Delta SkyMiles American Express Credit Card Review

Who Is the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express Good For?

The Delta SkyMiles credit card is an entry-level card that allows you to earn SkyMiles without flying. Although it doesn’t have a large sign-up bonus, or as many of the bells and whistles of its more celebrated cousins—the Gold Delta SkyMiles, Platinum Delta SkyMiles and Delta Reserve cards—it does have the lowest annual fee.

SkyMiles is a major frequent flyer program and part of the 20-member SkyTeam alliance. It’s part of the second-largest airline alliance in the world, so the Delta miles you earn with the card will be extremely useful.

The Delta SkyMiles credit card is a good choice for collecting additional SkyMiles, as its earning scheme on purchases is on par with other Delta cards.

Sign-Up Bonus:

You’ll get a 5,000-mile bonus after your first purchase.

Miles Earned:

• 2 miles per dollar for Delta purchases
• 1 mile per dollar for everything else

What Do Your Miles Get You?

You can earn and redeem SkyMiles on any of the 20 airlines that are SkyTeam members, as well as on Delta’s own partners. Considering the size of Delta Air Lines and the quantity of its partners, there are very few places on the planet you can’t reach using SkyMiles.

Usage Perks:

• Free checked bag
• 20 percent savings on eligible in-flight purchases
• One-way award flights
• No fuel surcharges on most Delta flights and on most partners
• Open jaw allowed
• Large network of airline partners
• Discounted domestic short-haul awards
• Best planes and service among the major U.S. airlines
• Excellent international business class

Usage Quirks:

• Fuel surcharges on itineraries originated in Europe
• No stopovers allowed
• High change and cancellation fees

How Far Do Your Miles Go?

Delta has the best international availability in both economy and business class among the major U.S. airlines. While Delta business class awards are usually pricier than American’s, they often compare favorably to United.

A round-trip business class ticket between the U.S. and Europe costs 125,000 miles on Delta or one of its partners. At 115,000 miles, United business class flights to Europe are a bit cheaper, but it can be very difficult to find availability. And if you decide to fly on one of United’s partners, it will cost 140,000 miles. That’s considerably more expensive than Delta.

Additional Cardholder Benefits:

• Extended warranty
• Zero liability
• Global assist hotline
• Return protection
• Purchase protection
• Roadside assistance hotline
• Baggage insurance
• Trip cancellation coverage
• Car rental loss and damage insurance