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Amex is targeting some Delta business cardholders with spending offers as an incentive to upgrade their Delta Business Gold and Delta Business Platinum cards. Travel with Grant noticed the Reserve upgrade offer this morning and, using his link, we were able to find an upgrade offer for the Delta Platinum card as well.
The Deals
- Upgrade your Delta Business Platinum card to a Delta Business Reserve and receive 50,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $5,000 within the first 6 months.
- Upgrade your Delta Business Gold card to a Delta Business Platinum and receive 40,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $4,000 within the first 6 months.
You must click the “Request Upgrade” link and then log into your Amex account.
If you see the message below or see a screen with no offer listed, it means you’re not targeted. If you get a pop-up telling you that you are not eligible for the upgrade offer, you aren’t.
Key Card Details
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status. $650 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ✦ Earn up to $250 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ $120 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
| Card Name w Details & Review (no offer) |
|---|
FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate $350 Annual Fee Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 1.5X on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5K or more (up to $100K per year) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
Quick Thoughts
First off, if you’ve never had either of these cards, don’t pursue these upgrade offers. Amex officially restricts new applicants from getting a new welcome offer on a card if you’ve had that card within your lifetime (in practice, 5-7 years). If you’ve never had these, but then upgrade to them, you’ll then be ineligible for a new card welcome offer on that card that you upgrade to…and the welcome offers for both cards are much more attractive right now than these upgrades. We’ve also heard of some folks being able to get approved for Delta Business cards even if they’ve already had (or still have) the card that they’re applying for. Your mileage may vary.
Our Reasonable Redemption Values peg Delta SkyMiles at 1.5 cents each for cardholders, meaning that the upgrade offers are worth ~$600-750. That could be appealing for folks who are ineligible for the new card welcome offers and/or as an alternative to canceling for those who have an annual fee coming due on the Business Gold or Business Platinum (assuming there’s no retention offer).
There’s probably better ways to spend $4k-$5k (if you’re in the market for new card) but, with so many people trying to maximize their Delta card spend before the rules to earn elite status change in 2024, there’s probably at least a couple folks out there for whom these upgrade offers could be tempting.
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The Amex Delta Reserve Card needs a refresh. In the card’s current form, it is impotent. Its reward structure needs to catch up to what AA did with its Executive Card. 4X on flights. 10X on hotels booked via its hotel portal. 10X on car rentals booked via its portal.
The 40,000 upgrade offer to Platinum has been around longer than I can remember. Been seeing that offer on my Business Gold card every single day almost since the day I got the card.Have not really been tempted because it’s a crappy offer. You still have to pay the annual fee for the Platinum Business card when you upgrade, so your barely getting much for the upgrade in return. They need to come up with a better upgrade offer. .
AS. IF.
Please don’t.