Frequent Delta Airlines fliers would be foolish not to get one of the credit cards the airline is offering. They are already spending money on travel, so why not get something in return. We will ignore the basic offering , and look at the Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Cards from American Express; we will also mention the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Credit Card, which is the most premium card offered by the airline. But first, let’s see what Gold and Platinum cards are all about, shall we?
- Generous sign-up bonus
- Annual round-trip companion certificate with the Platinum card
- A number of shopping and travel perks
- 15.49%-19.49% Variable APR
- $95 annual fee, waived in the first year / $195
How Delta SkyMiles® Cards Work?
Points: Earn two miles for each dollar spent on Delta purchases, and one mile for each dollar spent on all other purchases. There is no limit to the number of miles you can earn, and miles do not expire. You can redeem miles for award flights with Delta, with domestic Saver flights starting as low as 12,500 miles, or use them for upgrades at 5,000 miles, merchandise, or donations with charities such as the American Cancer Society for as few as 1,000 miles.
Sign up bonus: With the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card, you get 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Also, there’s the $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase in the same period. The Platinum version on the other hand gets you 60,000 bonus miles as well as 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend the same amount of money in the same period. Plus, you’ll get a $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase with your new card within the first 3 months. (terms apply)
Common Delta SkyMiles® benefits:
- Check Your First Bag for Free
- Reduced Delta Sky Club® Access fee
- Early Access to Entertainment
- Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Extended Warranty
- Roadside Assistance Hotline
- Zone 1 Priority Boarding
- No Foreign Transaction Fee
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card benefits:
- Baggage Insurance Plan – up to $1,250 for carry-on baggage and up to $500 for checked baggage.
- Free flight certificate – a free domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card.
- Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $25,000 on purchases on your card in a calendar year.
APR: Both cards come with a variable APR, ranging from 15.49% to 19.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
Annual Fee: $95 for the Gold card (waived in the first year), or $195 for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card.
Costs
- 15.49%-19.49% Variable APR
- 3% Balance Transfer Fee (Minimum $5)
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fee
- $95 Annual Fee (waived in the first year) / $195
Pros
- All Delta SkyMiles® credit cards are great for frequent Delta passengers. They [passengers] get to benefit from paying for stuff they would be paying anyway.
- Sign-up bonus that will easily justify the annual fee (which we’ll never like).
- Annual free flight for the Platinum cardmembers.
- Reasonable APR for a travel card.
- Travel benefits that include free checked bags, priority boarding, car rental loss & damage insurance, travel accident insurance, and more.
Cons
- Annual fee – while we understand that Delta must charge for all the perks its cards offer, we like getting our cards for free.. though that seldom (if ever) happens with premium cards.
Head to Head Comparison
The Premium Option:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Credit Card
Those looking for a premium treatment should get the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Credit Card from American Express, which has a rather high annual fee but includes access to Delta Sky Club airport lounges. That feat alone justifies Reserve’s hefty price tag.
In a nutshell, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Credit Card includes most of the perks the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® card has with a few differences here and there:
Sign-up bonus: 10,000 MQMs and 10,000 miles after your first purchase.
Annual bonus: Spend $30,000 in a year and get a bonus of 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 miles.
Round-trip companion certificate each year: An annual companion certificate good for a domestic economy or first class ticket.
Delta Sky Club access: This is arguably the main point of this card, providing access to Delta Sky Club lounges and all of its amenities such as Wi-Fi access, private bathrooms, snacks and beverages. In addition to receiving complimentary access, cardmembers also get a discounted rate of only $29 per person for up to two guests.
Concierge service: For day or night assistance with arrangements such as making restaurant reservations, organizing upcoming special events, and purchasing gifts.
Premium Roadside Assistance: Whereas Gold and Platinum Delta SkyMiles® cards include “regular” roadside assistance.
APR: 15.49%-19.49% Variable APR
Annual fee: $450
Should You Get a Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card?
As we’ve said it multiple time — if you frequently fly Delta Airline, go for it. It’s a matter of personal preferences and the actual frequency of your flights to determine whether you should go for the Gold or Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card. You can’t lose with any of the two. Or, if you really like/want the premium flying experience, there’s the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve card that comes with a complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access. It’s the most expensive Delta card, but we are sure that won’t bother frequent business travelers. It’s your call.