UPDATE: This offer has expired.
Maybe!! Right now there is a limited time offer for the four co-branded Delta credit cards which is ending on September 19, 2018. While all four have a higher than normal offer, the Platinum version of the card is offering 10,000 more miles then the Gold version of the card. And while the Platinum card also comes with extra benefits, it does come with a significantly higher fee.
Personal Cards:
- Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express: Limited Time Offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. Offer expires on 9/19/2018. 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 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires on 9/19/2018. $195 Annual Fee. *Terms Apply.
Business Cards:
- Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Make business travel more rewarding. Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 4 months. Offer expires on 9/19/2018. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95. *Terms and limitations apply.
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. $195 annual fee. *Terms and limitations apply. Offer expires on 9/19/2018.
So is the Platinum card where you can receive 10,000 more miles and extra benefits worth the higher annual fee?
As you can see from the offer, the two Gold cards have an offer that will give you 60,000 miles, while the two Platinum cards have an offer for 70,000 miles – with both of them you must meet the minimum spend requirement. I currently value Delta miles somewhere between 1-1.5 cents per mile. So receiving 10,000 extra miles is worth $100-$150 in my valuation. The annual fee for the Gold card is waived for the first year, then $95 every year thereafter, where the annual fee for the Platinum card is $195 (and not waived the first year). *Terms Apply.
For the first year, there is a difference in $195 with the annual fees. For every year thereafter it is a $100 difference. This is definitely higher then what I value the extra 10,000 miles. So if you go for the Platinum card, with my valuations you are paying an extra $45-$95 depending on how you value/use your Delta miles. So if you only really care about the basic card benefits and the sign up bonus, go for the Gold!
So then why would you get the Platinum card?
Even though you might spend more money the first year for getting the card (based on my valuation of Delta miles), the Platinum cards still come with some extra benefits. If you think you’ll take advantage of them, then the difference you are paying on the annual basis can definitely be worth it. Here are some of the extra benefits that come with the Platinum cards:
Extra MQMs
A huge benefit is with the limited time offer, the Platinum card will give you 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you meet the minimum spend requirement. This can be huge if you think you might be slightly shy to meet your desired status. If you get both the personal and business version of the Platinum card, that can get you a total of 20,000 MQMs. Additionally, the Platinum cards will give you an annual MQM boost. If you spend $25,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll get an extra 10,000 MQMs. If you spend $50,000 on the card in a calendar year, you’ll get an additional 10,000 MQMs. That means you can earn a total of 20,000 MQMs every single calendar year PER Platinum card – that is if you are able to spend that that much on the card!
Companion Certificate
With the Platinum card you’ll receive a companion certificate upon account renewal (so you won’t receive it the first year, it starts the second year you have the card and every year thereafter after renewing the card and paying the annual fee). This will give you a domestic economy class ticket that can be used within the 48 contiguous states. While you will have to pay applicable taxes/fees they are minimal and will not cost more then $75. Essentially, the companion ticket can be used for anyone and is not limited to just the Delta cardmember. You are allowed to gift the companion pass to two friends to fly together if you desire. However, the tickets must be purchased with your Delta credit card. You can learn more about the companion certificate here.
If you already have the Gold card
Although American Express has a once in a lifetime welcome bonus rule, all four cards serve as their own product. This means, you are eligible to receive the bonus for every single card. If you have already received the welcome bonus for the Gold card, you can now move onto the Platinum card. Or vice versa! Same holds for the personal vs. business versions of the cards.
So which card should you get?
If you are just interested in the limited time offer bonus, then go for the Gold. If you are trying to earn status and need some extra MQMs, go for the Platinum. If you believe you’ll use the companion certificate and get more then the annual fee cost, then go for the Platinum. If you are looking to earn as many miles as possible, then apply for both!
Which card will you be getting?
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