The rewards and perks that come with Delta American Express cards

Delta American Express cards offer rewards tied to Delta Air Lines flights, checked baggage allowances, and priority boarding. The specific benefits depend on which Delta card you hold — there are several versions, each with different earning rates and annual fees. Most cards waive the first checked bag on Delta flights and give you a statement credit toward your annual membership fee with Delta's SkyMiles program.

The cards earn miles on every purchase, with higher earning rates on Delta tickets and certain other categories. You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel expenses. Some cards also include travel protections like trip cancellation coverage and rental car insurance.

Key Takeaways

  • Delta American Express cards waive your first checked bag on Delta flights, which saves you money on every trip.
  • You earn miles on purchases, with bonus rates on Delta tickets and sometimes on dining, gas, or other categories depending on the card.
  • Most cards include a statement credit that offsets part or all of your annual Delta SkyMiles membership fee.
  • Travel protections like trip cancellation insurance and rental car coverage are included on most Delta cards.
  • The annual fee ranges from no fee to several hundred dollars, depending on which Delta card you choose.

Checked baggage and seat benefits

The first checked bag is free on Delta flights when you use your Delta American Express card to buy the ticket. This benefit covers one bag per trip, and the bag must weigh 50 pounds or less and measure 62 inches or less (length plus width plus height). If you travel with a companion on the same reservation, they do not get a free checked bag — only the cardholder does.

Most Delta American Express cards also give you priority boarding, which means you board before general boarding groups. The exact boarding position depends on the card tier. Higher-tier cards may include boarding in the first group, while entry-level cards might board in an earlier group than non-cardholders but after elite frequent flyers.

Some cards include a companion certificate that lets one other person fly free or at a reduced rate once per year. This benefit is usually found on the premium-tier Delta cards with higher annual fees.

Miles earning and redemption

Every Delta American Express card earns miles on purchases, but the rate varies. Most cards earn 1 mile per dollar spent on most purchases. On Delta flights bought with the card, you typically earn 2 or 3 miles per dollar, depending on the card. Some cards also offer bonus earning rates in categories like dining, gas, or groceries.

You can redeem miles for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and hotel stays through the SkyMiles program. Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months — this includes earning or redeeming miles, or even just logging into your SkyMiles account. The number of miles needed for a flight varies by route and demand, not by the distance you fly.

You can also transfer miles to Delta partners or use them for non-flight purchases like gift cards, but the value is usually lower than redeeming for flights.

Annual fees and statement credits

Delta American Express cards have different annual fees depending on the version. Some entry-level cards have no annual fee. Mid-tier cards typically charge $95 to $250 per year. Premium cards can cost $450 or more annually.

Most cards include a statement credit toward your Delta SkyMiles membership. The Gold or Platinum SkyMiles membership costs $99 per year, and many cards offer a $100 statement credit that covers this cost. Some premium cards offer higher credits — up to $200 or more — which can offset a portion of the card's annual fee.

You also receive a statement credit toward a Delta purchase once per year on some cards, usually $100 or $200. This credit applies to Delta tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other Delta services.

Travel protections and insurance

Delta American Express cards include several travel insurance benefits. Trip cancellation insurance covers you if you have to cancel a prepaid trip due to illness, injury, or death. Trip delay reimbursement covers meals and lodging if your Delta flight is delayed more than 12 hours. Trip interruption insurance covers you if you have to cut a trip short due to a covered event.

Rental car damage insurance covers damage to a rental car when you charge the rental to your card. Emergency medical and dental coverage applies if you need care while traveling more than 100 miles from home. Lost luggage reimbursement covers baggage and personal items if your luggage is lost or delayed.

These protections have limits and exclusions. Read the full terms in your card's benefits guide to understand what is and is not covered, and what you need to do to file a claim.

Comparing the different Delta American Express cards

American Express offers several Delta cards at different tiers. The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card has no annual fee and is the entry point for earning miles with Delta. The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card costs $95 per year and includes a $100 statement credit toward SkyMiles membership, making the net cost $0 in most cases. The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card costs $250 per year and includes higher earning rates, a $200 annual statement credit, and additional perks like a companion certificate.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card is the premium option, with an annual fee of $450. It includes a $200 statement credit toward Delta purchases, a $100 statement credit toward SkyMiles membership, and benefits like priority boarding in the first group and complimentary seat upgrades.

The right card depends on how often you fly Delta and how much you spend. If you fly Delta once or twice a year, the no-fee Blue card may be enough. If you fly several times a year and want the SkyMiles membership credit, the Gold card usually makes sense. The Platinum and Reserve cards are best for frequent Delta travelers who can use the higher earning rates and premium perks.

How to use your benefits

To use the free checked bag benefit, buy your Delta ticket with your Delta American Express card. The benefit applies automatically — you do not need to do anything else. When you check in, tell the agent you are using your card's benefit, or the system may recognize it automatically.

To earn and redeem miles, link your Delta American Express card to your SkyMiles account. You can do this when you open the card or later through your SkyMiles account online. Once linked, miles post to your account automatically when you make purchases.

To use statement credits, they post automatically to your card account when you make a may have access to purchase. You do not need to claim them or submit a form. Travel insurance benefits are automatic as well — you just need to file a claim if something goes wrong on a trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get the free checked bag if someone else buys my ticket with their Delta card?

No. The person who buys the ticket with the Delta American Express card gets the free checked bag benefit. If you buy your own ticket with a different payment method, you do not get the benefit, even if you are traveling with someone who has a Delta card.

What happens to my miles if I close my card?

Your miles stay in your SkyMiles account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your SkyMiles account has no activity for 24 months, the miles will expire. You can keep the account active by logging in or transferring miles, even without an active card.

Can I use my Delta card benefits on partner airlines?

The free checked bag and priority boarding benefits only work on Delta flights. You cannot use them on flights operated by partner airlines like Virgin Atlantic or Air France, even if you book through Delta.

Do I earn miles on the annual fee?

No. Annual fees do not earn miles. Only purchases and statement credits earn miles.

How long does it take to receive my statement credit?

Statement credits typically post within one to two billing cycles after you make a may have access to purchase. Check your card's benefits guide for the exact timeline for each credit type.