What Are Delta Credit Card Benefits and How Do They Work?

6 Min Read | Published: April 25, 2024

Family of three is sitting in the airport, the Delta sign behind them

Learn how Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card benefits can maximize every moment of your travel, from miles-boosting welcome offers to free checked bags and more.

At-A-Glance

  • Though each Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card is different, they all offer a variety of benefits and perks that can help you maximize every moment of every trip.
  • Depending on the Card, you can earn benefits like thousands of bonus miles, free checked bags, priority boarding, and complimentary Companion Certificates.
  • To get the most out of your Delta SkyMiles Card, it’s important to not only understand how to earn and redeem miles, but how to receive all the benefits available to you.

If you’re a frequent flyer, you already know that travel has a way of helping you reconnect to the people, places, and experiences that matter to you most. And Delta – one of the largest airlines in the world – makes it easy for you to earn miles that can be redeemed towards flights and upgrades. Flyers don’t need anything more than a SkyMiles membership to start earning miles and perks, but Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards make it easier to earn miles faster. Plus, they provide a host of other benefits that can enhance every trip.

 

With four Cards to choose from, there’s a Delta SkyMiles Card designed to match the way most anyone likes to travel:

But to get the most out of every trip, it’s important to understand how Delta SkyMiles Card benefits work – from earning and redeeming miles to getting free checked bags and more, depending on the Card. Terms and conditions apply to all benefits listed below.

How to Earn Miles with Your Delta SkyMiles Card

While any SkyMiles member can earn miles by flying via Delta or its partner airlines, using a Delta SkyMiles Card is a great way to get more miles in more ways. For example, with your Card you can:

 

Earn on Welcome Offers: Depending on the Delta SkyMiles Card, New Card Members can earn bonus miles after meeting specific spend thresholds on their Card within a certain amount of time. Miles can be redeemed towards flights by using the Pay with Miles, Miles + Cash, or Award Travel benefits when booking on delta.com. 

 

Earn on Everyday Spend: All Delta SkyMiles Card Members can earn anywhere from 1-3X Miles per dollar spent on eligible purchases, depending on the Card. For example, Delta SkyMiles Blue, Gold, and Platinum Card Members can all earn 2X Miles when dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery. Plus, Delta SkyMiles Gold and Platinum Card Members can earn 2X Miles on groceries at U.S. supermarkets. You can also earn extra miles at participating online merchants through Delta’s online shopping portal, SkyMiles Shopping. And lastly, all Delta SkyMiles Card Members can earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. 

 

Earn on Travel Purchases: In addition to spending categories like dining or groceries, you can also earn on travel-specific purchases. For example, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta and 3X Miles on purchases made directly with hotels. 

 

For more on the different Delta SkyMiles Cards and their benefits, read “The Different Types of Delta Credit Cards.”

How to Redeem Miles with Your Delta SkyMiles Card

Miles may never expire, but if you’ve built up a nice stash of miles you may be getting eager to use them. You can redeem miles towards vacation packages, hotel stays, gift cards, and charity donations. But the most common way Card Members redeem miles is, of course, toward flights.

 

As a Delta SkyMiles Card Member, you can use the Pay with Miles benefit to redeem miles at a fixed rate of 1 cent per mile on any eligible flight. All Delta Card Members can effectively reduce the cost of a ticket by $50 for 5,000 miles, $100 for 10,000 miles, and so on. To use Pay with Miles, log into your SkyMiles account at delta.com and search for Pay with Miles eligible flights. When you find the right flight, you’ll have three options: pay completely in miles if you have enough to cover the cost, pay with your Card, or a combination of both.

 

Better yet, Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Card Members can save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles (discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees). Here’s how:

  • Visit delta.com or the Fly Delta app and log in to your Delta SkyMiles account.
  • Choose “Shop with Miles” when searching for Delta flights for your itinerary.
  • The 15% miles discount will automatically be reflected.
Delta TakeOff 15: Your 15% Card Member Benefit Applied Below. Chart. Example Only.

 DELTA.COM – Example only. Actual trip prices may vary.

It’s important to note that Pay with Miles is a specific benefit to all eligible Delta SkyMiles Card Members and is different from Delta’s Miles + Cash program. Miles + Cash is available to anyone with a SkyMiles account. Unlike Pay with Miles, Miles + Cash redemption rates fluctuate.

