Update: Some of the offers in this post have since expired. See our Best Offers page for current offer information.
American Express recently increased the welcome offers on all six of their co-branded Delta cards. The headliner is the Delta Reserve Business card which not only has the biggest offer at 110,000 SkyMiles, but also sports a limited-edition card design made partially from the metal of a retired Delta 747 plane. I’m not much of a geek for card art, outside of appreciating being able to use metal cards as window scrapers in a pinch. That said, the new Reserve design is pretty nifty.
The increased welcome offers on the business versions of these cards (which are slightly higher than the offers on the personal cards) are scheduled to expire on August 3rd, making this the last weekend to snatch one up if you’re interested. All three of these offers are on the higher end of what we’ve historically seen (but then again, so are Delta award prices).
Offers and Key Card Details
For more card information and to find an application link, see our dedicated card pages by clicking the names of the cards below.
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
55k miles ⓘ Affiliate 55k after $4k spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 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 U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year starting 1/1/24) Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees. Big spend bonus: $200 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) ✦ Get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
65k miles ⓘ Affiliate 65k after $6k spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)$350 Annual Fee 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 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 (ticket must be purchases on or after 2/1/24 to receive this benefit) ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees) |
| Card Offer and Details |
|---|
75K miles ⓘ Affiliate 75k after $10K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)$650 Annual Fee 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 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 ✦ $100 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 |
Quick Thoughts
These offers are all excellent for Delta cards, but for many it can be difficult to get too excited given the sky-high award pricing that we’ve recently seen from SkyMiles. That said, over the last couple of years, Delta has routinely had terrific regional flash sales that have been incredible values. Most of my SkyMiles usage has revolved around those sales and I’ve been able to routinely get 2+ cents per point
Even using Pay With Miles (which allows you to redeem SkyPesos for cash at a penny each), these offers would range from $750-$1100 in value, which is high enough to make the cards worth considering.
Remember that each Delta business and personal card is considered a unique product, so it’s possible to get each one without running afoul of Amex’s “once in a lifetime” rule.
See our complete guide to Delta SkyMiles here.
Best Uses for Delta SkyMiles
Most award flights average 1.2 to 1.3 cents per mile in value. It is sometimes possible to do significantly better, though. For details, click one of the links below:
Great Value Options
- Delta Skymiles Flash Sales
- US to Canada via WestJet for 12.5K one-way, economy
- US to South America via LATAM for 25K one-way economy
- Mexico to Europe for 65K one-way (business class)
- Sky Club Premium Drinks
Good Value Options
- US to Middle East (including Israel) for 85K one-way (business class)
- US to Africa for 95K one-way (business class)
- Mexico to/from Asia for 90K one-way (business class)
- Flights within Asia for 35K one-way (business class)
- Delta’s “Lowest Award Price”
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The whole game is gradually sliding into the toilet with the massive ongoing devaluations: 400,000 points for Delta One? 80,000 points for economy? The sign-up bonuses are still there but how soon until people start to realize that the value has been stripped away?
EDIT: plus, look at Kashif below: once the spammers arrive, it’s time to turn out the lights.
I wish there was a good place to Check all previous offers (public, targeted, referral, etc.) on a specific amex card in order to decide if now is the time I want to go for it.
uscreditguide.com has that, but they only track public offers, not targeted ones.
IMO Platinum and Reserve SUBs are less compelling without bonus MQMs.
The increased SUBs will allow you to earn increased MQMs