No Result
View All Result
Eye of the Flyer
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result

Which Cards Do I Keep in My Delta Virtual Wallet?

How does this compare to what you use?

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
September 7, 2021 - Updated on September 28, 2021
in Credit Cards
2
Which credit cards do I keep in my Delta virtual wallet?
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Delta Air Lines allows SkyMiles members to keep up to four credit (or charge) cards in their virtual wallets. This speeds up airfare purchases and, overall, makes the process pretty convenient.

Plus, certain Delta American Express credit card benefits are available only if the cards are part of your Delta wallet.

Because not all credit cards are created the same, there are different reasons you may want several options in your Delta wallet.

Here are the cards I personally use for my Delta purchases — and why.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

There are a couple of reasons I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve® card for most airfare purchases.

First, it earns 3X on all travel spend. I can redeem those points at a rate of 4.5 cents each through the Chase travel site. Or I can transfer them at 1:1 ratio to one of Chase’s Ultimate Rewards travel partners.

 

Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Why not an Amex? you may ask. Even for Delta flights?!

Yep. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides great trip cancellation and interruption protection. Like René, I have a blanket travel insurance policy through Allianz for my wife, daughter, and me. But I like the peace of mind being “double-covered” in the event anything happens. Plus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® requires only a portion of your airfare be paid with the card for your trip to receive the coverage. So it’s a great option to use for cash balances on award tickets, Pay with Miles trips, or airfares involving gift cards or vouchers.

Delta Air Lines 757

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Whenever my full airfare purchase is reimbursed (work, etc), I pay with my personal/consumer The Platinum Card® from American Express. Several American Express provide trip cancellation and interruption insurance to many of their premium card. But your trip’s entire airfare must be paid with that card in order for you to receive the benefit.

Purchases made directly with airlines or Amex Travel earn 5X Membership Rewards points per dollar spent (up to $500,00 in annual spending on those purchases). Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a number of airlines (including Delta!) or hotels.

Or, they can be redeemed at a rate of one cent each when purchasing airfare through Amex Travel. (Though Business Platinum Amex cardholders can get a 35% Membership Rewards rebate when buying premium airfares with any airline or coach fares with an airline they designate.)

Plus, the cash portion of a Delta Amex companion certificate airfare must be paid with an American Express card. (It doesn’t have to be a Delta Amex.) I pay those purchases with my Amex Platinum card.

The Platinum Card® from American Express
Learn how to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express

As an aside, my Platinum card is often targeted when Amex Offers are available for Delta purchases. In fact, it received the $100 statement credit offer a few weeks ago.

Credit cards in a Fly Delta app

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The only reason The Business Platinum Card® from American Express takes a spot in my Delta wallet is that it came in handy for some of the purchases that worked toward my Amex airline incidental credits in past years. (Enrollment required.)

American Express Business Platinum card

Purchases made directly with airlines earn only 1X on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, so it’s far from the best available option. But again,

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Delta American Express cards give cardholders a number of benefits — such as a free first checked bag and Main Cabin 1 “priority” boarding.

The Delta American Express card must be added to the cardholder’s Delta wallet in order to receive the checked bag and boarding benefits.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card from American Express.

Cardholders of the personal Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and/or business  Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card products receive complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, Escape Lounges (a Centurion Studio Partner), and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta Air Lines. The trip must also be paid with an eligible American Express card.

Plus, holding a Delta Reserve card serves as a tie-breaker for Medallions in the upgrade hierarchy. Plus, Reserve cardholders who aren’t Medallions are eligible for complimentary upgrades. That’s the sole reason my Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card is part of my Delta wallet.

But again, the Reserve card must be added to the cardholder’s Delta wallet.

FWIW, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders earn 5X per dollar spent on Delta purchases made during 2021. (It’s usually 3X)

What’s In Your (Delta) Wallet?

Tell us which cards you use — and why — for your Delta airfare purchases!

–Chris

 

To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link. Terms apply.

To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link. Terms apply.

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Related

Previous Post

To Bulkhead or Not to Bulkhead: That is the Question!

Next Post

Delta Mileage Run — Los Angeles (LAX) to New York-Kennedy (JFK): 7,426 MQM at 2.5 CPM!

Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

Next Post
Aerial view of lower Manhattan NYC

Delta Mileage Run -- Los Angeles (LAX) to New York-Kennedy (JFK): 7,426 MQM at 2.5 CPM!

Comments 2

  1. MIchael R Karpiel says:
    10 months ago

    My AX Personal Platinum card which I primarily use for ticket purchases and even the taxes on award tickets.
    My AX Delta Personal Platinum which was a downgrade from the Reserve a couple of years ago when I got the AX Platinum.
    My AX Gold card as I used it a couple of times for airline statement credits in the past.
    My AX Aspire card as I used it a couple of times in the past for airline statement credits.

    I guess it’s time to re-think some of these slots. The Aspire get 7X Hilton points on air spend but the Gold and Green get 3X MR on air spend but none of these compare to the 5X I get on my platinum.

    I’ll keep the DL Platinum in there because if I do lose elite status at least it will give me the free checked bag and at least some preference in the boarding process.

    Reply
  2. Dee says:
    10 months ago

    Amex plat in wallet let’s u get fast access to Delta SC!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

➤ Search Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

GREAT Travel and Cash Back Card Offers!

Eye of the Flyer May Receive a Commission from the links below. See our Privacy Policy

See CardRatings’ Top Credit Cards for This Month!

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card travel rewards credit card

Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card! Learn here how to apply.

IHG Business Premier Rewards Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Business Credit Card

BRAND NEW CREDIT CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, complimentary Platinum elite status, great points bonuses, and more! Learn now how to apply!


Capital One Venture X Credit Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

A must-have “it” card for travel lovers! Earn 75,000 bonus points (worth at least $750 in travel) after spending $4,000 in purchases within three months of card membership approval. Plus, enjoy up $300 annually in statement credits for travel purchased through Capital One AND 10,000 bonus points every year, after the first anniversary. The $395 annual fee can EASILY be earned back — and then some! Learn now how to apply!

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

NEW WELCOME OFFER! Earn 1.5 bonus points on top of the other points you earn during the first year of card membership. (A $20,000 spending cap applies.) Learn now how to apply!

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card

REFRESHED CARD! Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. Plus, earn 5X points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. 3X on everything else. Learn now how to apply!


The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

THE classic travel benefits card! Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases within six months of being approved. See rates and fees. Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

American Express Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Earn 35% Membership Rewards rebates when paying with points for an eligible flight booked through Amex Travel! (Capped at 1,000,000 points a year, enrollment may be required.) Terms apply. Learn now how to apply!

  Earn cash back with Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) Earn cash back with TopCashback! RebatesMe Earn cash back with DOSH!

✍ Editors Disclaimer | lock, login, protection, secure icon Privacy Policy | $ Advertisers Disclosure

 

Subscribe

Subscribe To Our NewsletterJoin our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

No Result
View All Result
  • BANK & Travel Cards ★
    • Credit Cards
    • Travel Rewards Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Cash Back Credit Cards
    • No Annual Fee Credit Cards
    • Small Business Credit Cards
    • 0% Intro APR Cards
    • Balance Transfer Cards
  • Rookie
  • Elite Mileage Runs
  • αbout US ✉

Copyright © 2021 Eye of the Flyer

Cleantalk Pixel

Subscribe To Our Newsletter


Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!