Delta Unveils 15% Mileage Discount Benefit for Amex Cardholders

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Delta Airlines ranks as the second largest passenger airline in the U.S. and leads in daily flights, operating an impressive 6,700! Given this significant footprint in the aviation industry, many Americans will likely board a Delta flight at some point in 2023, incurring fees for baggage, seeking Delta perks during flights and complimentary offerings on the ground, and trying to optimize their Delta SkyMiles. The straightforward solution? A Delta credit card.

Delta offers three cobranded Amex personal cards—the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card—each providing standard benefits such as free checked baggage and priority boarding. Best of all? As of February 2, 2023, all three cards now feature the new TakeOff 15 benefit, offering cardholders a 15% discount on Delta award flights booked through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. (This discount does not apply to flights operated by partners or to taxes and fees.)

Here’s the rundown on the three cards, who they’re best suited for, and why applying now is a wise choice.

Introducing three Delta Amex cards featuring the new TakeOff 15 benefit

Each of Delta's three cobranded American Express personal cards offers varying levels of benefits, annual fees, and target audiences. However, all cards have introduced a new 15% discount on mileage redemptions. This discount is valid for all bookings made with Delta SkyMiles for flights on Delta, but it does not apply to partner airlines.

We outline the distinctions here, starting with the occasional Delta traveler (Gold) and moving up to the devoted Delta aficionado (Reserve).

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Ideal for: The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is perfect for occasional Delta travelers seeking free checked baggage and a way to enhance their SkyMiles accumulation.

Why apply now? Although the recent exceptional bonus offers have ended, there is still no annual fee for the first year.

Welcome bonus: Receive 40,000 bonus miles after making $2,000 in new purchases within the first six months.

Annual fee: No annual fee for the first year, then $99 (see rates and fees).

Points earning: Earn two miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases, dining at restaurants worldwide (including eligible delivery services in the U.S.), and at U.S. supermarkets. Earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Enjoy a 15% discount on Delta SkyMiles redemptions with the newly introduced TakeOff 15 benefit.

Key benefits: Cardholders and up to eight companions can check one bag for free on Delta flights and experience priority boarding. Additionally, receive 20% back on in-flight food and beverage purchases.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Ideal for: The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card is perfect for regular travelers seeking to enhance their elite status through spending while earning SkyMiles on everyday expenses.

Why apply now? While the recent exceptional bonus offers have ended, the statement credit benefits remain quite attractive.

Welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months of account opening.

Annual fee: $250 (refer to rates and fees).

Points earning: Accumulate three miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases and hotel bookings. Earn two miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants globally, including takeout and delivery within the U.S.; earn one mile per dollar on all other purchases.

Credits: Enjoy a 15% discount on Delta SkyMiles redemptions with the new TakeOff 15 benefit. Receive a reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $100) once every four years. Get a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate annually upon card renewal. Enrollment is necessary for select benefits; terms apply.

Key benefits: Cardholders and up to eight companions can check one bag for free on Delta flights and benefit from priority boarding.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Ideal for: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is perfect for dedicated Delta travelers and high spenders looking to enhance their elite status through card spending while enjoying premium benefits.

Why now? This top-tier card offers the most comprehensive benefits among all Delta consumer cards.

Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first six months.

Annual fee: $550 (refer to rates and fees).

Points earning: Accumulate three miles for every dollar spent on Delta purchases and one mile for every dollar on all other expenses.

Benefits: Enjoy a 15 percent discount on Delta SkyMiles redemptions with the TakeOff 15 benefit. Receive a credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee (up to $100) once every four years. Additionally, upon card renewal, you will get a round-trip companion certificate for Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin. Enrollment is necessary for select benefits; terms apply.

Major advantages: On Delta flights, you and up to eight companions on the same reservation can check one bag for free, along with priority boarding. Gain complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on Delta-marketed or operated flights, and to American Express Centurion Lounges if your Delta flight is booked with this card. Starting February 1, 2025, Reserve cardholders will receive 15 complimentary visits to the Delta Sky Club each year. You can earn unlimited Club access after spending $75,000 on your eligible card in one calendar year, which will be valid for that year and the next.

Which Delta SkyMiles credit card fits your needs?

Choosing a welcome bonus depends on how frequently you fly Delta and if you already possess other cards that provide perks like lounge access.

We believe the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card stands out as the most attractive option. Like its pricier siblings, it includes the new 15 percent discount on award bookings. It also offers one complimentary checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight travel companions traveling on the same itinerary. Since the first checked bag on Delta Airlines costs $30 per person each way, that's a total of $120 round-trip for two travelers. The savings with this card can accumulate rapidly.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card features a better overall earning structure compared to the more expensive Reserve card, as it allows you to earn double miles on purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide (in contrast to the Reserve’s single mile per dollar spent). This makes it an excellent choice not only for Delta flight purchases but also for everyday spending. With Delta SkyMiles redeeming at approximately one cent each for Delta flights, 40,000 miles could translate to around $400 towards Delta fares.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is appealing if you predominantly fly with Delta or its SkyTeam partners and if you don’t already hold the Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees). The annual fee for the Reserve is justified by its current lounge access benefits. However, if you already possess the Platinum Card from American Express, you have access to similar, if not superior, lounge benefits (the Platinum Card provides more extensive lounge access, including American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and lounges within the Priority Pass network). Additionally, the credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck is only advantageous if you lack a card that already offers it. The Companion Certificate, which is valid even for business-class tickets, can also be valuable when used correctly.

We don’t want the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card to feel neglected, but it has earned a reputation as the middle child. Positioned between the Gold and Reserve cards, it doesn’t quite justify an annual fee that is more than double that of the Gold card. The benefits it offers are not as impressive as those of the Reserve. Overall, this card's primary selling point is its bonus of 50,000 miles, but it is not a card that you are likely to retain long-term like the Gold or Reserve.

Key takeaways

We’re thrilled to see Delta introduce the new 15 percent redemption discount benefit across all three of its consumer cards. Casual travelers planning even a single trip with Delta this year should consider the Gold card, while those who frequently fly with the airline and wish to advance in its elite program should choose the Reserve.

This article was first published in 2022 and was updated on September 14, 2023, with the latest information. While the offers mentioned are accurate as of the publication date, they are subject to change at any time and may have already changed or may no longer be available.