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Best Delta Credit Cards for 2024

Review Updated
Brittney Myers
Author: Brittney Myers
Brittney Myers
Brittney Myers
Writer

Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Regular Delta flyers can get a ton of value out of the best Delta credit cards. In partnership with American Express, Delta offers a range of cards for all types of flyers. Whether you're a twice-a-year tourist or a back-and-forth bustler, the right card can make all the difference.

  • Our team of experts reviewed over 260 credit cards
  • We evaluate all credit cards across the same 4 key criteria: value, welcome experience, fees, and perks
  • Our credit card ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • If we wouldn't recommend an offer to a close family member, we won't recommend it to you

Top Delta credit cards at a glance

Ratings Methodology

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Great for: Lounge access

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

1X-3X miles

Annual Fee

$650

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

70,000 Bonus Miles

  • This card comes with huge perks if you are a loyal Delta customer. The annual fee pays for itself in a hurry if you are able to take advantage of all this card has to offer. Read Full Review

    • Welcome offer
    • Airport lounge access
    • Companion certificate
    • Travel credits
    • Free checked bag
    • Annual fee
    • Lounge access limitations
    • Lackluster purchase rewards
    • Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
    • Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
    • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
    • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
    • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
    • Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
    • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
    • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • $650 Annual Fee.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, purchase protection warranty, baggage insurance plan, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. • Trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Great for: Earning Delta miles

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

1X-2X Miles

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

50,000 Bonus Miles

  • A budget-friendly option for earning Delta miles. The benefits easily outweigh the annual fee if you fly with Delta regularly. Read Full Review

    • Welcome offer
    • Free checked bag
    • Priority boarding
    • Earn a Flight Credit
    • Annual fee
    • No premium travel benefits
    • Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $150.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • $200 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
    • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
    • You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
    • Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • $100 Delta Stays Credit: Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit after using your Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
    • Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
    • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, purchase protection warranty, baggage insurance plan, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Great for: Baggage benefits

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

1X-3X Miles

Annual Fee

$350

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 Bonus Miles

  • The welcome offer, bonus miles categories, and Delta perks make this card's annual fee worth it if you fly on the carrier regularly. Read Full Review

    • Welcome offer
    • Free checked bag
    • Companion certificate
    • Travel credit
    • Annual fee
    • No complimentary airport lounge access
    • Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
    • Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
    • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
    • Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
    • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
    • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
    • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
    • $120 Resy Credit: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 back each month in statement credits.
    • $120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
    • You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
    • Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
    • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
    • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • $350 Annual Fee.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Cell phone protection, purchase protection, baggage insurance, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
 • Extended warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Great for: Overall value

Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: n/a

Balance Transfers: n/a

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

1X-2X Miles

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

10,000 bonus miles

  • Delta's most basic card option is suitable for travelers who don't want to pay an annual fee. But the perks are limited compared to most travel cards. Read Full Review

    • No annual fee
    • Bonus miles on Delta and restaurant purchases
    • Statement credit on in-flight purchases
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No free checked bag
    • Mediocre rewards rate
    • Small welcome offer
    • Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
    • No Annual Fee.
    • Earn 2X Miles per dollar at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
    • Earn 2X Miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases, and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
    • Pay with Miles: take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
    • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
    • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
    • Terms Apply.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Benefits of Delta credit cards

As with all the best credit cards, the exact benefits you get from your Delta credit card depend on which card you select. Here's a look at some of the possibilities.

  • Earn Delta miles on purchases
  • No foreign transaction fee: The Delta credit cards on this list come with 0% foreign transaction fees. You won't be charged extra for purchases made in another country or currency.
  • In-flight savings: Save up to 20% on in-flight purchases like food, beverages, and audio headsets. Savings are in the form of a statement credit.
  • Free checked bag: Several Delta credit cards give cardholders one free checked bag on domestic Delta flights.
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Get reimbursed with a statement credit when you purchase and enroll in a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Credits are available every four years for Global Entry and every four and a half years for TSA PreCheck.
  • Annual companion certificate: Flying with a friend? Some Delta cards come with a companion certificate good for a free domestic ticket. You can earn a certificate each year of card membership after your anniversary. Taxes and other fees may apply.
  • Delta SkyClub®: Enjoy discounted or complimentary access to Delta SkyClub® airport lounges. Some Delta cards also come with complimentary Centurion Lounge® access.
  • American Express cardholder benefits: Due to the partnership with American Express, Delta's credit cards also come with several American Express benefits. This can include things like access to the Global Assist Hotline, American Express Offers & Benefits portal, and American Express Presales.

