What happens when you request a Delta SkyMiles card

When you request a Delta SkyMiles credit card, you are asking American Express or another issuer to run a credit check and decide whether to approve you. The card comes with a welcome bonus — usually miles you can use toward flights — and ongoing rewards on purchases. Delta offers several versions of the card, each with different annual fees and benefits.

The process takes about 15 minutes to complete online. You will need your Social Security number, income information, and current address. Most decisions come back when ready or within a few business days. If you are approved, the card arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

This is not a government program and does not require income verification or proof of hardship. It is a standard credit card offer from a private company. You can only hold one version of the Delta SkyMiles card at a time, though you can switch between versions after a waiting period.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta SkyMiles cards are issued by American Express and require a credit check; approval decisions usually come within minutes or a few business days.
  • The welcome bonus is typically 10,000 to 75,000 miles depending on which card version you choose, and you must meet a spending requirement to receive it.
  • Annual fees range from $0 to $550 depending on the card tier, and some cards waive the first year.
  • You can request the card online at the American Express website or through Delta's website, and the entire process takes about 15 minutes.
  • Once approved, you can link the card to your existing SkyMiles account or create a new one during the request process.

Which Delta SkyMiles card version to choose

Delta offers four main versions of the SkyMiles card through American Express. The Blue Basic card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. The Blue card costs $95 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and restaurants, 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The Gold card costs $250 per year and adds priority boarding and checked bag waivers. The Platinum card costs $550 per year and includes lounge access and higher spending bonuses.

The welcome bonus is the biggest difference between versions. The Blue Basic offers 10,000 miles after you spend $500. The Blue offers 30,000 miles after $2,000 in spending. The Gold offers 50,000 miles after $3,000 in spending. The Platinum offers 75,000 miles after $5,000 in spending. These numbers change periodically, so check the current offer before you request.

Choose based on how much you fly and what perks matter to you. If you fly Delta once or twice a year, the no-fee Blue Basic makes sense. If you fly several times a year and want priority boarding, the Gold pays for itself through the checked bag waiver alone. If you fly frequently and value lounge access, the Platinum is built for that.

How to request the card online

Go to the American Express website or Delta's website and search for "SkyMiles credit card." You will see all four versions listed with their current welcome bonuses and annual fees. Click the button for the version you want.

You will be taken to an process form. Fill in your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Enter your annual household income and employment status. Provide your email address and phone number. American Express will ask whether you want to create a new SkyMiles account or link the card to an existing one — if you already fly Delta, link to your current account so miles post when ready.

Review the terms and conditions, then submit. American Express will run a hard inquiry on your credit report. You will see a decision on screen within minutes in most cases. If approved, you will receive a confirmation number and an estimate of when the card will arrive. If the decision is pending, you will be told to check back in a few business days.

What to do if you are not approved

If American Express declines your request, you will see the reason on screen — usually "credit score too low," "insufficient credit history," or "too many recent inquiries." You can request the card again, but doing so within 30 days will trigger another hard inquiry and may lower your score further.

If your credit score is the issue, wait 3 to 6 months and try again. Pay down existing balances, make all payments on time, and do not open other new accounts. If you have a thin credit file, consider requesting a card with a lower approval bar first — the Blue Basic is easier to get approved for than the Platinum.

You can also call American Express at the number on their website and ask whether reconsideration is possible. Sometimes a representative can override a decline if your income or credit profile has improved recently. Have your most recent pay stub or tax return ready if you call.

Linking the card to your SkyMiles account

If you created a new SkyMiles account during the request process, your card will be linked automatically. Miles will post to that account as soon as you make purchases.

If you linked to an existing account, check your SkyMiles profile online to confirm the card appears under "My Cards." Log in at delta.com, go to your account settings, and look for the credit card section. The card should show up within 24 hours of approval. If it does not, call Delta's customer service line and provide your confirmation number from the American Express process.

Once the physical card arrives, set up it by calling the number on the back or through the American Express mobile app. You can use it when ready for online purchases even before it arrives in the mail.

Meeting the spending requirement for the welcome bonus

The welcome bonus only posts to your account after you spend the required amount within a set timeframe — usually 3 months. For example, if the offer is "50,000 miles after $3,000 in spending," you must charge $3,000 to the card within 3 months of approval.

The spending requirement includes all purchases except balance transfers and cash advances. Groceries, gas, restaurants, online shopping, and bill payments all count. Some people time large purchases — like travel or home repairs — to meet the requirement quickly. Others spread purchases across 3 months by putting regular bills on the card.

If you do not meet the spending requirement by the important date, the bonus does not post. You will still earn regular miles on purchases you made, but you will miss the large welcome bonus. Check your account online or in the American Express app to see your progress toward the requirement.

Understanding the annual fee and when it renews

The annual fee posts to your account on the anniversary of your approval date each year. For the Blue card, that is $95. For the Gold, $250. For the Platinum, $550. The Blue Basic has no annual fee.

The fee posts automatically unless you cancel the card. Some versions offer a statement credit or bonus miles to offset the fee — check your welcome materials for details. If you decide the card is not worth the fee, you can cancel anytime. Call the number on the back of the card or log into your American Express account and request cancellation.

If you want to keep the card but avoid paying the fee again, you can downgrade to a lower-tier version instead of canceling. For example, you can downgrade from Gold to Blue or Blue Basic. American Express will not charge you a new annual fee when you downgrade, and you keep your existing account and miles balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for a Delta SkyMiles card?

Most decisions come back when ready when you submit the online form. If your process needs manual review, American Express will contact you within a few business days. Once approved, the physical card arrives in 7 to 10 business days, though you can use the card number for online purchases when ready.

Can I request a Delta SkyMiles card if I have bad credit?

American Express typically requires a credit score of 670 or higher, though this varies. If your score is lower, you may still be approved if you have stable income and a short credit history with no recent missed payments. The Blue Basic card has a lower approval bar than the Platinum. If you are declined, wait 3 to 6 months, improve your credit, and try again.

What happens to my miles if I cancel the card?

Your miles stay in your SkyMiles account even after you cancel the card. You can still use them to book flights or transfer them to partners. Canceling the card does not erase your account or your miles balance. You will straightforward stop earning miles on new purchases with that card.

Can I hold more than one Delta SkyMiles card at the same time?

No. American Express allows you to hold only one version of the Delta SkyMiles card at a time. If you want to switch to a different version, you must cancel your current card first or downgrade to the new version. After canceling, you can request a different version, though American Express may require you to wait 30 days.

Do I have to be a Delta frequent flyer to request the card?

No. You can request the card whether or not you have a SkyMiles account. During the request process, you can create a new account or link to an existing one. If you do not have an account yet, one will be created for you automatically, and your miles will post there as soon as you make purchases.