Best Ways to Book Delta One Business Class Using Points [Step-By-Step]

Key Takeaways

• Delta One can be booked directly using SkyMiles, or through a SkyTeam alliance partner such as Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program or Korean Air SKYPASS.
• Virgin Atlantic is not part of the SkyTeam alliance but does have a partnership with Delta, which allows you to book Delta One seats.
• Award prices rocket the closer it gets to flight dates, so it is best to be flexible and book as soon as possible.

Considered a leader among U.S. legacy carriers, Delta Air Lines has developed a wonderful premium cabin product in Delta One. Currently, you can fly Delta One to over 60 international destinations. 

While Delta One it’s not a true first-class product like the out-of-this-world experience you’ll find on Emirates or Etihad, you can still expect a high level of service and a lie-flat seat in this luxury international business class product as you make your way to your destination.

Let’s take a look at what Delta One has to offer and the best ways you can go about booking it with points.

A Look Inside Delta Business Class: Delta One

For long-haul international flights, Delta has combined business class and first class into a single cabin they call Delta One.

Direct aisle access is one of the leading perks of flying Delta One, since it gives you the freedom to easily get up and move around. It is available on almost every flight where Delta One is offered, and you’ll find it on all of the airline’s long-haul international flights.

The only Delta One seats that don’t have direct aisle access are on Delta’s smaller Boeing 757 aircraft. However, these narrow-body 757s are not used on long-haul flights.

Delta One has premium inflight dining with seasonal menus tailored to your destination. Flying Delta One, you’ll be able to try a regional dish from your destination before you land. Don’t forget to have your flight attendant bring you a nice glass of wine with your meal!

As a Delta One passenger, you’ll also have access to Delta Sky Club lounges and SkyTeam lounges overseas where you can get complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and even a shower.

Hot Tip: Don’t miss our dedicated overview of all things Delta here: Delta Air Lines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, and More. 

How to Fly Delta One (Business Class) Using Miles

Delta One flights can be booked with Delta’s own SkyMiles program or through one of its SkyTeam partners’ loyalty programs. We’ll discuss the best options for booking Delta One below.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Virgin Atlantic is not a member of any alliance; rather, it has a lot of partners across the world and one of them is Delta!

We love using Virgin Atlantic to book Delta rewards for 4 big reasons:

1. Best award availability, arguably even better than Delta itself!
2. Excellent sweet spots to different parts of the world
3. Huge transfer bonuses from transferable currencies (upwards of 35% bonus miles)
4. Can book Delta awards online, no need to call.

Before we get started, let’s just put out there that fuel surcharges are a huge elephant in the room. The good news is that you will only pay fuel surcharges on flights originating in Europe for travel on Delta.

Here’s the award chart for spending Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Virgin Points on Delta flights:

Here are some fantastic redemptions of Virgin Points on Delta flights:

• Detroit (DTW) – Amsterdam (AMS) round-trip for 100,000 miles + ~$12 in taxes and fees to fly on Delta One A350 suites. With a 30% transfer bonus, the points cost drops down to ~76,923 points!
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 120,000 miles + ~$35 in taxes and fees to fly on Delta One A350 suites. With a 30% transfer bonus, the points cost drops down to ~92,307 points!
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) round-trip for 150,000 miles + ~$12 in taxes and fees to fly on Delta One business class. With a 30% transfer bonus, the points cost drops down to 115,385 points!

Even though Virgin Atlantic’s award availability on Delta is reliable, it’s not as straightforward to find online.

First, you will need to change the default region from United States – English to United Kingdom – English. To do this, refer to the image below:

Click United Kingdom and it will automatically redirect you to a page that looks like this:

Now, follow these steps to book your Delta One Business Class flights:

1. Type in your destination and return cities, flight type, dates, number of passengers, and select Upper Class. Be sure to pay with Miles.
2. Click the red arrow to search.
3. The award availability calendar will show up for you to select your flights. Click your flights, confirm your reservation, and pay for taxes and fees.

Virgin Atlantic is a transfer partner with all of the 4 major transferable currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Chase, and Citi each transfer to Virgin Atlantic at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott transfers at a 3:1 ratio, in addition to a transfer bonus of 5,000 extra miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. In all, transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points will net you exactly 25,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Virgin Points.

To make things better, Amex and Citi often have transfer bonuses of anywhere from 25%-35% bonus Virgin Points! You absolutely need to wait for those, as this can make for absolutely stellar award redemptions flying Delta.

Chase, Citi, and Amex all transfer instantaneously to Virgin Atlantic, while Marriott takes up to 24 hours to transfer.

If you are interested in earning Virgin Points directly, consider the Bank of America co-branded Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard^®.

