Delta Credit Card Fees and Changes Explained

Author

Reads 1.3K

Close-up of a hand holding a credit card near a laptop for an online transaction.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a hand holding a credit card near a laptop for an online transaction.

Delta credit card fees can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you covered.

Delta charges a foreign transaction fee of 2.7% on all transactions made outside the US. This fee is in addition to the regular purchase price.

If you're planning to use your Delta credit card abroad, it's essential to factor in this extra fee.

The foreign transaction fee is waived if you have a Delta SkyMiles credit card that offers no foreign transaction fees, such as the Delta SkyMiles Blue Credit Card.

Blue American Express

The Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card has no annual fee, making it a great option for infrequent travelers who want to earn miles without paying an extra fee.

This card is perfect for those who occasionally fly with Delta, allowing you to earn miles on dining at U.S. restaurants and Delta purchases made directly with the airline.

You can earn 2X Miles on dining at U.S. restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 2X Miles on Delta purchases.

Hands using a contactless credit card on a payment terminal with a stylish minimal background.
Credit: pexels.com, Hands using a contactless credit card on a payment terminal with a stylish minimal background.

The card also offers a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit after you use your Card on eligible Delta in-flight purchases of food and beverages.

This can add up to some serious savings on your in-flight purchases, especially if you're a frequent flyer.

Here are the key benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card:

  • Earn Miles: 2X Miles on dining at U.S. restaurants, 2X Miles on Delta purchases, and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Get 20% Back on In-Flight Purchases: Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit.
  • Pay with Miles: Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem.

Platinum American Express

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card has a $350 annual fee, but it offers a range of benefits that can be a game-changer for frequent travelers.

One of the standout perks is the Companion Certificate, which allows you to bring a friend or partner on your next trip for a discounted price. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees, which can be as low as $80 for roundtrip domestic flights.

You can earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases made directly with Delta, 3X Miles on purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles on dining at U.S. restaurants, 2X Miles on groceries at U.S. supermarkets, and 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Credit: youtube.com, The AmEx Delta SkyMiles Platinum Review (This Card Will Pay YOU To Hold It)

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card also offers MQD Headstart and MQD Boost, which can help you get closer to Medallion Status. With MQD Headstart, you'll receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) deposited into your card-linked SkyMiles account each Medallion Qualification Year.

You can also earn 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app.

Some other benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card include a $120 Resy Credit and a $120 Rideshare Credit, which can be used to book restaurants and rideshare services.

Reserve American Express

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $650 annual fee, which emphasizes luxury travel with benefits like complimentary lounge access and a boost towards elite status.

If you're a frequent Delta traveler, you'll want access to Delta Sky Club lounges, which Reserve Card Members can enter at no cost, with four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.

Credit: youtube.com, Amex Just BLEW UP the Delta Credit Cards! (Can You Afford the Annual Fees?!)

Reserve Card Members can also receive complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner when purchasing a Delta flight with their Card.

Starting February 1, 2025, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club, but if they spend at least $75,000 in eligible purchases on the Card between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter, they can earn an unlimited number of Visits.

Additional benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card include MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: Reserve Card Members receive $2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 of purchases made on their Card.

The Companion Certificate is another major benefit of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, allowing Card Members to share their trip experience with a friend or partner, with a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after Card renewal.

Baggage charges and other restrictions apply to the Companion Ticket, which requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments).

A fresh viewpoint: Centurion Card Annual Fee

Fees and Changes

Credit: youtube.com, American Express REVAMPS Delta Cards: Good or Bad? Amex Delta Gold, Platinum, Reserve

Delta is increasing annual fees for its six credit cards. The fee hikes will go into effect at the next renewal date on or after May 1 for accounts opened before Thursday.

Here are the specific fee increases:

  • Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cards: from $550 to $650
  • Delta Platinum and Delta Platinum Business: from $250 to $350
  • Delta Gold and Delta Gold Business: from $99 to $150

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card now has an annual fee of $350, up from $250.

