Delta Hotels: A Newer Kid on the Marriott Block
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
With the acquisition of Starwood, Marriott now owns 30 brands, so it was inevitable that I would stumble upon one I had never heard of at some point. Such was the case with Delta Hotels. Marriott purchased the Canada-based brand in 2015 and opened its first hotel in the US, near Walt Disney World, shortly thereafter. The brand has since enlarged its footprint to more than 70 locations in the US, Europe and Asia. The wider range of Delta Hotels, and the fact that you can now easily earn 100,000 or more Marriott points with a card sign-up bonus, makes this the right time to dig a bit deeper into the hotel brand.
There is a limited-time, 100,000-point welcome bonus on three different Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. Now through April 24, new applicants to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (formerly the SPG Luxury Amex) and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (formerly the SPG Business Amex) can earn 100,000 Marriott points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first three months. The same offer is available now through May 16 for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card from Chase.
What Is a Delta Hotel?
Delta's ranking within the Marriott hotel hierarchy seems to depend on who you ask. Before Marriott acquired the brand, Canadian guests would likely compare Delta properties to a Marriott or Sheraton. Marriott calls Delta an "entry-level full-service" hotel chain. I'll be honest: I have no idea what "entry-level full-service" is supposed to mean exactly.
While some Delta Hotels look similar to a Marriott with expansive lobbies and a myriad meeting spaces, many others look and function more like a limited-service property. A majority of the US properties are in locations such as office parks or compact downtown buildings. However, there are a few locations that might interest families: Daytona Beach oceanfront; Anaheim, California; and the above-mentioned Disney World-adjacent.
Most US properties appear to be existing hotels converted to the Delta brand as opposed to new-builds, which may account for some of the inconsistency. Instead of worrying about labels, I'll share my experience and encourage any of you who have stayed at Delta Hotels to share your thoughts in the comments.
Delta's Unique Feature for Elites
Delta Hotels do not offer a free full breakfast for elites like a full-service Marriott property would. They also don't offer free breakfast to all like a limited-service brand such as Fairfield Inn would. But they do have a perk that far outshines any you would find at Courtyard or Four Points by Sheraton, the hotel chains that Delta felt closest to in my experience: the Elite Pantry.
The Elite Pantry, available 24 hours a day to Platinum elite and higher Marriott Bonvoy members, offers soft drinks, coffee and tea, bottled water; fresh fruit, candies, chips; and breakfast options such as oatmeal, cereal and milk, snack bars and a variety of protein options including yogurt and hard-boiled eggs. In most locations, there's no seating area, and in some locations it's literally pantry-sized, but it gives you many of the same benefits of a club lounge. The Elite Pantry offers more than enough options to scrounge up a continental breakfast, afternoon snack or even something to fend off an attack of the midnight munchies.
My First Delta Stay
My daughter had a request for her 12th birthday: instead of a party she wanted to take a girlfriend to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for the day. Since Baltimore is about 90 minutes away from our home, this visit was tailor-made for a girls' weekend. I selected the Delta partly because it was December and I had almost made Marriott Titanium for the year but needed another stay, and partly out of sheer curiosity.
The Delta Hotels Baltimore Inner Harbor (Category 5, from 35k points per night) is located about three blocks away from the Inner Harbor where the aquarium is located. About a week before my stay I had visited the Courtyard New York City/Central Park and the two properties felt very similar to me: small lobby, bar/restaurant off to the side, small gym, no pool.
The room was new and clean, but otherwise nothing stood out. However, the Elite Pantry set the experience apart from a Courtyard stay. If you want to see what happiness looks like, tell two 12-year-old girls that they have free rein in a snack cabinet. Instead of heading out to dinner after our aquarium visit, the girls built a fort in the closet and filled it with tasty treats. I was glad I had brought a book because I didn't see them again except for the occasional foray back to the Elite Pantry for refills.
I think what you call "luxurious" changes once you see things through a kid's eyes. My daughter's friend told me the Delta was the nicest hotel she had ever stayed in. I don't think that's actually true, but unlimited Reese's Pieces and trail mix was about as good as life gets in her opinion.
Bottom Line
With the rapid growth it expects, Delta Hotels may be soon be coming to a spot you want to visit. As long as you don't expect a premium product, it's worth giving Delta a chance, especially if you are a Bonvoy elite who gets the munchies.
Here are some more Marriott tips:
- How to Redeem Points With the Marriott Bonvoy Program
- How to Use a Marriott Bonvoy 35,000-Point Certificate
- How Easy Is It to Use Marriott Suite Night Awards?
- With 100k Points, Is the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Right for Families?
- 5 Ways for Families to Maximize 100,000 Bonus Marriott Points
- Best Ways to Redeem 100,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points
- Credit Card Review: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.