What the Delta SkyMiles Card Does

The Delta SkyMiles American Express card is a co-branded rewards card that earns miles on every purchase you make. You earn those miles toward free or discounted Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other travel perks. The card comes with an annual fee, which varies depending on which version you choose — Delta offers several tiers, from the basic SkyMiles card to premium versions with higher fees and more benefits.

Miles never expire as long as your account stays open and you use the card at least once every three years. That means you can accumulate rewards over time without watching them vanish. The card also gives you access to Delta-specific benefits like priority boarding, baggage fee waivers, and lounge access on some versions.

You do not have to be a frequent Delta flyer to open this card. Anyone with acceptable credit can explore. The card works like any other rewards card — you charge purchases to it, pay your bill, and watch your mile balance grow.

Key Takeaways

  • You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles often offered in the first few months after opening the account.
  • Different versions of the card carry different annual fees and offer different perks, so compare them before you choose.
  • Miles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards, and they do not expire as long as you use the card every three years.
  • The card includes benefits like checked baggage waivers and priority boarding on most versions, which can save money on travel.
  • You build your credit history by using the card responsibly and paying your bill on time each month.

The Different Versions and Their Annual Fees

Delta offers multiple versions of the SkyMiles card, each with its own annual fee and benefit package. The basic Blue SkyMiles card has the lowest annual fee. The Gold SkyMiles card costs more but includes perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding. The Platinum and Reserve versions carry higher annual fees and add benefits like lounge access, statement credits, and higher earning rates on certain purchases.

The right card for you depends on how much you fly and what benefits matter most. If you take one or two Delta trips per year, the basic card might make sense. If you fly Delta frequently or value lounge access and seat upgrades, a premium version could pay for itself through the perks alone.

American Express publishes the current fee structure and benefits for each version on their website. You can compare them side by side before you decide which card to open.

How to Earn and Redeem Miles

You earn miles in two ways: through everyday purchases and through sign-up bonuses. When you open a new SkyMiles card, American Express typically offers a bonus of 10,000 to 75,000 miles if you spend a certain amount in the first three months. That bonus miles offer changes regularly, so check the current offer before you open an account.

After that, you earn a set number of miles per dollar spent on all purchases. Most versions earn 1 mile per dollar on everything. Premium versions may earn 2 or 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases or dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You can track your mile balance through your American Express account online or through the Delta app.

To redeem miles, log into your Delta account or call Delta directly. You can book a flight using miles, upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, or use miles toward baggage fees and other travel costs. Delta also lets you transfer miles to airline partners, though that is usually less valuable than redeeming them for Delta flights.

Annual Fees and Whether They Make Sense

Every version of the SkyMiles card charges an annual fee, ranging from around $95 to $550 depending on the tier. The fee posts to your account each year on your card anniversary. You pay it whether you use the card or not.

Whether the fee is worth it depends on your travel habits and how much you value the included benefits. A basic card with a $95 annual fee makes sense if you fly Delta at least once or twice per year and want to earn miles on everyday spending. Premium cards with higher fees often include statement credits for Delta purchases or other perks that offset part or all of the annual cost — but only if you actually use those benefits.

Before you open a premium card, add up what you would spend on Delta flights and fees in a typical year. If the included credits and perks cover more than the annual fee, the card pays for itself. If not, the basic card is probably the better choice.

Credit Requirements and the process Process

American Express requires a good to excellent credit score to open a SkyMiles card — typically 670 or higher, though American Express does not publish exact minimums. You can explore online through American Express's website or through Delta's website. The process takes about 10 minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment, and Social Security number.

American Express will pull your credit report to make a decision. You usually hear back within minutes or a few business days. If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the American Express website or app, then start earning miles when ready.

If you are denied, American Express will tell you why. Common reasons include a low credit score, too many recent credit applications, or insufficient credit history. You can reapply after addressing those issues, or you can call American Express to discuss your process.

Paying Your Bill and Protecting Your Account

Your SkyMiles card bill works like any other credit card. You receive a statement each month showing what you charged, your balance, and your minimum payment due. You can pay online through your American Express account, by phone, by mail, or through automatic payments.

Pay at least the minimum by the due date to avoid late fees and damage to your credit. Paying the full balance each month means you avoid interest charges. If you carry a balance, American Express charges interest at the card's annual percentage rate (APR), which varies based on your creditworthiness.

Protect your account by checking your statement regularly for unauthorized charges, setting up fraud alerts with the credit bureaus if needed, and never sharing your card number or security code with anyone. American Express offers fraud protection, so report any suspicious activity right away.

How Miles Affect Your Credit and What Happens If You Close the Card

Opening a SkyMiles card affects your credit in two ways. First, the process triggers a hard inquiry, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. Second, the new account lowers your average account age, which can also dip your score slightly. These effects fade over time as you build a positive payment history.

Using the card responsibly — charging purchases, paying on time, and keeping your balance low — builds your credit score over months and years. Closing the card later does not erase that history, but it does remove an active account from your credit profile, which can lower your score slightly.

If you decide to close your SkyMiles card, you can redeem any remaining miles before you do. Miles do not transfer to a new card if you close this one, so use them or lose them. You can close the card by calling American Express or requesting closure through your online account.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your Delta account as long as you have an active Delta SkyMiles account, even if you close the credit card. However, miles expire if you do not use your Delta account for three consecutive years. You can redeem miles for flights, upgrades, or other rewards before closing the card to make sure you do not lose them.

Can I earn miles on purchases made with other cards?

No. You only earn SkyMiles when you charge purchases to your Delta SkyMiles American Express card. Flights booked through Delta or other airlines do not earn miles unless you pay with this card. You can link your Delta SkyMiles account to earn miles on flights regardless of how you pay, but the credit card is the primary way to accumulate miles quickly.

Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?

Yes. The annual fee posts automatically each year on your card anniversary. You can cancel the card to stop paying the fee, but you will lose access to the card and its benefits. Some versions of the card offer statement credits that offset part of the annual fee if you use them.

What credit score do I need to open a SkyMiles card?

American Express typically looks for a good to excellent credit score, usually 670 or higher, though the exact requirement is not published. If your score is lower, you can work on building it before you explore, or you can explore and see if American Express approves you. A denial does not hurt your credit permanently.

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

You cannot transfer miles to another person's Delta account. Miles belong to the cardholder and stay in that person's Delta SkyMiles account. You can use your miles to book a flight for someone else, but the miles themselves do not move to their account.