Before you reach for your wallet to pay for a Delta Air Lines flight, you might pause to wonder which credit card to use. Should you use the one that says “Delta” on the front, or should you pay with something else?
In many credit card decisions, you may have to sacrifice benefits to earn additional points and miles. Does that hold true here?
Let’s look at which credit cards you might use to pay for a Delta flight and the benefits associated with your options.
Related: 16 easy ways to earn more Delta SkyMiles
Comparing credit cards for Delta Air Lines flights
In addition to using a Delta Air Lines cobranded credit card, you also could pay with a travel rewards card that earns transferable points on travel purchases, such as your next flight reservation with Delta. Here are some cards you might pay with and what you could get when using these cards:
| Card name | Earning rate on Delta Air Lines flights | Value of the rewards earned* | Delta-related benefits from the card | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | 3 miles per dollar | 3.45 cents | Unlimited access to Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on a same-day, Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Starting in February 2025, that will change to 15 free annual visits.
Four one-time Sky Club guest passes Annual companion certificate 1 MQD for every $10 spent with no limit on how many MQDs can be earned through credit card spending MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each year Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets |
$650 (see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve; see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve Business) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | 3 miles per dollar | 3.45 cents | Annual companion certificate
1 MQD for every $20 spent with no limit on how many MQDs can be earned through credit card spending MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each year Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets |
$350 (see rates and fees for the Delta Platinum; see rates and fees for Delta Platinum Business) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card | 2 miles per dollar | 2.3 cents | Free first checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as a statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 or more on your card within a calendar year |
$0 introductory annual fee, then $150 (see rates and fees for the Delta Gold; see rates and fees for the Delta Gold Business) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | 2 miles per dollar | 2.3 cents | 20% back on inflight purchases of food and beverages | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 5 points per dollar (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) | 10 cents | Delta Sky Club access (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; effective February 1, 2025: eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.)
Choose Delta Air Lines as your preferred airline to cover up to $200 per year in airline incidental statement credits for things like checked baggage or preferred seat fees |
$695 (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 3 points per dollar (or 5 points per dollar if booked via Chase Travel℠) | 6.15 cents (or 10.25 cents) | None, but some purchases can be offset by the $300 annual travel credits offered on the card | $550 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 2 miles per dollar (or 5 miles per dollar if booked in the Capital One Travel portal) | 3.7 cents (or 9.25 cents) | None, but some purchases can be offset by the $300 annual credit available when booking with Capital One Travel | $395 (see rates and fees) |
*Bonus value is based on TPG’s July 2024 valuations and does not come from the card issuer.
Which card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
Unlike the dilemmas when booking United Airlines flights, there are no real trade-offs you must consider with Delta when it comes to enjoying benefits and earning as many points and miles as possible.
Related: Delta baggage fees and how to avoid paying them
Benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding are attached to your Delta SkyMiles number, not the credit card you pay with. That means you could theoretically pay for your Delta flight with the Amex Platinum Card to enjoy its insurance benefits and its unparalleled earning rates on flight purchases.
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However, you would still enjoy checked bag benefits and early boarding benefits that come from having the Amex Delta Reserve, for example — even though you didn’t pay for your flight with that card.
Related: The best credit cards for paying taxes and fees on award tickets
The only situation in which you must use your card is when you make an onboard purchase with Delta. To enjoy your 20% discount (in the form of a statement credit), make inflight food and beverage purchases with your eligible Delta card; if you pay with another card, you won’t receive this benefit. You may also be asked to show your Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business card when visiting lounges before your flight.
Outside of flights, use your Delta card to enjoy perks like MQD boosts from making purchases on the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum cards. But this may not impact which card you use to pay for your Delta flight, assuming you’re meeting those spending thresholds through other purchases.
If you’re interested in knowing more about these credit card-related benefits that help you achieve Delta elite status, read how to earn Delta Medallion elite status without flying.
Related: Delta overhauls Sky Club access policy, makes big cuts to reduce overcrowding
Bottom line
Options abound; there are many different credit cards you could use when paying for a flight — whether that’s buying a cash ticket at a great price or paying the taxes and fees when redeeming your miles. If you’re making a reservation with Delta Air Lines, there are many benefits you may be able to enjoy on your flight simply by having a Delta credit card in your wallet.
The good news is that you can enjoy many of these benefits regardless of which credit card you use to pay for your flight. This leaves you free to use whichever card you want to enjoy the insurance protections or bonus points offered on other cards in your wallet.
Related: Current offers on Delta Amex cards
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Platinum Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Gold Business card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Blue card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
