Delta’s suite of co-branded Amex cards — and for that matter, the SkyMiles program at large — can be rather polarizing. The cards are incredibly popular with consumers. That’s because people mostly enjoy flying Delta, even if the SkyMiles program doesn’t offer much in the way of outsized value for your miles. For some people,…
Continue reading: Are Delta Credit Cards Worth It? Here’s How I’d Choose
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I have had all three cards and now have the Gold which I think offers the best value. The $100 hotel credit is super easy to use, no minimum nights, no being part of any "hotel collection" required, no silly requirement of $50 credit in the first Jan-June $50 July-Dec; simply the whole credit at any hotel booked on Delta. The $120 rideshare credit is as good as cash. I use it for UberEats. Order on the app, charge to the card, and pick up my steak bowl at the Chipotle near my apartment. Right there you got your annual fee covered and then some. Then the 15% off delta awards which is just icing on the cake.
Are you sure you can use the rideshare credits for Uber Eats? For my card, it only works when I take Uber or Lyft rides.
Ben, I think this article should mention the Delta TakeOff 15 (15% discount redeeming skymiles). If someone redeems ~100k skymiles per year then the ~15k miles saved from the TakeOff 15 should cover the annual fee of the gold card.
$2500 MQD Head-start on Platinum, Reserve is nice; if you have all four (personal, business), you earn automatic Gold Medallion, no?
Companion Certificates, though expanded through N. America, are sorta hard to come by for First (with Reserve), and often odd times, routes. Can still be worthwhile.
SkyPesos (devaluations) are the real shame. Hard to get J to Europe for under 400K/way. Sure, the 15% Reserve discount helps a little.
The rideshare, Resy credits are not ‘fun,’ because you have to use ‘em or lose ‘em. I rethink renewing each year, especially ever since they got rid of the MQD waiver ($25K spend used to be a fast-track to Platinum if you had enough MQMs, though that’s all gone.)
Lucky I'm surprised you haven't picked up the AMEX Delta Gold for the 15%off in order to review D1 product and routes once in a while.
Yes, for a 2-Diamond household, you should have 8 of these -- 2 each of Reserve, Reserve Business, Platinum and Platinum Business. Worth the $2,000 per year, although the annual fees have risen enough to make this questionable.
Just to be clear, the a*hole comment was directed at John. You should not make such comments as the one you made towards 1990 towards others. Period.
@Gene, agreed. No matter how big a pest, attention whore, or clownboat someone (or some bot) is, that kind of comment isn't necessary. Ignore it and move on.
Now, on the topic: I'm a DL Diamond (2024 MQM conversion) through this year, holding both the Delta Amex Reserve and Delta Amex Platinum cards. Since 2025 I've mostly flown UA and Star, with the occasional SkyTeam AF/KL trip. I'm keeping both cards to coast to SkyMiles Silver without flying in 2027, then I'll decide on downgrading at the end of 2027. Honestly, I haven't missed the "Delta experience" or the overcrowded Sky Clubs. I can usually get a cheaper paid domestic FC fare on UA for my travel needs.
The family rules run in parallel for personal and business, right? I have Gold and Plat business (opened in that order), and Gold personal. So I'd still be eligible for Plat personal right?
I was wondering that too. IIRC, Dans Deals said the rideshare credit could be successfully hacked for Uber Eats on United, but not on Delta.
I don't take it personally, Gene. You and anyone is welcome to insult me anytime (I enjoy the engagement). However, I would never advise doing as John did above to anyone else though. Deplorable.
1969, I, too, was a Delta Diamond for a year via the 2024 MQM conversion. Was nice while it lasted! Hope you got to use your GUCs for something special! (Burned mine on D1 LAX-SYD.) Just a lowly Platinum these days, and probably won't be more than Gold next year. All good. Make the most of it while you can!
Delta has so badly screwed up my new Amex card. There was not supposed to be a fee for one year. They charged me a fee. I have been unable to get it removed for three months. They charged me interest even though I was not carrying a balance. I have no idea if or when these issues will be resolved. I have been an Amex card member since 1978 and have had a Platinum card for at least 20 years. I will be cancelling the Delta card as soon as they fix their mistakes. What a botch!!!.
Perhaps it's me, but Delta miles are by far the hardest miles I have collected to use. It is so hard to find even halfway decent deals. I can book flights with flying blue miles or others far easier and cheaper than with Delta. Once I get ride of them I won't be trying to get more.
None of you are million milers?
What a pity in disguise.
My rollover MQM got me Diamond for few more years. But my GUC are almost useless now after GUC not clear even on paid PS because D1 is full due to incompetent DL delays cancelation and rebooking others into my flight.
Regardless of what Timmy believes. DL reliability is crashing down in the last 2 years.
Gene, so, you literally start each year as Gold Medallion, right? ($2500 MQD “Head-Start” 4x)
I’m actually quite close to my first million. Sorry to hear about GUCs not clearing. (I know I’d be pissed if rebooked last-minute due to Delta, losing D1. Yikes!) I have noticed a more difficult time finding availability even for RUCs on premium routes like JFK-SFO/LAX this year. *sigh*
Where is Tim Dunn's AI advise on this topic? He must have burned through his AI tokens yesterday dealing with the other depressing Delta news.
