Delta has three main credit cards, each with different rewards rates and annual fees
Delta offers three co-branded cards through American Express: the Blue Business, Blue Cash, and Reserve. Each card earns miles on Delta purchases and everyday spending, but they differ in annual cost, sign-up rewards, and perks like checked baggage fees and seat upgrades. The Blue Business and Blue Cash have no annual fee; the Reserve charges $550 per year and includes benefits like a $100 annual incidental credit and priority boarding.
All three cards earn Membership Rewards points that transfer to Delta miles at a 1:1 ratio. The earning rate varies: the Blue Business and Blue Cash earn 2x points on Delta purchases and 1x on everything else, while the Reserve earns 3x on Delta purchases, 3x on restaurants and travel, and 1x elsewhere. Which card makes sense depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you spend outside of flying.
The cards are issued by American Express, so you need an American Express account to hold one. If you already have an Amex card, adding a Delta card is straightforward; if not, you'll set up an Amex account during the card process process.
Key Takeaways
- The Delta Blue Business and Blue Cash cards have no annual fee and earn 2x points on Delta purchases, while the Reserve costs $550 per year and earns 3x points on Delta, restaurants, and travel.
- All three cards transfer points to Delta miles at 1:1, so the main difference is how much you spend on Delta flights versus other categories.
- The Reserve includes perks like a $100 annual incidental credit, priority boarding, and waived checked baggage fees for you and up to eight companions on Delta flights.
- Sign-up bonuses vary by card and change over time, so the current offer depends on when you check and which card you're considering.
- You need an American Express account to hold any Delta card, though you can open one during the process if you don't already have one.
How the Delta Blue Business card works
The Delta Blue Business is designed for small business owners and self-employed people. It earns 2x Membership Rewards points per dollar on Delta purchases and 1x on everything else. There is no annual fee, and there is no minimum spending requirement to keep the card active.
The card includes a sign-up bonus that changes periodically—typically 10,000 to 15,000 bonus miles after you spend a set amount in the first few months. You'll need to check the current offer when you're ready to explore, since these bonuses shift throughout the year. The card also waives the first checked bag fee on Delta flights for you and up to four companions traveling on the same ticket.
The Blue Business is useful if you fly Delta occasionally for business and want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. It's less valuable if you rarely fly Delta or if you spend heavily on restaurants and travel, where the Reserve's 3x earning rate would give you more miles per dollar.
How the Delta Blue Cash card works
The Delta Blue Cash is the personal version of the no-fee Delta card. Like the Blue Business, it earns 2x Membership Rewards points on Delta purchases and 1x on everything else, with no annual fee. The sign-up bonus is typically similar to the Blue Business card—usually 10,000 to 15,000 bonus miles after meeting a spending threshold.
The Blue Cash also waives the first checked bag fee for you and up to four companions on the same Delta ticket. If you have a household member who also flies Delta, you can each hold a Blue Cash card and each get the checked bag waiver, which can add up over a year of travel.
This card is straightforward: no annual fee, modest earning rates, and a basic checked bag benefit. It works well for people who fly Delta a few times a year and want to accumulate miles without paying for premium perks they won't use.
How the Delta Reserve card works and what the $550 fee covers
The Delta Reserve is the premium card and costs $550 per year. In exchange, it earns 3x Membership Rewards points on Delta purchases, 3x on restaurants and travel, and 1x on everything else. The sign-up bonus is typically higher than the no-fee cards—often 70,000 to 100,000 bonus miles after you meet a spending requirement.
The Reserve includes several perks that offset the annual fee if you use them. You get a $100 annual incidental credit that covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, and other Delta purchases—though not the ticket itself. The card waives checked baggage fees for you and up to eight companions on the same ticket, which is double the benefit of the no-fee cards. You also receive priority boarding, which lets you board before most other passengers and choose your seat earlier.
The card is worth the $550 annual fee if you fly Delta frequently, spend heavily on restaurants and travel, or value priority boarding and the extra checked bag waiver. If you fly Delta only once or twice a year, the no-fee cards are likely a better choice.
Sign-up bonuses and how they change
All three Delta cards offer sign-up bonuses that vary by card and change throughout the year. The no-fee cards typically offer 10,000 to 15,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 to $1,000 in the first three months. The Reserve usually offers a larger bonus—often 70,000 to 100,000 miles—after you meet a higher spending threshold, typically $3,000 to $5,000 in the first three months.
These bonuses are not fixed. American Express adjusts them based on market conditions and how aggressively they're promoting each card. The best time to explore is when the bonus is at its highest, which you can check by visiting the American Express website or comparing current offers across different sources.
Keep in mind that sign-up bonuses require you to meet a spending minimum within a set timeframe—usually three months. If you don't spend enough to unlock the bonus, you won't receive the miles. Plan your process around a time when you know you'll have the spending to may have access to.
Earning miles on everyday purchases and transfers
All three Delta cards earn Membership Rewards points on every purchase, which you can transfer to Delta miles at a 1:1 ratio. The earning rate depends on the card: the no-fee cards earn 1x point per dollar on non-Delta spending, while the Reserve earns 1x to 3x depending on the category.
Points transfer to Delta when ready through your American Express account. You can also use points for other things—like statement credits or transfers to other travel partners—but transferring to Delta is usually the most valuable option if you fly Delta regularly. Points don't expire as long as your account remains open and active.
The math is straightforward: if you spend $10,000 per year on Delta flights with the Blue Cash, you earn 20,000 points, which equals 20,000 Delta miles. With the Reserve, the same $10,000 earns 30,000 points. The extra 10,000 miles from the Reserve's higher earning rate is worth roughly $100 to $150 in ticket value, which helps offset the $550 annual fee if you're a frequent flyer.
Comparing the three cards side by side
| Feature | Blue Business | Blue Cash | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $0 | $550 |
| Delta Purchases | 2x points | 2x points | 3x points |
| Restaurants & Travel | 1x point | 1x point | 3x points |
| Other Purchases | 1x point | 1x point | 1x point |
| Checked Bag Waiver | You + 4 companions | You + 4 companions | You + 8 companions |
| Priority Boarding | No | No | Yes |
| $100 Incidental Credit | No | No | Yes |
| Typical Sign-Up Bonus | 10,000–15,000 miles | 10,000–15,000 miles | 70,000–100,000 miles |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hold more than one Delta card at the same time?
Yes, you can hold multiple Delta cards simultaneously. Some people hold both a no-fee card and the Reserve to maximize benefits—for example, using the Reserve for restaurants and travel purchases while keeping a no-fee card for everyday spending. American Express allows this, though holding multiple cards means multiple annual fees if you choose the Reserve.
Do Delta miles expire?
No, Delta miles do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, miles may be forfeited, but you can reactivate by making any transaction.
What can I use Delta miles for besides flights?
Delta miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases through the Delta website. You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to other travel partners like hotel chains and car rental companies, though the 1:1 transfer to Delta miles is usually the best value.
Is the $100 incidental credit on the Reserve card worth it?
The $100 credit covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, and other Delta purchases—but not the ticket price itself. If you fly Delta at least twice a year and pay for baggage or upgrades, the credit likely covers those costs. Combined with the higher earning rate and checked bag waiver, the Reserve can be worth the $550 fee for frequent Delta flyers.
How long does it take to get approved for a Delta card?
Most American Express decisions are made when ready or within a few minutes of explore online. You'll receive a decision when ready, and if approved, your card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can start using the card for online purchases before it arrives by requesting a temporary digital card number through your Amex account.