Although Delta offers a travel credit card with no annual fee, you may need to pay an annual fee to access the best benefits. Annual fees can range from zero up to $550 a year.

Do Delta credit cards have an annual fee?

All of the best Delta credit cards have an annual fee except for one. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the only Delta credit card without an annual fee (see rates and fees). It also has the fewest perks. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card does not come with a free checked bag.

Annual fees on Delta credit cards cover a range of values. Mid-tier cards come with $99 to $250 annual fees. The highest annual fee is $650 for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (see rates and fees).

While a $650 annual fee may seem steep, it can be worth the fee for the benefits. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders receive complimentary Delta SkyClub lounge access, an estimated $545 value on its own (terms apply). You can also use your card to fast-track your way to Delta elite status. And the annual companion certificate can easily be worth hundreds of dollars.

Delta credit card comparison

The Picks
Card Rating Great For
Graphic of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Lounge access
Graphic of Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Earning Delta miles
Graphic of Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Baggage benefits
Graphic of Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Great For:

Overall value
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, purchase protection warranty, baggage insurance plan, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. • Trip delay insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and cell phone protection underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, purchase protection warranty, baggage insurance plan, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Cell phone protection, purchase protection, baggage insurance, and car rental loss & damage insurance underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
 • Extended warranty underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. • Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. • Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. • Extended warranty, car rental loss & damage insurance, and purchase protection underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Our travel credit cards methodology

At Motley Fool Money, we rate travel credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria Includes rewards systems and bonus categories, rewards redemption flexibility, and sign-up bonuses.

Our highest-rated travel credit cards have:

  • Rewards system and bonus categories (the earn rate of flat-rate rewards, or tiered spending categories)
  • Rewards redemption flexibility and points programs (booking travel, transfer partners, statement credit, etc.)
  • Sign-up bonuses that can drastically boost card value in the first year
  • Perks that can offset annual fees like airport lounge access, travel credits, and TSA PreCheck reimbursement

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

FAQs

  • Credit limits for Delta credit cards seem to vary:

    • The lowest credit limit self-reported by cardholders is around $1,000.
    • The highest initial limit reported by cardholders is about $10,000.

    The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card have the highest average limits that we've found.

    Many cardholders report being successful when asking American Express for credit limit increases on Delta credit cards. Amex is also known to give unsolicited credit limit increases. The highest reported credit limit (after increases) we could find was over $30,000.

  • The first step is to make sure you earn the welcome offer:

    • American Express issues Delta cards.
    • They limit you to one welcome offer per card per lifetime.
    • Amex welcome offers vary based on how you apply.
    • You may need to do a little research to find the biggest welcome offer for the card you want.

    Then, ensure you meet the spending requirement before the deadline to earn the welcome offer. Only new purchases -- minus any returns -- count toward your spending requirement.

    Once you've earned the welcome offer, take advantage of the bonus categories for purchase rewards:

    • All Delta credit cards offer bonus rewards for Delta purchases.
    • Some also earn bonus miles on other purchases like restaurants or supermarkets.
    • The more you use your card to pay for purchases, the more miles you'll earn.

  • You can redeem Delta miles through your Delta SkyMiles account online or in the Delta mobile app. Delta miles can be redeemed for flights on Delta or partner airlines.

  • In general, you need good to excellent credit to qualify for a Delta credit card. This typically means a credit score of at least 670. All of the Delta credit cards are issued by American Express, known for its high approval standards.

  • Only top-tier Delta credit cards offer complimentary lounge access. This includes the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. However, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card offer exclusive per-visit rates.