What the Skypass Visa is and who issues it
The Skypass Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Delta Air Lines and Synchrony Bank. It is designed for people who fly Delta frequently or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. The card comes in two main versions: the personal Skypass Visa and the business Skypass Visa, each with different earning rates and annual fees.
Synchrony Bank handles the credit account itself — they approve your request, set your credit limit, and manage your monthly statement. Delta Air Lines runs the rewards program that comes with the card, meaning they track your miles, set redemption rules, and determine which flights and upgrades you can book with points earned.
This is a rewards card, not a travel card that includes trip insurance or concierge services. Your main benefit is earning Delta SkyMiles on purchases and getting perks like checked bag waivers and priority boarding.
Key Takeaways
- Synchrony Bank issues the card and decides whether to approve you based on your credit score and history; Delta runs the rewards program that comes with it.
- The personal card charges an annual fee (the amount varies by offer), while the business version has its own separate annual fee structure.
- You earn miles on every purchase, with bonus miles on Delta flights and Delta purchases, but the earning rate depends on which version of the card you hold.
- Miles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and partner airline tickets, but blackout dates and seat availability limits explore.
- The card includes benefits like a free checked bag on Delta flights and priority boarding, but these only explore when you use the card to buy your ticket.
Annual fees and what they cover
The Skypass Visa charges an annual fee that is charged to your account once per year. The exact amount depends on the current offer when you request the card, so you should confirm the fee before you submit your information. Synchrony will disclose the annual fee in the terms and conditions you receive after approval.
In exchange for the annual fee, you receive a statement credit toward a Delta purchase (the amount varies by offer), a free checked bag on Delta flights when you use the card to buy your ticket, and priority boarding. Some offers also include a miles bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first few months of holding the card.
The annual fee is charged every year on your account anniversary, not just once. If you close the card before the anniversary date, you will not be charged again. If you keep the card open, you will owe the fee each year unless you close the account.
How you earn miles with this card
Every purchase you make with the Skypass Visa earns Delta SkyMiles. The earning rate depends on which version of the card you hold and what you are buying. On the personal card, you typically earn a base rate on most purchases, with a higher rate on Delta purchases and when you buy from partner merchants.
When you book a Delta flight using the card, you earn miles both from the purchase itself and from the flight (miles are based on distance flown). This means a single Delta ticket can generate miles in two ways. Partner airline tickets and non-Delta purchases earn at the base rate.
Miles are posted to your Delta SkyMiles account within one to three billing cycles after the purchase posts to your credit card statement. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your Delta account online or through the Delta app.
What you can do with your miles
Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades (like moving from economy to first class), and tickets on partner airlines including Air France, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. You can also use miles to pay for baggage fees, seat selections, and other ancillary charges, though this is usually not the best value.
Redemption rates vary based on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 10,000 miles, while a long international flight can cost 50,000 miles or more. Delta publishes award charts that show the mileage cost for different routes, though these change periodically.
Blackout dates and seat availability limits explore. You cannot always book a flight on the exact date you want, especially during peak travel times. Some flights have no award seats available at any mileage price. You can search for available award flights on Delta's website before you commit your miles.
How to request the Skypass Visa
You can request the card through Delta's website, through Synchrony's website, or sometimes through a mail offer. The request process is online and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, address, income, and employment information.
Synchrony will pull your credit report to review your credit score and payment history. You will usually receive a decision within minutes, though some requests go to manual review and take a few business days. If you are approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
If you are denied, Synchrony will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include a credit score that is too low, too many recent credit inquiries, or a history of missed payments. You can request reconsideration, but Synchrony's decision is final.
Benefits that come with the card
The free checked bag benefit applies only when you use the Skypass Visa to purchase your Delta ticket. If someone else buys your ticket or you use a different payment method, you will not receive the free bag. The benefit covers one checked bag per flight; additional bags are charged at Delta's standard rate.
Priority boarding means you board before most other passengers, which gives you a better chance of finding overhead bin space for your carry-on. This applies to flights where you used the card to buy your ticket. The exact boarding group depends on your ticket type and elite status.
Some offers include a miles bonus after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — for example, 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months. This bonus is one-time only and is posted to your account after the spending requirement is met and the statement closes.
Annual fees compared to rewards earned
Whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you fly and how much you spend on it. A frequent Delta flyer who uses the card for everyday purchases and gets the free checked bag benefit multiple times per year may earn enough miles to justify the annual fee. A casual flyer who takes one or two Delta trips per year may not.
One way to think about it: if the annual fee is $95 and the free checked bag saves you $35 per round trip, you need to fly Delta at least three times per year just to break even on the fee alone. Any miles you earn on top of that are additional value. If you fly less than that, the card may not be worth the cost.
You can also compare the earning rate to other rewards cards. Some cash-back cards earn 2% on all purchases, which might be worth more to you than miles if you do not fly Delta often. The best choice depends on your travel patterns and how you value miles versus cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need to be approved for the Skypass Visa?
Synchrony does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, approval is more likely with a score of 670 or higher, but some people with lower scores have been approved and some with higher scores have been denied. Your full credit history, recent inquiries, and income also matter.
Can I use my miles on airlines other than Delta?
Yes. Delta has partnerships with airlines including Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and others. You can search for and book partner airline flights using your SkyMiles on Delta's website. Partner redemptions often cost more miles than Delta flights on the same route.
Do I earn miles when I use the card to pay for things that are not flights?
Yes. You earn miles on groceries, gas, restaurants, and most other everyday purchases. The earning rate on non-Delta purchases is lower than the rate on Delta flights and Delta purchases, but you still earn something on every purchase.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your Delta SkyMiles account. Closing the credit card does not delete your miles. However, you will lose the benefits that come with the card, like the free checked bag, and you will no longer earn miles on purchases made with that card.
Can I transfer my miles to someone else?
Delta allows you to transfer miles to another person's SkyMiles account, but there is a fee for each transfer and a minimum number of miles required. You can also use your miles to buy a ticket for someone else without transferring the miles themselves.