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The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. American Express is a TheRewardsMom advertiser.
I’ve been pretty openly anti- SkyMiles for a long time. I even went so far as to write an entire article explaining why I don’t use Delta SkyMiles to fly Delta.
But that’s really changed in the past year. Thrifty Traveler Premium has been sending me some genuinely impressive Delta SkyMiles deals-and living in a Delta hub, they’ve definitely caught my attention. Some of the most recent? Japan for as low as 85,000 miles in Delta One Suites, Brisbane for just over 100,000 SkyMiles each way (a huge shift from the 600k+ prices we’re used to), and even domestic sales as low as 10,000 miles each way with the award discount– something I honestly never used to see from Delta.
Seeing deals like those made me realize Delta is really stepping up its award game. If I started paying a little closer attention, I could actually make my flights a lot more convenient – especially living in a Delta hub- if I stopped completely dismissing the SkyMiles program
I love Delta because of their reliability, consistent onboard experience, and strong hub network – meaning fewer headaches and better flight times. And lately, with award sales that actually make sense, Delta has become a lot more appealing from a points perspective too. It’s not always the cheapest option, but it’s often the most comfortable and predictable, which matters more to me now than it used to.
If you’re still wrapping your head around points and miles, start here first: Beginner’s Guide. It’ll make everything below feel a lot less overwhelming.
Why Delta Credit Cards Aren’t for Everyone — and Why That’s Okay
Delta credit cards are co-branded, which means they’re built specifically for one airline. That makes them very different from flexible points cards, and it’s why opinions on them tend to be all over the place.
If you only fly Delta once a year because it happened to be the cheapest option that day, these cards probably won’t move the needle for you.
But if Delta is your default airline — especially if you live near a hub and love nonstop options — Delta credit cards can start paying you back in the form of cheaper award flights and smoother travel days.
Delta Cards Benefits
There are a lot of perks listed on Delta credit cards, but these are the ones that genuinely change the experience for us:
- 15% off award flights when booking with SkyMiles
- Free checked bags, which adds up fast with kids
- Priority boarding, which is far more helpful than it sounds
- Upgrade priority, especially on higher-tier cards
- Lounge access on premium cards (helpful if you fly often, though not ideal for larger families)
That 15% award discount is what really tipped the scales for me. When Delta runs a sale, that discount stacks – and suddenly the math looks very different.
A Quick (Important) Note About American Express “Family Language”
This is something people miss — and it really matters with Delta cards.
American Express has what’s often called “family language,” which means the order you apply for certain cards can affect whether you’re eligible for welcome offers later.
With Delta personal cards, starting with a higher-tier option can make you ineligible for the welcome offer on a lower-tier card later. If you think you may want more than one Delta card over time, it usually makes sense to start lower and work your way up.
One important exception: Delta business cards don’t have this same language, which is why they can be a great option if you’re self-employed.
You don’t need to overthink this — but Delta cards aren’t something I’d open casually without at least a little strategy.
How to Think About the Delta Credit Card Lineup
The chart above gives you the quick framework. Below are the full guides for each card, grouped by personal and business options, so you can dive deeper into the one that fits your situation best.
Most families don’t need the most expensive Delta card to get real value. In fact, starting with the right tier — and upgrading later if your travel changes — is usually the smarter (and cheaper) move.
| Your Travel Style | Delta Card Tier That Fits | Why It Makes Sense |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional Delta flyer | Lower-tier personal card | Award discount and free bags without committing to a high annual fee. |
| Regular Delta travel | Mid-tier personal card | Best balance of everyday perks and long-term value for families. |
| Frequent flyer / hub-based | Top-tier card | Worth it if you’ll actually use lounge access and premium benefits. |
| Self-employed (even small) | Delta business card | Earn miles and perks without relying only on personal cards. |
Personal Delta Credit Cards
These are best if your spending is mostly personal and you want Delta perks tied to family travel.
- Occasional Delta flyer
Great for free checked bags, award discounts, and Delta perks without committing to a high annual fee:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
GUIDE HERE - Regular Delta travel
The best balance of everyday perks and long-term value for many families, especially with the Companion Certificate:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
GUIDE HERE - Frequent flyer or Delta hub-based
Worth it if you’ll actually use lounge access and premium benefits on a regular basis:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
GUIDE HERE
Business Delta Credit Cards (Even for Small Businesses)
If you’re self-employed — even in a small way — Delta business cards are often overlooked but incredibly useful. They let you earn miles and perks without relying only on personal cards, and they don’t impact 5/24.
Top-tier business option
Best for frequent Delta flyers who want Sky Club access and help earning Medallion status:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
GUIDE HERE
Entry-level business option
A strong starting point for earning Delta miles with a lower annual fee:
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
GUIDE HERE
Mid-tier business option
Ideal if you fly Delta regularly for work and want stronger long-term value and a Companion Certificate:
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
GUIDE HERE
If you’re unsure whether you qualify for a business card, this post walks through it.
So… Are Delta Credit Cards Worth It?
I never thought I’d say this, but for the right traveler – especially families living in Delta hubs — Delta credit cards are worth a second look.
Between award sales that actually make sense and benefits that reduce friction on trips we’re already taking, they’ve gone from “hard pass” to “strategic add” in our points setup.
If you want to keep learning:
- Start with the Beginner’s Guide: https://therewardsmom.com/beginners-guide-live
- Join my weekly newsletter for deals and alerts: http://therewardsmom.com/newsletter
- Or join the conversation in our private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/12KdFKDr4uj/
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