Best Delta Cards for Earning SkyMiles

Delta offers a handful of co-branded cards with varying perks and benefits for frequent Delta flyers. Whether you're looking for a top-tier card with premium benefits and status, or a more basic counterpart, you'll find it with Delta. Plus, there are a few non-Delta specific cards that offer great point transferability if you're hoping to fly with Delta regularly.

Personal Cards

🏆 $0 Intro Annual Fee

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

Up to 90,000 Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 07/15/2026.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card is an excellent choice for frequent Delta travelers, offering benefits like a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and opportunities to earn and redeem SkyMiles for flights. With a reasonable annual fee, this card provides a valuable combination of travel perks and rewards for those who prefer Delta.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for Delta Loyalists

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Annual Fee: $650

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

Up to 125,000 Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 07/15/2026.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is a premium travel credit card tailored for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers, offering luxurious benefits like access to Delta Sky Club, priority boarding, and an annual companion certificate, along with the ability to earn and redeem SkyMiles for flights. With a higher annual fee, this card is designed for travelers who value exclusive airport experiences and are committed to maximizing their Delta loyalty.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for Frequent Delta Flyers

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Annual Fee: $350

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

Up to 100,000Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 07/15/2026.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is a travel rewards credit card designed for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers, offering benefits such as priority boarding, a free first checked bag, and opportunities to earn and redeem SkyMiles for flights, making it an ideal choice for Delta loyalists. While it does come with a moderate annual fee, the card provides valuable perks and rewards for those who regularly fly with Delta.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for Luxury Benefits

American Express Platinum Card®

Annual Fee: $895

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

As high as 175kBonus Points

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The Amex Platinum is a premium card offering a range of exclusive travel and lifestyle benefits, including access to luxury airport lounges, annual travel credits, and Membership Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel or other rewards. With a high annual fee, this card is designed for individuals who value premium perks and are frequent travelers looking to enjoy a heightened level of luxury and convenience.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best for Restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Annual Fee: $325

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

As high as 100kBonus Points

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

The American Express Gold Card is a premium card that offers lucrative rewards for dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, along with valuable travel benefits, making it an excellent choice for foodies and frequent travelers. While it does come with an annual fee, the card's combination of rewards and perks can provide substantial value to those who frequently dine out and travel.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Annual Fee: $0

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

10,000Bonus Miles

Earn 10,000 Bonus Miles after spending $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card is an entry-level travel credit card for Delta Air Lines enthusiasts, offering benefits like earning miles on everyday purchases and no annual fee, making it a cost-effective way to start accumulating miles for future flights and travel rewards. Cardholders can also enjoy in-flight savings and discounts, further enhancing the value of this card for Delta loyalists!

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Business Cards

🏆 Best Delta Flight Credit

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year, then $150

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

90,000Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/15/26.

This card is a solid option for small business owners and frequent Delta Air Lines travelers, offering benefits such as a first checked bag free on flights worldwide (plus a second free on domestic U.S. flights) and priority boarding. With a relatively low annual fee (after the first year), it provides a good balance of travel perks and rewards for Delta loyalists.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Annual Fee: $650

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

125,000Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after spending $15,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/15/26.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card is a premium business credit card designed for frequent Delta Air Lines travelers, offering exclusive travel perks like Delta Sky Club access, priority boarding, and an annual companion certificate, along with opportunities to earn and redeem SkyMiles for flights. While it comes with a higher annual fee, it provides significant value for business owners and employees who frequently fly with Delta.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

🏆 Best Delta Luxury Card

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

Annual Fee: $350

Rates & Fees|Terms Apply

100,000Bonus Miles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/15/26.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card is an excellent choice for business travelers seeking premium benefits, including priority boarding and an annual companion certificate, while also earning valuable SkyMiles on everyday business expenses. With a moderate annual fee, this card offers a balance of travel perks and rewards that can greatly enhance the travel experience for business owners and employees.

🚀 Learn How to Apply 👀 Read Our Take

Which Card is Right for You?

Choosing the right Delta card depends on how often you fly with Delta and what benefits you value most. If you're a frequent traveler, a premium card with perks like lounge access and companion tickets might be worth the annual fee. For occasional flyers, a lower-tier card can still offer valuable rewards and travel protections without the hefty cost. Consider how much you'll use the benefits to make the best choice for your travel preferences.

Other Ways to Earn

Beyond using a Delta credit card, you can earn SkyMiles by flying with Delta and its partner airlines, shopping through the SkyMiles Shopping portal, dining at participating restaurants with the SkyMiles Dining program, and booking hotels, car rentals, or vacation packages through Delta’s travel partners. Plus, you can earn miles by converting points from certain hotel loyalty programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy, into Delta SkyMiles.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Earn SkyMiles on every purchase, making everyday spending more rewarding

Access to exclusive perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and Sky Club access

Annual companion certificate to save on your next trip

Built-in travel protections like trip delay and lost luggage coverage

Cons

Annual fees can be high, especially for premium cards

Rewards are less flexible compared to other travel points

Not ideal if Delta isn’t your main airline

FAQs

What are Delta SkyMiles?

Delta SkyMiles are the frequent flyer miles you earn with Delta credit cards, which can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, and more with Delta and its partners.

Are there any foreign transaction fees with Delta cards?

Higher-tier Delta cards typically have no foreign transaction fees, making them a good choice for international travelers.

Can I use Delta SkyMiles for anything other than flights?

Yes, you can use SkyMiles for seat upgrades, vacation packages, car rentals, and even at select retailers through Delta’s shopping portal.

How flexible are Delta SkyMiles when it comes to transfers?

Delta SkyMiles have limited transfer flexibility compared to other rewards programs. You can't transfer SkyMiles to other airlines or programs, but you can use them with Delta's airline partners for booking flights, depending on availability.

Do Delta SkyMiles expire?

No expiration here—Delta SkyMiles stick around for life!

Why Trust Daily Drop?

At Daily Drop, our editorial team is made up of seasoned travel and credit card experts who have spent years mastering travel rewards and testing the best strategies firsthand. Founder Nate Buchanan, of Kara and Nate, has personally earned and redeemed millions of points and miles over the past 10+ years, saving tens of thousands of dollars on travel. Our team shares similar hands-on experience, ensuring our recommendations are practical, tested, and built on real-world knowledge. After all, we wouldn’t be Daily Drop if we weren’t practicing what we preach.

Our independent reviews break down rewards, perks, fees, and overall value to help you make informed decisions. We also analyze audience data, considering reader engagement and trends, so our recommendations reflect what actually matters to you.

While we may earn a commission if you apply for a card through our site, our opinions are our own — based solely on expert analysis and firsthand experience, not influenced by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Our goal is simple: helping you maximize your rewards and travel smarter.

Read our full methodology for more information.

Authors

Written by: McKay Moffitt

Writer

Edited by: Tiffany Eastham

Writer & Editor

Updated:Mar 6, 2025

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.