Originally Posted by
dukerau
It's true that the Delta card can be worth it for the benefits, but it's never worth putting any spend on it more than required to reap the benefits. If you want Delta miles, you're much better off with Amex Everyday (1.2 miles per $1 if you do >= 20 transactions per month, no annual fee) or Amex Everyday Preferred (1.5 miles per $1 if you do >= 30 transactions per month, $95 annual fee). The added bonus is that the Everyday cards earn Membership Rewards, which can be kept as flexible currency until award flights are located. Then you can transfer to whichever program necessary, Delta included.
That may be but you're missing two or three nice benefits on Delta choosing those cards over a Delta branded card. With Delta skymiles card you get a companion certificate annually, free bags, and access to skylounge. And following Guv's advice, you get 50k miles after $1000 spend. That almost gets you to europe alone.
Of course there is a cost to get those companion certs. The free companion cert has a $195 annual fee (skymiles platinum), the $99 companion cert comes with a $95 annual fee I think (Gold). So you only make money if flying coast to coast with a companion cert.