Delta SkyMiles cards come in three main versions from American Express

Delta offers three SkyMiles credit cards through American Express: the Blue Business, the Gold, and the Platinum. Each one earns miles on purchases and offers different perks tied to Delta flying. The main difference between them is the annual fee, the sign-up bonus structure, and which benefits matter most to your travel pattern.

All three cards earn SkyMiles on every purchase, but the earning rate and bonus categories vary. If you fly Delta regularly or want to build miles for a future trip, the card you choose depends on how much you spend, whether you want checked bag benefits, and whether the annual fee makes sense for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta offers three American Express SkyMiles cards: Blue Business (no annual fee), Gold ($99 annual fee), and Platinum ($550 annual fee), each with different earning rates and perks.
  • The Gold and Platinum cards include a free checked bag for you and one companion on Delta flights, which can save $60 to $70 per round trip if you check bags regularly.
  • Sign-up bonuses vary by card and change throughout the year, so the bonus you see today may not be the same next month.
  • All three cards earn miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending, but earning rates differ — typically 1x to 3x miles per dollar depending on the card and category.
  • You can hold more than one Delta card at the same time, which some frequent flyers do to combine benefits.

The Blue Business card has no annual fee

The Delta SkyMiles Blue Business American Express card charges no annual fee, making it the lowest-cost entry point if you want to earn Delta miles. You earn 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, with a higher earning rate on Delta purchases and American Express travel services.

This card does not include a free checked bag or priority boarding. If you fly Delta only occasionally or want to start building miles without paying an annual fee, this card works. If you fly Delta multiple times a year and check bags, the Gold or Platinum card's checked bag benefit will likely save you more money than the annual fee costs.

The Gold card includes a free checked bag and costs $99 per year

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card has a $99 annual fee and includes a free first checked bag on Delta flights for you and one companion. You earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

The checked bag benefit alone is worth $30 per person per flight. If you take two round trips per year on Delta and check a bag each time, that is $120 in checked bag fees the card covers — more than the annual fee. The Gold card also includes priority boarding, which lets you board before most other passengers and choose your seat earlier.

The Platinum card offers premium benefits for $550 per year

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card costs $550 per year and is designed for people who fly Delta frequently. You earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and airfare on other airlines, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.

This card includes the free checked bag benefit, priority boarding, and also gives you a $100 statement credit toward Delta purchases each year (which offsets part of the annual fee). You also get a companion ticket discount certificate each year, which can reduce the cost of a second ticket on a Delta flight. The Platinum card makes sense if you fly Delta at least four or five times per year and spend money on dining and travel regularly.

Sign-up bonuses change and vary by card

Each Delta card offers a sign-up bonus when you meet a spending requirement within the first few months. The bonus amount and spending threshold change throughout the year — there is no fixed offer. A bonus might be 50,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in three months on one card, while another month it could be 70,000 miles after $5,000 in six months.

The sign-up bonus is often the biggest chunk of miles you will earn in the first year, so it is worth checking what the current offer is before you open a card. You can find the current offers on the American Express website or by searching for "Delta SkyMiles credit card" to see what is being advertised right now.

How to compare these cards for your situation

Start by counting how many times you fly Delta in a year and whether you check bags. If you fly Delta fewer than two times per year and do not check bags, the Blue Business card's zero annual fee makes sense. If you fly Delta two to four times per year and check bags, the Gold card's $99 fee is likely worth it because the checked bag benefit covers it. If you fly Delta more than four times per year, spend money on dining and travel, and want premium perks, the Platinum card's benefits can justify the $550 annual fee.

You can also hold more than one Delta card. Some people carry the Gold card for the checked bag benefit and the Blue Business card for everyday spending without paying a second annual fee. Others use the Platinum card for Delta flights and dining, then use a different card for other categories. The right combination depends on your spending and flying patterns.

What happens to your miles after you open a card

Miles you earn never expire as long as your account stays active — meaning you make at least one purchase or earn one mile every 24 months. Once you have miles in your account, you can use them to book Delta flights, upgrade existing tickets, or transfer them to Delta's airline partners.

Miles are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents each when you redeem them for flights, though the value varies depending on the route and how far in advance you book. A 50,000-mile sign-up bonus is typically worth $500 to $750 in flight value, though that number changes based on which flights you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from one Delta card to another?

Yes. You can open a different Delta card and keep your existing one, or you can close one card and open another. American Express has rules about how often you can receive a sign-up bonus on the same card (usually not more than once every 24 months), so check their current policy before switching.

Do I lose my miles if I close the card?

No. Your miles stay in your SkyMiles account even after you close the credit card. As long as you use your miles or earn at least one mile every 24 months through another method, they will not expire.

What is the difference between earning miles on the card and earning miles when I fly?

You earn miles two ways: when you use the credit card for any purchase, and when you fly Delta (based on the distance or fare). Both types of miles go into the same SkyMiles account. The credit card earning is separate from your airline status or frequent flyer tier.

Are there other Delta cards from other banks?

No. American Express is the only issuer of Delta SkyMiles credit cards. If you see a Delta card from another bank, it is not a current product. American Express has had the exclusive partnership with Delta for many years.

Do I have to use the card to keep the benefits like the checked bag?

You have to keep the card open and active. For the Gold and Platinum cards, the checked bag benefit and other perks are included as long as the card account is open, regardless of how often you use it. However, if you close the card, you lose those benefits when ready.