 

If you’re wondering how many miles you need for a free flight, it depends. Delta uses a dynamic pricing system and flight costs can change at a moment’s notice, making it difficult to pin down an exact amount until you have a specific flight and dates in mind.

Delta SkyMiles Card: Airport and Flight Benefits

Here’s a rundown of some of the main Delta SkyMiles Card benefits, how they work, and how to get them (please note that not all benefits listed below are available on all Cards). Starting with the benefits that can help enhance your airport experience:

 

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Fee Credits: Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members can both enjoy statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, both of which can help you get through airport security faster. How to get it: Get $120 back every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry (includes TSA PreCheck access) or up to $85 back every 4.5 years after you apply for TSA PreCheck.

 

First Checked Bag Free: Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Card Members – and each passenger on their reservation, up to 8 additional travelers – can get their first checked bag fee automatically waived at check-in on Delta flights, as long as the bags aren’t overweight or oversize according to Delta’s guidelines. How to get it: Pay with your Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, or Reserve Card and include your SkyMiles number in your reservation.

 

Airport Lounge Access: Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, having airport lounge access can provide a relaxing environment to unwind before or between flights. If you’re a frequent Delta traveler, you’ll want access to Delta Sky Club® lounges. How to get it: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enter Delta Sky Club at no cost and receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year. Once you’ve used your Guest Passes, you can bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per Visit.

 

  • Starting February 1, 2025, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. However, you can earn an unlimited number of Visits starting February 1, 2025 if you spend at least $75,000 in eligible purchases on the Card between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.

On top of this, Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can also receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge and Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner when purchasing a Delta flight with their Card.

 

Complimentary Upgrade List: Not a Medallion Member? Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade List. How to get it: If you’re a Delta Reserve Card Member with an eligible ticket, you’ll be added to the list after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members. If you’re a Delta Platinum Card Member with an eligible ticket, you’ll be added to the list after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Delta Reserve Card Members. In order for Delta Platinum Card Members to be eligible to receive a complimentary upgrade, their ticket must be purchased on or after February 1, 2024.

Delta SkyMiles Card: Travel Benefits

On top of this, Delta SkyMiles Cards have valuable benefits that can elevate your travels before and after you hit the skies. For example: 

 

Flight Credits: Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Members can enjoy an annual $200 Delta Flight Credit toward their future travels after meeting a specific spend threshold within a year. How to get it: Earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year.

 

Companion Certificate: Take a friend or partner on your next trip with a Companion Certificate. How to get it: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members can enjoy a Companion Certificate on Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card, while Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can enjoy a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.

 

Delta Stays: Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve Card Members can now earn annual statement credits for eligible Delta Stays bookings on delta.com. How to get it: Book a prepaid hotel or vacation rental through Delta Stays on delta.com and earn annual statement credits of up to $100 for Delta SkyMiles Gold, up to $150 for Delta SkyMiles Platinum, and up to $200 for Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members. 

 

Hertz Status: Wherever you go, get there with ease. You can transform your rental car experience with complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card and complimentary Hertz President’s Circle® Status with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card. How to get it: Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® program is required. To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and “Enroll in Promotion” at delta.com/hertz.

Delta SkyMiles Card: Get Closer to Medallion Status

Lastly, Delta SkyMiles Cards come with benefits that can help you get closer to Medallion Status:

 

MQD Headstart: If you’re looking to reach elevated Status faster, Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members can receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) each Medallion Qualification Year. How to get it: Card Members will receive $2,500 MQDs deposited in their card-linked SkyMiles account during each Medallion Qualification Year. MQDs will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks of February 1 for existing Card Members. MQDs for New Card Members and Card Members upgrading to an Eligible Card will be deposited within 6 to 8 weeks after an Eligible Card is opened, and thereafter every subsequent year within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1. 

 

MQD Boost: Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve Card Members can also earn MQDs on purchases, helping you get closer to Status through everyday purchases. How to get it: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card Members can earn $1 MQD for each $20 of purchases on the Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members can earn $1 MQD for each $10 of purchases on the Card.5,6,7,8

 

For more on getting closer to Medallion Status with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost, read “MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: What You Need to Know.”

The Takeaway

The four available Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards offer a variety of different benefits that can help you make the most out of every trip. But to use each Card to its fullest, it’s important to understand how benefits work, from earning and redeeming miles to getting free checked bags and more.

Headshot of Megan Doyle

Megan Doyle is a business technology writer and researcher whose work focuses on financial services and cross-cultural diversity and inclusion.
 
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.

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