What the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card does
The Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is a co-branded card issued by American Express in partnership with Delta Air Lines. When you use it for purchases, you earn SkyMiles — Delta's frequent flyer currency — instead of cash back. The card comes with a sign-up bonus (the amount changes by offer), an annual fee, and benefits tied to Delta travel like checked bag waivers and priority boarding.
This card is built for people who fly Delta regularly or plan to. If you rarely fly or don't fly Delta specifically, the annual fee and benefits may not justify the cost. The card works like any other credit card for everyday purchases, but the rewards structure and perks are all designed around Delta's ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- You earn SkyMiles on every purchase, with bonus earning rates on Delta tickets and certain partner merchants.
- The card charges an annual fee, and you receive a statement credit toward a Delta purchase each year to offset part of it.
- Checked bags, priority boarding, and other Delta benefits are included as cardholder perks, not something you have to earn separately.
- SkyMiles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to Delta's partner airlines, but they do not expire as long as your account stays active.
- American Express sets the credit limit and approval based on your credit history, income, and existing accounts — not Delta.
How earning SkyMiles works on this card
Every dollar you spend on the card earns SkyMiles at a base rate. The exact earning rate depends on which version of the card you hold — there are several tiers (Blue, Gold, Platinum, Reserve). Higher tiers earn more miles per dollar but charge higher annual fees.
You earn bonus miles in specific categories: Delta tickets purchased directly from Delta earn at a higher rate, and so do purchases at restaurants, hotels, and gas stations (the bonus categories vary by card tier). Purchases outside these categories still earn miles, just at the base rate. Miles post to your SkyMiles account within a few days of the transaction clearing.
The sign-up bonus is a one-time award of miles you receive after you meet a spending threshold within a set timeframe — usually three to six months. This bonus is often the largest chunk of miles new cardholders receive. After that, you earn miles only through regular spending and occasional promotions American Express or Delta runs.
Annual fees and the statement credit
The Delta SkyMiles Card charges an annual fee that varies by tier. The Blue and Gold versions charge less than the Platinum and Reserve versions. This fee appears on your statement once per year, usually on your card anniversary.
To offset the fee, American Express gives you a statement credit each year that you can use toward any Delta purchase — a ticket, seat upgrade, baggage fee, or seat selection. The credit amount is typically $50 to $100 depending on the card tier, so it reduces but does not eliminate the annual cost. You have to use the credit within the calendar year or it expires; it does not roll over.
Whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly Delta and whether you use the annual credit. If you fly Delta at least once or twice a year and use the credit, the net cost of the card is lower. If you don't fly or rarely use the credit, the annual fee is a pure cost.
Cardholder benefits beyond earning miles
The card includes several perks that explore automatically when you hold it. The first checked bag on Delta flights is free for you and up to two companions on the same ticket. This alone can save $35 to $70 per round trip if you normally check luggage.
You also get priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers. Seat selection fees are waived, so you can pick your seat without paying extra. These benefits explore every time you fly Delta on a ticket purchased with the card or with miles from the card.
Higher-tier cards add more perks: complimentary upgrades, lounge access, or travel credits. The Reserve tier, for example, includes access to Delta Sky Club lounges and a higher annual travel credit. These extras come with higher annual fees, so you should compare what you actually use against what you pay.
How to redeem your SkyMiles
SkyMiles can be used to book Delta flights directly through Delta's website or app. You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, pay for baggage fees, or cover seat selection charges. The number of miles required for a flight varies based on the route, time of year, and demand — the same flight might cost 25,000 miles in off-season and 50,000 miles during peak travel.
You can transfer SkyMiles to Delta's airline partners at a 1:1 ratio, which sometimes offers better value on certain routes. Partners include Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and others. Transfers are permanent and cannot be reversed, so research the redemption rate before you transfer.
Miles do not expire as long as your SkyMiles account remains active. Account activity includes earning or redeeming miles, so even if you don't fly for a year, your miles stay in your account as long as you keep the card open or have miles activity from another source.
Credit approval and how the process works
To get the card, you submit an process through American Express's website or Delta's website. American Express reviews your credit report, income, and existing accounts to decide whether to approve you and what credit limit to offer. There is no minimum credit score published, but approval typically requires good to excellent credit (usually 670 or higher).
The process takes a few minutes and asks for your name, address, income, employment, and Social Security number. American Express performs a hard inquiry on your credit, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. If you are approved, the card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, you can call American Express to ask why and whether you can reapply after addressing the issue. You can also request reconsideration if your circumstances have changed since you applied. Reapplying when ready after a denial rarely succeeds, so wait at least a few weeks.
Comparing this card to other Delta cards and alternatives
American Express offers multiple Delta SkyMiles cards at different tiers. The Blue card is the entry-level option with the lowest annual fee and lowest earning rates. The Gold card earns more miles per dollar and includes more perks. The Platinum and Reserve cards are premium options with higher fees and more benefits like lounge access and upgrade certificates.
If you don't fly Delta or fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card (like the American Express Blue Cash or Chase Sapphire) might be better. Those cards earn cash back or flexible points that work across many airlines, not just Delta. The trade-off is that you lose the Delta-specific perks like free checked bags.
If you fly Delta frequently and value the perks, the card can pay for itself through the checked bag waiver and annual credit alone. If you fly occasionally or split your travel across airlines, a general rewards card may offer more value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the annual statement credit or does it disappear?
The credit expires at the end of the calendar year if you don't use it. It applies automatically to any Delta purchase you make with the card — a ticket, upgrade, baggage fee, or seat selection. You don't have to do anything special to claim it, but you do have to make a Delta purchase before December 31 or the credit is lost.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your SkyMiles account and don't disappear when you close the card. However, your account can become inactive if you have no miles activity for 24 months, at which point the miles may be forfeited. Keeping the card open or earning miles from flights keeps your account active.
Can I earn miles on purchases made with someone else's card?
No. Miles are earned only on purchases you make with your own card. If you add an authorized user to your account, purchases they make with their card also earn miles toward your account. But purchases on someone else's card don't earn miles for you.
Is there a limit to how many SkyMiles I can earn or redeem?
There is no published cap on earning or redemption. You can accumulate as many miles as you want, and you can redeem them for as many flights as you want. The only limit is the availability of award seats on the flights you want to book.
What if I have a balance on the card when my annual fee posts?
The annual fee is separate from your balance. It posts to your account and you owe it along with any other charges. If you carry a balance, you'll pay interest on the entire balance including the fee. The annual statement credit applies to future Delta purchases, not to paying down the balance.