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If your family flies Delta more than any other airline, a Delta card is one of the simplest wins out there. You get 15% off every award flight you book with miles, the ability to pick your seats and sit together, and free checked bags for the whole crew.
Pick the airline you fly most, grab its card, and the parts of flying that usually cost you… bags, seats, boarding… basically take care of themselves. (Not sure a fee is worth it? I break that down here.)
Why get the airline card for the airline you fly most?
When you fly one airline over and over, its card makes flying with kids easier (anything for that YES PLZ) US based airlines are really moving to the value of holding one of their cards in the last few years:
- Free checked bags for the whole reservation
- Priority boarding, so your crew sits together
- 15% off Delta award flights booked with miles (the big one with Delta)
Which Delta SkyMiles card is right for your family?
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card is the everyday Delta card most families want: the lowest annual fee of the group, free checked bags, priority boarding, and the 15% award discount.
Earn up to 90,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 07/15/2026.
⭐ The family favorite. Lowest fee, free bags for everyone on the reservation, and the 15% award discount (HUGE!). If you grab one, grab this.
- First checked bag free for you and up to 8 on your reservation
- Second checked bag free on domestic flights
- 15% off Delta award flights
- Zone 5 priority boarding
- Lowest annual fee of the group
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card steps things up with an annual companion certificate and more at the airport…if you’re looking for a fewwww more perks!
Earn up to 100,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 07/15/2026.
- Annual Companion Certificate (Main Cabin round-trip)
- First and second checked bag free
- 15% off Delta award flights
- Mid-tier annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the premium, fly-Delta-a-lot pick, highlights are the lounge access and the most flexible companion certificate.
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 07/15/2026.
- Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access
- Annual Companion Certificate (First, Comfort, or Main)
- First and second bag free, plus 15% off award flights
- Premium annual fee
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
The no-annual-fee starter. The Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card is the easiest way to start earning Delta miles with zero yearly cost… no free bags or award discount, BUT also no commitment either!
Earn 10,000 miles
Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- No annual fee
- 20% back on eligible Delta in-flight purchases
- No free checked bag or 15% discount (those start with the Gold)
What about those Thrifty Traveler Delta flash deals?
One more reason to have a Delta card. Thrifty Traveler keeps dropping some of the lowest Delta cash fares in the industry. Add a Delta card and it is even better: free bags, boarding together, and miles earned on an already-cheap ticket.
Want the full game plan? Here is the cheapest way for a family to fly to Europe.
TLDR for you
- Fly Delta most? A Delta card pays for itself in bags and the 15% award discount
- Best for families: the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (free bags, 15% off awards, lowest fee)
- Want a companion certificate or lounge access? Platinum or Reserve
- Just testing the waters? The no-fee Blue
New to points? Start with my beginner’s guide to traveling on points for families.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.