What the American Express Delta card offers
American Express offers several Delta co-branded cards, each with different annual fees and reward structures. The most common versions are the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card (no annual fee), the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card ($95 annual fee), and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card ($250 annual fee). Each earns miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending, but the earning rates and perks differ significantly.
The core appeal is straightforward: you earn Delta miles on every purchase, and those miles redeem for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits. The no-annual-fee Blue card is the entry point. The Gold and Platinum cards add perks like checked baggage credits, priority boarding, and higher earning rates, but only make financial sense if you fly Delta regularly enough to use those benefits.
American Express is the sole issuer of Delta cards, so there is no competing version from another bank. If you want a Delta-branded rewards card, this is the only option.
Key Takeaways
- The Delta SkyMiles Blue card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases, making it a low-cost way to start accumulating miles.
- The Gold and Platinum cards charge annual fees ($95 and $250) but include perks like free checked baggage and priority boarding that offset the cost for frequent Delta flyers.
- All Delta American Express cards earn bonus miles on Delta purchases, but the earning rate varies by card tier and purchase category.
- Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months.
- The card is issued by American Express, which means it is not accepted everywhere Visa or Mastercard are accepted.
Earning rates and bonus categories
The Delta SkyMiles Blue card earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. There are no bonus categories and no rotating categories to track. You also earn 10 bonus miles for every $1 you spend on Delta purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Delta services). New cardholders typically receive a welcome bonus of 10,000 to 15,000 miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement, though this offer changes periodically.
The Gold card earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and Delta.com, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1 mile per dollar), and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. It also includes a $50 annual Delta baggage fee credit, which covers one checked bag for one person for one year.
The Platinum card earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and Delta.com, 3 miles per dollar on restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1 mile per dollar), and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. It includes a $120 annual Delta baggage fee credit (enough for two checked bags or one person for two years), priority boarding, and a $100 annual incidental credit that covers seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other Delta charges.
Annual fees and whether they pay for themselves
The Blue card has no annual fee, making it the lowest-cost entry point. You pay nothing to hold the card, though you also get no perks beyond the earning rates.
The Gold card costs $95 per year. The $50 baggage fee credit covers half the annual fee when ready if you check one bag on a Delta flight. The remaining $45 must come from the higher earning rates on restaurants and supermarkets (2 miles per dollar instead of 1). Whether this breaks even depends on your spending. If you spend $5,000 per year on restaurants and supermarkets, the Gold card earns you 5,000 extra miles compared to the Blue card. At typical redemption rates (0.5 to 1.5 cents per mile), that is worth $25 to $75, which does not cover the $95 fee. You need higher spending or more frequent Delta flights to make the Gold card worthwhile.
The Platinum card costs $250 per year. The $120 baggage credit and $100 incidental credit total $220 in tangible benefits, leaving a $30 net annual cost. However, those credits only have value if you actually use them. If you do not check bags or buy seat upgrades, the credits are worthless. The 3-mile-per-dollar earning on Delta purchases and restaurants adds value for high spenders, but you need to fly Delta frequently and spend heavily on dining to justify the fee.
Acceptance and the American Express network
American Express cards are not accepted everywhere Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Roughly 99% of U.S. merchants accept American Express, but some smaller retailers, gas stations, and online merchants do not. Before explore, check whether the places you shop most often take American Express.
American Express also has different fraud protections and dispute processes than Visa or Mastercard. American Express handles disputes directly with the cardholder rather than through a network, which can mean faster resolution but also less standardized protections. The card includes purchase protection, return protection, and extended warranty coverage, though the terms differ from Visa or Mastercard products.
If you travel internationally, American Express has a smaller acceptance footprint outside the United States, particularly in Europe and Asia. If you plan to use the card abroad, confirm acceptance in your destination before traveling.
How Delta miles work and redemption options
Delta miles are the currency of the SkyMiles program. You earn them through the credit card, flying Delta, staying at partner hotels, renting cars, and other activities. Miles redeem for Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases through the Delta website or by calling Delta directly.
Miles do not have a fixed cash value. The value of a mile depends on the flight you book and the price of that flight. A mile might be worth 0.5 cents on a short domestic flight or 2 cents on a premium international route. This variability means the "value" of your miles changes based on what you redeem them for. Some redemptions are poor deals (paying 50,000 miles for a $300 flight), while others are excellent (paying 50,000 miles for a $600 flight).
Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you earn or redeem at least once every 24 months. This means you can accumulate miles over time without losing them, as long as you use the card or the SkyMiles program regularly. If your account becomes inactive for 24 months, Delta may close it and forfeit your miles.
Comparing the three Delta cards side by side
| Feature | Blue (No Fee) | Gold ($95/year) | Platinum ($250/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $95 | $250 |
| Earning on Delta Purchases | 1 mile + 10 bonus miles per $1 | 2 miles per $1 | 3 miles per $1 |
| Earning on Restaurants & Supermarkets | 1 mile per $1 | 2 miles per $1 (up to $25k/year) | 3 miles per $1 (up to $25k/year) |
| Earning on Other Purchases | 1 mile per $1 | 1 mile per $1 | 1 mile per $1 |
| Baggage Fee Credit | None | $50/year | $120/year |
| Priority Boarding | No | No | Yes |
| Incidental Credit | None | None | $100/year |
Who should choose each card
Choose the Blue card if you fly Delta occasionally (a few times per year) and want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. The 1 mile per dollar earning rate is modest, but there is no cost to hold the card. This is the right choice for someone who values simplicity and does not want to commit to a paid tier.
Choose the Gold card if you fly Delta at least twice per year and check a bag regularly. The $50 baggage credit covers the cost of one checked bag, and the higher earning rates on restaurants and supermarkets add value if you spend money in those categories. This card makes sense for someone who flies Delta regularly but does not need premium perks like priority boarding.
Choose the Platinum card if you fly Delta frequently (six or more times per year), check bags regularly, and buy seat upgrades or other incidental services. The $120 baggage credit and $100 incidental credit together cover most of the annual fee, and the 3-mile-per-dollar earning on Delta purchases rewards frequent flyers. This card is built for someone who makes Delta their primary airline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer Delta miles to another airline?
No. Delta miles are specific to the Delta SkyMiles program and cannot be transferred to other airline loyalty programs. You can only redeem them for Delta flights, upgrades, and services, or for partner airline flights booked through Delta. This is a limitation compared to some other airline cards that allow transfers to multiple airline partners.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Delta SkyMiles account even after you close the credit card. The card and the account are separate. However, if your SkyMiles account becomes inactive for 24 months (no earning or redemption), Delta may close the account and forfeit the miles. Keeping the card open is the easiest way to prevent this, but you can also maintain activity by flying Delta or using other SkyMiles earning methods.
Is the welcome bonus worth it?
The welcome bonus typically requires spending $500 to $1,000 within the first few months. If you can meet that spending naturally (without changing your habits), the bonus is worth taking. A 10,000-mile bonus is worth roughly $50 to $150 depending on redemption rates. However, if you have to manufacture spending to earn the bonus, the benefit shrinks or disappears.
Do I need excellent credit to get approved?
American Express typically requires good to excellent credit (a credit score of 670 or higher), though approval is not may provide. The Blue card is slightly easier to get approved for than the Gold or Platinum cards. Check your credit score before explore, and be prepared for a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Can I hold multiple Delta American Express cards at once?
Yes. Some cardholders hold both the Blue and Gold cards to maximize earning in different categories. However, American Express has rules about holding multiple versions of the same card, and you may not be able to hold two of the exact same card simultaneously. Check American Express's current policies before explore for a second Delta card.