Bottom Line: Virgin Atlantic is probably the go-to method: it doesn’t have confusing variable award pricing like Delta, offers the ability to flexibly search for 5 weeks at a time, has amazing redemption rates, tons of transfer partners, and transfer bonuses of up to 30% that make redemptions a no-brainer!

Delta SkyMiles

The most direct way to book a Delta One ticket is with Delta SkyMiles. Unfortunately, Delta does not always make this easy since it stopped publishing its award chart. Based on the best available data, this chart shows the saver level cost of Delta One award flights to and from the U.S.

Remember, saver level awards provide the cheapest cost in miles.

If you can find the saver level award space, the booking process is pretty simple:

1. Go to Delta’s website.
2. Log in to your SkyMiles account.
3. Select Book A Trip.
4. Enter your origin and destination
5. Enter your travel dates choose Exact Dates or Flexible Dates.
   • You can also use Advanced Search to search by month.
6. Select to show the price in Miles.
7. Select your flights.
8. Review your itinerary.
9. Enter passenger information, then select your seat and pay the taxes/fees.

If you need more SkyMiles to complete your booking, Delta is an Amex transfer partner. Membership Rewards points transfer almost instantly.

As you can see, the entire booking process can be handled online. Here are a few key points to remember when booking with SkyMiles:

• Stopovers are not allowed
• Sort your search results by price to find saver level awards
• Search one-way or segment-by-segment
• Delta will not hold award seats

If you’re looking for some more inspiration, check out our article on the Best Ways to Redeem Delta SkyMiles For Max Value or our post on the Best Ways to Redeem 100,000 Delta SkyMiles.

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

Air France/KLM’s Flying Blue program also allows you to book Delta One award tickets online. Just follow the below instructions for an easy booking process.

The award prices for using Flying Blue miles on Delta One Business class start from the following prices:

The booking process is as follows:

1. Go to Air France’s website.
2. Select Use Your Miles.
3. Sign in to your Flying Blue account.
4. Select your origin and destination.
5. Select your travel dates.
   • If your travel dates are flexible, check the box next to You are looking for flights around these dates.
6. Select Business so the search shows Delta One options.
7. Select the appropriate flight, then fill in passenger information.
8. To complete the booking, pay the necessary taxes and fees.

If you need more Flying Blue miles to complete your booking, you can transfer from any of the transferable points programs (with varying transfer times):

• American Express Membership Rewards: transfers almost instantly
• Capital One: transfers almost instantly
• Chase Ultimate Rewards: transfers almost instantly
• Citi ThankYou Points: transfers take up to 2 days
• Marriott Bonvoy: 1 day

For some destinations, booking with Flying Blue miles might actually be a better deal than booking with SkyMiles. Compare the cost of the miles before you book, and you may be able to book the same Delta One experience for fewer miles!

Korean Air SKYPASS

Korean Air has recently begun to allow SkyTeam award flight searches online, allowing you to search for award space yourself rather than calling the airline. This is great news if you want to book a Delta One flight with your Korean Air SKYPASS miles online!

Follow these easy steps to book your next Delta One flight online using Korean Air SKYPASS miles:

1. Go to Korean Air’s website.
2. Select Redeem Miles.
3. Log in with your user ID or SKYPASS number.
4. Select SkyTeam Award.
5. Select your origin and destination.
6. Select your travel dates.
7. Select Prestige Class to find Delta One space.
8. Select your flights.
   • Find flights that are operated by Delta Air Lines.
9. Click the Calculate button to see the miles required and the taxes/fees.
10. Click Continue to enter your information to complete the booking.

Korean Air no longer allows you to put awards on hold.

Keep in mind you are only allowed to book award flights for yourself and eligible family members. Eligible family members include your spouse, children, sibling, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and in-laws.

Another caveat: Korean Air only allows round-trip award bookings for its partners. If you want to book Delta One, make sure you book round-trip.

While these restrictions can be annoying, they’re worth putting up with because Korean Air miles can be a great option for booking Delta One flights.

Korean Air also has several other great redemption options, so give our 10 favorites a look!

Hot Tip: Korean Air SKYPASS provides some amazing redemptions and is very flexible with holding awards. If you need some time to transfer points, this is a go-to program.

Great Delta One Redemptions

Now that you know the best ways to book Delta One, let’s check out some of our favorite flights to book!

Virgin Atlantic

• Detroit (DTW) – Amsterdam (AMS) in Delta One Suites round-trip for 100,000 miles
• Detroit (DTW) – Beijing (PEK) in Delta One Suites round-trip for 120,000 miles
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG) in Delta One Suites round-trip for 120,000 miles
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD) in Delta One round-trip for 150,000 miles
• Minneapolis (MSP) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) in Delta One Suites round-trip for 120,000 miles

Delta SkyMiles

• Atlanta (ATL) – Johannesburg (JNB) in Delta One one-way for 95,000 miles (one of the top 10 longest nonstop flights worldwide!)

