Earn Up To 110,000 Miles With Limited Time Offers On Delta AMEX Cards; Roundup Of New Card Changes And Comparison Chart Of Delta Card Benefits

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American Express has released limited time offers on their portfolio of Delta credit cards, and there are a number of product enhancements, along with higher annual fees.

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card

Welcome bonus, card highlights, and changes:

Consumer cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
  • Until 3/27, earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $99 to $150 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel, valid for 1 year.
    • This is an increase from the previous $100 credit for spending $10K/year.
  • Get up to $100 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for groceries, and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
  • Until 3/27, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
    • This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Previously it was only for the US48.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotels.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for groceries, and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $350 annual fee.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $250 to $350 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Until 3/27, earn 100,000 bonus miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
  • Get up to $20 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings.
  • Receive a round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card that is valid for a round-trip First Class, Premium, Comfort+, or Main Cabin.
    • This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Previously it was only for the US48. Note that Delta One is excluded.
  • Hertz President’s Circle status.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Upgrade priority for elite members.
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access and complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.
    • Effective 2/1/25, limited to 15 free Sky Club visits per year, unless you spend $75K/year on card. Additional visits are $50 each.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $650 annual fee.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $550 to $650 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card
  • Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No annual fee.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card, please visit here.

Business cards:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express:
  • Until 3/27, earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $99 to $150 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
    • This is an increase from the previous $100 credit for spending $10K/year.
  • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on up to $50K annually of eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and up to $50K annually on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • For rates and fees of the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, please visit here.

• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express:
  • Until 3/27, earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
    • This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Previously it was only for the US48.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 1.5 miles per dollar on transit, U.S. shipping, and on all purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $100,000 of combined spending per year.
    • The transit and shipping categories are new to this card.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card, good for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American flights.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $350 annual fee.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $250 to $350 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • For rates and fees of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, please visit here.

• Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card:
  • Until 3/27, earn 110,000 bonus miles after you spend $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

• • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
    • This is a new card benefit.
  • Get up to $250 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals.
    • This is a new card benefit. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
  • Get up to $20 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants.
    • This is a new card benefit. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings.
  • Receive a round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card that is valid for a round-trip First Class, Premium, Comfort+, or Main Cabin.
    • This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Previously it was only for the US48. Note that Delta One is excluded.
  • Hertz President’s Circle status.
    • This is a new card benefit.

• • Upgrade priority for elite members.
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
  • Earn 1.5 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases.
    • These previously earned 1 mile per dollar.
  • After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 Miles per dollar on eligible purchases the rest of the year.  Eligible purchases after spending $150,000 do not include Delta purchases.
  • This card includes a Domestic annual Companion Certificate that is valid for a round-trip First Class, Delta Comfort or Main Cabin Companion ticket.
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access and complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You’ll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • Free checked bag and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. You do not need to book tickets on your Delta card for this benefit, you only need to have your Skymiles number in the reservation.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $650 annual fee.
    • Existing cardholder’s annual fee will increase from $550 to $650 for renewals starting 5/1.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card, please visit here.

Comparison Chart:

Here is a current breakdown on Delta card benefits:

Status From Your Couch:

Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta Reserve Business, Delta SkyMiles Platinum, and Delta Platinum Business cardholders will receive an annual MQD Headstart of 2,500 MQDs per card, starting on 2/1/24.

You can only earn the MQD headstart once for each card type, so having 2 of the same exact card won’t help to get more MQDs, but you can earn the bonus 4 times annually if you have all 4 eligible card types.

That means Delta has gone from making it very difficult to earn status from their credit cards to making it easier than with any other airline!

If you have 2 of those eligible cards, you’ll get 5,000 MQDs, good for Silver status through 1/31/26. The annual fee on the Platinum cards is $350, so you would be paying $700 in annual fees for those 5,000 in MQDs. Each of those cards comes with a Global Entry/PreCheck credit, a domestic main cabin round-trip companion certificate upon card renewal, and 1 MQD per $20 spent.

If you have all 4 of those eligible cards, you’ll get 10,000 MQDs, good for Gold status through 1/31/26. The annual fee on the Platinum cards is $350 and the annual fee on the Reserve cards is $650, so you would be paying $2,000 in annual fees for those 10,000 in MQDs. Each of those Reserve cards comes with a Global Entry/PreCheck credit and a domestic First class, comfort, or main cabin round-trip companion certificate upon card renewal. They also each come with 15 annual lounge visits starting in 2025 (unlimited in 2024), Centurion lounge access, upgrade priority, and 1 MQD per $10 spent.

If you have all 4 cards and want Platinum status, you’d have to earn an additional 5,000 MQDs on flights, spend $50,000 on the Reserve cards, or a combination thereof.

If you have all 4 cards and want Diamond status, you’d have to earn an additional 18,000 MQDs on flights, spend $180,000 on the Reserve cards, or a combination thereof.

You can read about Delta status benefits here.

