Now With New Benefits: Earn Up To 125,000 Miles With Limited Time Offers On Delta AMEX Cards, Earn Status Without Spending Or Flying!

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American Express has limited time offers on their portfolio of Delta credit cards until 7/15.

All Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve AMEX cardholders can now also enroll in Uber One for free. Gold cardholders receive 6 free months and Platinum and Reserve cardholders receive 12 free months. You have to enroll by 6/25/26.

Delta has also added some new card perks:

• The 2nd checked bag will be free on domestic flights. However, the 2nd bag waiver only applies to the primary cardholder, not to companions or secondary cardholders. If multiple primary cardholders are on the same itinerary, they will each get 2 free bags.
• The consumer and business Gold cards now have a $10 monthly rideshare credit, but only once you’ve had the card for 12 months.
• All cards have a new design. You will get a new card after your current card expires, or you can request the new design online or by calling AMEX.

Welcome bonus, card highlights, and changes:

Consumer cards:

• Delta Gold Consumer AMEX
  • Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles. Earn 70,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership and another 20,000 miles after spending another $2,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Get up to $100 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
  • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel, valid for 1 year.
  • After the card’s first renewal, get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta, on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases at supermarkets, and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta Platinum Consumer AMEX
  • Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles. Earn 80,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of card membership and another 20,000 miles after spending another $2,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
  • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings. Find kosher restaurants and eligible gift cards here.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America.
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit.
  • Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotels.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. purchases at supermarkets, and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $350 annual fee.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta Reserve Consumer AMEX
  • Earn up to 125,000 bonus miles. Earn 100,000 miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months of card membership and another 25,000 miles after spending another $3,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
  • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
  • Get up to $20 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings. Find kosher restaurants and eligible gift cards here.
  • Receive a round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card that is valid for a round-trip First Class, Premium, Comfort+, or Main Cabin. This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Note that Delta One is excluded.
  • Hertz President’s Circle status.
  • 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.
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access and complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. 15 free Sky Club visits per year, unless you spend $75K/year on card. Additional visits are $50 each. You’ll also receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $650 annual fee.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit here.

• Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card
  • Earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • 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 Card, please visit here.

Business cards:

• Delta Gold Business AMEX
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.
  • Get up to $150 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you will earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel.
  • After the card’s first renewal, get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on every eligible dollar spent on dining at restaurants.
  • Earn 2 Miles on every dollar spent on up to $50K annually of eligible U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and up to $50K annually on every dollar spent on eligible U.S. shipping purchases.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • For rates and fees of the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, please visit here.

• Delta Platinum Business AMEX
  • Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months of card membership.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $20 spent everywhere.
  • Get up to $200 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings. Find kosher restaurants and eligible gift cards here.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides. 
  • Access for non-elites to get complimentary upgrades on Delta domestic flights.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America.
  • 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 transit, U.S. shipping, and on all purchases of $5,000 or more, up to $100,000 of combined spending per year.
  • Receive a Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card, good for domestic, Caribbean, or Central American flights.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $350 annual fee.
  • For rates and fees of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express, please visit here.

• Delta Reserve Business AMEX
  • Earn 125,000 bonus miles after you spend $15,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive $2,500 MQDs annually just for being a cardholder.
  • Earn 1 MQD per $10 spent everywhere.
  • Get up to $250 back in statement credits per calendar year for Delta Stays prepaid hotels or vacation rentals. Note that some hotels are refundable and others are non-refundable, but both qualify for this credit.
  • Get up to $10 back in statement credits per month for Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto rides.
  • Get up to $20 back in statement credits per month for Resy restaurants. You can buy gift cards from restaurants on Resy to lock in monthly savings. Find kosher restaurants and eligible gift cards here.
  • Receive a round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card that is valid for a round-trip First Class, Premium, Comfort+, or Main Cabin. This is now valid in the US50, Caribbean, and Central America. Note that Delta One is excluded.
  • Hertz President’s Circle status.
  • 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.
  • Earn 1.5 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases.
  • 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.
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club® Access and complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. 15 free Sky Club visits per year, unless you spend $75K/year on card. Additional visits are $50 each. You’ll also receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year.
  • $800 of Cell phone protection when previous month’s cell phone bill is paid on card.
  • 1st free checked bag worldwide and Priority Boarding on Delta flights for the primary cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same reservation, even on basic economy. 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.
  • 2nd free checked bag on domestic flights for primary cardholders only, even on basic economy. Not valid for companions without a primary card. 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.
  • Save 15% off mileage tickets on Delta flights.
  • 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on in-flight food and beverages.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $650 annual fee.
  • For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card, please visit here.

Comparison Chart:

Here is a current breakdown on Delta card benefits:

Status From Your Couch:

Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Delta Reserve Business, Delta SkyMiles Platinum, and Delta Platinum Business cardholders receive an annual MQD Headstart of 2,500 MQDs per card.

You can only earn the MQD headstart once for each card type, so having 2 of the same exact card won’t help to get more MQDs, but you can earn the bonus 4 times annually if you have all 4 eligible card types.

That means Delta has gone from making it very difficult to earn status from their credit cards to making it easier than with any other airline!

