Best Delta Credit Cards

Yes, a Delta SkyMiles credit card is worth it if you're a frequent flyer with above-average credit who mainly travels with Delta Airlines.

All Delta cards require good or excellent credit for approval, but they do offer a variety of benefits. Depending on the card of your choice you're given generous signup bonuses, annual companion certificates, as well as other travel-related benefits.

If you use more than one airline for your travels, maybe look for a rewards card that's lucrative with any airline, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

The best Delta credit card benefits include 20% savings on Delta in-flight purchases, free checked bags and priority boarding. You can also earn an initial bonus of up to 70,000 miles and bonus rewards Delta purchases.

Delta credit cards, also known as SkyMiles cards, are on the American Express network. Network benefits include purchase protection, travel insurance and a free membership to the online rewards store ShopRunner.

Benefits vary depending on the Delta card you use. Refer to Delta's Terms and Conditions page for specific details on card benefits. But first it's good to get to know the basics.

Here are the best Delta credit card benefits:

• 20% In-flight Savings

20% savings on pre-purchased meals and in-flight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets on Delta flights with a SkyMiles card. Savings do not apply to purchases such as in-flight wireless internet access. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. Refer to the SkyMiles Credit Cards landing page for more details.

• First Checked Bag Free

Cardholder eligible for one free checked bag on any Delta flight. Reservation must include the cardholder's SkyMiles number. Also available for up to nine passengers traveling on same reservation. Limited to SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, both business and personal.

• Priority Boarding

Reservation must be in cardholder's name. Also available for up to nine passengers traveling on same reservation. Limited to business and personal SkyMiles Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards.

• Delta Sky Club Discounts

Free access to any of Delta's 225 airport lounges worldwide with the SkyMiles Reserve or Reserve business card. SkyMiles Gold or Platinum cardholders and up to two guests get discount rate ($50 per person per visit). Access to one club location per date of travel.

• Bonus Miles on Purchases

All SkyMiles cards give bonus rewards on purchases made directly through Delta, such as ticket purchases (both online and by phone) and upgrades. Also includes in-flight purchases of food and alcoholic beverages on Delta flights. Does not include purchases like in-flight Wi-Fi.Points redeemable for flights, hotels, cruises or other travel-related expenses. Points do not expire as long as the account remains active. Refer your card's terms for the complete list of eligible purchases.

• Earn Medallion Status

Delta's loyalty program. Limited to SkyMiles Platinum or Reserve cards and business cards. Miles earned based on distance traveled and amount spent. Miles determine Medallion Status (Silver, 25,000 MQMs; Gold, 50,000, MQMs, Platinum 75,000 MQMs, Diamond, 125,000 MQMs).

Statuses earn unlimited complimentary First Class upgrades for cardholder and a companion beginning 24 hours prior to departure (Silver); 72 hours (Gold) and 120 hours (Platinum). Diamond Status receives top priority for Complimentary Upgrades for cardholder and a companion to Delta Comfort+ shortly after ticketing and to First Class beginning 120 hours before departure.

• Lowest Hotel Rates Guarantee

Available on all Delta SkyMiles cards. Book a hotel on amextravel.com. If you find the same room at a lower price online, before taxes and fees, you'll receive a refund for the difference. Claim must be submitted prior to your stay.

• ShopRunner Membership

Online rewards store with more than 140 merchants including Staples, GNC, and Cole Haan. Cardholders eligible for free annual membership ($79 value). Free two-day shipping, free returns and exclusive deals at participating stores. For a complete list of merchants, check the ShopRunner website.

• Initial Bonus Miles
• Earn bonus miles when you meet minimum spending requirements in your first few months.
• Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card: 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
• Return Protection: Pays up to $300 per item and $1,000 per calendar year for returned items in good, working condition not accepted by the merchant. Covered up to 90 days from date of purchase. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.
• Extended Warranty: Matches original warranty on purchases up to one extra year. Covered up to $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.
• Purchase Protection: Covers eligible purchases against theft and accidental damage for up to 90 days. Covered for $1,000 per incident up to $50,000 per calendar year. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance Hotline: Dispatches emergency services including towing, flat tires or battery charges with some vehicle and road restrictions. All costs associated with emergency roadside services are the responsibility of the cardholder. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.

