Delta Air Lines’ AmEx Card Drives $8B Revenue, 10% of 2025 Sales
Delta Air Lines’ co-branded credit card with American Express generated $8 billion—or 10%—of the airline’s revenue in 2025, processing transactions equal to nearly 1% of U.S. GDP. The partnership’s evolution, including a pivotal customer-ownership agreement, underpins its premium branding and revenue stability.
1. Partnership Origins
Delta launched its co-branded American Express card in 1996, the same year it carried the Olympic flame from Athens to Los Angeles. This move aimed to elevate the carrier’s premium image and introduce SkyMiles redemption to AmEx users.
2. 2025 Revenue Impact
In 2025 the AmEx card accounted for $8 billion of revenue, roughly 10% of total sales, with cardholder spending processing nearly 1% of U.S. GDP. The scale underscores its critical role in Delta’s financial performance.
3. Customer-Ownership Dispute
For years Delta and AmEx clashed over whether cardholders belonged to the airline or the issuer. A decade ago, leadership agreed to focus on expanding the overall customer base rather than fighting over ownership, catalyzing stronger collaboration.
4. Role in Bankruptcy Recovery
After Delta filed for Chapter 11 in 2005, American Express provided a $1 billion revenue boost in 2008. That support was pivotal to Delta’s emergence from bankruptcy and set the stage for long-term partnership growth.