I’ve been a frequent flyer for more than ten years, diving deep into travel rewards. So, I’ve tried out plenty of airline credit cards myself. Folks often ask me, Are the Delta SkyMiles credit cards worth it? My go-to answer is: it really comes down to how you travel. Let’s really dig into the actual perks you get. We’ll talk about the popular companion certificate and even the tricky details of Medallion Qualification Dollars, or MQDs. This should help you figure out if the Delta SkyMiles card benefits match what you’re looking for. I won’t just repeat the marketing stuff. I’ll give you real-life examples, like the time the free checked bag benefit saved my family a cool $240 on one vacation. And I’ll point out the important fine print you need to know.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The main perks and benefits of the SkyMiles cards.
- How fast you earn miles and what they’re really worth.
- Getting elite status and understanding Medallion qualification.
- Is the annual fee worth it? And how the cards stack up against each other.
- The real-world limits and the not-so-fun fine print.
- Tips to get the most out of your card strategy.
- Your questions about Delta SkyMiles credit card benefits, answered.
Core SkyMiles Card Benefits and Perks
Travel and Baggage Benefits
The first checked bag free perk is probably the most solid and reliable benefit you get. Just on one recent trip for two people, it saved me $120 total—that’s $60 each way for each of us.
It kicks in automatically when you book with the card, so you don’t have to worry about anything at check-in. Just keep in mind, it covers you and up to eight people traveling on the same reservation.
If you don’t fly much, this one perk might not pay for the card’s annual fee. But for families or anyone who flies Delta regularly, the savings really stack up.
Then there’s priority boarding. It’s not as fancy as lounge access, but getting Main Cabin 1 boarding is a huge deal for snagging overhead bin space. I’ve lost count of how many times this has saved me from having to gate-check my bag.
It lets you get settled on the plane fast, which is great on packed flights. Everyone on your reservation gets this benefit too, which makes traveling with a group way easier.
<img src="https://www.crdpay.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/27ff5c63-4a7c-4c6c-8463-ccb85f996582-2.webp" alt="Delta Skymiles credit card Benefits Review”>
In-Flight and Purchase Benefits
The in-flight discount gives you a 15% or 20% bonus when you use miles for Delta purchases. It sounds awesome, but how useful it is really depends on the situation. I once used it to grab a snack on a long flight at the last minute.
It stretched my miles for something I needed right then. For bigger things, like buying a Wi-Fi pass, it’s a nice little bonus. The important thing to know is it’s a discount on the mileage cost.
not the cash price. So it’s smart to check if paying with miles (with the discount) is better than just paying cash.
A lot of people miss the purchase protections that come with the card. My bag was delayed once, and the card’s baggage insurance paid for stuff I needed to buy.
Benefits like trip cancellation insurance or rental car coverage give you real peace of mind. You don’t use SkyMiles for these, but they’re a key part of what makes the card valuable. They turn it from just a points card into a safety net for your travels.
Earning Rates and SkyMiles Value
Accelerated Earning Categories
Let’s break down the spending. The way you earn miles is pretty simple, but it really focuses on Delta. You get 2 to 3 times the miles when you buy Delta flights or eat out (takeout counts too).
For all your other spending, it’s just 1 mile per dollar. From what I’ve seen with my own spending, if you don’t fly Delta a lot, the earning on everyday stuff is just okay. Other travel cards that are more flexible can do better.
So the trick is to really use it for those bonus categories. Take me, for instance. I use this card for every restaurant bill. That helps me hit my goal of getting enough miles for a free flight every year.
| Spending Category | Gold Card | Platinum Card | Reserve Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Purchases | 2x Miles | 3x Miles | 3x Miles |
| U.S. Supermarket Dining | 2x Miles (up to $10k/yr) | 2x Miles (Dining only) | 3x Miles (Dining only) |
| All Other Purchases | 1x Mile | 1x Mile | 1x Mile |
Understanding SkyMiles Valuation
Here’s the deal with using your miles: they don’t have one set value. From booking my own trips and keeping an eye on things, I’d say they’re usually worth about 1.1 to 1.5 cents each.
But you can get way more value sometimes, like during Delta’s flash sales or if you book a fancy seat up front. Just recently, I snagged a round-trip flight inside the U.S. on sale for only 5,000 miles.
That worked out to more than 2 cents per mile! Oh, and don’t forget the companion certificate you get with the Platinum or Reserve cards. It’s like a buy-one-get-one deal, which really makes your miles go further.
Elite Status and Medallion Qualification
MQD Waiver and Head Start
If you’re trying to get Delta Medallion Status faster, here’s a big perk: the Platinum and Reserve cards come with an MQD waiver. Once you hit $25,000 in spending on your card within a year.
you don’t need to worry about the Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) requirement for Silver, Gold, or Platinum status. From what I’ve seen helping folks, this is the quickest way for most people to earn that status.
And the Reserve card gives you a nice head start—you get 2,500 MQDs as a bonus when you renew your card. That can cut months off your journey to the next status tier.
Now, about spending to get status: you really need to figure out if it’s worth it money-wise. That $25,000 spending target is a lot, especially if you’re just putting everyday purchases on the card that don’t earn bonus points, all for that waiver.
My advice is always this: first, check if your regular spending fits the card’s bonus categories. If it doesn’t, you’re probably better off using a different card that gives you better rewards on all purchases. Then, you can just fly the normal amount to hit your MQD goal the old-fashioned way.
Let’s talk about the annual fees and compare the cards.
First, we need to break down the costs.