Rising Fees

Delta is increasing the annual fees for its credit cards, and it's essential to understand the changes. The fee hikes will go into effect at the next renewal date on or after May 1 for accounts opened before Thursday.

Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cardholders can expect a $100 increase, bringing the annual fee to $650. Delta Platinum and Delta Platinum Business cardholders will see a $100 increase, making the annual fee $350. The Delta Gold and Delta Gold Business cards will also experience a fee hike, with the annual fee rising from $99 to $150.

Here's a breakdown of the fee increases:

  • Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business: $550 to $650
  • Delta Platinum and Delta Platinum Business: $250 to $350
  • Delta Gold and Delta Gold Business: $99 to $150

Platinum Business Changes

Credit: youtube.com, HUGE Changes to Amex Platinum 😡 RUINED?!

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card has undergone some significant changes. The annual fee has increased to $350, up from $250. This change will affect existing cardholders who renew their card on or after May 1, 2024.

New cardholders can earn a 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months. This offer ends on March 27, 2024.

The card now offers more statement credits, including up to $120 in annual credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants, up to $120 in annual credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases, and up to $200 in annual credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings.

Here are the details of the statement credits:

  • Resy credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 per month)
  • Rideshare credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 per month)
  • Delta Stays credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings

Cardholders will also receive a boost to their elite status, with $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart. They'll also earn $1 MQD for every $20 they spend on their card.

Other benefits include a new spending category earning 1.5X miles on transit, U.S. shipping and single purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100K per year in combined purchases).

Business Changes

A close-up of hands holding an open wallet revealing credit cards
Credit: pexels.com, A close-up of hands holding an open wallet revealing credit cards

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card holders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months. This offer ends on 3/27/24.

The annual fee of the Delta Platinum Business card is now $350, up from $250. Existing cardholders will pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024.

New benefits for the Delta Platinum Business card include up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants, up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases, and up to $200 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card holders can earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months. This is a higher bonus than the Delta Platinum Business card.

The annual fee of the Delta Reserve Business card is now $650, up from $550. Existing cardholders will pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Prepare for 2024 DIR Fee Changes

Here are the key benefits of the Delta Reserve Business card:

  • Up to $240 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants
  • Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases
  • Up to $250 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
  • Get $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart
  • Expanded Companion Certificate: Companion Certificate is now valid for routes within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America
  • Earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores and on all eligible purchases after $150K in spending that calendar year
  • Receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle Status after enrollment

Impact and Effect

The impact of these fee changes is significant, with annual fees for six Delta cards increasing by $51 to $100.

You'll still get two more new statement credit offers with each card, which can provide up to $300 to $610 in value each year.

Even if you only use a fraction of these new credits, you'll come out ahead because no existing benefits are being eliminated.

The value is even better for small business cards, which have additional bonus spending categories.

Limited-time increase welcome bonus offers are available, giving you a generous six months to meet the spending requirement, which is double the amount of time you'll get with many travel credit cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get Delta annual fee waived?

To potentially waive your Delta annual fee, consider applying for a Delta credit card with a promotional first-year fee waiver or no annual fee, or call the issuer's retention line for a possible fee waiver. However, fee waiver success is not guaranteed.

What is the annual fee for Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card?

The annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card is $350. This fee grants access to exclusive benefits and rewards.

What is the annual fee for Delta Reserve credit card?

The annual fee for the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is $650. This fee can be worth it for frequent Delta travelers, but may not be suitable for others.

Forrest Schumm

Copy Editor

Forrest Schumm is a seasoned copy editor with a deep understanding of the financial sector, particularly in India. His expertise spans a variety of topics, including trade associations, banking institutions, and historical establishments. Forrest's work has shed light on the intricate landscape of Indian banking, from the Indian Banks' Association to the significant 1946 establishments that have shaped the industry.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.