No, we start every year as Platinums for Life. Diamond within a few years. Once lifetime Diamond is attained, I expect to continue holding 2 Rederve cards.
I have had all three cards and now have the Gold which I think offers the best value. The $100 hotel credit is super easy to use, no minimum nights, no being part of any "hotel collection" required, no silly requirement of $50 credit in the first Jan-June $50 July-Dec; simply the whole credit at any hotel booked on Delta. The $120 rideshare credit is as good as cash. I use it for UberEats. Order on the app, charge to the card, and pick up my steak bowl at the Chipotle near my apartment. Right there you got your annual fee covered and then some. Then the 15% off delta awards which is just icing on the cake.
Are you sure you can use the rideshare credits for Uber Eats? For my card, it only works when I take Uber or Lyft rides.
I was wondering that too. IIRC, Dans Deals said the rideshare credit could be successfully hacked for Uber Eats on United, but not on Delta.
Ben, I think this article should mention the Delta TakeOff 15 (15% discount redeeming skymiles). If someone redeems ~100k skymiles per year then the ~15k miles saved from the TakeOff 15 should cover the annual fee of the gold card.
$2500 MQD Head-start on Platinum, Reserve is nice; if you have all four (personal, business), you earn automatic Gold Medallion, no?
Companion Certificates, though expanded through N. America, are sorta hard to come by for First (with Reserve), and often odd times, routes. Can still be worthwhile.
SkyPesos (devaluations) are the real shame. Hard to get J to Europe for under 400K/way. Sure, the 15% Reserve discount helps a little.
The rideshare, Resy credits are not ‘fun,’ because you have to use ‘em or lose ‘em. I rethink renewing each year, especially ever since they got rid of the MQD waiver ($25K spend used to be a fast-track to Platinum if you had enough MQMs, though that’s all gone.)
Just to be clear, the a*hole comment was directed at John. You should not make such comments as the one you made towards 1990 towards others. Period.
@Gene, agreed. No matter how big a pest, attention whore, or clownboat someone (or some bot) is, that kind of comment isn't necessary. Ignore it and move on.
Now, on the topic: I'm a DL Diamond (2024 MQM conversion) through this year, holding both the Delta Amex Reserve and Delta Amex Platinum cards. Since 2025 I've mostly flown UA and Star, with the occasional SkyTeam AF/KL trip. I'm keeping both cards to coast to SkyMiles Silver without flying in 2027, then I'll decide on downgrading at the end of 2027. Honestly, I haven't missed the "Delta experience" or the overcrowded Sky Clubs. I can usually get a cheaper paid domestic FC fare on UA for my travel needs.
1969, I, too, was a Delta Diamond for a year via the 2024 MQM conversion. Was nice while it lasted! Hope you got to use your GUCs for something special! (Burned mine on D1 LAX-SYD.) Just a lowly Platinum these days, and probably won't be more than Gold next year. All good. Make the most of it while you can!
I don't take it personally, Gene. You and anyone is welcome to insult me anytime (I enjoy the engagement). However, I would never advise doing as John did above to anyone else though. Deplorable.
None of you are million milers?
What a pity in disguise.
My rollover MQM got me Diamond for few more years. But my GUC are almost useless now after GUC not clear even on paid PS because D1 is full due to incompetent DL delays cancelation and rebooking others into my flight.
Regardless of what Timmy believes. DL reliability is crashing down in the last 2 years.
I’m actually quite close to my first million. Sorry to hear about GUCs not clearing. (I know I’d be pissed if rebooked last-minute due to Delta, losing D1. Yikes!) I have noticed a more difficult time finding availability even for RUCs on premium routes like JFK-SFO/LAX this year. *sigh*
Lucky I'm surprised you haven't picked up the AMEX Delta Gold for the 15%off in order to review D1 product and routes once in a while.
Yes, for a 2-Diamond household, you should have 8 of these -- 2 each of Reserve, Reserve Business, Platinum and Platinum Business. Worth the $2,000 per year, although the annual fees have risen enough to make this questionable.
Gene, so, you literally start each year as Gold Medallion, right? ($2500 MQD “Head-Start” 4x)
No, we start every year as Platinums for Life. Diamond within a few years. Once lifetime Diamond is attained, I expect to continue holding 2 Rederve cards.
The family rules run in parallel for personal and business, right? I have Gold and Plat business (opened in that order), and Gold personal. So I'd still be eligible for Plat personal right?
Delta has so badly screwed up my new Amex card. There was not supposed to be a fee for one year. They charged me a fee. I have been unable to get it removed for three months. They charged me interest even though I was not carrying a balance. I have no idea if or when these issues will be resolved. I have been an Amex card member since 1978 and have had a Platinum card for at least 20 years. I will be cancelling the Delta card as soon as they fix their mistakes. What a botch!!!.
Perhaps it's me, but Delta miles are by far the hardest miles I have collected to use. It is so hard to find even halfway decent deals. I can book flights with flying blue miles or others far easier and cheaper than with Delta. Once I get ride of them I won't be trying to get more.
Where is Tim Dunn's AI advise on this topic? He must have burned through his AI tokens yesterday dealing with the other depressing Delta news.