What Delta SkyMiles credit cards do
Delta SkyMiles credit cards let you earn miles toward flights, seat upgrades, and other rewards when you use the card to pay for purchases. You earn miles on every dollar spent, and the card issuer — American Express or Delta Bank, depending on which card — handles the rewards program. The miles stay in your SkyMiles account and you can use them to book flights on Delta or partner airlines, or to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel costs.
These are not free cards. Most versions charge an annual fee that ranges from $0 to $550 depending on which card you choose. In return, higher-tier cards offer perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, statement credits for certain purchases, and companion ticket certificates. The trade-off is straightforward: you pay a fee upfront, and the card issuer gives you specific benefits to offset it.
Delta offers several SkyMiles cards at different fee levels. The Blue American Express card has no annual fee. The Gold American Express card charges $99 per year. The Platinum American Express card charges $550 per year. Delta Bank also issues a card with no annual fee. Which card makes sense depends on how often you fly Delta and whether the perks cover the cost.
Key Takeaways
- Delta SkyMiles cards earn miles on every purchase, but most versions charge an annual fee between $0 and $550.
- Higher-fee cards include perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and statement credits that may offset the annual cost if you fly frequently.
- You need a credit score in the good to excellent range (typically 670 or higher) to be approved for most Delta cards.
- Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months, but redeeming them for flights requires advance planning because award availability is limited.
- The card issuer (American Express or Delta Bank) handles customer service, billing, and disputes — not Delta Airlines directly.
Annual fees and what they cover
The no-annual-fee cards — the Blue American Express and the Delta Bank card — are the entry point if you want to earn miles without paying a yearly cost. You earn miles on purchases and get basic perks like a free first checked bag on Delta flights. If you fly Delta only once or twice a year, a no-fee card may be all you need.
The Gold American Express card costs $99 per year and adds benefits: a $100 statement credit toward Delta purchases each year, priority boarding, and a free checked bag. If you use the $100 credit and fly Delta at least twice a year, the fee often pays for itself. The card also gives you miles on dining and gas purchases at a higher rate than the no-fee version.
The Platinum American Express card costs $550 per year and is designed for frequent Delta flyers. It includes a $200 annual statement credit for Delta purchases, a companion ticket certificate (a free round-trip ticket for someone else on your ticket), priority boarding, and free checked bags for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. The companion certificate alone can be worth $300 to $500 if you use it, which is why this card targets people who fly Delta multiple times per year.
How to earn and redeem miles
You earn miles on every dollar you spend with the card. The rate depends on the card and the type of purchase. For example, the Gold American Express card earns 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and dining, 1 mile per dollar on gas and parking, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The no-fee Blue card earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. Higher spending categories mean you accumulate miles faster if you use the card for those purchases regularly.
Miles sit in your SkyMiles account and do not expire as long as you have some account activity — a flight, a credit card purchase, or a partner transaction — at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years, miles may be forfeited, but you can reactivate the account by earning or transferring miles.
To redeem miles for a flight, you log into your SkyMiles account and search for award flights. The number of miles required depends on the route, the airline (Delta or a partner), and how far in advance you book. A short domestic flight might cost 5,000 to 7,500 miles, while a long international flight might cost 50,000 to 100,000 miles or more. Award seats are limited, so popular routes and travel dates sell out quickly. You can also use miles to pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or to transfer miles to a travel partner.
Credit score and approval requirements
To be approved for a Delta SkyMiles card, you typically need a credit score of 670 or higher. American Express and Delta Bank both pull your credit report when you submit an process, and they review your credit history, income, and existing debt to decide whether to approve you. If your score is lower, you may be denied or offered a different card with a lower credit requirement.
The process itself takes a few minutes online. You provide your name, address, income, employment status, and Social Security number. The card issuer runs a hard inquiry on your credit, which can temporarily lower your score by a few points. You usually get a decision within minutes or a few business days.
If you are approved, the physical card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can often use the card number to make purchases online before the physical card arrives. If you are denied, you can call the issuer to ask why and whether you can reapply after improving your credit score or reducing existing debt.
Comparing the Delta card options
| Card | Annual Fee | Annual Statement Credit | Companion Ticket | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue American Express | $0 | None | No | Occasional Delta flyers who want miles without paying a fee |
| Gold American Express | $99 | $100 toward Delta | No | Moderate Delta flyers who want perks that offset the fee |
| Platinum American Express | $550 | $200 toward Delta | Yes, annually | Frequent Delta flyers who use the companion ticket and priority benefits |
| Delta Bank Card | $0 | None | No | Occasional flyers who prefer a bank card over American Express |
How miles compare to cash back
Delta SkyMiles cards earn miles, not cash back. The value of a mile depends on how you redeem it. If you book a $300 flight and pay 30,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1 cent. But if you book a $600 flight and pay 40,000 miles, each mile is worth about 1.5 cents. The value fluctuates based on the specific flight and route you choose.
Cash back cards, by contrast, give you a fixed percentage back on purchases — typically 1% to 2% — which you can use for anything. A 2% cash back card on a $1,000 purchase gives you $20. A miles card earning 1 mile per dollar on the same purchase gives you 1,000 miles, which might be worth $10 to $20 depending on how you redeem them.
The advantage of miles is that they can be worth more if you book premium flights or travel during peak times. The disadvantage is that award availability is limited and you cannot use miles for non-travel expenses. If you value flexibility and simplicity, a cash back card may suit you better. If you fly Delta regularly and want to accumulate toward free flights or upgrades, a miles card makes more sense.
What happens after you are approved
Once your card arrives, you set up it by calling the number on the back or logging into your online account. Your miles start posting to your SkyMiles account within 1 to 3 business days of each purchase. You can check your balance anytime by logging into SkyMiles.com or the Delta app.
Annual fees post to your card on the anniversary of your approval date each year. If you have a card with a statement credit (Gold or Platinum), that credit also posts on the anniversary. You can use the credit to pay for Delta flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees through your SkyMiles account or at the airport.
If you decide to close the card, your miles remain in your SkyMiles account as long as you have account activity elsewhere — a flight, another credit card, or a transfer. Closing the card does not erase your miles, but it does mean you stop earning miles on purchases with that card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Delta miles on airlines other than Delta?
Yes. Delta is part of the SkyTeam alliance, which includes Air France, KLM, and other carriers. You can redeem miles for flights on partner airlines, though the mile cost may be higher than a Delta flight on the same route. You can also transfer miles to partner loyalty programs, though the transfer rate is usually not favorable.
What if I do not use the annual statement credit before my next billing date?
The credit expires on your next anniversary date if you do not use it. It does not roll over to the following year. If you have a Gold or Platinum card, plan to use the credit before your anniversary so you do not lose it.
Do I earn miles on the annual fee itself?
No. The annual fee is a charge from the card issuer, not a purchase, so it does not earn miles. However, any statement credits (like the $100 on the Gold card) reduce the net cost of the fee.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
It depends on how much you spend and which card you have. If you earn 1 mile per dollar and spend $5,000 per year, you earn 5,000 miles — enough for a short domestic award flight. If you spend $10,000 per year and earn 2 miles per dollar on some purchases, you could earn 15,000 to 20,000 miles annually. Most people combine credit card miles with miles earned from actual flights to reach higher redemption goals faster.
What if my card is lost or stolen?
Call the number on the back of your card or log into your online account to report it when ready. The card issuer will cancel the card and send you a replacement. Your miles stay in your SkyMiles account and are not affected by a lost or stolen card.