Air France/KLM Flying Blue

• New York City (JFK) – Tel Aviv (TLV) in Delta One one-way for 53,000 miles
  • With a round-trip booking for 106,000 miles, you can also build in a stopover and an open jaw

Korean Air SKYPASS

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Honolulu (HNL) round-trip in domestic first class for 45,000 miles
• New York City (JFK) to Paris (CDG) round-trip in Delta One for 80,000 miles

Bottom Line: Make sure you check each program before booking to ensure you get the best deal when flying Delta One.

How to Earn Enough Miles for Delta One

If you’re ready to book your Delta One flight but aren’t sure how to earn enough miles, you’ll be happy to know there are many ways to do so.

Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Citi ThankYou all transfer to Air France Flying Blue at a rate of 1:1. You could also transfer Marriott points at a rate of 3:1.

For transfers to Delta, you can use Amex at a rate of 1:1, or Marriott at a rate of 3:1.

American Express Credit Cards

American Express has many great credit card options to help you earn plenty of points for a Delta One ticket. Here are some of our favorites:

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary 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.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• 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 Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 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: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

BEST FOR DINING

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

American Express^® Gold Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$325

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• 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: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

If you’re a business owner, there are several Amex business credit cards to choose from.

Capital One Credit Cards

Recommended Capital One Cards 

While the Capital One transfer rate isn’t as good as other issuers, they can still be a big help when working towards a redemption. We recommend either the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Venture X Credit Card.

Chase Credit Cards

Chase has some of our favorite travel rewards cards on the market. Here is what we recommend:

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.74% - 28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.74% - 28.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If you’re a business owner, see our list of recommended Chase business credit cards.

Delta-Branded Credit Cards

What better way to earn Delta miles than through the Delta co-branded credit cards? Here are some of our favorites:

Recommended Delta Cards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

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 Offer

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$350

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• 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 $1 Medallion^® Qualification Dollar for each $20 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• 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: When you use your enrolled Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $10 back each month in statement credits.
• $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.
• You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
• Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• 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

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

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^® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

70,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$840

Annual Fee

$650

APR

19.99%-28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its MQD Headstart towards status boost, lounge access, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases.
• 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights.

Cons

• $650 annual fee (rates & fees)
• No bonus categories other than Delta purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club^® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club^® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion^® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion^® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Earn $1 Medallion^® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve 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.
• With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $650 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 SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program

Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards

Marriott’s 3:1 transfer rate is the lowest of all the transferable currencies. See our post on the best Marriott credit cards!

When Should You Search for Delta One Award Space?

Delta is notorious for inflating award prices the closer you get to flight dates, so you should start searching as soon as you have narrowed down your travel dates.

What Makes Delta One a Great Redemption?

When flying Delta One, you can expect a luxurious travel experience from start to finish. From comfortable inflight suites to amenity-filled lounges and priority status, Delta One offers an excellent way to use your SkyMiles.

Sky Club and SkyTeam Lounges

When flying Delta One, you will have access to Delta Sky Club locations as well as SkyTeam lounges when connecting or departing from abroad.

Delta One TUMI Amenity Kit

Delta has partnered with TUMI to make your Delta One experience more comfortable. For every Delta One passenger, Delta provides TUMI amenity kits that include LE LABO lotion and lip balm, a TUMI sleep mask, hand cleanser, dental kit, and socks. The kit was refreshed in October 2019 in an effort to reduce single-use plastics.

Priority Check-In, Security, and Boarding

No one likes waiting in line, whether checking in for a flight, at airport security, or while boarding your flight. When flying Delta One, you will have priority access at each of these points to make your journey smooth and efficient.

The New Delta One Suite

Delta is taking its premium cabin experience to a new level with the introduction of the Delta One Suite. Each suite will come with direct aisle access and a full-height door for maximum privacy.

Delta One Suites are available on the A350, A330-900neo, and Boeing 767-400 as follows:

A350 routes:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Atlanta (ATL) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Detroit (DTW) – Amsterdam (AMS)
• Detroit (DTW) – Seoul (ICN)
• Detroit (DTW) – Shanghai (PVG)
• Detroit (DTW) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) – Seoul (ICN)

A330-900neo routes:

• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN)
• Seattle (SEA) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND)

767-400 routes: 

• Boston (BOS) – London (LHR)
• New York (JFK) – London (LHR)

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a comfortable flight with great service, try Delta’s Delta One product. From access to great lounges to a lie-flat bed on your flight and delicious food along the way, Delta One makes flying a luxurious and comfortable experience.

Between 3 different airline programs and 4 separate transferable point currencies to choose from, booking Delta One is easy! So if you have a stash of points you’ve been waiting to use, you’re just a click away from your next adventure!