What the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Does

The Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by American Express in partnership with Delta Air Lines. It earns miles on every purchase you make, and those miles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card comes with a sign-up bonus—typically a large number of miles after you spend a certain amount in the first few months—plus perks like a free checked bag on Delta flights and priority boarding.

Delta offers several versions of this card at different annual fee levels. The standard version has a lower annual fee, while premium versions (like the Platinum or Reserve) charge more but include additional benefits such as statement credits, lounge access, and higher earning rates. Which version makes sense depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you spend annually.

The card is only available to people with a U.S. address and a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You must be at least 18 years old to open an account.

Key Takeaways

  • The Delta SkyMiles Credit Card earns miles on purchases that you can use for Delta flights and upgrades, with a sign-up bonus after you meet a spending threshold in the first few months.
  • Annual fees range from around $0 to $550 depending on the card version, and some versions include statement credits that offset part or all of the fee.
  • You earn bonus miles on Delta purchases and dining at participating restaurants, plus a free checked bag on every Delta flight you take as the cardholder.
  • The card requires a credit check and approval from American Express, which typically takes a few minutes to a few days.
  • Miles do not expire as long as you keep your account open and active, but they can be forfeited if your account is closed for inactivity or non-payment.

The Different Delta SkyMiles Card Versions

Delta offers the SkyMiles card in four main tiers. The Blue SkyMiles Card has no annual fee and is the entry point for people who want to earn miles without paying yearly. The Gold SkyMiles Card charges an annual fee (typically $95) and includes a statement credit toward Delta purchases and higher earning rates. The Platinum SkyMiles Card costs more annually and adds benefits like lounge access and a higher statement credit. The Reserve SkyMiles Card is the premium option with the highest annual fee and the most generous perks.

Each version earns the same base rate on most purchases—typically 1 mile per dollar spent—but the higher-tier cards earn bonus miles on Delta purchases and dining. For example, a Gold card might earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, while a Platinum card earns 3 miles per dollar. The sign-up bonus also varies by card tier; premium cards usually offer larger bonuses to offset their higher annual fees.

To decide which card fits your situation, compare the annual fee against the statement credits included and your expected spending. If you fly Delta frequently and spend enough to use the credits, a premium card may cost you less than it appears. If you fly occasionally or are just starting to build miles, the no-annual-fee Blue card is a straightforward choice.

How to Open a Delta SkyMiles Credit Card Account

You can open an account online through Delta's website or American Express's website, by phone, or in person at a Delta ticket counter. The online process is fastest and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need your Social Security number or ITIN, a valid government-issued ID, your current address, and information about your income and employment.

American Express will run a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The company typically makes a decision within minutes, though some applications go to manual review and take a few days. If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, though American Express sometimes offers expedited shipping.

Once your physical card arrives, you must set up it before you can use it. You can set up online through your American Express account, by calling the number on the back of the card, or through the American Express mobile app. Some cards can be used when ready in your digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) before the physical card arrives, which lets you start earning miles right away.

Earning and Using Your Miles

Every dollar you spend on the card earns miles at the base rate—usually 1 mile per dollar—unless the purchase falls into a bonus category. Bonus categories vary by card tier but typically include Delta purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees), dining at restaurants, and sometimes gas or groceries. A Platinum card, for example, might earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, while earning 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

You can redeem miles for Delta flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases through your SkyMiles account online or by calling Delta. Miles can also be transferred to airline partners (other airlines in the SkyTeam alliance) or used to purchase gift cards and merchandise, though flights typically offer the best value. The number of miles required for a flight depends on the route, the time of year, and demand—a short domestic flight might cost 5,000 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 or more.

Your miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your SkyMiles account. If your account is closed or inactive for more than 24 months, Delta will forfeit your miles.

Annual Fees, Credits, and Ongoing Costs

The Blue SkyMiles Card has no annual fee, making it free to hold indefinitely as long as you do not close the account. The Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards charge annual fees that are billed to your account on the anniversary of your account opening each year.

