What the Delta Points Credit Card is and who issues it
The Delta Points 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. American Express is the card issuer — they handle your account, set the terms, and process your payments.
Delta offers several versions of this card, each with different annual fees, earning rates, and sign-up offers. The most common versions are the Blue American Express card (no annual fee), the Gold American Express card (annual fee applies), and the Platinum American Express card (higher annual fee, premium benefits). Each version earns miles at different rates and comes with different perks like free checked bags or priority boarding.
This card is designed for people who fly Delta regularly or want to accumulate miles toward future Delta travel. If you rarely fly or don't fly Delta specifically, a different rewards card might make more sense for your spending.
Key Takeaways
- Delta Points cards are issued by American Express and come in multiple versions, each with its own annual fee, earning rate, and benefits.
- You earn miles on purchases, and those miles can be used to book Delta flights, pay for upgrades, or cover other travel costs.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly Delta and whether the annual fee is offset by the perks included with your specific card version.
- Miles earned through the card do not expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once per year.
- You can transfer miles to other airline partners or use them for non-flight purchases, though flight bookings typically offer the best value.
How earning miles works on this card
Every dollar you spend on the Delta Points card earns miles. The earning rate varies by card version. The Blue card typically earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases, with bonus earning on Delta purchases and gas stations. The Gold card earns more miles per dollar on Delta purchases and certain categories like restaurants and gas. The Platinum card earns the highest rate on Delta purchases and offers additional category bonuses.
You also earn a one-time bonus of miles when you first open the card, usually after you spend a certain amount within the first few months. This sign-up bonus can be substantial — sometimes worth hundreds of dollars in travel value — but it requires you to meet a spending threshold. The specific bonus amount and spending requirement change periodically, so check the current offer before you explore.
Miles post to your Delta SkyMiles account automatically. You do not have to do anything to transfer them — they appear in your account within a few days of each purchase. Your Delta SkyMiles account is separate from your American Express account, though they are linked so miles flow directly between them.
Annual fees and whether they make sense for your situation
The Blue Delta card has no annual fee, making it the lowest-cost option. The Gold card charges an annual fee (the amount varies and changes over time). The Platinum card charges a higher annual fee but includes premium benefits like free checked bags for you and companions, priority boarding, and other perks that frequent Delta flyers value.
Whether an annual fee is worth paying depends on how much you fly and what benefits come with the card. If you fly Delta at least a few times per year, the free checked bag benefit alone can cover the annual fee — checked bags typically cost $30 to $40 per flight. Priority boarding and other perks add additional value. If you fly Delta rarely or not at all, the no-fee Blue card is the better choice.
American Express will charge your annual fee once per year, usually on the anniversary of when you opened the card. You can cancel the card before that date if you decide it is no longer worth the cost. Some cardholders cancel after the first year and reopen later to capture the sign-up bonus again, though American Express has rules about how often you can do this.
How to redeem miles for flights and other rewards
To book a flight with your miles, log into your Delta SkyMiles account online or use the Delta mobile app. Search for your flight as you normally would, but select the option to pay with miles instead of cash. The number of miles required depends on the flight's distance, the time of year, and demand — popular routes during peak travel times cost more miles than off-peak flights.
You can also use miles to upgrade an existing reservation from economy to a higher cabin, pay for seat selection, or cover baggage fees. These redemptions typically offer less value per mile than booking a full flight, so most people save their miles for actual flights when possible.
Miles can also be transferred to Delta's airline partners — other carriers that are part of the SkyMiles program. This option is useful if you need to fly a partner airline or want to combine miles from multiple sources. You can also use miles to book hotels, rental cars, or other travel through Delta's rewards portal, though these redemptions usually offer lower value than flight bookings.
What happens to your miles if you close the card
Your miles do not disappear when you close the card. They remain in your Delta SkyMiles account as long as you have account activity at least once per year. Activity includes flying Delta, earning miles through the card, or even just logging into your SkyMiles account. If you have no activity for 12 consecutive months, Delta may close your account and forfeit your miles.
This means you can close the credit card itself without losing your miles, as long as you maintain some connection to the SkyMiles program. You might fly Delta occasionally, earn miles through a different rewards card, or straightforward log in once a year to keep the account active. Many people close their Delta credit card after the first year if the annual fee is not worth it, but keep their SkyMiles account open to preserve the miles they have already earned.
Comparing the Delta card to other travel rewards options
Other credit cards also earn travel rewards, but they work differently. Some cards earn cash back instead of airline miles, which you can use however you want. Others earn points that can be transferred to multiple airlines, giving you more flexibility. A general travel rewards card might earn 2% cash back on all purchases, which could be more valuable than airline miles if you do not fly Delta regularly.
The advantage of the Delta card is that it earns miles specifically for Delta, and frequent Delta flyers get perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. The disadvantage is that miles are only useful if you fly Delta — if you prefer other airlines or fly different carriers depending on price and schedule, miles lock you into one airline.
If you fly Delta multiple times per year and value the perks that come with the card, the Delta Points card can be a strong choice. If you fly different airlines or rarely travel, a cash-back card or a flexible points card might serve you better. Consider your actual travel patterns before deciding.
How to open a Delta Points credit card account
Visit the Delta website or American Express website to view the current card offers. Each version of the card (Blue, Gold, Platinum) will show its annual fee, earning rates, and current sign-up bonus. Read the terms carefully so you understand what you are signing up for.
Click the button to open an account and fill out the process with your personal information, income, and employment details. American Express will perform a credit check and usually make a decision within minutes. If you are approved, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Once you receive the card, set up it through the American Express website or app, then link it to your Delta SkyMiles account. You can do this during the card opening process or afterward. After linking, any miles you earn will flow directly into your SkyMiles account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Delta miles expire?
Miles do not expire as long as your SkyMiles account has activity at least once per year. Activity includes flying Delta, earning miles through a credit card or other program, or logging into your account. If you have no activity for 12 consecutive months, Delta may close your account and forfeit your miles.
Can I use Delta miles to book flights for other people?
Yes. You can book flights for family members, friends, or anyone else using your miles. You will need their name and other details to complete the booking. The person flying does not need to be on your account — they just need to be the passenger on the ticket.
What is the difference between the Blue, Gold, and Platinum Delta cards?
The Blue card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on most purchases. The Gold card charges an annual fee and earns more miles on Delta purchases and certain categories. The Platinum card charges a higher annual fee but includes premium perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and higher earning rates. Choose based on how often you fly Delta and whether the perks justify the fee.
Can I earn miles on my Delta card without flying?
Yes. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, regardless of whether you fly. You can use the card for groceries, gas, restaurants, and everyday expenses, and those purchases will earn miles that you can eventually redeem for flights.
What happens if I miss a payment on my Delta credit card?
Missing a payment will result in late fees and interest charges, and it will damage your credit score. American Express will report the missed payment to credit bureaus if it is more than 30 days late. Set up automatic payments or calendar reminders to avoid missing due dates.