The Different Types of Delta Credit Cards

The answer to that question differs for everyone. Perhaps the better question this: Which Delta SkyMiles American Express Credit Card best suits my lifestyle, personal finances, and travel dreams?

 
There are four different American Express Cards that earn Delta SkyMiles:

• Delta SkyMiles^® Blue American Express Card.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card.

Each card has its own set of benefits and perks to match a variety of travel preferences. And now American Express and Delta have teamed up to help Card Members support sustainable materials sourcing: As of March 2022, new Delta SkyMiles® Blue and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card Members will receive Cards made from 70% reclaimed plastic, while Delta SkyMiles® Platinum and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members have the choice between classic metal or 70% reclaimed plastic.

Read on to compare the four Delta SkyMiles Cards so you can choose the one that aligns with your needs and lifestyle.

The Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card, now made of 70% reclaimed plastic, has no annual fee.¹ Card Members earn two miles per dollar on restaurant spending, which includes takeout and delivery purchases, and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. You also can benefit from using the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue Card to make Delta-related purchases:

• Earn 2X miles on airline tickets purchased directly with Delta Airlines.
• Get 20% cash back in the form of a statement credit for eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, drinks, and headphones.
• Pay with Miles to take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem when booking on Delta’s website.

Infrequent travelers may find the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue Card ideal for their lifestyle. With no annual fee,¹ it helps long-haulers accumulate miles over time for that “one big trip.” Oh, hello, 10-year wedding anniversary that you started earning miles for when you celebrated your fifth anniversary!

New Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card Members can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases on the Card within the first three months of Card Membership. That’s a sizable start toward racking up the requisite miles to redeem for a flight to your preferred destination.

Those who travel a bit more often may lean toward the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Credit Card, as it offers ways to earn miles faster. Plus, there’s no annual fee in the first year, and then $99 after that.²

 
Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card Members can check their first bag on Delta flights for free, as long as it isn’t overweight or oversized according to Delta’s standards. Like the Delta SkyMiles^® Blue Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card Members can:

• Use Pay with Miles.
• Earn 2X miles on airline tickets purchased directly with Delta.
• Get 20% off in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases when using their Card.

And even when you aren’t on the go, the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card can help you get ready for your next trip with 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets. All other eligible purchases earn 1X miles. To top it off, if you put $10,000 or more in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card in a calendar year, you can earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.

In addition to receiving a Card made of 70% reclaimed plastic, new Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Card Members can earn 40,000 bonus miles after making $1,000 in purchases on the Card within the first three months of Card Membership.

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card has a $250 annual fee³ and offers a number of benefits and perks that favor the more frequent traveler. Think: bigger opportunities to earn more SkyMiles and annual complimentary companion certificates. For example, Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum earns Card Members:

• 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta.
• 3X miles on hotel reservations made directly with hotels.
• 2X miles at restaurants.
• 2X miles at U.S. supermarkets.
• 1X miles on other eligible purchases.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Card Members who spend $25,000 in purchases on their Card also earn 10,000 MQMs, up to twice per calendar year. What are MQMs, you ask? Medallion is Delta’s four-tiered rewards system that offers an array of exclusive luxury perks, ranging from free upgrades and fee waivers to priority security line access and travel vouchers. MQMs are different from SkyMiles; they’re earned based on the distance you fly and the fare class of your ticket. 

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Card Members also can Pay with Miles, get 20% off eligible Delta in-flight purchases when they pay with their Card, and get their first checked bag free. But the Card also offers additional perks, including:

• Access to Delta SkyClub^® for $39 per person for you and up to two guests.
• One complimentary round-trip companion certificate each year (domestic main cabin only). Card Members are responsible for government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights, for itineraries with up to four flight segments. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See the SkyMiles Platinum Card’s offer and benefit terms for details.
• Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓^® fee credits. Earn either a $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry, or an $85 credit every four-and-a-half years for TSA Pre✓, as long as you use your Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card to pay for the application fee. Note that if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll also receive access to TSA Pre✓ at no additional charge. Card Members can apply for TSA Pre✓ through any Authorized Enrollment Provider.

And, when you apply for a Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Card, you can choose your Card’s material: the classic metal design or the 70% reclaimed plastic option.

New Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum Card Members can earn 50,000 bonus miles – plus 5,000 MQMs – after making $2,000 in purchases within the first three months of Card Membership.

Avid travelers who want enhanced travel comfort need look no further than the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card. While the Card offers standard Delta benefits like the ability to Pay with Miles and 20% savings on in-flight purchases when using their Card, its $550 annual fee⁴ emphasizes luxury travel. For example, by spending at least $25,000 on the Card every year, your MQD requirement towards Platinum, Gold, or Silver Medallion status will be waived.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Card Members can select their preferred Card material: classic metal or 70% reclaimed plastic. And, in addition to 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X miles on all other spending, the Status Boost^® benefit enables Card Members to earn 15,000 MQMs after spending $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year, up to four times.

Finally, the Delta SkyMiles^® American Express Reserve Card offers a suite of other benefits and perks, including:

• Basic Card Member receives free access to Delta SkyClub when flying Delta.
• Free access to The Centurion^® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• One complimentary round-trip domestic first class, Delta Comfort+^®, or main cabin companion certificate every year. Card Members are responsible for paying government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights, for itineraries with up to four flight segments. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Card’s offer and benefit terms for details.
• Receive upgrade priority over other Medallion members within the same Medallion level and fare class grouping.
• First checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓ membership. Earn either a $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry, or an $85 credit every four-and-a-half years for TSA Pre✓, as long as you use your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card to pay for the application fee. Note that if you’re approved for Global Entry, you’ll also receive access to TSA Pre✓ at no additional charge. Card Members can apply for TSA Pre✓ through any Authorized Enrollment Provider.

New Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Card Members can earn 50,000 bonus miles plus 10,000 MQMs after making $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of Card Membership.

The right Delta SkyMiles American Express Card for you depends on, well, you. Some Cards favor the casual traveler in terms of annual fees and miles-earning bonus categories, and others present more exclusivity and luxury perks for the frequent flier. Merge your travel desires with your finances and spending habits to help you choose one of the four Delta Cards that works best for you.