Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards

By Bryce Casson, Founder · Cardocrat · Updated June 2026

The short answer: Delta SkyMiles cards, issued by American Express, earn SkyMiles in the SkyTeam alliance and range from the no-fee Blue to the premium Reserve with Sky Club access. The Gold is the popular mid-tier with a free checked bag, while the Platinum and Reserve add a Companion Certificate that can cover their fees for regular Delta flyers.

Delta loyalists have a full ladder of co-branded cards from American Express, each adding benefits that make flying Delta cheaper and more comfortable. From a no-fee starter to a premium card with Sky Club lounge access, the lineup is built to reward people who consistently choose Delta, and several cards include a Companion Certificate that can pay for the card on its own.

This guide breaks down the Delta card lineup, the benefits that matter, the welcome opportunities, and which card fits how often you fly Delta.

Key takeaways

Delta cards are issued by American Express and earn SkyMiles in SkyTeam.
The lineup runs from the no-fee Blue to the premium Reserve with Sky Club access.
The Gold is the popular mid-tier with a free checked bag.
The Platinum and Reserve include a Companion Certificate that can cover the fee.
Delta is also an Amex Membership Rewards transfer partner.

The program and currency

Delta co-branded cards earn SkyMiles, the currency of Delta Air Lines, a member of the SkyTeam alliance. That means SkyMiles can book Delta flights and SkyTeam partner flights across a global network. SkyMiles are dynamically priced, so values vary, which is why it pays to compare the miles price against the cash price on any award.

Delta is also a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, so you can move flexible Amex points into SkyMiles when you need to top up for an award. Cardocrat values miles at a flat 1 cent for honest comparison. See our award travel guide.

The card lineup: which is for you

The lineup scales with your Delta loyalty. The no-fee Delta SkyMiles Blue is the starter for occasional flyers who want to earn without a fee. The Delta SkyMiles Gold is the popular mid-tier, adding a free checked bag and priority boarding, a strong value for regular Delta flyers.

Higher up, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum adds a Companion Certificate and more perks, and the premium Delta SkyMiles Reserve includes Delta Sky Club lounge access and a premium Companion Certificate, justifying its high fee for frequent Delta flyers who use the lounges. Unlike Chase cards, these Amex cards are not bound by 5/24.

The benefits that matter

The free checked bag on the Gold and up applies to you and often companions on the same reservation, and over a few trips can cover the fee on its own. Priority boarding speeds you onto the plane, and a credit toward inflight purchases adds a little extra. See our free checked bags guide.

The standout perk on the Platinum and Reserve is the annual Companion Certificate, which lets you bring a companion on a Delta flight for just taxes and fees, a benefit that can be worth more than the entire annual fee in a single use. The Reserve adds Sky Club access, the deciding factor for frequent flyers who value lounges. These higher-tier perks are what make the premium fees worthwhile for the right person.

Welcome and earning opportunities

Delta cards regularly carry strong welcome bonuses, and because the lineup spans personal and business cards, there are multiple bonuses to earn over time, all pooling into one SkyMiles balance. Amex once-per-lifetime rule applies, so you generally earn a given card welcome bonus only once, making timing deliberate.

For ongoing earning, the cards bonus Delta purchases and some everyday categories, and you can supplement by transferring Amex Membership Rewards into SkyMiles when needed. Check the live card pages for the current offer, since bonuses change, and see our welcome bonus guide.

Who should get a Delta card

A Delta card makes sense if you fly Delta regularly and check bags, since the free-bag benefit often covers the Gold fee on its own. The Gold is the default recommendation for most Delta flyers, while occasional flyers can start with the no-fee Blue. The Companion Certificate on the Platinum and Reserve can tip the math toward those cards if you will use it.

The premium Reserve is worth its high fee mainly for frequent Delta flyers who value Sky Club access and the premium Companion Certificate. As co-branded cards, their value depends on your loyalty to Delta, so weigh the perks you will use against the fee. See our co-branded vs travel cards guide and test the cards in the calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Which Delta SkyMiles card is best?

For most Delta flyers, the mid-tier Gold, which adds a free checked bag and priority boarding that can offset its fee. Occasional flyers can start with the no-fee Blue, while the Platinum and Reserve add a Companion Certificate and, on the Reserve, Sky Club access.

What is the Delta Companion Certificate?

An annual benefit on the Platinum and Reserve cards that lets you bring a companion on a Delta flight for just taxes and fees. A single use can be worth more than the entire annual fee, making it a key reason to hold those cards.

Do Delta cards include Sky Club access?

The premium Delta SkyMiles Reserve includes Delta Sky Club lounge access. Lower-tier Delta cards do not include full membership, so the Reserve is the card to choose if lounge access is a priority.

Are Delta cards subject to 5/24?

No. Delta cards are issued by American Express, so they are not bound by Chase 5/24 rule. However, Amex once-per-lifetime rule limits earning a given card welcome bonus to once, which shapes accumulation.

Can I transfer points to Delta SkyMiles?

Yes. Delta is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, so you can move flexible Amex points into SkyMiles to top up for an award when needed.