Delta Air Lines Changes: American Express Cards, SkyMiles, and More

Delta Air Lines is setting a new course for its American Express card program, and it might be a bumpy ride for some cardholders. The trio of Delta personal and business cards — Gold, Platinum, and Reserve — are sporting some new benefits, but higher annual fees are coming in tow.

Starting May 1, Delta’s credit cards will increase their annual charges. The Gold card, once $99, will now cost $150. Platinum cardholders will see a jump from $250 to $350, and the Reserve card’s fee will soar from $550 to $650. The question on everyone’s mind is, do the new perks justify these extra costs?

Delta seems to think so. The revamped Gold card now comes with a $100 annual credit for Delta Stays, Delta’s hotel and rental car booking service. If Gold cardholders spend $10,000 a year, they’ll also earn a $200 Delta flight credit.

The Platinum card is getting an even more substantial upgrade. Cardholders can now receive up to $400 in credits per year. This includes a $120 Resy credit, a $120 rideshare credit, and a $150 Delta Stays credit.

Delta isn’t leaving its premium Reserve cardholders behind. These valued customers will get a total of $560 in annual statement rebates, including a $240 Resy credit, a $120 rideshare credit, and a $200 Delta Stays credit.

It’s critical to remember, however, that both the Resy and rideshare credits are awarded monthly and won’t roll over.

The Platinum and Reserve cards also come with annual companion tickets. Previously, these were only valid for flights within the 48 mainland U.S. states, but Delta has expanded this perk to cover new destinations like Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Delta is introducing these changes with limited-time welcome offers of up to 110,000 bonus miles for meeting minimum spending requirements, adding another perk for SkyMiles collectors.

These changes follow Delta’s introduction of “TakeOff 15,” a 15% discount for redeeming flights with SkyMiles that launched in February 2023, and a major overhaul of its loyalty program.

The cost of higher card fees could prove a sticking point for travelers, and Delta’s controversial decision to limit Sky Club lounge access for top-tier Reserve cardmembers still stands, capping visits at 15 per year starting on Feb. 1, 2025.