Let’s be real, the annual fee is a big deal. It starts at $0, then jumps to anywhere from $99 all the way up to $550. To make it worth it, you gotta use the main perks. Take the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card Amex Card.
It has a $99 fee. I tell my clients, just check one bag on a round-trip flight each year, and you’ve covered the cost. For the Platinum Card and Reserve Card cards, with their $250 and $550 fees, the real key is the companion certificate.
I used my Platinum Card card’s certificate on a $300 flight. After the $250 fee, I basically made $50. This table shows you how to break even with each card.
| Card | Annual Fee | Main Perk to Break Even | Example to Cover the Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Card | $99 | Free Checked Bag | One round-trip for two people with checked bags (worth about $120) |
| Platinum Card | $250 | Companion Certificate | Use the certificate on any flight over $250 |
| Reserve Card | $550 | Companion Cert Lounge Access | Cert use 2 lounge visits ($100 value) |
So, how do you pick the right Delta card?
Picking a tier really comes down to how often you fly. As a Delta loyalist flying 3-4 times a year, I found the Platinum Card card ideal for the companion pass and enhanced earnings.
The Reserve Card card, with its Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta), is for the true frequent flyer. A client of mine who travels weekly for business swears by the Reserve Card for the lounge peace alone.
The Gold Card card is a fantastic starter option to test your loyalty and bag fee savings without a high commitment.
Real-World Limitations and Fine Print
Common Pitfalls and Restrictions
Let’s talk about the Companion Certificate rules. It’s a fantastic benefit, but the rules are pretty strict. You can typically use it for round-trip flights in the Main Cabin, but only to places like the U.S., the Caribbean, or Central America.
I’ve had clients get really frustrated when they try to book Hawaii or other international trips with it—it just doesn’t work for those. You have to book over the phone, and you’ll still need to pay the taxes and fees yourself.
which start at around $75. Also, there are only a limited number of seats available, so you’ll want to book your trip early. From my experience, being flexible is the key. It helps a lot to have a few different dates in mind.
Now, about Sky Club access with the Reserve card: you get in for free, but only if you’re flying on a Delta flight. That’s a really important detail to remember.
If you book a ticket on a partner airline, say Air France, but you book it through Delta, you should still get access. But it’s always smart to double-check. The rules for bringing guests are strict too.
Right now, it costs $50 per guest. These access rules actually changed not too long ago. It just goes to show why you should check the benefit terms every year—they can and do change.
Maximizing Your Card Strategy
Advanced Earning and Redemption Tips
Here’s a spending tip: don’t put all your purchases on this one card. Grab another rewards card that’s more flexible for your everyday, non-bonus spending. Personally, I only use my Delta Gold card for Delta flights, eating out, and groceries.
Everything else goes on a card that earns points I can transfer anywhere. Mixing cards like this really racks up the most points overall. Oh, and don’t forget the Delta Shopping Portal!
I always start my online shopping there. Just by buying stuff I needed anyway, I’ve snagged thousands of extra SkyMiles.
When it comes to booking awards, patience is key. Set up some fare alerts. Delta’s mileage prices change all the time. I helped a client book Delta One business class to Europe for 85,000 miles during a promotion.
a steal compared to the standard 200,000 . Another smart move? Use your miles for pricey short flights. You often get way more value per mile that way. Here’s a neat trick: that 15% discount you get on board?
It works on award purchases too. So if you’re buying snacks or Wi-Fi, always choose Use Miles to make them go further.
So, to wrap it up, if you’re loyal to Delta, these SkyMiles cards are a pretty sweet deal. The free checked bag and the companion ticket are the big winners—they can easily pay for the card’s fee.
But honestly, how much you’ll benefit really depends on how you travel and if you’re okay playing by Delta’s rules. If you don’t fly Delta often, a regular travel card might be a better, more flexible fit for you.
Curious if your spending could get you a free ticket? I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below about your own Delta card experiences, any questions, or your travel dreams. Want to get really good at using airline cards? Check out our full guide on advanced points strategies for more pro tips.
Alright, let’s talk about the Delta SkyMiles credit card perks and answer some common questions.
So, is that annual fee on your Delta SkyMiles card really worth it?
It can totally be worth it, but only if you actually use the main benefits regularly. Take the Gold card, for example. If you and a travel buddy check just one bag on a round-trip, that alone usually pays off the whole $99 fee.
With the Platinum card, you get a companion certificate. Use it on a Main Cabin flight that costs over $250, and you’re already coming out ahead. Really, it all comes down to how often you fly Delta.
What are the big perks you get with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card?
The Platinum card packs some great benefits. You get a yearly companion ticket for Main Cabin, a free first checked bag for you and up to eight people on your reservation, you board the plane earlier, and if you spend $25,000 on the card in a year.
you get a waiver on the MQD requirement for Medallion Status. Plus, you earn 3 miles for every dollar you spend directly with Delta.
Now, how does that companion certificate actually work?
You get a new companion certificate every year, right after your card renews. To use it, you have to call in to book a qualifying round-trip flight. It works for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American routes, and it has to be in Main Cabin.
You’ll just pay the taxes and fees for your companion’s ticket, which start at around $75. Just a heads up, it’s only good for certain fare classes. So to get the best flight options, you’ll want to book it nice and early.
Can these Delta cards actually help you reach Medallion Status?
Absolutely! The Platinum and Reserve cards are a huge help. If you put $25,000 in eligible spending on the card in a year, you get a pass on the MQD requirement for Silver, Gold, and Platinum Medallion Status.
And the top-tier Reserve card gives you an even bigger leg up. Every year when it renews, you get a 2,500 MQD Head Start, so you’re already ahead of the game.
