What the Delta American Express Card Is

The Delta American Express Card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express and Delta Air Lines. When you use it to make purchases, you earn miles toward Delta flights instead of cash back. The card comes in several versions—each with different annual fees, earning rates, and welcome offers—so the right choice depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you spend.

Unlike a general rewards card, this card is built around a specific airline. That means the miles you earn work only for Delta bookings, seat upgrades, and baggage fees, not for other airlines or general travel. If you rarely fly Delta, the card's benefits may not be worth the annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta Amex cards come in multiple tiers—Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Reserve—each with different annual fees and earning rates.
  • You earn miles on every purchase, but the number of miles per dollar varies by card tier and spending category.
  • Most versions include a statement credit toward your first checked bag fee, which saves money if you check luggage on Delta flights.
  • The card's value depends on how much you spend and how often you redeem miles for Delta flights, not on the card itself.
  • You can transfer miles to other programs or use them for seat upgrades and fees, but redeeming for flights is the most common use.

The Different Delta Amex Card Versions and Their Fees

American Express offers four Delta cards, each aimed at a different type of traveler. The Delta Blue has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases, plus 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, gas stations, and supermarkets. This card makes sense if you want Delta miles without paying a yearly cost, though the earning rate is lower than the paid versions.

The Delta Gold costs $95 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar on everything else. It includes a $50 statement credit toward your first checked bag fee each year, which offsets part of the annual fee if you check bags regularly.

The Delta Platinum costs $250 per year and earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar elsewhere. It includes the $50 checked bag credit, priority boarding on Delta flights, and a $100 statement credit toward Delta purchases once per year.

The Delta Reserve is the premium version at $550 per year. It earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants, plus 1 mile per dollar on other spending. It includes the $50 checked bag credit, priority boarding, a $100 annual Delta credit, complimentary upgrades on may be able to access flights, and lounge access when you fly Delta.

How Miles Earning Works and What Affects Your Rate

Every purchase you make on your Delta Amex card earns miles, but the rate depends on what you buy and which card you hold. Spending at Delta—flights, seat selections, baggage fees—earns the highest rate on every card. Restaurants also earn bonus miles on most versions. Gas stations and supermarkets earn bonus miles on the Blue card only.

The miles post to your account within one to three business days of the purchase. You can check your balance anytime through your American Express account online or in the app. There is no limit to how many miles you can earn, and miles do not expire as long as your account stays open and active.

Welcome offers vary by card and change throughout the year. When you first open an account, American Express may offer bonus miles if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. Read the offer terms carefully—you must meet the spending requirement to receive the bonus, and the bonus posts after the requirement is met, not when ready.

Using Your Miles and What They Are Worth

Miles are most valuable when you redeem them for Delta flights. The number of miles required depends on the route, how far in advance you book, and how busy the flight is. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 7,500 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 to 100,000 miles or more. You book award flights through Delta's website or by calling their phone line.

You can also use miles to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Delta services. Some people find this less valuable than booking flights, since the miles-to-dollar value is usually lower. You can transfer miles to Delta's partner airlines and hotel programs, though this is rarely the best use of your miles.

If you do not fly Delta often, your miles may sit unused. American Express does not let you cash out miles for a statement credit on most Delta cards, so there is no backup plan if your travel plans change. The Reserve card is the only version that offers some flexibility through its annual credit, which can be used on any Delta purchase.

Annual Fees and Whether They Pay for Themselves

The Delta Blue has no annual fee, so there is no cost to hold it. The Gold, Platinum, and Reserve all charge yearly fees—$95, $250, and $550 respectively—that post on your account anniversary each year.

Whether a fee is worth it depends on your spending and travel habits. The Gold's $95 fee is offset by the $50 checked bag credit if you check bags twice a year. The Platinum's $250 fee is harder to justify unless you spend heavily on Delta and restaurants, or you value priority boarding. The Reserve's $550 fee requires significant spending or frequent use of the annual credits and lounge access to break even.

If you do not think you will use the card's benefits, the Blue is the only option that costs nothing. If you cancel a paid card, the annual fee still posts unless you cancel before your account anniversary date. Mark your calendar a few weeks before your anniversary if you plan to cancel.

How to set up Your Card and Start Earning

After your card arrives in the mail, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up through the American Express website, the mobile app, or by calling the number on the back of the card. set up is when ready—you can start using the card right away.

Set up your account online so you can track your miles, view your statement, and manage your payment. American Express lets you pay your bill online, set up automatic payments, or pay by phone. If you set up autopay, choose whether to pay the full balance each month or a minimum amount. Paying the full balance avoids interest charges.

Link your Delta SkyMiles account to your American Express account so miles post correctly. You will need your SkyMiles number, which you can find on your Delta boarding pass or by creating a free account on Delta's website. Once linked, all miles from your card purchases go straight to your SkyMiles account.

Common Questions About Using the Card

You can use your Delta Amex card anywhere American Express is accepted, not just for Delta purchases. The earning rate for non-Delta spending varies by card—the Blue earns bonus miles at restaurants, gas, and supermarkets, while the Gold, Platinum, and Reserve earn 1 mile per dollar on most other purchases. This makes the card useful for everyday spending, not just travel.

If you have multiple American Express cards, you can move credit between them through a feature called Membership Rewards transfer. However, Delta miles cannot be transferred to other American Express cards—they stay in your Delta SkyMiles account. You can only move miles between Delta and its partner programs.

Your miles are tied to your SkyMiles account, not to the card itself. If you close the card but keep your SkyMiles account open, your miles remain. However, if your SkyMiles account becomes inactive (no activity for 24 months), Delta may close it and forfeit your miles. Keep your account active by booking a flight, transferring miles, or logging in periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay an annual fee to get Delta miles?

No. The Delta Blue American Express Card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases. The other versions—Gold, Platinum, and Reserve—charge yearly fees of $95, $250, and $550, but they earn miles faster and include additional benefits like checked bag credits and priority boarding.

Can I use my miles on airlines other than Delta?

Miles earned on your Delta Amex card are Delta SkyMiles and work only for Delta flights and services. You can transfer miles to Delta's partner airlines and hotels, but the transfer rate is usually not favorable. If you fly multiple airlines, a general rewards card may be more useful.

What happens to my miles if I close my card?

Your miles stay in your Delta SkyMiles account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your SkyMiles account has no activity for 24 months, Delta may close it and forfeit your miles. Keep your account active by booking a flight or logging in occasionally.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

It depends on how much you spend and which card you have. A short domestic flight costs 5,000 to 7,500 miles. If you spend $500 per month on a Gold card earning 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, you would earn 1,000 miles per month—enough for a short flight in about six months. Spending patterns and card choice make a big difference.

Can I get a refund if I do not use my miles?

No. Miles do not expire as long as your account is active, but American Express does not refund unused miles or let you convert them to cash on most Delta cards. The Reserve card includes an annual statement credit that can be used on any Delta purchase, which offers some flexibility if your travel plans change.