Recommended Delta SkyMiles® Credit Cards for Families (Limited-Time Offers Ending 7/15/26)
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We just moved to Salt Lake City this summer… which means for the first time ever, we officially live in a Delta hub city! So naturally, Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards and Delta SkyMiles suddenly became a LOT more interesting to me!
In fact, we already booked our first direct Delta flights from Salt Lake City to New York City for Christmas time! Once I started looking into the Delta credit cards, I realized there’s a lot of value here for families - especially right now!
Delta currently has limited time offers running through 7/15/26, and the card lineup also just got some valuable updates that families will actually care about and want to take advantage of! Between the limited time offer, two checked bags, rideshare credits, lounge access, and the TakeOff 15 benefit… I finally understand why so many families love these cards and got one myself!
Here’s what I’d look at if you’re trying to figure out which Delta card makes the most sense for you!
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card — Best for Families Getting Started With Delta
Annual Fee:
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates & fees)
If you’re new to Delta cards, this is the one I’d start with! The annual fee is approachable, the benefits are practical for everyday family travel, and right now there’s a limited time offer ending 7/15/26 that makes this an especially good time to apply!
One thing I love about this offer: you have a full six months to hit the minimum spend, which is much more manageable for families than the three-month window on many other credit card welcome offers.
What I love about this card:
First and second checked bag free on domestic Delta flights - the first checked bag is free for the Basic Cardmember and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation, so it can cover the whole family! The second checked bag is free for the Basic Cardmember only. For a lot of families, the checked bag savings alone can offset a large chunk of the annual fee quickly!
TakeOff 15: Save 15% when booking Delta Award Travel with miles through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. (Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees)
Zone 5 priority boarding - skip the long boarding line and get settled with your family before the rush.
20% back as a statement credit on eligible in-flight food and beverage purchases - great for snacks and dinks on longer flights.
$120 annual rideshare credit - after your first card renewal, enroll to earn up to $10 back as a statement credit each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles® Gold Card. That’s up to $120 back each year.
Up to $100 Delta Stays credit annually - Delta Stays is Delta’s own hotel and vacation rental booking platform at delta.com. Book a prepaid hotel or vacation rental through Delta Stays and get up to $100 back as a statement credit each year.
2x miles at restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and on Delta purchases.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card — Best for Frequent Delta Flyers
Annual Fee:
$650 (see rates & fees)
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve is a premium travel card for people who fly Delta regularly and want the airport experience itself to feel easier and more comfortable. If you’ve ever waited at a crowded gate, you probably already know why lounge access becomes very appealing!
Here’s what stands out with the Reserve:
Delta Sky Club® access — Delta Sky Club lounges are Delta’s own airport lounges, available at airports across the U.S. and select international locations. Think comfortable seating away from the gate crowds, Wi-Fi, and a much calmer environment to wait for your flight. Reserve cardholders get 15 visits per Medallion Year, and can unlock unlimited visits if you spend $75,000 in purchases or more on the card in a calendar year.
Complimentary American Express Centurion Lounge access — Centurion Lounges are American Express’s own premium airport lounges, known for elevated food, full bars, and spa services. Access is complimentary when you’re flying Delta and purchase your ticket with the card.
Annual Companion Certificate - each year after renewal, you receive a certificate that lets one companion fly with you on a round-trip domestic Delta flight (or to the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico) in Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main for just the cost of government taxes and fees. Important to know: your primary ticket must be purchased with cash, credit card, or Delta eCredit – this benefit does not apply when the first ticket is booked with miles.
The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
First and second checked bags free. First checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide for the Basic Cardmember and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation. Second checked bag free for the Basic Cardmember on domestic Delta flights.
TakeOff 15: Save 15% when booking Delta Award Travel with miles through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. (Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
Up to $240 annual Resy credit — Resy is a restaurant reservation platform with a focus on upscale dining. Reserve cardholders get up to $20 back per month as a statement credit on eligible purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $240 per year) Enrollment required.
Up to $200 Delta Stays credit annually — book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com and get up to $200 back as a statement credit each year.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit — Global Entry speeds up customs when returning from international trips (and includes TSA PreCheck). TSA PreCheck gets you through the faster security lane at U.S. airports. Receive a $120 statement credit every 4 years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4 years for TSA PreCheck when you pay the application fee with your card.
Zone 5 Priority Boarding - board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
Complimentary Upgrade List – Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles® Medallion Members.
Upgrade Priority - receive upgrade priority over others with your Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
$120 annual rideshare credit — earn up to $10 back as a statement credit per month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
The annual fee is significant - but for people already flying Delta consistently, the lounge access, companion certificate, and travel benefits could offset that cost quickly!
What About the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card?
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card could absolutely make sense for the right traveler — especially if you fly Delta a few times a year and want more built-in travel benefits without jumping all the way to the higher annual fee on the Reserve. (see rates & fees)
But honestly? I think the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the much better starting point.
What’s New With Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards in 2026
On top of the limited time offers, Delta and American Express added some valuable updates to the card lineup! These are benefits families could actually notice and care about!
Free First AND Second Checked Bags on Domestic Delta Flights
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card now all include a second checked bag free on domestic Delta flights for the — in addition to the first checked bag free that was already a benefit.
A few things to know about this benefit: it’s available for Basic Card Members on domestic Delta and Delta Connection carrier flights. Your SkyMiles number must be on the reservation. It’s not available for passengers who are already receiving two or more free checked bags through other means, like Medallion Status or an eligible fare class.
The Gold Card Added a New $120 Rideshare Credit
The Delta Gold card now includes a rideshare credit starting in your second year of card membership. After your first card renewal, enroll and earn up to $10 back as a statement credit each month on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. That’s up to $120 back each year. Enrollment required.
Which Delta SkyMiles® Card Is Best for Families?
Here’s my quick take:
Start with the Delta SkyMiles Gold Card if:
This is your first Delta card
You fly Delta a few times a year
You want strong everyday travel benefits without a high annual fee
You care most about saving money on family travel
Consider the Reserve if:
You fly Delta regularly
You’ve already had the Delta Gold or Delta Platinum Card
You value airport lounge access
You’d realistically use a companion certificate every year
You want a more premium airport experience for your family
My #1 recommendation for beginners: If you’re new to Delta cards, start with the Gold. The benefits are practical and valuable for family travel, and it keeps the door open for future Delta cards down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Delta SkyMiles® credit card for beginners?
For families newer to Delta cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the best starting point. It has an approachable annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150), includes first checked bag free on Delta flights worldwide for the Basic Cardmember and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation, plus second checked bag free on Domestic Delta flights for the Basic Cardmember. You’ll also get TakeOff 15 savings on Award Travel, and a new $120 annual rideshare credit after card renewal. There’s also a limited time elevated offer running through 7/15/26. (see rates & fees)
What is the TakeOff 15 benefit on Delta Amex cards?
TakeOff 15 is a benefit on eligible Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards that gives you a 15% discount when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights through delta.com or the Fly Delta app. The discount is not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Should I get the Delta Gold or Delta Reserve card first?
If you’re new to Delta cards, start with the Gold. Starting with the Gold keeps you eligible for the welcome offers on the Platinum and Reserve cards down the road. The Gold also has a much lower annual fee, making it the most accessible way to start building miles and experiencing Delta card benefits. (See rates & fees)
When do the current Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card offers end?
The current limited time offers on the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards are scheduled to end on 7/15/26. If you’ve been considering a Delta card, now is a good time to take a closer look before the offers expire.
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