Delta credit cards come in several versions, each with different rewards rates and annual fees
Delta offers multiple co-branded credit cards through American Express and other issuers. The main versions are the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card (no annual fee), the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card (annual fee applies), and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card (higher annual fee). Each earns miles on purchases, but the earning rates, sign-up offers, and perks differ based on which card you choose.
The card you see advertised may not be the one that makes sense for your spending. A card with a high annual fee only pays for itself if you fly Delta regularly or spend enough to earn back the fee's value in miles or other benefits. If you fly once a year, a no-annual-fee card is usually the better choice, even if it earns miles at a slower rate.
Key Takeaways
- Delta SkyMiles cards earn miles on every purchase, but the earning rate and annual fee vary by card version.
- Sign-up offers typically promise a large number of miles after you spend a certain amount within the first few months, but you must meet that spending requirement to receive them.
- Annual fees range from zero to several hundred dollars depending on the card tier, and higher-tier cards usually include benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding that may offset the fee if you fly Delta frequently.
- Miles earned on these cards can be used for Delta flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to Delta's partner airlines, but their actual value depends on how you redeem them.
How Delta SkyMiles earning works on these cards
Every Delta credit card earns miles on purchases, but the rate depends on the card. The Blue card (no annual fee) typically earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases and bonus miles on Delta purchases. The Gold card earns a higher rate on Delta purchases and restaurants. The Platinum card earns the highest rate on Delta purchases and offers additional perks like free checked bags for you and companions on the same ticket.
The miles you earn are yours to keep even if you close the card later, but you lose any ongoing benefits like free checked bags or priority boarding. If you earn 50,000 miles but never use them, they sit in your account indefinitely — Delta does not expire miles as long as your account remains active, though the account can close if you do not use the card for an extended period.
Sign-up offers and what they actually require
The advertised offer usually states something like "Earn 75,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months." This means you must put $5,000 in purchases on the card within that timeframe to receive the 75,000 miles. If you spend $4,999, you do not receive the bonus. The spending requirement is a real threshold, not a suggestion.
Sign-up offers change frequently — the current offer may be different from what you see advertised elsewhere or what a friend received last month. Before you explore, check the card issuer's website directly to see the current offer for the specific card you are considering. The offer you see on a comparison site may be outdated.
Annual fees and what they cover
The Blue card has no annual fee. The Gold card typically charges an annual fee (the amount varies and changes over time). The Platinum card charges a higher annual fee. These fees are charged once per year, usually on your card anniversary, and you are responsible for paying them even if you do not use the card.
Higher-tier cards include benefits that may offset the fee if you use them. The Platinum card, for example, usually includes a free checked bag for you and companions on the same reservation, priority boarding, and other perks. If you fly Delta at least a few times per year, the value of a free checked bag alone (typically $35 to $40 per flight) can cover part of the annual fee. If you never fly Delta or fly once every two years, the fee is unlikely to pay for itself.
How to compare Delta cards to other airline cards
Delta cards are one option among many airline cards. American Airlines, United, Southwest, and other carriers also offer co-branded credit cards with different earning rates and benefits. The best card for you depends on which airline you fly most often, how often you fly, and how much you spend on the card each year.
If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card (not tied to one airline) might earn you more value because you can use the rewards on any airline. If you fly Delta almost exclusively, a Delta card's higher earning rate on Delta purchases may be worth the annual fee. Compare the annual fee, the earning rate on the categories where you spend most, and the sign-up offer across cards before deciding.
What happens to your miles if you close the card
The miles you have earned remain in your Delta SkyMiles account after you close the card. You can still use them to book flights or transfer them to Delta partners. However, you lose any ongoing benefits tied to the card, such as free checked bags or priority boarding. If you close the card and later reopen a Delta card, you can use your existing miles with the new card.
Your Delta SkyMiles account itself can close if you do not have any activity (such as a flight, a card, or a purchase with a partner) for a long period. The exact timeframe varies, but Delta typically closes inactive accounts after several years. If your account closes, your miles may be lost, so if you have a large balance you plan to use later, keep some activity on the account or check Delta's policy on account closure.
Understanding the difference between miles and cash back
Delta cards earn miles, not cash back. Miles are a form of currency within Delta's loyalty program and can only be used for Delta flights, upgrades, or transfers to partner airlines. You cannot redeem miles for cash or use them with other airlines unless you transfer them to a partner program.
The value of a mile varies depending on how you use it. If you redeem miles for a flight that would cost $300 in cash, and you used 30,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1 cent. If you redeem the same 30,000 miles for a flight that would cost $600, each mile is worth about 2 cents. This means the "value" of your miles depends entirely on which flights you book and when. Some people find miles valuable; others find they are worth less than the annual fee and prefer a cash-back card instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Delta card if I have fair or poor credit?
Most Delta cards require good to excellent credit (usually a credit score of 670 or higher). If your credit is fair or poor, you may not be approved. You can explore and see what happens, but rejection is common with lower scores. Building your credit first may improve your chances of approval later.
Do I have to be a Delta frequent flyer member to get the card?
No. You can explore for a Delta card without being a member of Delta SkyMiles. When you open the card, you will be enrolled in the program automatically, and your miles will be credited to your account. If you already have a SkyMiles account, make sure you provide that account number during the process so miles are added to the correct account.
What if the sign-up offer changes after I explore but before I am approved?
Once you explore, the offer you saw at the time of process is typically locked in. However, if the offer improves after you explore, some issuers will match the better offer if you contact them before your account opens. It is worth asking, but there is no may provide. If the offer gets worse, you are not affected.
Can I earn miles on purchases made by someone else using my card?
Yes. Any purchase made on your card earns miles, regardless of who makes the purchase. If you add an authorized user to your account, purchases they make also earn miles toward your account. However, you are responsible for paying the bill for all purchases on the card.
How long does it take to receive the sign-up bonus miles?
Miles are usually posted to your account within one to three billing cycles after you meet the spending requirement. Some cards post them faster. Check your account online to see when they appear, or contact the card issuer if they do not arrive within the timeframe stated in the offer terms.