Many credit cards offer hotel statement credits as a perk, and Delta Air Lines cards from American Express are no exception. One of the often-overlooked benefits available to most Delta cardholders is the annual Delta Stays credit.
This benefit can significantly reduce the card’s annual fees, yet many card members tend to forget about it before it expires at year-end.
Let’s explore how to effectively use and maximize the Delta Stays credit.
Understanding the Delta Stays Credit
The Delta Stays credit is an annual statement credit available on select Delta Amex cards for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta’s hotel platform, powered by Expedia. The credit varies from $100 to $250 each calendar year, depending on your specific card.
Which Cards Provide the Delta Stays Credit?
Six out of seven Delta cards include this credit; the only one that doesn’t is the basic Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card. Here’s a breakdown of the annual credits by card:
Related: Current welcome offers on Delta Amex cards
Key Terms to Note
Important points when using the credit include:
- Eligibility is limited to prepaid stays.
- The credit is issued per calendar year.
- You can use the credit across multiple stays until its full value is utilized.
- No minimum night requirement exists, a benefit over some other credit card hotel statement credits.
- If your booking exceeds the credit value, it will serve as a discount.
- Having multiple Delta cards means multiple credits, but stacking credits on one reservation is not allowed.
- Earn 2 or 3 SkyMiles per dollar spent (depending on your card), along with Medallion Qualification Dollars.
Be aware that booking through an online travel agency like Delta Stays may prevent you from receiving elite status benefits or earning loyalty points with your preferred hotel chain. If you hold status with a hotel brand, you may forfeit additional perks by using Delta Stays.
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It’s advisable to utilize hotel credits at chains where you don’t have status or at independent hotels that aren’t part of loyalty programs.
Related: Benefits galore: Why the Delta Reserve Amex is my favorite cobranded credit card
How to Utilize the Delta Stays Credit
Using this credit is straightforward and involves a few simple steps:
- Visit the Delta Stays website and choose either the “Stays” (for hotels) or “Vacation Rentals” tab.
- Input your destination, travel dates, and number of guests.
- Select your desired property.
- At checkout, opt for a prepaid rate to qualify for the credit. Many prepaid rates are fully refundable, providing flexibility. Avoid “Reserve now, pay at hotel” options, as they aren’t prepaid.
- Complete your payment with your Delta credit card.
After your hotel booking through Delta Stays, the credit may take up to 90 days to post to your account, though it typically appears much faster, often within four days.
Related: Maximize hotel free night certificates by planning your credit card applications
How Flying Frugal Staff Has Used the Credit
The Delta Stays credit offers a fantastic way to lessen travel costs, and with strategic use, it can even cover an entire night’s stay. Here are some experiences from Flying Frugal team members:
Convenience for Early Flights
Nick Ewen, Flying Frugal’s senior editorial director, used his credit after a weeklong vacation in Prince Edward Island. Faced with a 9 a.m. flight from Halifax, he opted for a hotel just a short walk from the terminal. Rather than enduring a predawn drive, he simply strolled to the airport — approximately 50 steps away. The room was $252, but thanks to a $200 credit from his Delta Reserve, he only paid $52 out of pocket, making for a stress-free conclusion to his trip.
Shortening Long Drives
Gabrielle Bernardini, Flying Frugal’s senior points and miles editor, applied her credit during a family trip to Italy. After touring the Dolomites, she needed to make an early morning flight from Venice to Sicily. Instead of a three-hour drive in the middle of the night, she booked a nearby independent hotel just 10 minutes from the airport.
Her stay was $184, and after using her Delta Stays credit from the Delta Gold, she only paid $84. This approach made for a smoother start to her travel day and offered significant savings.
Planning a Free Night in South Africa
I’m looking to use this year’s credit during my upcoming trip to South Africa. Spending a few weeks there means that covering even one night adds up significantly.
I’ve chosen to stay at the Hyatt House Johannesburg Rosebank, priced under $100 per night. Since I don’t have elite status with Hyatt, booking through Delta Stays won’t impact me, and I’ll effectively enjoy a free night using my Delta Gold credit.
Related: Why the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is still one of the best cards I’ve added to my wallet
Maximizing Your Delta Stays Credit
To derive maximum value from your Delta Stays credit, consider these tips:
- Keep the calendar in mind. This credit expires at the end of the calendar year and does not carry over. Avoid booking last-minute stays in December; if you make a reservation on December 30 or 31, and the credit posts in January, you’ll lose out on that year’s credit.
- Opt for short stays. The credit is best utilized for one- or two-night bookings priced between $100 to $250, ensuring low out-of-pocket expenses and high value.
- Compare costs. Rates through Delta Stays can sometimes be higher than booking directly with the hotel. For example, the rate for my South Africa hotel via Delta Stays was $14 more expensive than direct booking with Hyatt. While this wasn’t a deal-breaker due to the effective cost being low, it’s worth checking for the best price.
- Explore unique accommodations. Choosing boutique hotels or vacation rentals can be advantageous, as you won’t lose any elite benefits or loyalty points typically associated with major chains.
- Consider international options. In some foreign destinations, hotel prices can be substantially lower than those in the U.S. Many Flying Frugal team members, including myself, prefer to use this credit overseas, where it might cover multiple nights.
- Remember to book prepaid stays. The credit is only triggered by prepaid bookings through the Delta Stays website. Non-prepaid options won’t qualify for the statement credit.
Conclusion
The Delta Stays credit offers a straightforward way to gain real value from your Delta credit card. Depending on your card, you can receive $100 to $250 back each year on prepaid hotel bookings through the Delta Stays portal, potentially covering your annual fee and even an entire night’s stay.
Just remember to use it before year-end and allow sufficient time for the credit to post. With a bit of planning, this frequently overlooked benefit can easily turn into a rewarding experience.
Related: Which credit card should you use for Delta Air Lines flights?