Higher-tier cards include statement credits that reduce the effective cost of the annual fee. For example, the Gold card's annual fee might be $95, but it includes a $50 statement credit toward Delta purchases, bringing your net cost to $45 per year. The Platinum card might charge $250 but include a $100 statement credit plus a $100 lounge credit, reducing your net cost to $50. These credits are typically automatic and post to your account on your card anniversary, though you must use them within a set time frame or they expire.

Beyond the annual fee, the card carries no other required costs. There is no foreign transaction fee, which is useful if you travel internationally. If you carry a balance on the card, you will pay interest at the card's APR, which varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates.

Benefits Beyond Miles

All Delta SkyMiles cards include a free checked bag on Delta flights when you are the cardholder or traveling with an when ready family member on the same reservation. This benefit alone saves $30 to $40 per round trip for domestic flights, which can offset the annual fee on paid cards within a few trips.

Premium cards add lounge access, usually to Delta Sky Club lounges at major airports. Lounge access gives you a quiet place to work or relax before your flight, plus complimentary food, beverages, and sometimes shower facilities. The Platinum and Reserve cards typically include a certain number of lounge visits per year, either as a fixed number or as unlimited access.

The Reserve card often includes additional perks such as a statement credit for incidental travel expenses (baggage fees, seat upgrades, parking), priority customer service with a dedicated phone line, and elite status benefits like priority boarding and seat upgrades on Delta flights. These benefits are designed to appeal to frequent flyers who value convenience and status.

What Happens If You Close Your Account

If you close your Delta SkyMiles credit card account, your miles remain in your SkyMiles account and do not disappear when ready. However, if your SkyMiles account becomes inactive—meaning you have no activity for 24 months—Delta will forfeit your miles. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles through any SkyMiles-earning card or partner, not just the credit card.

If you want to keep your miles but do not want to pay the annual fee on a paid card, you can downgrade to the no-annual-fee Blue SkyMiles Card instead of closing the account entirely. Downgrading keeps your account open and your miles safe while eliminating the fee. American Express will typically allow you to downgrade without a hard inquiry or new credit check.

Closing the account also affects your credit score in two ways: it removes an open account from your credit history, which can lower your score slightly, and it reduces your total available credit, which can raise your credit utilization ratio if you carry balances on other cards. For these reasons, downgrading is usually a better choice than closing if you are concerned about your credit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Delta miles on other airlines?

Yes, you can transfer your miles to SkyTeam partner airlines, which include Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and others. However, transferring miles usually costs more than booking directly on Delta, so it is worth comparing the mile cost before you transfer. Some partner airlines also have fuel surcharges that Delta does not, which can make the deal less attractive.

What is the sign-up bonus, and how do I earn it?

The sign-up bonus varies by card version and changes periodically, but it typically ranges from 10,000 to 100,000 miles depending on the tier. You earn the bonus by spending a set amount (often $1,000 to $3,000) on the card within the first three months of opening your account. The bonus posts to your account automatically once you meet the spending requirement, usually within one to two billing cycles.

Do I have to fly Delta to use this card?

No. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of whether you fly Delta or any airline. However, you only earn bonus miles in specific categories (like Delta purchases or dining), so the card is most valuable if you plan to redeem miles for Delta flights or if you fly Delta frequently enough to use the free checked bag benefit.

What happens to my miles if I do not use my card for a long time?

Your miles will expire if your SkyMiles account has no activity for 24 months. Activity includes earning or redeeming miles through any SkyMiles-earning product, not just the credit card. If you close the credit card but keep another SkyMiles-earning card open, or if you log into your SkyMiles account, your miles will remain safe.

Can I get the card if I have bad credit?

American Express typically requires good to excellent credit to open a SkyMiles card, though the no-annual-fee Blue card is sometimes available to people with fair credit. If you are denied, you can call American Express to ask about reconsideration or wait a few months and reapply after improving your credit score. Checking your own credit report beforehand through a free service like AnnualCreditReport.com can help you understand where you stand.