Which Delta Amex cards offer the Delta Stays credit — and how much is it?

Most Delta co-branded Amex cards come with a Delta Stays statement credit. If your Delta card has an annual fee, it has a Delta Stays benefit. The amount of annual credits you can receive varies by card, ranging from $100 to $250 annually. Note that the business version of each card tier (Gold, Platinum, and Reserve) offers $50 more in annual credits than its consumer version.

How do I use the Delta Stays credit?

On Delta.com/Stays (powered by Expedia), you must book a prepaid hotel or vacation rental. If you see an option to “Pay Now” or “Pay Later,” click Pay Now. Then, use the eligible Delta Amex card at checkout. The credit typically posts within a few days, often in under a week.

Can I split the Delta Stays credit across multiple bookings?

Yep, you can. It’s an “up to” annual limit — not a one-shot deal. If you have a $200 Delta Stays credit and book a $150 stay, you still have $50 left to use later in the year.

Is the Delta Stays credit based on the calendar year?

Yes, it runs on the calendar year. If your card gives you $150 and you use it all in, say, December, you’ll get a fresh $150 available again starting January 1. Note that the credit is based on when you make an eligible booking and your card is charged, not when you stay at the hotel. If you have a hotel stay in February, you could book 1 night in December and then book another night in January (after the credit resets for the year) to save even more money on the same hotel stay.

Will I still get hotel elite perks or reward points when booking via Delta Stays?

Unfortunately, you probably won’t. That’s because you’re booking through a third-party platform, rather than directly with the hotel or its rewards program. Most hotel chains won’t recognize elite status or award nights when you book this way. That said, there are exceptions, but don’t count on it.

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How I Saved $450 on a 3-Night Hotel Stay With Delta Credit Card Perks

Updated: October 17, 2025, 8:30am CDT

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Table of Contents

What Is Delta Stays?
What Is the Delta Stays Perk on Amex Cards?
How I Used This Benefit To Save $450 on a 3-Night Hotel Stay
Final Thoughts

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When I recently booked a short-notice hotel stay, the cost, whether using points or paying cash, was astronomical. Many of the hotels near the conference I was attending were already sold out, further complicating the issue.

Then, I remembered that I had a hotel benefit on my American Express cards that could help me out — assuming I was willing to forgo the perks that come with hotel elite status and earning points from my stay. The answer was yes, I was definitely willing to give those up to save $450 on a hotel reservation, dropping the price to just $4 per night for my stay.

Here’s how the Delta Stays benefit on my Delta credit cards came to the rescue.

What Is Delta Stays?

Delta Stays is a hotel booking platform operated by the Delta SkyMiles program but powered by Expedia. It should feel familiar if you’ve used Expedia in the past.

Through Delta Stays, you can book thousands of hotels and vacation rental properties from various brands. Guests can earn or redeem SkyMiles on their reservations.

Delta Stays search page — Image Credit: Delta Stays

After inputting your destination, dates, and number of guests, guests paying for a stay will click “Search.” Those who want to redeem miles for their stay should toggle the “Pay with miles” option before searching.

If you’re paying for your stay, rather than redeeming miles, make sure to look for promotions with bonus miles. These offers vary and may not provide enough bonus miles to be worth altering your travel plans, but they’re worth considering.

Delta Stays bonus offers — Image Credit: Delta Stays

What Is the Delta Stays Perk on Amex Cards?

American Express and Delta refreshed their credit cards in early 2024, and one of the new benefits added to cards at that time was the Delta Stays credit. With this perk, cardholders can earn between $100 and $250 in annual statement credits from making eligible purchases at Delta.com/Stays.

Enrollment isn’t required for this benefit; all you have to do is make a qualifying purchase with a card that has this benefit. The annual benefit amount varies by card, and only prepaid bookings qualify, meaning you can’t change or cancel these reservations — a serious downside to the benefit.

This is a benefit I didn’t see myself using when it first launched, but I’ve found that using it for short-notice bookings — those that aren’t likely to change — provides solid value. I can use this benefit to book short-notice hotel reservations at boutique properties or those with rewards programs I’m not invested in, so I don’t mind forgoing elite perks or points (since most rewards programs don’t honor stays booked through travel websites like Delta Stays).

How I Used This Benefit To Save $450 on a 3-Night Hotel Stay

I decided to attend the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon, Portugal, on rather short notice. Unfortunately, hotels near the event center were either sold out or extremely expensive. And as much as I loved my previous stay at the Hyatt Regency Lisbon, its location was too far from the conference center to justify the commute to and from the event for 3 days.

Enter the Delta Stays credit on American Express cards. My wife and I currently have 3 Delta co-branded American Express credit cards between us.

