Delta Increased Credit Card Offers Ending Soon, Plus New Benefits for 2020

UPDATE: This offer has expired.

Earlier this month, Delta increased their credit card offers while also announcing some major changes to the cards. Most of these offers compare to the same highest offers we’ve seen in the past, so if you are looking to increase your Delta account balance this is a good time to do so. You also might want to consider applying now vs. waiting until later since you’ll lock in this years annual fee now and still get the added benefits come next year. This is a reminder that all offers below are set to expire on Oct. 30, 2019.

Delta Credit Card Offers:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases within the first three months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first three months. Enjoy a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. *Terms Apply.
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express: Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first three months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first three months. $195 annual fee. *Terms Apply. 
• Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express: Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first three months. $450 Annual Fee. *Terms Apply. 

Card Benefits…

• With the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, you’ll receive your first checked bag for free for both you and 8 other passengers on the same itinerary, Priority boarding, 20% in-flight savings, and discounted SkyClub access. I personally find those benefits pretty basic, but the free checked baggage can really save you some money depending on how you fly.
• With the Platinum card only, every year you are a cardmember, you are able to earn 10,000 miles and 10,000 MQMs for the first $25,000 in spend on the card during the calendar year. You’ll then earn another 10,000 miles and MQMs after you spend $50,000 total on the card in the calendar year.
• With the Reserve card only, you’ll also be able to earn additional MQMs, but even more than the Platinum card benefit. With this card you are able to earn 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 redeemable miles when you spend $30,000 on the card within the calendar year. You’ll then be able to earn another 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 redeemable miles when you spend $60,000 total on the card in the calendar year.
• With the Platinum card only, you’ll receive an annual companion certificate. Here is everything you need to know about the Delta Companion Ticket.
• With the Reserve card only, you’ll also receive an annual companion ticket on your account renewal, but it will be valid for any cabin class (including first class).
• Since all are American Express cards, you are eligible to take advantage of the many American Express statement credit offers that I write about often! This can help often the annual fee and help you save money!

Which Delta Credit Card Offer is Best for You?

Between the Gold, Platinum and Reserve cards, the best option really depends on what you are looking for. Many people flock to the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express due to the opportunity to earn additional MQMs upfront on an annual basis. Of course you get 5,000 MQMs upfront as part of the limited time offer, but to earn even more miles as described above is great for those looking to earn status. The card also come with an annual companion certificate upon account renewal and paying the annual fee (domestic economy class that can be used within the 48 contiguous states + you have to pay applicable taxes/fees). For many, that is well worth the higher annual fee than the Gold card.

Now, with both the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express you are getting the same benefits as above, but the opportunity to receive even more MQMs (the benefits are enhancing next year, so read below). This card is ultimately great for those looking to earn a desired Delta status. Additionally, you’ll receive an annual companion certificate which can be used even in first class!

With all that being said, if you are just looking for the basic perks and a good limited time bonus, then the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express might be your best bet. The annual fee is waived for the first year, you’ll still receive a high welcome offer, you’ll get to check your bag for free and you’ll receive priority boarding.

Delta Credit Card Changes Coming Soon

On Jan. 30, 2020, all seven Delta Amex credit cards will undergo some major changes. Some benefits are enhancing, but the annual fees are also increasing. The good news though is that if you get these cards today, you will not pay the increased annual fee until your account renewal. This means you can get these better benefits in January without paying more.

Delta Gold Personal and Delta Gold Business

The two Gold cards will go up to a $99 annual fee (so only a $4 increase), but will include the following benefits:

• 2x miles at U.S. Supermarkets (for the personal card only)
• 2x miles on U.S. Shipping & U.S. Advertising (for the business card only)
• 2x miles at Restaurants
• $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year

The $100 flight credit is by far my favorite added benefit to these cards, especially since the annual fee isn’t going up too much.

Unfortunately though, one of the big downside of the benefit changes is that you will not longer earn a MQM waiver if you spend $25,000 on your card. This is definitely a big disappointment for those looking to earn Delta status.

Delta Platinum Personal and Delta Platinum Business

The two Platinum cards will go up to a $250 annual fee (so a $55 increase), but will include the following benefits:

• 2x miles at Restaurants (for the personal card only)
• 2x miles at U.S. Supermarkets (for the personal card only)
• 1.5x miles for each eligible purchase of $5k or more, up to 50,000 miles per calendar year (for the business card only)
• 3x miles at Hotels
• 3x miles on Delta purchases
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck

While these benefits are a nice add on, I personally do not believe they justify a $55 annual fee increase! Although if you need the MQM waiver that you were getting with the Gold card, this might be your best option.

There are also many negative changes taking place with these two cards where the added benefits really do not make up for it. One of the best perks of these cards is if you spend $25,000 a year, you’ll receive 10,000 MQMs and 10,000 redeemable miles. (Same goes at the $50,000 spend level). When the new changes take place you’ll only earn MQMs, not redeemable miles.

Delta Reserve Personal and Delta Reserve Business

The two Reserve cards will go up to a whopping $550 annual fee (so a $100 increase), but will include the following benefits:

• Access to The American Express Centurion lounges and 2 Delta Sky-Club one-time passes
• Up to 4 Status Boosts annually
• 3x miles on Delta purchases
• Access to complimentary upgrades for card members without Medallion status
• $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck
• 1.5x miles for each eligible purchase after spending $150,000 per calendar year (for the business card only)

While a $100 increase is quite steep, there are definitely a ton of benefits. Most notably, being able to have access to upgrades while flying on Delta is huge. This is typically just limited to those with status and for those who cannot earn status the hard way, this is definitely a nice addition. With that being said, upgrades can be limited so if you find yourself flying during peak times, do not be surprised if your chances of being upgraded is slim. Also, access to the Centurion lounges is huge and getting two guest passes is an added bonus. There is now an opportunity to earn an even hire elite status with their four status boosts annually (although you’ll no longer earn redeemable miles).

Overall…

These are some great offers and with the changes quickly approaching, you might want to jump on these cards before the annual fees increase. There are also some great added benefits to the cards (and some negatives as well). Personally I think the Gold and Reserve card will see a net positive, while the Platinum card depends on your particular usage.

Just remember though, American Express has a once in a lifetime policy (at least for these public offers), so if you’ve received the welcome offer for the exact same card in the past, unfortunately you will not be eligible again. With that being said, each card is a separate product, so if you’ve received the offer for the Gold card in the past, you are still eligible for the Platinum and/or Reserve.