What the Delta SkyMiles American Express card does

The Delta SkyMiles American Express card is a co-branded rewards card that earns miles on Delta Air Lines purchases and everyday spending. You earn miles toward free flights, seat upgrades, and other Delta benefits. The card comes with an annual fee, and whether it makes financial sense depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you spend.

American Express offers several versions of this card at different annual fee levels. The basic version has a lower annual fee and fewer perks. The premium versions charge more but include benefits like annual companion certificates, checked bag fee waivers, and priority boarding. Each version earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy.

Miles don't expire as long as you keep the account open and have account activity at least once every 24 months. You can use miles to book flights directly through Delta, transfer them to Delta partners, or redeem them for other rewards like hotel stays or car rentals through the American Express travel portal.

Key Takeaways

  • The card earns bonus miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending, with earning rates that vary by card tier and purchase category.
  • Every version charges an annual fee, which you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
  • Premium versions include perks like a free checked bag and companion ticket certificates that can offset the higher annual fee if you fly regularly.
  • You need a credit check to open the account, and approval depends on your credit history and income.
  • Miles are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents each when redeemed for flights, so a $100 annual fee requires earning at least 6,700 to 10,000 miles to break even.

How to open a Delta SkyMiles American Express account

You start by visiting the American Express website or calling their phone line to request the card. You'll need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. American Express will pull your credit report to check your credit score and history.

The process takes about 10 minutes online. You'll see a decision when ready or within a few days. If approved, your card arrives in 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through the American Express website or app before you can use it.

If you're denied, American Express will tell you why in a letter. Common reasons include a credit score that's too low, too many recent credit inquiries, or insufficient credit history. You can reapply after addressing these issues, but each process triggers a hard inquiry on your credit report.

Annual fees and what they include

The Delta SkyMiles American Express card comes in three main versions, each with a different annual fee and benefit package. The basic card charges $95 per year and includes 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in the first three months. You earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

The Gold version charges $195 per year and adds a free checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, and a $100 annual statement credit toward Delta purchases. The Platinum version charges $550 per year and includes a companion certificate (a free round-trip ticket when you buy one), free checked bags, priority boarding, and higher earning rates on Delta purchases.

The annual fee posts to your account on the same day each year. You pay it even if you don't use the card. Some cardholders close the account before the fee posts to avoid paying it, though American Express may still charge the fee if you close within 30 days of the anniversary date.

How you earn and use miles

Miles accumulate based on what you buy and which card version you have. The basic card earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The Gold and Platinum versions earn higher rates on Delta purchases—up to 3 miles per dollar depending on the purchase type.

You can redeem miles for Delta flights booked directly through Delta's website or by calling their reservations line. You can also transfer miles to Delta's airline partners like Air France, KLM, or Virgin Atlantic, though transfer rates vary. Some people find better value transferring to partners rather than booking Delta flights directly.

Miles don't have a fixed cash value. The same flight might cost 25,000 miles one day and 50,000 miles another, depending on demand and availability. You can check award availability before you book to see whether the mile cost makes sense for that particular flight.

Annual bonuses and sign-up offers

When you first open the account, American Express offers a sign-up bonus—usually 10,000 to 15,000 bonus miles after you spend a certain amount (typically $500 to $1,000) within the first three months. This bonus is separate from the miles you earn on that spending.

You also earn an annual bonus of 10,000 miles just for keeping the account open and paying the annual fee each year. This bonus posts automatically on your card anniversary. Some versions offer higher annual bonuses if you spend a certain amount in a calendar year.

American Express occasionally runs limited-time offers with higher sign-up bonuses or additional perks. These change throughout the year, so the offer you see today may not be available next month. If you're considering the card, check the current offer before you explore.

What happens if you don't pay your bill

Your bill is due on the date shown on your statement, usually 20 to 25 days after the statement closes. If you pay late, American Express charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, up to $40 for subsequent ones) and reports the late payment to credit bureaus after 30 days.

If your account goes 60 days past due, American Express may freeze your account and stop you from making new purchases. Your interest rate may also increase to a penalty rate. After 180 days of non-payment, American Express may close the account and send it to a collection agency.

You can set up automatic payments through the American Express website to avoid missing a due date. You can pay the full balance, a minimum payment, or a fixed amount of your choosing.

Comparing this card to other airline cards

Other airlines offer co-branded American Express cards with similar structures: United, Southwest, and American Airlines all have versions with different annual fees and earning rates. The choice depends on which airline you fly most often and which benefits matter to you.

United's card charges $95 to $650 per year depending on the version and includes perks like free checked bags and seat upgrades. Southwest's card charges $69 to $99 per year and includes two free checked bags on every flight (a major advantage if you check luggage regularly). American Airlines' card charges $99 to $550 per year and includes similar perks.

If you don't fly a single airline frequently, a general rewards card (like the American Express Blue Business Plus or Chase Sapphire Preferred) might earn more value on everyday spending. These cards don't tie you to one airline and let you transfer points to multiple partners or book through any airline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do I need to get approved?

American Express typically approves applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval is not may provide at any score. Your income, employment history, and existing debt also factor into the decision. If you're denied, you can call American Express to ask why and reapply after improving your credit profile.

Can I use my miles on flights I book through a travel website?

No. You can only redeem miles for flights booked directly through Delta's website, Delta's phone line, or a Delta ticket counter. Miles don't work on flights booked through third-party sites like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights. You must book through Delta to use your miles.

Do my miles expire if I don't use them?

Miles don't expire as long as your account stays open and you have account activity (a purchase, payment, or mile redemption) at least once every 24 months. If your account closes or goes inactive for two years, Delta may cancel your miles. Keeping the card open and using it occasionally prevents this.

What if I want to cancel the card before the annual fee posts?

You can cancel anytime, but American Express may still charge the annual fee if you cancel within 30 days of your card anniversary. If the fee posts before you cancel, you can call American Express and ask for a refund within 30 days of the charge. After 30 days, the fee is usually non-refundable.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

You cannot transfer miles to another person's account. Miles are tied to your card account and can only be used by you. However, you can book a flight for someone else using your miles—the ticket just has to be issued in their name.