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 for something else?
In many credit card decisions, you may have to sacrifice benefits to earn extra points and miles. Is that true here?
Let’s look at which credit cards you can use to pay for Delta flights and the benefits associated with your options.
Related: 16 Easy Ways to Earn More Delta SkyMiles
Credit card comparison for Delta Air Lines flights
| Card Name | Earning rates on Delta Air Lines flights | Value of Awards Received* | 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 MQD per year Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets |
$650 (see rates and fees for Delta Reserve; see rates and fees for 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 MQD per year Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets |
$350 (see rates and fees for 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 | First checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
Priority boarding on Delta flights 20% back as statement credit on inflight purchases of food, beverages and headsets $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 or more on your card in a calendar year |
$0 initial annual fee, then $150 (see rates and fees for Delta Gold; see rates and fees for Delta Gold Business) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card | 2 miles per dollar | 2.3 cents | 20% back on in-flight food and beverage purchases | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| Platinum Card® from American Express | 5 points per dollar (up to $500,000 per calendar year on purchases, 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 an eligible Platinum Card per 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Club or Grab & Go when the same (travels on a Delta-operated flight.)
Choose Delta Air Lines as your airline of choice to cover up to $200 per year in airline contingency 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 through 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 through 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 valuation and does not come from the card issuer.
Which card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
Related: Delta Baggage Fees and How to Avoid Paying Them
Benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding are tied to your Delta SkyMiles number, not the credit card you pay with. That means you could theoretically pay for your Delta flight Amex Platinum Card To enjoy its insurance benefits and its unmatched earning rates on flight purchases.
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However, you will still enjoy the checked bag benefits and early boarding benefits that come with it Amex Delta ReserveFor example — even if you didn’t pay for your flight with that card.
Related: Best Credit Cards to Pay Taxes and Fees on Award Tickets
This is the same situation where you must use your card when you make an onboard purchase with Delta. To enjoy your 20% discount (in the form of a statement credit), purchase inflight food and beverages with your eligible Delta Card; If you pay with another card, you will not get this benefit. You may also be asked to show yours Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business Card when visiting the lounge before your flight.
Beyond flights, use your Delta Card to enjoy benefits like MQD Boosts from purchases on the Delta Reserve and Delta Platinum cards. But this won’t affect which card you use to pay for your Delta flight, assuming you’re meeting that spending threshold through other purchases.
If you’re interested in learning more about these credit card-related benefits that help you earn Delta elite status, read How to Get Delta Medallion Elite Status Without Flying.
RELATED: Delta Overhauls Sky Club Access Policy, Makes Big Cuts to Reduce Crowding
Bottom line
Options abound; There are many different credit cards you can use when paying for a flight — whether it’s buying a great value cash ticket or paying taxes and fees when redeeming your miles. If you’re making a reservation with Delta Air Lines, having a Delta credit card in your wallet has many benefits you can enjoy on your flight.
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 frees you up to use any card you want to enjoy the insurance protection or bonus points offered on other cards in your wallet.
Related: Current offers on Delta Amex cards
For Amex Delta Reserve Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Reserve Business Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Platinum Business Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Gold Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Gold Business Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Delta Blue Card rates and fees, click here.
For Amex Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.