It’s worth noting that AMEX generally only allows someone to have 5 credit cards, so this strategy would take up most of the available slots. However, cards like the AMEX Business Platinum card, AMEX Business Gold Card, AMEX Consumer Gold, and AMEX Consumer Platinum cards do not count towards that limit of 5 credit cards.

Existing cardholders will receive the headstart within 6-8 weeks of 2/1 annually.

New cardholders and upgrading cardholders will be eligible for the bonus as well, within 6-8 weeks of opening or upgrading their card.

Spend for status

• If you want top-tier Diamond status you’ll need to earn 28,000 MQDs.
• If you want Platinum status you’ll need to earn 15,000 MQDs.
• If you want Gold status you’ll need to earn 10,000 MQDs.
• If you want Silver status you’ll need to earn 5,000 MQDs.

You can earn those by spending on the Platinum (1 MQD per $20 spent) or Reserve cards (1 MQD per $10 spent), plus the 2,500 in MQDs that each Platinum or Reserve card gives annually, plus spending on Delta flights.

Spend Threshold:

If you need a little help to meet the threshold, you can pay your federal taxes for a 1.82% fee). If you overpay your taxes you can request a refund or apply it to your next year’s taxes.

My local natural gas company allows me to prepay up to $1,000 per transaction on a credit card for a $1.65 flat fee. That’s a great way to earn miles and help meet a spend threshold. My electricity supplier allows me to pay with a credit card for free as long as I am enrolled in autopay.

American Express benefits:

The cards carry American Express’ awesome top-notch protections that are light-years better than any other banks. Most other banks always look for a way to get out, but that’s not the case with American Express.

Benefits include warranty coverage, dispute resolution, car rental insurance worldwide-including in Israel, purchase protection, and more. The Reserve card also comes with lost item and return protection.

AMEX cards offer free Shoprunner membership for 2nd day free shipping and returns from dozens of stores.

See this post to see just how amazing some of the AMEX protections can be.

Best Uses Of Delta Miles:

Delta doesn’t publish award charts anymore as they feel than an uneducated customer is their best customer. That’s beyond frustrating.

They don’t charge a close-in award fee, but it can be tough to find saver award space available within 3 weeks.

Delta miles are not my favorite mileage currency by a long shot, but there are still plenty of good uses of Delta miles. Plus, Delta miles never expire.

Cardholders can always use miles at a value of 1 cent each, though that’s a poor value for miles.

You can now use Delta miles to fly on El Al.

Delta has also lowered the cost of some domestic saver basic economy awards from a flat 12.5K to as low as 4.5K, depending on the route.

Cardholders will pay just 3,800 miles after the 15% discount:

They also run flash sales. I flew to Amsterdam for just 49K Delta miles each way in Delta Suites:

You can read the Amsterdam trip report and my thoughts on Delta A350 suites here.

If you actually want to collect Delta miles you’ll do better spending on the The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express which earns 2 points per dollar everywhere. Plus you can transfer those points to other airlines or Delta on demand as you need them.

However the MQD bonuses can make it worth spending on the Delta Platinum/Reserve cards if you are trying to qualify for elite status. And just having those cards can earn you elite status.

Dan’s Quick Thoughts:

AMEX annual fees seem to continue to creep up, in exchange for benefits that may or may not work out for everyone.

The Gold cards climb from a reasonable $95 to a $150 annual fee. For that, you’ll get a $100 consumer card or $150 business card credit for Delta Stays and a $200 flight credit if you spend $10K on the card annually. Some people may come out ahead, especially if they spend exactly $10K. If you can use the Delta Stays credit, you can come out ahead of the price hike. Otherwise, this card may not be worth the higher fee.

On the Platinum cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $240 value out of the $100 increase in annual fee, which is a decent trade. Plus, the companion certificate is far more valuable than it used to be as you can now use it for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more. You’ll also now get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $20 spent. And you’ll get a $150-$200 Delta Stays credit. The ability to get upgraded without status is also a nice new perk. But if you don’t use any of those services, you may just see this as a $100 price hike. Overall, I’d say this card looks better than it used to!

On the Reserve cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $360 value out of the $100 increase in annual fee, which is a great deal. Plus, the companion certificate is far more valuable than it used to be as you can now use it for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more. You’ll also now get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $10 spent. And you’ll get a $200-$250 Delta Stays credit. But if you don’t use those services, you may just see this as a $100 price hike. Overall, most people should come out ahead thanks to these changes.

If just hold the Gold card for free bag fees and 15% award discount, you may have to think twice about renewing. If you already have the Platinum or Reserve card and you use Resy and/or rideshares, you’ll probably come out ahead with these changes. And if you’ll use the Delta Stays credit, you’ll come out ahead on any of these changes.

What do you think of these changes? Will you apply for any of the Delta AMEX cards?

• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta Business Gold AMEX, click here.
  
• For rates and fees of the Delta Business Platinum AMEX, click here.
  
• For rates and fees of the Delta Business Reserve AMEX, click here.