The Delta American Express Card gives you points on Delta purchases, priority boarding, and annual free checked bags, but the value depends on how often you fly Delta and what you pay in annual fees
American Express offers several Delta co-branded cards, each with different rewards rates, annual fees, and perks. The most common 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, more premium benefits). The card you choose should match your actual Delta spending and travel frequency, not the rewards rate alone.
All Delta Amex cards earn miles on every purchase, but the earning rate and bonus categories vary by card tier. You also get benefits like priority boarding, checked bag waivers, and mile bonuses just for holding the card. The catch is that annual fees on the premium cards can offset rewards if you don't use the card regularly or if you don't value the perks enough to justify the cost.
Key Takeaways
- The no-annual-fee Delta Blue card earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, while the Gold and Platinum cards earn higher rates in specific categories but charge annual fees of $95 and $250 respectively.
- Every Delta Amex card includes a free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and one companion on the same reservation, which alone can save $60 to $70 per round trip.
- The Gold and Platinum cards offer statement credits toward Delta purchases, priority boarding, and mile bonuses after you spend a certain amount in the first year.
- Miles earned on Delta Amex cards do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months, but transferring miles to other programs or redeeming them for flights requires planning.
How earning miles works on each card tier
The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. You also get a one-time mile bonus when you open the account (the bonus amount changes periodically). This card makes sense if you want Delta rewards without paying an annual fee, but the earning rate is lower than cards with annual fees.
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card costs $95 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants, 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, and includes a $50 statement credit toward Delta purchases each calendar year. The annual fee is offset somewhat by the statement credit, bringing the net cost to $45 per year if you use the credit.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card costs $250 per year and earns 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and travel, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. It includes a $100 statement credit toward Delta purchases each calendar year and a $100 credit toward other travel purchases, reducing the net annual cost to $50 if you use both credits.
All three cards offer a welcome bonus after you spend a set amount in the first few months. The bonus is typically 10,000 to 75,000 miles depending on the card and current promotions. These bonuses can be substantial — 75,000 miles is often worth $750 to $1,000 in flight value — but they only matter if you can meet the spending requirement without changing your normal spending habits.
Free checked bags and priority boarding benefits
Every Delta Amex card includes a free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation on Delta flights. This benefit alone saves $35 to $40 per person per round trip, or $70 to $80 per round trip for two people. If you take even one round trip per year, this benefit covers the annual fee on the Gold card and most of the fee on the Platinum card.
The Gold and Platinum cards also include priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers. Priority boarding is useful if you want to find overhead bin space or prefer not to gate-check your carry-on, but it does not may provide a seat upgrade or extra legroom unless you pay for those separately.
The Platinum card adds additional perks like a companion certificate (a free round-trip ticket for one companion once per year, subject to restrictions), additional checked bag waivers for family members on your account, and a higher annual mile bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first year. These perks are valuable only if you travel with companions regularly or if family members also fly Delta on your account.
When the annual fee makes sense
The $95 annual fee on the Gold card breaks even if you take at least two round trips per year on Delta (the free checked bag benefit covers $140 to $160 per year) or if you spend enough in restaurants and Delta purchases to earn back the fee in rewards value. The $50 annual statement credit also reduces the true cost to $45.
The $250 annual fee on the Platinum card is harder to justify unless you fly Delta frequently or travel with companions who also benefit from the card perks. The $200 in annual statement credits ($100 for Delta, $100 for other travel) reduces the net cost to $50, but you still need to use both credits and earn enough miles to make the card worthwhile compared to the Gold card.
If you fly Delta fewer than two times per year or if you don't value priority boarding, the Blue card with no annual fee is the better choice. You give up the higher earning rates and statement credits, but you avoid paying for benefits you won't use.
How to redeem miles and what they're worth
Delta miles can be redeemed for flights on Delta and its partner airlines, seat upgrades, gift cards, hotel stays, and car rentals through the SkyMiles program. The most common use is booking flights directly through Delta's website or app. The value of a mile varies depending on the flight and how far in advance you book — a mile is typically worth 0.5 to 1.5 cents per mile when redeemed for flights, though this varies widely.
Booking with miles during off-peak travel times (early morning, midweek, or outside holiday periods) often gives you better value than booking during peak times. Some flights cost fewer miles than others even on the same route, so checking multiple dates can help you stretch your miles further.
Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity (earning, redeeming, or transferring miles) at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for 24 months, Delta may close it and forfeit your miles. To keep your account active without spending money, you can transfer miles to a family member or partner's account, which counts as activity.
Comparing the Delta Amex cards to other airline cards
Other airlines offer co-branded American Express cards with similar structures: United, Southwest, and American Airlines all have multiple card tiers with annual fees, statement credits, and free checked bag benefits. The choice between Delta and another airline depends on which airline you fly most often and which card's perks match your travel patterns.
If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card (like the American Express Gold or Platinum) may be better than a single-airline card because you earn points that can be transferred to multiple airline partners. However, if you fly Delta at least twice per year, the free checked bag benefit on a Delta card often outweighs the flexibility of a general rewards card.
Some people hold both a Delta card and a general rewards card: the Delta card for Delta flights (to capture the free checked bag and priority boarding) and the general card for other purchases and airlines. This approach requires managing multiple cards and annual fees, so it only makes sense if your spending and travel patterns justify it.
Annual fees, credits, and the true cost of the card
The annual fee is charged on your statement each year, usually on the card anniversary date. The statement credits (the $50 on the Gold card and $100 on the Platinum card toward Delta purchases, plus the $100 travel credit on the Platinum) are also applied to your statement automatically, but only if you use them. If you don't book Delta flights or travel in a given year, you lose the credit value.
To calculate whether a card is worth keeping, subtract the annual statement credits from the annual fee, then add the value of the free checked bag benefit and any miles you earn from regular spending. If the total value is less than what you'd earn with a no-fee card or a different rewards card, the annual fee is not worth paying.
American Express may waive the annual fee for the first year when you open a new account, or offer a reduced fee for the first year. Check the current offer before opening an account, because the terms change periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the statement credit in the year it's offered?
Statement credits typically expire at the end of the calendar year if unused. You must book or purchase Delta flights or travel before December 31 to use the credit. If you don't travel in a given year, you lose the credit value, so the annual fee becomes a true cost rather than a net cost after credits.
Can I transfer Delta miles to someone else?
Yes, you can transfer miles to another person's SkyMiles account, but Delta charges a fee (typically $0.01 per mile transferred, with a minimum fee). Transfers also count as account activity, which keeps your miles from expiring if you're not actively flying or redeeming.
What happens if I close the card before the annual fee posts?
If you close the card before the annual fee is charged, you avoid paying it. However, if the fee has already posted to your statement, American Express typically will not refund it unless you close the card within 30 days of opening it. Check your card agreement for the exact policy.
Are miles earned on the card worth more than cash back?
It depends on how you redeem them. If you book flights during off-peak times or on routes where mile prices are low, miles can be worth 1 to 1.5 cents each. If you book during peak times or on popular routes, miles may be worth only 0.5 cents each. A cash-back card earning 2% back is worth 2 cents per dollar, which can be better value than miles on some redemptions.
Can I get the welcome bonus more than once?
American Express typically allows you to earn the welcome bonus once every 24 months per card product. If you closed a Delta Gold card two years ago, you may be able to open a new one and earn the bonus again, but the rules change periodically, so check American Express's current terms.