Earn Up To 95K Miles+Bonus MQMs And Statement Credits With Limited Time Offers On Delta AMEX Cards; Comparison Chart Of The Delta Card Benefits

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

Welcome bonus and card highlights:

Consumer cards:

  • Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
    • Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months of card membership plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the day of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99.
    • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
    • 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.
    • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Cardplease visit here.

  • Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
    • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the day of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
    • If you spend $25,000 in a calendar year you’ll receive 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 12,500 MQMs in 2021). If you spend $50,000 in a calendar year you’ll receive another 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 12,500 MQMs in 2021).
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
    • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
    • 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.
    • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
    • Effective 4/1, $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
    • $250 annual fee.
    • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Cardplease visit here.

  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
    • Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles with every $30,000 spent, up to 60,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 18,750 MQMs, up to 75,000 MQMs in 2021).
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Effective 4/1, $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
    • $550 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 $500 in the first 3 months of card membership.
    • 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:
    • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of card membership plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the day of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
    • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99.
    • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $100 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
    • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases, and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
    • 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:
    • Earn 95,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of card membership plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • 0% introductory APR on purchases for 12 months from the day of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74% based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
    • If you spend $25,000 in a calendar year you’ll receive 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 12,500 MQMs in 2021). If you spend $50,000 in a calendar year you’ll receive another 10,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 12,500 MQMs in 2021).
    • 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 single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more, up to 50,000 additional miles per year. 1 Mile on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases.
    • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card.
    • Effective 4/1, $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
    • $250 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:
    • Earn 85,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months plus get a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first 3 months.
    • Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles with every $30,000 spent, up to 60,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (increased to 18,750 MQMs, up to 75,000 MQMs in 2021).
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Effective 4/1, $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
    • $550 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 $99$250$550
Miles per dollar on Delta purchases2233
20% back on in-flight purchases.YesYesYesYes
Miles per dollar on worldwide restaurant purchases22Consumer 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 eligible $5,000+ purchases11Consumer card: 1

Business card: 1.5, up to 50K bonus miles/year.
1
Miles per dollar on US shipping and advertising purchases1Consumer card: 1

Business card: 2
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
Purchase Delta Sky Club Day PassNoNo$39/person$39/person
Cell phone protectionNoNoEffective 4/1, $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month's cell phone bill is paid on card.Effective 4/1, $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
Status boostNoNo10K MQMs for spending $25K and $50K.15K MQMs for spending $30K, $60K, $90K, and $120K.
Annual companion certificateNoNoMain cabin only.Any cabin
Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) waiverNoNoWaived with $25K annual spend for Silver, Gold, or Platinum and $250K for DiamondWaived with $25K annual spend for Silver, Gold, or Platinum and $250K for Diamond
Centurion Lounge AccessNoNoNoAvailable for cardholder for Delta flights booked on an AMEX. Bring up to 2 guests for $50 each.
Delta Sky Club AccessNoNoNoYes
Upgrade Priority for elite membersNoNoNoYes
Complimentary Upgrade Access for non-elitesNoNoNoAvailable on domestic flights.
Annual Delta Sky Club guest passes0002
Gift MQMsNoNoNoYes


Triggering the $200 statement credit: 

Any Delta purchase within the first 3 months will trigger the $200 statement credit. There is no minimum Delta purchase required, even a $2 snack or drink on a Delta flight will trigger the full $200 credit!

Sample purchases that will work include any denomination of Delta gift cards or eGift cards, food or drinks on a Delta flight, baggage fees, tickets, upgrades, change fees, club entrance fees, etc.


Benefits offered on all Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards:

  • Offer a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation. 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. That allows you to buy airfare on a card that offers more points per dollar on airfare.
  • Have no foreign transaction fees.
  • Offer Zone 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation so that you won’t have to gate-check your carry-ons.
  • Offer free priority boarding along with a free carry-on and checked bag even on a Basic Economy fare. That can equal major savings on domestic and international basic economy deals.
  • Offer a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible pre-purchased meals, in-flight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets, and movies, shows and video games accessed via Delta’s seatback in-flight entertainment system, on Delta-operated flights.
  • Offer free additional cardholders (up to 99 per account). Additional cardholders are each eligible for American promotions like AMEX Offers.

Spend Threshold:

If you need a little help to meet the threshold, you can pay your federal taxes for a 1.96% fee or a 1.9% fee for $100K+ payments if you’re gunning for Delta status). 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.

  • You get an additional year of warranty coverage and if you have any issue in the extended warranty year they’ll pay to have it fixed or refund your entire purchase price without a hassle. This benefit is far more valuable than warranty benefits offered by other banks!
  • If you need to dispute a charge there’s nobody who makes it easier or as pain-free as American Express does. It’s the easiest dispute resolution process in the industry by leaps and bounds and you can do it all online.
  • If your item is stolen or broken within 90 days you’ll be covered.
  • The Reserve card also offers lost item protection and return protection.
  • AMEX cards now cover car rental insurance in Israel.
  • 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.

However there are still plenty of good uses of Delta miles. Plus, Delta miles never expire.

Delta has also lowered the cost of some domestic saver awards from a flat 12.5K to as low as 5K, depending on the route.

They also have bargains on travel to Israel in coach and business class on Delta (105K miles for suites) and Virgin Atlantic flights (85K miles for Upper Class). Delta now flies their suites product between JFK and Tel Aviv.

They frequently 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 MQM bonuses can make it worth spending on the Delta Platinum/Reserve cards if you can hit the spend threshold bonuses.

Additionally if you are gunning for Delta medallion status, then spending $25,000 on Delta Platinum/Reserve cards will waive the requirement to spend a minimum amount on Delta flights to earn that status ($3,000 for Silver, $6,000 for Gold, or $9,000 for Platinum if you don’t spend $25K in a year across all of your Delta cards). You’ll need to spend $250K on Delta Platinum/Reserve cards waive the requirement to spend a minimum amount on Delta flights to earn Diamond status.

Which of the Delta AMEX cards will you apply for?

  • 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.

8 COMMENTS

Newer First
  1. Toni

    If I get the delta platinum card can I get the global entry for my wife?

  2. Yakov

    On the delta Platinum card do you get the companion pass right when you sign up or after the first year is up ?

  3. chaim

    2 months ago i paid my taxes and it worked to finish my sign up bonus spending

  4. Mark

    Does paying taxes still count as regular spend, or does Amex now count it as “cash equivalent” and not count it as regular spend to reach thresholds for various bonuses? Or maybe it just doesn’t count for initial spend bonuses, but does count for ongoing spend bonuses?

  5. Jew

    How does the elite upgrade priority work?

  6. JS

    Is the statement credit after a delta purchase something able to be done without flying? Like buying a small gc from their website? TIA

  7. D AW

    Why subject people to the Delta balagan?My hold time record for Delta customer service is 5 hrs 23 minutes. Anything under 90 minutes of hold time is a miracle. They are more evasive than their competitors on accepting responsibility & accountability for any screw up.

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