Differences in the Four Delta Credit Cards

UPDATE: This offer has expired.

As you may or may not be aware, Delta is offering an increased offer on all four of their credit cards. These are great offers for those looking to increase their Delta balance! If you are interested in one of these Delta co-branded cards, there are actually four different ones! There’s the Gold Delta SkyMiles card, both a personal and business version, and then the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card, again both a personal and business version. The offers, benefits, and perks vary between all four cards. So if you are wondering what the differences are of one card over the other, here you go:

• Welcome Offer: The Platinum personal and business card will give you a higher welcome bonus miles after you meet the minimum spend requirement. This will be 10,000 more miles then the Gold personal and business card.
• Statement Credit: All four cards will give you a statement credit after you make a Delta purchase on the card within the first three months. The Gold personal and business card will give you a $50 statement credit, while the Platinum personal and business card will give you a $100 statement credit.
• Annual Fee: The Gold personal and business card have a $0 annual fee for the first year, and then you’ll be charged $95 annually. The Platinum personal and business card come with a $195 annual fee (not waived the first year).
• Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) Bonus: Only the Platinum personal and business card will allow you to earn MQMs without actually flying. From the welcome offer, you’ll receive a one time bonus of 10,000 MQMs after meeting the minimum spend requirement for the respective card. On an annual basis, however, you can also continue to earn 10,000 MQMs after spending $25,000 on the card in the calendar year, plus another 10,000 MQMs after spending $50,000 on the card in that same year. You are eligible to earn the bonus for both the personal and business card, so 20,000 MQMS if you have both.
• Bonus Miles: On an annual basis, for just the Platinum personal and business card, you can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $25,000 on the card in the calendar year, plus another 10,000 bonus miles after spending $50,000 on the card that same year. You are eligible to earn the bonus for both the personal and business card, so 20,000 miles if you have both.
• American Express OPEN Benefits: The Gold business and Platinum business will give you access to American Express OPEN savings. This gives you a 5% statement credit when you use your card at many merchants, including: FedEx, Hertz, etc. You can read more about AMEX Open savings here.

Unfortunately though, all four cards are limited to one welcome offer in a lifetime. So if you’ve received this offer in the past, you technically are not eligible again. With that being said, each card counts as its own offer, so if you’ve only received the offer for one of these cards in the past, you are still eligible for the other three cards/offers.

Essentially, the Platinum card has some enhanced perks that will ultimately cost you an extra $195 for the first year and then an extra $100 a year thereafter due to the annual fee difference. For the first year, you’ll ultimately be spending an extra $195 to earn another 10,000 miles. However, due to the statement credit you receive within the first three months of card membership, this brings the difference down to $145, which I personally do not believe is worth it.

However, one main main reason to get the Platinum card over the Gold card is if you are looking to earn additional miles and MQMs. While you will get an additional 10,000 MQMs upfront as part of the sign on bonus, there is the ability to get more miles and MQMs on an annual basis. If you are able to put that much spend on your card, however, then the annual fee difference could be well worth it. Also, the Platinum card comes with an annual companion certificate upon account renewal (domestic economy class that can be used within the 48 contiguous states + you have to pay applicable taxes/fees). But, if you are just looking for the basic perks and a good welcome bonus, then the Gold card is probably best.

Since I personally have applied for both Delta Gold cards in the past, the Delta Platinum cards are on my radar!

Key Links:

• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Earn 60,000 miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. You can also earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $0 introductory offer annual fee, then $95. Offer expires 7/5/2017. *Terms Apply.
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 4 months. Earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $195 annual fee. Offer expires 7/5/2017. *Terms Apply.
• Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. Additionally, earn a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. Offer expires 7/5/2017.
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 4 months. Earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 4 months. $195 annual fee. Offer expires 7/5/2017.

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