Delta has made quite the splash over the last 24 hours with its announcement of massive (and primarily negative) changes to its elite program and to SkyClub access for Amex cardholders. I guess it was time for some better news.
Today, Amex came out with new, limited-time welcome offers that allow you to earn between 75,000-110,000 SkyMiles after being approved for a new Delta SkyMiles business credit card. All three of these offers are on the higher end of what we’ve historically seen (but then again, so are Delta award prices). The minimum spend required is elevated as well, as much as $12,000 for the Delta Reserve card. These offers will all expire 10/25/23.
The Offers & Key Card Details
Click on the card names below for more information about each card and to find a link to apply.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer: Up to 80k miles 75k after $6k spend in first 6 months, plus an additional 5k miles after an eligible Delta purchase within the first 6 months. Offer ends 10/25/23. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99 Recent better offer: 75K after $2K spend in first 3 months [Expired 3/29/23] FM Mini Review: Priority boarding and first checked bag free make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card. Earning rate: 2X Delta ⚬ 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year starting 1/1/24) Card Type: Amex Credit Card Big spend bonus: $100 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ⚬ Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer: Up to 100k miles 90k after $8k spend in first 6 months, plus an additional 10k miles after an eligible Delta purchase within the first 6 months. Offer ends 10/25/23. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$250 Annual Fee Recent better offer: 95K after $4K in first 3 months [Expired 3-29-23] FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ⚬ 1.5X on purchases of $5K or more (max 50K extra miles per year) Card Type: Amex Credit Card Big spend bonus: Spend $25,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn 10,000 Medallion(R) Qualification Miles (MQMs); spend a total of $50,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in a calendar year and earn an additional 10,000 MQMs (ends 1/1/24) ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver up to Platinum status with $25K spend across one or more Delta cards or $250K spend for Diamond status (ends 1/1/24) ⚬ Terms and limitations apply. Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ⚬ Domestic economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ⚬ Priority boarding ⚬ First checked bag free on Delta flights ⚬ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
Limited Time Offer: Up to 110k miles 100k after $12k spend in first 6 months, plus an additional 10k miles after an eligible Delta purchase within the first 6 months. Offer ends 10/25/23. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$550 Annual Fee Recent better offer: Expired 8/2/23: 100K after spending $6K in first 3 months 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. Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 1.5X on all eligible purchases per calendar year after spending $150K Card Type: Amex Credit Card Big spend bonus: Earn 15K MQMs (towards elite status) after $30K spend up to four times per year (ends 1/1/24) ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver up to Platinum status with $25K spend across one or more Delta cards or $250K spend for Diamond status (ends 1/1/24) ⚬ After you spend $150K in a calendar year, earn 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible purchases for the rest of the year (excludes Delta purchases after you meet the $150K requirement) ⚬ Terms and limitations apply. Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ⚬ Domestic economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ⚬ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 10 visits per year or unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card) ⚬ 2 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ⚬ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ⚬ Complimentary upgrades ⚬ $100 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ⚬ Priority boarding ⚬ First checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) See also: Delta Reserve complete guide |
Quick Thoughts
Delta SkyMiles aren’t the most valuable rewards currency on the market, but they are typically worth at least 1c each toward Delta flights, which means that these offers can be valued at ~$750-$11000+ in air travel. While any one of these offers probably won’t get you an international business class flight (unless you depart from outside the US and Canada), that’s no small potatoes for those who do fly Delta often.
That said, it’s worth noting the changes that are coming to these cards in 2024, especially if you’re looking to use them as a means to get closer to Delta elite status. Starting 1/1/24, Delta Reserve cards will earn 1 Medallion-Qualifying Dollar (MQD) for every $10 spent on the card. The Platinum cards will earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card. Previously, $25,000 spend on a Delta Platinum or Delta Reserve card would earn a MQD Waiver, up to Platinum Medallion status; and $250,000 spend across one or more cards would earn a Diamond MQD Waiver. With the new program, $250,000 spend on a Delta Reserve card will earn only $25,000 MQDs which is $10,000 MQDs short of Diamond status.
There’s also significant limitations coming to SkyClub access for the Delta Reserve card, but those don’t begin until 2025. Until then, cardholders will continue to have unlimited visits. There is one caveat, however. Starting 1/1/24, anyone flying basic economy will be unable to access SkyClubs via a credit card.
I’m sure that there are many people who don’t care about airline elite status and for that crowd these new offers look pretty good if you want a Delta card or SkyMiles. I don’t think that I’d rather take one of these over a big transferable currency offer (like 90K on one of the fee-free Ink cards, 150K on the Amex Platinum card or 150K on the Amex Business Platinum card), but these offers certainly aren’t bad compared to the required spend.
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Small deval for Delta Business Gold:
“Effective 1/1/2024, this benefit will have a cap of $50,000 in eligible purchases per year.”
https://creditcard.americanexpress.com/d/delta/
‘significantly higher spend to get the same benefits’ is very on brand after yesterday’s announcement
Well said.
These new spending limit a lot higher then before 5k,8k,12k for about the same SUb I’ve seen in the past
Exactly. Same as they just did on the Marriott Biz card. Increased time to spend to 6 months (like personal cards) but much higher subs. 🙁