• Rental Car Insurance: Pays eligible benefits not already paid by any primary insurance. Covers eligible rental vehicles for first 30 days against damage and theft up to a maximum of $50,000 with some restrictions. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.
• Travel Accident Insurance: Covers you and your family for accidental death or dismemberment while traveling on a common carrier (plane, train, boat or bus) up to a maximum $100,000 per person covered. Applies to all Delta SkyMiles cards.

Delta's SkyMiles credit cards offer a wide range of benefits for any traveler who flies its airline. Weigh your travel and spending preferences and decide which rewards and benefits would best work to your advantage. Then choose a card with a package that best suits your needs.

Yes, a Delta credit card is a good deal for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers. The best Delta credit card deal is the Delta Gold Card because it offers new cardholders 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. It also offers 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. The card comes with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 after).

The Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card is another good deal for people who want a Delta-branded credit card without spending a lot on fees. The Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card charges $0 in annual fees and offers 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. The card also comes with an introductory bonus offer of 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 within the first 6 months.

Best Delta Credit Card Deals

Delta SkyMiles are worth around $0 each, depending on how you choose to redeem them, and they don't expire as long as your account remains in good standing. To learn more, check out WalletHub's full review of the best Delta credit cards.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card credit score requirement is 700 or better. That means people with good credit or better have a shot at getting approved for the Delta Reserve Credit Card.

You should note that while your credit score is an important factor, there are plenty of other things that will impact your chances of being approved for the Delta Reserve Credit Card, too. Some other key criteria include your income, existing debt load, number of open accounts, recent credit inquiries, employment status and housing status.

If you excel in other areas, you might be able to get approved with a slightly lower credit score in some cases. But it's best to wait to apply until you meet the Delta Reserve Credit Card credit score requirement. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub.

One of the best SkyMiles credit cards is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card because it offers an initial bonus of 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. The card also offers benefits like free checked bags and extensive ongoing rewards. The Delta Gold Card also has a $0 intro annual fee the first year ($99 after that).

Best SkyMiles Credit Cards

Initial bonus: 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 on Delta purchases, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Other perks: First checked bag free on Delta flights, among other benefits.

Annual fee: $0 intro 1st yr, $99 after

Credit requirement: Good (700+ credit score recommended)

Initial bonus: 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.), and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Other perks: 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and audio headsets, among other benefits.

Annual fee: $0

Credit requirement: Good (700+ credit score recommended)

Initial bonus: 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months

Ongoing rewards: 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases and 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Other perks: Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access, first checked bag free on Delta flights, priority boarding, and a 20% statement credit for in-flight purchases when flying with Delta, among other benefits.

Annual fee: $550

Credit requirement: Good (700+ credit score recommended)

Initial bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months

Ongoing rewards: 3 miles per $1 spent with Delta, 3 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, as well as 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Other perks: Annual companion certificate and free credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, among other benefits.

Annual fee: $250

Credit requirement: Good (750+ credit score recommended)

You can also check out our editors' latest picks for the best Delta SkyMiles credit cards to see which one suits your needs best.

How to Decide if a SkyMiles Card is Your Best Option

If you're a Delta enthusiast who flies with the airline regularly, it makes good sense from a rewards perspective to keep a SkyMiles card in your wallet. If you're not partial to Delta, SkyMiles cards are probably not your best option. Expanding your selection to include other airlines will open up travel reward card possibilities comparable to, and in some cases more attractive than, SkyMiles cards.

Ultimately, if you're a frequent traveler who doesn't want to be tied to a specific airline, feel free to also check out our editors' picks for the best travel credit cards on the market.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card credit score requirement is 700 or better. That means people with good credit or better have a shot at getting approved for the Amex Delta Platinum Card.

You should note that while your credit score is an important factor, there are plenty of other things that will impact your chances of being approved for the Amex Delta Platinum Card, too. Some other key criteria include your income, existing debt load, number of open accounts, recent credit inquiries, employment status and housing status.

If you excel in other areas, you might be able to get approved with a slightly lower credit score in some cases. But it's best to wait to apply until you meet the Amex Delta Platinum credit score requirement. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub.

Yes, there are Delta credit cards that offer a $50,000 miles bonus, like the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. To earn the initial bonus, you have to spend $3,000 in the first 6 months. The card has a $250 annual fee.

