This AmEx Delta SkyMiles credit card review shows you an honest side-by-side comparison for 2013. You need to watch out because some credit card websites try hard to convince you the best SkyMiles card is the one they are advertising or the one that’s most profitable for them!

CreditCardForum takes a different approach:
  • We promote all 3 different Delta credit cards and extend to you generous offers and promotions for each, when available. Make an informed decision by comparing all the cards and their pros/cons.
  • We don’t try and convince you there is a one-size-fits-all; what is the best SkyMiles credit card will totally depend upon your specific needs.
Now let’s look at the reviews for each Delta SkyMiles card…

The Gold, Platinum, and Delta Reserve SkyMiles credit cards all have the following benefits in common:
  • Free First Checked Bag: For yourself and up to eight other people on your reservation. Just this in and of itself is an extremely useful benefit considering it saves you $50 round trip per person.
  • Earning Miles: You will earn 2 SkyMiles per dollar on Delta purchases and 1 SkyMile per dollar on all other purchases. There's no limit on how many you can earn.
  • Pay With Miles: This exclusive Delta SkyMiles cardholder benefit allows you to pay for all or just a portion of your flights with miles. Either way, there will be no seat restrictions and no blackout dates when using the Pay With Miles feature.
So that’s what they have in common but here’s how they differ:

Gold Delta SkyMiles (my personal favorite)

Gold Delta SkyMiles card
Annual Fee: Normally $95, but it’s waived for the first year using the offer below
Priority Boarding: Yes, you get Zone 2 priority boarding
Built-In Miles Boost: n/a
Honest Advice: Not only is this one the lowest cost, but in my opinion it's also the best choice for most people. Why? Because if you strategically spread your spending across multiple reward cards (like I do) then you don't want to overpay for a "part time" card. The Gold Delta SkyMiles credit card has the lowest annual fee, yet it still gives you the most important benefits of free checked bags and priority boarding privileges. Think about it... even if you and your partner only fly once per year, the $100 roundtrip savings for both of your checked bags will more than offset the annual fee. Also it's worth noting that if you have newer/fair credit, you will probably have the best chance with this one. I have heard of people with credit scores in the mid to high 600’s getting approved (it's rumored to possibly be the easiest AmEx credit card to qualify for).

Special Bonus Offer: Get 30,000 bonus miles + $0 intro annual fee for the first year
(Just spend $500 within first 3 mo. to get the bonus miles - enough for a roundtrip domestic flight!)

Platinum Delta SkyMiles

Platinum Delta SkyMiles card
Annual Fee: $150, unfortunately this is NOT waived the first year.
Priority Boarding: Yes, you get Zone 2 priority boarding
Built-In Miles Boost: You can get up to 20,000 bonus miles every year – 10,000 miles for spending $25,000 annually. If you spend $50,000 annually you get another 10,000 miles bonus.
Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs): These aren’t miles you can spend on tickets, but rather “miles” that are used to determine your Delta Elite frequent flyer status (for perks like seat upgrades, priority wait list, etc). If you’re a frequent flyer you already know all about these. With the Platinum Delta SkyMiles credit card you can get an extra MQM boost of 20,000 miles annually – 10,000 just for having the card and another 10,000 for spending $25,000+ per year.
Companion Ticket: You get a free companion ticket certificate each year when you renew, which can be used for coach class within the 48 contiguous states. Please note that applicable fees/taxes will still apply for the companion ticket.
Honest Advice: This is the best SkyMiles card for the moderate traveler who spends at least $50,000 per year (so you can get the bonus MQMs). That being said, this credit card could still make sense for a couple even if they travel infrequently since you get a free companion ticket every year (but remember their are still taxes/fees on the 2nd ticket). However the drawback is that you will have to pay the annual fee the first year with the Platinum, and its bonus is lackluster when compared to Gold.

Special Bonus Offer: 20,000 miles (5,000 of which count as Medallion Qualification Miles)
(Awarded after first purchase with the card. Please remember the annual fee is NOT waived the first year.)

Delta Reserve SkyMiles

Delta Reserve card
Annual Fee: $450, unfortunately this is NOT waived the first year.
Priority Boarding: Yes, Sky Priority lane boarding. Plus at airports which have them, you get to go through the Premium Security lines.
Built-In Miles Boost: Receive up to 30,000 bonus miles every year – Spend $30,000 annually and receive 15,000 bonus miles, reach $60,000 and receive another 15,000 miles.
Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs): You can earn up to 30,000 bonus MQMs per year with this Delta credit card – get 15,000 MQMs for spending $30,000 annually and another 15,000 MQMs for reaching $60,000.
Companion Ticket: You receive a companion free ticket certificate that is good for both coach/economy as well as first-class within the continental US. Like the credit cards mentioned above, you receive this every year when you renew.
Other Perks: Delta SkyClub access for you and two guests, concierge service, upgrade priority
Honest Advice: This is the best SkyMiles credit card for the most diehard business travelers and those who travel first class and are big spenders (because spending $60k+ scores the 30k bonus miles each year). If you use the companion ticket for first class, you will probably get your money's worth.

Special Bonus Offer: 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles
(Awarded after first purchase with the card. Please remember the annual fee is NOT waived the first year.)