The Delta credit cards are out with awesome new offers today. Yes, Delta SkyMiles have devalued in many ways, but Greg recently showed how there are still ways to get good value out of Delta SkyMiles. Getting anything north of 1c each for 70K-90K SkyMiles makes for a great bonus offer that’s worth considering if you fly Delta (or just want to buy top-shelf booze in their lounges).
The Offers & Key Card Details
For more information and to find a link to apply, click a card name below to go to our dedicated Frequent Miler page for that card.
Consumer Cards
| Card Offer and Details |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Credit Card from American Express 70K miles + $200 statement credit
70K miles after $2K spend in the first 3 months + up to $200 in statement credits for purchases at select US home furnishings stores in first 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 5/5/2021)
No Annual Fee First Year, Then $99 FM Mini Review: Priority boarding, and free checked bag 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.
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 2X Delta ⚬ 2x restaurants worldwide ⚬ 2x US supermarkets Big spend bonus: $100 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Priority boarding and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Credit Card from American Express 90K miles + $200 statement credit
90K miles after $3K in purchases in the first 3 months + up to $200 back in statement credits for purchases at select US home furnishings stores in first 3 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 5/5/2021)
$250 Annual Fee FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ⚬ 2X restaurants ⚬ 2X US Supermarkets Big spend bonus: Earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver (up to Platinum status) with $25K
spend across one or more Delta cards (or $250K spend for Diamond status) ⚬ Terms apply. Noteworthy perks: 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 |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Credit Card from American ExpressFM 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.
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 3X Delta Big spend bonus: Earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to four times per year ⚬ Complimentary upgrades ⚬ $100 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver (up to Platinum status) with $25K
spend across one or more Delta cards (or $250K spend for Diamond status) ⚬ Terms apply. Noteworthy perks: Domestic economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ⚬ SkyClub access ⚬ 2 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ⚬ Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta ⚬ 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 |
Small Business Cards
| Card Offer and Details |
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Credit Card from American ExpressFM 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.
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 2X Delta ⚬ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media ⚬ 2X U.S. shipping purchases ⚬ 2X restaurants Big spend bonus: $100 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year Noteworthy perks: Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business Credit Card from American ExpressFM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ⚬ 1.5X on purchases of $5K or more (max 50K extra miles per year) 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 ⚬ Throughout 2021, earn an additional 2,500 MQMs with $25K in purchases up to two times. ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver (up to Platinum status) with $25K spend across one or more Delta cards (or $250K spend for Diamond status) ⚬ Terms and limitations apply. Noteworthy perks: 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 |
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve for Business Credit Card Recent better offer: None 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.
Card Type: Amex Credit Card Earning rate: 3X Delta ⚬ 1.5X on all spend per calendar year after spending $150K Big spend bonus: Earn 15K MQMs (towards elite status) after $30K spend up to four times per year ⚬ Throughout 2021, earn an additional 3,750 MQMs with $30K in purchases up to 4 times ⚬ Medallion Qualifying Dollar waiver (up to Platinum status) with $25K spend across one or more Delta cards (or $250K spend for Diamond status) ⚬ 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: Domestic economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ⚬ SkyClub access ⚬ 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
These offers are fantastic. I say that as someone with no real interest in flying Delta or in Delta SkyMiles: even if you only get 1c per mile in value, you’re looking at bonuses worth $700-$1,000 on reasonable spend. Devaluations aside, you can still fly around on Delta pretty well with these bonuses.
The offers on the Reserve cards are particularly eye-popping between a large sum of miles and a pile of MQMs (and a big statement credit that isn’t even tied to making a Delta purchase on the business version). After meeting the spending requirement, one would have nearly enough miles for Silver status with Delta. Spending $30K on a Reserve card this year would give you more than enough miles for Silver and an MQD waiver up to Platinum status. And you’d be within a stone’s throw of Gold status given the bonus MQMs earned with $30K spend. If you rolled over any MQMs from last year, this could be a nice boost toward elite status without stepping on a plane, which could be very useful for Delta loyalists who find themselves temporarily grounded.
Delta SkyMiles isn’t the currency for everyone. They are becoming less and less useful for partner awards and if you’re looking to fly in international luxury, you’ll likely need far more miles than with competitors. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in domestic or North American travel, and especially if you have the flexibility to hop on unadvertised flash sales, these offers could be a great way to juice your balance.
I’ll continue to give SkyMiles a pass myself, but these new offers did raise my eyebrow, which is something to say for Delta. Overall, it’s great so see the huge welcome offers continue to come out on different cards – hopefully this is a sign of more similar good offers to come.
