A Delta Member card is a co-branded credit card issued by American Express that earns rewards on Delta Air Lines purchases and everyday spending

Delta Member cards come in several versions — the basic Delta SkyMiles card, the Gold version, and the Platinum version — each with different earning rates, annual fees, and perks. All of them are tied to Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program, which means the miles you earn on the card go directly into your SkyMiles account. You can use those miles to book flights, upgrade seats, or pay for other travel expenses through Delta.

The card itself functions as a standard American Express credit card for everyday purchases. You can use it anywhere American Express is accepted, and you'll earn SkyMiles on those purchases at a rate that depends on which version of the card you hold. The main difference between the versions is how much you earn, what benefits come with the card, and whether there's an annual fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta Member cards earn SkyMiles on both Delta purchases and everyday spending, with earning rates that vary by card version.
  • The basic Delta SkyMiles card has no annual fee, while the Gold and Platinum versions charge annual fees but offer higher earning rates and additional benefits.
  • You must have a Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer account to use the card, and miles post to that account automatically.
  • The card includes benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and statement credits that vary depending on which version you hold.
  • Miles earned on the card never expire as long as your SkyMiles account remains active, even if you close the credit card.

The three versions and what they cost

The Delta SkyMiles card (the basic version) has no annual fee. You earn 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, plus a one-time bonus of miles when you first open the account. This card is the entry point if you want to earn miles without paying a yearly cost.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card charges an annual fee (the amount varies and changes periodically). In return, you earn 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You also get a statement credit toward a Delta purchase each year, and benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding on Delta flights.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card has a higher annual fee than the Gold card. You earn 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases, 2 miles per dollar on restaurants and travel, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The Platinum card includes the same free checked bags and priority boarding as the Gold card, plus additional perks like a higher annual statement credit and lounge access on Delta flights.

Whether the annual fee makes sense depends on how much you fly and spend on Delta. If you fly Delta several times a year, the free checked bags alone can save you money. If you rarely fly, the no-fee basic card may be the better choice.

How to open a Delta Member card account

You start by going to the American Express website or Delta's website and finding the card offer you want. You'll need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, and income information. American Express will check your credit and make a decision, usually within minutes.

Once you're approved, you'll need to set up the card when it arrives. You can do this through the American Express website or mobile app. At that point, you should also make sure you have a Delta SkyMiles frequent flyer account set up. If you don't already have one, you can create it on Delta's website for free. Link your new credit card to your SkyMiles account so that miles earned on the card post automatically.

Some card offers include a sign-up bonus — a large number of miles awarded after you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe (usually three to six months). Read the offer terms carefully to understand what spending is required and when the bonus will post to your account.

How miles are earned and used

Every time you use your Delta Member card, you earn miles based on the card version and the type of purchase. The miles appear in your SkyMiles account within a few days. You can check your balance anytime by logging into your SkyMiles account on Delta's website or mobile app.

Miles can be used to book flights on Delta and its partner airlines, upgrade existing reservations to a higher cabin, or pay for other travel-related expenses like seat selections or baggage fees. You can also transfer miles to hotel and car rental partners, though the value is usually better when you use them for flights.

One important detail: miles earned through the credit card do not expire as long as your SkyMiles account stays active. Even if you close the credit card, the miles remain in your account. However, if your SkyMiles account itself becomes inactive (usually after three years with no activity), Delta may close it and you could lose the miles.

Annual fees and whether they pay for themselves

The Gold and Platinum cards both charge annual fees, but they also come with benefits that can offset that cost. The most valuable benefit for frequent Delta flyers is the free checked bag. If you fly Delta twice a year, that's two free checked bags per trip — four bags total — which would otherwise cost $35 to $40 per bag with Delta.

Both cards also include a statement credit that you can use toward Delta purchases. This credit is typically $50 to $100 per year, depending on the card version. If you use this credit, it directly reduces the cost of your annual fee.

To decide whether the annual fee is worth it, add up what you'd spend on checked bags, seat selections, and other Delta purchases in a year. If that total is higher than the annual fee plus the statement credit, the card likely pays for itself. If you rarely fly Delta or never check bags, the basic no-fee card is the better choice.

How the card works with your Delta account

Your Delta Member credit card is separate from your SkyMiles frequent flyer account, but they work together. When you open the card, American Express and Delta link them so that miles earned on the card automatically post to your SkyMiles account. You don't have to do anything — it happens in the background.

You can earn miles in multiple ways: by using the credit card, by flying Delta flights, by staying at partner hotels, by renting cars from partner companies, and by shopping through Delta's online mall. All of these miles go into the same SkyMiles account, so they add up toward your next flight or upgrade.

If you have a co-branded card with another airline, you can keep both. Your miles stay separate — Delta miles in your SkyMiles account, and the other airline's miles in their account. You cannot combine or transfer miles between different airline programs.

What happens if you close the card

If you decide to close your Delta Member credit card, the miles you've earned stay in your SkyMiles account. You don't lose them. However, you'll stop earning miles on new purchases made with that card, and you'll lose any benefits that came with it (like free checked bags and priority boarding).

Some people close their card after earning a sign-up bonus, then reopen it later to earn another bonus. American Express has rules about how often you can do this — typically you need to wait a certain period between applications — so check their current policy before you plan to reapply.

If you want to keep earning miles on Delta purchases but don't want to pay the annual fee, you can downgrade to the basic no-fee card instead of closing the account entirely. This keeps your account open and your miles active while eliminating the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Delta SkyMiles account before I open the credit card?

You don't need one beforehand, but you'll need to create one before the miles from your card can post. You can create a free SkyMiles account on Delta's website anytime. If you already have one, just link your new card to it during the set up process.

Can I earn miles on the annual fee itself?

No. Annual fees do not earn miles. Only purchases and sign-up bonuses earn miles. However, the statement credit that comes with the Gold and Platinum cards can be used on Delta purchases, which would then earn miles.

What's the difference between the Gold and Platinum cards?

The Platinum card has a higher annual fee but earns more miles on Delta purchases (3 miles per dollar instead of 2) and on restaurants and travel (2 miles per dollar instead of 1). It also includes a larger annual statement credit and additional perks like lounge access. Choose the Platinum if you spend heavily on Delta and travel; choose the Gold if you fly Delta regularly but want lower earning rates and a lower fee.

Can I use my Delta Member card outside the United States?

Yes. American Express cards work internationally wherever American Express is accepted. You'll earn miles on those purchases just as you would in the U.S. Be aware that American Express may charge a foreign transaction fee (usually around 2.7%) on purchases made outside the U.S., so check your card terms.

What if I have a balance on my Delta Member card?

Your Delta Member card is a credit card, not a debit card. If you carry a balance, you'll be charged interest on that balance. To avoid interest, pay your full statement balance by the due date each month. Miles are earned on all purchases regardless of whether you pay the balance in full, but carrying a balance costs more in interest than the miles are typically worth.