We both have the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card, which offers up to $150 in Delta Stays credits annually. Additionally, my wife holds the Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card, which also offers up to $150 in Delta Stays credits each calendar year.

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

U.P. Rating

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Welcome OfferEarn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025. 
90,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $1,080

Annual Fee

$350

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card can be a great option for those seeking additional ways to obtain a higher level of status — or to maintain their current status — with the airline.

A key feature of this card is the ability to earn bonus Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) that are essential for earning Delta status. This could help you get closer to earning a handful of valuable benefits with the airline.

Pros & Cons

Pros

3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with hotels
2x SkyMiles per $1 spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery) and U.S. supermarkets

Cons

$350 annual fee (rates & fees)
Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
Receive a Companion Certificate on a Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. 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.
Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $20 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
$120 Resy Credit: Get up to $10 in statement credits each month after you pay with your enrolled Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases.
$120 Rideshare Credit: earn up to $10 in statement credits each month after using your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights and save up to $70 per person on a round-trip Delta flight.
Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members and Reserve Card Members.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
$350 Annual Fee.
Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

U.P. Rating

Receive 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounted award flights.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card

Receive 2x SkyMiles on Delta purchases, priority boarding, a free checked bag, and discounted award flights.

Welcome OfferLimited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/25.
90,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:
Up to   $1,080

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150

APR

19.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If Delta Air Lines is your first choice for business travel, and you’re always looking for more ways to earn Delta SkyMiles, this could be a great card option.

Being able to board the plane early and check your bag for free makes all the difference for a smooth flight. Plus, getting discounts on inflight purchases keeps money in your pocket and your small business.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
2x SkyMiles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants
2x SkyMiles per $1 on U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and on U.S. shipping purchases on up to $50,000 in eligible purchases per category, per year.

Cons

Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
Doesn’t offer as many perks for rewards as other Delta cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/25.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
Card Members save 15% when booking Award Travel with miles on Delta flights when using delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
Additionally, you can receive a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising in select media on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year.
Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent at restaurants.
Earn 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
Check and stow your bag with ease: First Checked Bag Free on Delta Flights + Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights.
Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $150 after using your Delta SkyMiles^® Gold Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
Terms and limitations apply.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 28.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

With this perk in mind, my goal was to find a hotel costing around $150 per night for my 3-night reservation — intending to make 3 separate reservations to maximize these credits. Additionally, I wanted something near the Feira Internacional de Lisboa, the event center, or with easy connections to it using public transportation.

The Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha, part of Accor’s hotel family, was a winner, thanks to a 10-minute metro ride and a $154 nightly cost.

Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha cost Delta Stays — Image Credit: Delta Stays

I made sure to choose the non-refundable, pay-it-now booking option to trigger the Delta Stays credit and made 3 separate bookings, each for 1 night, to use the benefit across our 3 eligible credit cards.

That’s because the credit is only triggered when you make a payment with that card — not by simply holding the card. Thus, I needed to pay with each Delta Amex card individually to use the Delta Stays credit, and the fact that we have 3 Delta credit cards aligned well with my 3-night booking. After paying $154 per night for 3 nights, I received statement credits of up to $150 on each card, leaving me with a $4 out-of-pocket cost per night.

Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha room types Delta Stays — Image Credit: Delta Stays

Hot Tip:

Yes, I could’ve made 1 booking for 3 nights, paying $462. I would’ve only received a single statement credit from Amex, up to $150 with the Delta Stays benefit, so the extra clicks to get $450 back instead of $150 were definitely worth it.

And even though 2 of the cards are in my wife’s name, I had no problem listing my name as the hotel guest, checking in, or receiving the eligible statement credits from American Express.

The Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha wasn’t luxurious, offering a simple room and basic amenities.

Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha bedroom — Inside my guest room.

As this was a third-party booking, I wasn’t eligible for any membership benefits or points earning with Accor Live Limitless. Still, I got a room at the end of the hallway, which I enjoyed for its quiet setting away from the elevators.

Ibis Lisboa Centro Saldanha room door — Looking at the door to my room.

Final Thoughts

I have top-tier elite status with Hyatt and Marriott, but I wouldn’t have received any perks from those by booking a Hyatt or Marriott property through Delta Stays. I also wouldn’t earn any points from whatever hotel I booked using this perk. Understanding that, I was willing to book any hotel from any chain.

My primary goal was to save money and find a hotel conveniently located near a conference I had decided to attend on short notice. Seeing the “sold out” signs and high prices when I started looking for a place to stay was rather alarming. Luckily, I had 3 Delta credit cards I could use to knock $450 off the cost of my stay, dropping the price to a very attractive $4 each night after using this perk.

Short-notice hotel stays have become my favorite way to use the Delta Stays benefit from American Express, and this reaffirms the value available with the benefit.