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

1
DDMS IconNever Miss Another Deal - Follow DansDeals on Facebook

DansDeals will receive compensation if you are approved for a credit card via a link in this post. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers, visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express has limited time offers on their portfolio of Delta credit cards:

Welcome bonus, card highlights, and changes:

Consumer cards:

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
    • Until 7/17, earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
    • Get up to $100 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
    • 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.
    • 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 Cardplease visit here.

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
    • Until 7/17, earn 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
    • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
    • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. 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. 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. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
    • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Cardplease visit here.

  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
    • Until 7/17, earn 95,000 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.
    • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
    • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. 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. 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. 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. Note that Delta One is excluded.
    • Hertz President’s Circle status.
    • 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.
    • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Cardplease 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 Cardplease visit here.

Business cards:

  • Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express:
    • Until 7/17, earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
    • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
    • 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.
    • 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 Expressplease visit here.

  • Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express:
    • Until 7/17, earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
    • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
    • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
    • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. 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. 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. You can buy gift cards from Lyft to lock in monthly savings.
    • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • For rates and fees of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Expressplease 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.
    • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
    • Get up to $250 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. 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. 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. 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. Note that Delta One is excluded.
    • Hertz President’s Circle status.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Cardplease visit here.

Comparison Chart:

Here is a current breakdown on Delta card benefits:

Delta BlueDelta GoldDelta PlatinumDelta Reserve
Annual FeeNone$0 Intro annual fee, then $150$350$650
Annual Fee for additional usersNoneNoneNone$175
Miles per dollar on Delta purchases2233
15% off Delta award flights. purchases.NoYesYesYes
20% back on in-flight purchases.YesYesYesYes
Rideshare creditNoneNone$10/month$10/month
Resy creditNoneNone$10/month$20/month
Delta Stays CreditNoneConsumer card: $100

Business card: $150
Consumer card: $150

Business card: $200
Consumer card: $200

Business card: $250
Delta Flight CreditNone$200 flight credit for spending $10K/yearNoneNone
Miles per dollar on worldwide restaurant purchases22Consumer card: 2

Business card: 1
1
Miles per dollar on US restaurant delivery services22Consumer card: 2

Business card: 1
1
Miles per dollar on US Supermarket purchases1Consumer card: 2

Business card: 1
Consumer card: 2

Business card: 1
1
Miles per dollar on hotels1131
Miles per dollar on US office supply purchases111Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5
Miles per dollar on US shipping1Consumer card: 1

Business card: 2, capped at $50K/year
Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5, capped at $100K/year
Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5
Miles per dollar on transit11Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5, capped at $100K/year
Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5
Miles per dollar on eligible $5,000+ purchases11Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5, up to $100K spending/year
1
Miles per dollar on advertising in select media1Consumer card: 1

Business card: 2, capped at $50K/year
11
Miles per dollar after $150K in annual purchases111Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5
First checked bag fee waiver and priority boardingNoYesYesYes
Return protectionNoNoNo$300/item, up to $1,000/year.
Purchase protection90 days theft or damage coverage, up to $1K. 90 days theft or damage coverage, up to $1K. 90 days theft or damage coverage, up to $1K. 90 days loss, theft, or damage coverage, up to $1K.
Extended warranty1 year1 year1 year1 year
Car Rental CDW InsuranceSecondarySecondarySecondarySecondary
Global Entry/Pre-Check creditNoNoYesYes
Delta Sky Club AccessNoNoNoYes, for primary and secondary cardholders.

Effective 2/1/25, limited to 15 visits per year unless you spend $75K/year on card.
Purchase Delta Sky Club Day PassNoNoNo$50/person
Cell phone protectionNoNo$800 of Cell phone protection when previous month's cell phone bill is paid on card.$800 of Cell phone protection when previous month's cell phone bill is paid on card.
Baggage insuranceNoYesYesYes
Trip Delay InsuranceNoNo$300 trip delay insurance coverage on 12+ hour delays$500 trip delay insurance coverage on 6+ hour delays
Trip Cancellation InsuranceNoNoNo$10K coverage
MQDs from spendingNoNo1 MQD per $20 spent1 MQD per $10 spent
MQD HeadstartNoNo2,500, up to 5,000 if you have consumer and business, or up to 10,000 with 2 Reserve cards.2,500, up to 5,000 if you have consumer and business, or up to 10,000 with 2 Platinum cards.
Annual companion certificateNoNoMain cabin only.Any cabin up to first class.
Centurion Lounge AccessNoNoNoAvailable for primary and secondary cardholders for Delta flights booked on an AMEX. Bring up to 2 guests for $50 each.
Escape Lounge AccessNoNoNoAvailable for primary and secondary cardholders for Delta flights booked on an AMEX. Bring guests for $30 each.
Hertz StatusNoneNoneFive StarPresident's Circle
Upgrade Priority for elite membersNoNoNoYes
Complimentary Upgrade Access for non-elitesNoNoAvailable on domestic flights.Available on domestic flights.
Annual Delta Sky Club guest passes0002
Foreign Transaction FeesNoneNoneNoneNone

Status From Your Couch:

Delta SkyMiles ReserveDelta Reserve BusinessDelta 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 CardAMEX 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.

Award travel on El Al from JFK to Tel Aviv currently starts at 68K miles round-trip.

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:

The Gold cards now have 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. If you can use the Delta Stays credit and take advantage of perks like 15% award discounts and free checked bags, you should come out ahead of the annual fee.

On the Platinum cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $240 value, plus there’s a $150 consumer card or $200 business card credit for Delta Stays, which should cover the $350 annual fee. Plus, the companion certificate is more valuable than ever as you can now use it for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more. You’ll also get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $20 spent. The ability to get upgraded without status is also a nice new perk for Delta passengers.

On the Reserve cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $360 value, plus there’s a $200 consumer card or $250 business card credit for Delta Stays, which should offset most of the $650 annual fee. 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 in any class except Delta One. You’ll also now get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $10 spent. Together with Delta Sky Club access, Centurion access, club guest passes, upgrades for non-elites and upgrade priority for elites, there’s a lot of benefits on the card for Delta passengers.

Personally, I’m not a fan of Delta’s mileage program and find myself flying on other airlines because of that, but if you fly on Delta, these cards are worthwhile for the benefits that they come with.

  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Cardplease visit here.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Cardplease visit here.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Cardplease visit here.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Cardplease 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.

Leave a Reply

1 Comment On "Earn Up To 110,000 Miles With Limited Time Offers On Delta AMEX Cards; Comparison Chart Of Delta Card Benefits"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions aren’t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

Sam

What are the rules with applying for Amex delta if I already have one (opened many years ago)? Can I apply for more than one Amex delta at a time? Is it an issue if I had that card before if it was years earlier?

wpDiscuz