• If you want Silver status through 1/31/28, you need 5,000 MQDs.
  • You can get that by having 2 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, without needing to spend anything, as that will award 5,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 1 Delta Platinum or Reserve card, which will award 2,500 MQDs, together with spending $25,000 on a Reserve card or $50,000 on a Platinum card for another 2,500 MQDs.
• If you want Gold status through 1/31/28, you need 10,000 MQDs.
  • You can get that by having 4 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, without needing to spend anything, as that will award 10,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 3 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 7,500 MQDs, together with spending $25,000 on a Reserve card or $50,000 on a Platinum card for another 2,500 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 2 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 5,000 MQDs, together with spending $50,000 on a Reserve card or $100,000 on a Platinum card for another 5,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 1 Delta Platinum or Reserve card, which will award 2,500 MQDs, together with spending $75,000 on a Reserve card or $150,000 on a Platinum card for another 7,500 MQDs.
• If you want Platinum status through 1/31/28, you need 15,000 MQDs.
  • You can get that by having 4 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 10,000 MQDs, together with spending $50,000 on a Reserve card or $100,000 on a Platinum card for another 5,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 3 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 7,500 MQDs, together with spending $75,000 on a Reserve card or $150,000 on a Platinum card for another 7,500 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 2 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 5,000 MQDs, together with spending $100,000 on a Reserve card or $200,000 on a Platinum card for another 10,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 1 Delta Platinum or Reserve card, which will award 2,500 MQDs, together with spending $125,000 on a Reserve card or $250,000 on a Platinum card for another 12,500 MQDs.

• If you want Diamond status through 1/31/28, you need 28,000 MQDs.
  • You can get that by having 4 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 10,000 MQDs, together with spending $180,000 on a Reserve card or $360,000 on a Platinum card for another 18,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 3 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 7,500 MQDs, together with spending $205,000 on a Reserve card or $410,000 on a Platinum card for another 20,500 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 2 Delta Platinum or Reserve cards, which will award 5,000 MQDs, together with spending $230,000 on a Reserve card or $460,000 on a Platinum card for another 23,000 MQDs.
  • Or you can get that by having 1 Delta Platinum or Reserve card, which will award 2,500 MQDs, together with spending $255,000 on a Reserve card or $510,000 on a Platinum card for another 25,500 MQDs.

You can read about Delta status benefits here.

It’s worth noting that AMEX generally only allows someone to have 5 credit cards, so this strategy would take up most of the available slots. However, cards like the AMEX Business Platinum card, AMEX Business Gold Card, AMEX Consumer Gold, and AMEX Consumer Platinum cards do not count towards that limit of 5 credit cards.

Existing cardholders will receive the headstart within 6-8 weeks of 2/1 annually.

New cardholders and upgrading cardholders will be eligible for the bonus as well, within 6-8 weeks of opening or upgrading their card.

Spend for status

• If you want top-tier Diamond status you’ll need to earn 28,000 MQDs.
• If you want Platinum status you’ll need to earn 15,000 MQDs.
• If you want Gold status you’ll need to earn 10,000 MQDs.
• If you want Silver status you’ll need to earn 5,000 MQDs.

You can earn those by spending on the Platinum (1 MQD per $20 spent) or Reserve cards (1 MQD per $10 spent), plus the 2,500 in MQDs that each Platinum or Reserve card gives annually, plus spending on Delta flights.

Spend Threshold:

If you need a little help to meet the threshold, you can pay your federal taxes for a 1.85% fee). 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.

Benefits include warranty coverage, dispute resolution, car rental insurance worldwide, including in Israel, purchase protection, and more. The Reserve card also comes with lost item and return protection.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

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.

Delta miles are not my favorite mileage currency by a long shot, but there are still plenty of good uses of Delta miles. Plus, Delta miles never expire.

Cardholders can always use miles at a value of 1 cent each, though that’s a poor value for miles.

You can now use Delta miles to fly on El Al.

Award travel on El Al from JFK to Tel Aviv currently starts at 68K miles round-trip.

Delta has also lowered the cost of some domestic saver basic economy awards from a flat 12.5K to as low as 4.5K, depending on the route.

Cardholders will pay just 3,800 miles after the 15% discount:

They also 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 MQD bonuses can make it worth spending on the Delta Platinum/Reserve cards if you are trying to qualify for elite status. And just having those cards can earn you elite status.

Dan’s Quick Thoughts:

The Gold cards now have a $150 annual fee. For that, you’ll get a $100 consumer card or $150 business card credit for Delta Stays and a $200 flight credit if you spend $10K on the card annually. If you can use the Delta Stays credit and take advantage of perks like 15% award discounts and free checked bags, you should come out ahead of the annual fee.

On the Platinum cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $240 value, plus there’s a $150 consumer card or $200 business card credit for Delta Stays, which should more than cover the $350 annual fee. Plus, the companion certificate is more valuable than ever as you can now use it for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more. You’ll also get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $20 spent. The ability to get upgraded without status is also a nice new perk for Delta passengers.

On the Reserve cards, if you dine out at Resy restaurants and use rideshares, you should be able to get $360 value, plus there’s a $200 consumer card or $250 business card credit for Delta Stays, which should offset most of the $650 annual fee. Plus, the companion certificate is far more valuable than it used to be as you can now use it for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and more in any class except Delta One. You’ll also now get 2,500 headstart MQDs and can earn 1 MQD per $10 spent. Together with Delta Sky Club access, Centurion access, club guest passes, upgrades for non-elites and upgrade priority for elites, there’s a lot of benefits on the card for Delta passengers.

Personally, I’m not a fan of Delta’s mileage program and find myself flying on other airlines because of that, but if you fly on Delta, these cards are worthwhile for the benefits that they come with!

• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue Card, please 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.