But there are also Delta credit cards that offer even higher initial bonuses than that. For instance, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. This credit card's annual fee rings in at $550.

Here are the Delta credit cards with 50,000+ miles bonus offers:

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months.
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.

Moreover, there are a few other good Delta bonus offers available, too. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card offers 10,000 miles for spending $1,000 in the first 6 months. Although Blue Delta SkyMiles Credit Card's initial bonus is lower, this card has a $0 annual fee.

Whether you're looking for a personal credit card or a business credit card, there are some enticing offers. And several of them allow you to earn bonuses every single year if you spend enough. That's pretty rare.

One of the best Delta business credit cards is the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card because it has a $0 introductory annual fee the first year ($99 after) and offers a 50,000-mile bonus when you spend $2,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you'll earn 1 - 2 miles per $1 spent, depending on the type of purchase.

All of the Delta business credit cards have a few benefits in common. They all offer a free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights. And they give a 20% statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases.

Best Delta Business Credit Cards

Initial bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, U.S. shipping, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants, 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee the first year ($99 after)

Initial bonus: 70,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 3 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases, 1.5 miles per $1 on all other purchases (after spending $150,000 in a year, otherwise earn 1 mile per $1)

Annual fee: $550

Initial bonus: 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Ongoing rewards: 3 miles per $1 spent with Delta, 3 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with hotels, 1.5 miles per $1 on single purchases of $5,000+ (up to 50,000 additional miles per year), and 1 miles per $1 on all other purchases

Annual fee: $250

The best Delta Business credit card for you depends on how much you're willing to pay in fees and how frequent of a traveler you are. If you're a big spender and a frequent traveler, you'll probably like the Delta Reserve Business Card's Delta Sky Club access. But if you're only an occasional flyer, the Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card is probably the way to go. The Amex Delta Platinum Business Credit Card is the perfect in-between.

The best Delta credit card bonus is 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months, offered by the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card. In addition, with this card you'll also earn 3 miles per $1 spent with Delta, 3 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with hotels, 2 miles per $1 at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets, as well as 1 mile per $1 on all other purchases. The card's annual fee is $250. 

Here are some of the best Delta credit card bonuses: 

The Amex Delta Platinum offers 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months. The card's annual fee is $250.

The Delta Gold Card offers 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first 6 months. The card's annual fee is $0 intro 1st yr, $99 after.

The Delta Reserve Credit Card offers 50,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after spending $5,000 in the first 6 months. The card's annual fee is $550.

The Amex Delta Platinum Business Credit Card offers 60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. The card's annual fee is $250.

It is worth noting that the best Delta credit card bonus offer is subjective and depends on a number of factors. Your spending habits, the rewards you're after, and whether you're looking for a business or personal card all come into play. 

Researching and comparing the features, bonuses, and fees of each card will allow you to match up the right card with your priorities. Feel free to check out our editors' latest picks for the best Delta credit cards and see which one suits your needs.

You need at least 6,500 Delta miles for a free one-way flight and 9,000 miles for a free round-trip flight on Delta. The exact miles you need for a free Delta flight depend on where you want to go and when. Those minimums apply to flights from Los Angeles to Las Vegas booked months in advance. Delta stopped disclosing its Award Miles Chart, so there are no published minimums and maximums for various routes.

Examples of How Many Delta Miles Are Needed for Free Flights:

• One-way flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas: 6,500+ award miles
• One-way flight from New York City to Chicago: 7,000+ award miles
• One-way flight from Los Angeles to New York City: 8,000+ award miles.
• One-way flight from New York City to Seattle: 8,500+ award miles
• One-way flight from Miami to Boston: 10,500+ award miles

To get a free flight for the fewest number of Delta miles, you'll want to book the flight far in advance, and be open to different dates. In many cases, you could pay at least 10,000 miles less for a flight if you're flexible on your departure date.

If you're a loyal Delta flyer and looking to earn miles faster for more free flights, you should look into a Delta credit card. The Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express is an excellent option with a signup bonus of 30,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in the first three months. And if you make a Delta purchase within that same timeframe, you'll earn an additional $50 statement credit. Altogether, that's worth roughly 1-5 free Delta flights.