Andrew KuneshWe think it's important for you to understand how we make money. It's pretty simple, actually. The offers for financial products you see on our platform come from companies who pay us. The money we make helps us give you access to free credit scores and reports and helps us create our other great tools and educational materials.
Compensation may factor into how and where products appear on our platform (and in what order). But since we generally make money when you find an offer you like and get, we try to show you offers we think are a good match for you. That's why we provide features like your Approval Odds and savings estimates.
Of course, the offers on our platform don't represent all financial products out there, but our goal is to show you as many great options as we can.
These offers are no longer available on our site: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
If your trip could be — or already has been — affected by COVID-19, check out the Credit Karma travel resources page for more information.
Frequent Delta flyers have several American Express Delta credit cards to choose from. Unless you’re a hardcore Delta loyalist, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — with its $550 annual fee — probably isn’t the best or most realistic option of the bunch.
That leaves three other Delta cards from American Express to consider: the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
All three of these credit cards offer appealing perks, but they differ when it comes to in-flight benefits, rewards, annual fees and other particulars. Generally speaking, the higher the annual fee, the more benefits the card offers.
But not every Delta flyer needs the highest-tier benefits. Try to keep your personal needs in mind when comparing these three credit cards.
- Best welcome bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Best for card benefits: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Best annual fee: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
- Heads up: What to consider when applying for a Delta credit card from American Express
- Bottom line: Which Delta card from American Express is right for you?
Best welcome bonus: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
All three of these cards have welcome bonuses, but the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card arguably outclasses its siblings in this category. It’s offering 40,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) if you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, you’ll earn a $100 statement credit when you use your card to make a Delta purchase in the first three months from account opening.
From our partner
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
From cardholders in the last year
Best for card benefits: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Both the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offer a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta® flights purchased with the card.
But the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card goes a step further, offering a domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate every year you renew your card. Payment of taxes and fees of no more than $75 for round-trip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
How to maximize the benefits of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardBest annual fee: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
This is a tough one. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card has a $0 annual fee, which is hard to beat. If you only fly Delta every once in a while and think you’ll take advantage of the two points per $1 that you’ll get at restaurants, this card could be the no-brainer of the group.
But if you think you’ll fly Delta at least once a year, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and its annual fee ($0 intro, $99 after first year) might start to look a lot more attractive. So, really, this one’s almost a tie.
FAST FACTS
How can I use my SkyMiles®?
Where can Delta SkyMiles® take you? The price of Delta rewards flights varies based on where you’re traveling and how much demand there is for a particular flight. Delta no longer publishes a rewards chart, so price out your reward by searching for flights on Delta’s website.
Heads up though: Delta SkyMiles® cardholders have access to Delta’s Pay with Miles benefit. You can use this benefit to reduce the cost of a ticket by $50 for 5,000 miles, $100 for 10,000 miles and so on. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to have at least 5,000 miles in your account before you can use this benefit.
Heads up: What to consider when applying for a Delta credit card from American Express
Take your Delta travel and spending habits into account when applying for one of these cards. Many benefits are identical among the three cards featured in this article, but the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card offers the most benefits for high-spending Delta flyers who need extra Medallion® Qualifying Miles and want to qualify for Medallion Status.
Welcome bonuses on credit cards tend to change frequently, so be sure to shop around for the best deal. It might be worth waiting until a better offer comes around, especially if you don’t need a new credit card right away.
Bottom line: Which Delta card from American Express is right for you?
All in all, picking the right Delta credit card from American Express comes down to how often you fly Delta and how you spend your money. Some may find the most value in the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card, while those chasing Medallion Status may find the most value in the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card.
Other travel rewards cards to consider
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Great for hardcore Delta loyalists, and unlike the other Delta credit cards from American Express, this one offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® and a discounted rate of $39 per guest for up to two guests when flying on Delta. But it also comes with a $550 annual fee. Read about how to maximize your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: This card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%). You’ll also get 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshares, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more), and 1% cash back on other purchases.