Delta Stays statement credit each calendar year effectively drops the $150 annual fee* to $0. So I find it worthwhile to keep the card for the free checked bags 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).
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card
Best for: Business owners who want status progress plus a companion certificate and statement credits
THE POINTS GUY
Standout perks:
Annual companion certificate
MQD boost (2,500 MQDs automatically deposited each Medallion Qualification year)
The 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.
Clint 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.
Delta Sky Club access (with annual visit allotment)
Four one-time Delta Sky Club guest passes per year
The 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
