Delta and American Express have just refreshed their entire lineup of co-branded SkyMiles credit cards, adding new benefits and updated card designs—without raising annual fees. These changes, effective June 2026, mean more value for both current and new cardholders.
What Changed
- New card designs: All Delta Amex cards now feature a modern look, rolling out June 2026
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve/Reserve Business: Added $200 annual Delta Stays hotel credit (new), $120 annual Resy dining credit (new), and 15% off in-flight purchases (was 20%)
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum/Platinum Business: Added $150 annual Delta Stays hotel credit (new), $100 annual Resy dining credit (new), and 15% off in-flight purchases (was 20%)
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold/Gold Business: Added $100 annual Delta Stays hotel credit (new), $50 annual Resy dining credit (new)
- No annual fee increases: All annual fees remain unchanged for 2026
Who Benefits Most
- Delta Reserve cardholders who use Delta Stays: If you book $200+ in Delta Stays hotels per year, you now get $200 back—fully offsetting a chunk of the $650 annual fee
- Frequent Delta flyers who dine out: The new Resy dining credits ($120 on Reserve, $100 on Platinum, $50 on Gold) are easy to use at thousands of restaurants, saving regular diners real cash
- Travelers who value card design and perks: If you appreciate a premium-looking card and use in-flight purchases, the 15% discount (down from 20%) still adds up—e.g., $200 in in-flight spend saves $30
- Delta loyalists with multiple cards: Stacking hotel and dining credits across personal and business versions can yield $300+ in annual value
Who Should Be Cautious
- Cardholders who rarely use Delta Stays or Resy: If you don’t book hotels via Delta or dine with Resy, the new credits may go unused
- Those who valued the 20% in-flight discount: The drop to 15% means less savings for heavy in-flight spenders (e.g., $500/year now saves $75 vs $100 before)
- Travelers who prefer flexible points: If you value transferable points (like Amex Membership Rewards), these Delta-specific perks may not be as appealing
What To Do Right Now
- Check your Delta Amex card benefits: Log in to your Amex account to see the new credits and how to activate them
- Plan your hotel bookings: If you have upcoming travel, consider booking through Delta Stays to maximize your new hotel credit
- Register for Resy: Link your Delta Amex to your Resy account to use the new dining credits
- Review in-flight spending habits: Adjust expectations for the new 15% discount
- Compare with other premium cards: If you’re considering a new card, weigh these new Delta perks against other travel cards
