If you are looking to increase your Delta account balances, while receiving some great perks, you might want to consider one of the many Delta co-branded credit cards. Although you might not be traveling right now, you could always start planning on where to travel next.
With the current increased limited time offers — where you can earn up to 90,000 bonus miles — here are some questions to your questions.
Personal cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021. Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 90,000 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. Offer expires 11/10/2021.  Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021. Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
Business cards:Â
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021. Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 90,000 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. Offer expires 11/10/2021.  Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Limited Time Offer — Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021. Terms Apply. See Rates and Fees
Can I receive the bonus offer if I already have the Delta Gold card and now want to apply for the Delta Platinum or Reserve card?
Yes! All cards are considered different products and you are eligible to receive the bonus offer if you are approved and meet the minimum spend requirement for a different Delta co-branded card. This holds true for the Blue, Gold, Platinum or Reserve card as well as a personal vs. business card.
This means if you already have the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express you are still eligible to receive the welcome offer for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express or Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express — just as an example.
Additionally, even if you are an authorized user on someone else’s card, you are still eligible to receive the welcome offer if you apply as the primary member.
Can I receive the bonus if I am no longer a cardmember, but have had this card in the past (and received a bonus offer)?
Unfortunately, American Express has a once in a lifetime bonus limitation. So if you’ve received an offer in the past (even if it was a lower offer), you will not be eligible for the bonus offer again. As mentioned above, however, with all seven cards acting as different projects, you are eligible to receive the offer for one of the cards even if you’ve received an offer for another one of the cards in the past.
Which card will earn me Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs)?
On an annual basis, there are four cards that will allow you to earn MQMs every year you are a cardmember. With the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express, you’ll earn 10,000 MQMs for the first $25,000 in spend on the card during the calendar year, up to two times per year. This means each card can earn you up to 20,000 MQMs.
With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express, you are able to earn 15,000 MQMs after you spend $30,000 in purchases on the card during the calendar year, up to four times per year. If you are a big spender, this can truly help you earn your desired status, since each card can earn you up to 60,000 MQMs.
The best part about the MQM spend bonuses, is you an earn them on every card you have, as long as you hit the spend threshold. Just keep in mind though that Delta also has a Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) requirement too to earn the desired status. However, if you spend $25,000 or more in eligible purchases during the calendar year with your card, you’ll receive a MDQ waiver for reaching Platinum, Gold or Silver. The requirement goes up to $250,000 spend for a Diamond status waiver.
Aside from the bonus, what are the other perks of being a card member?
Just for having the card, you’ll receive: 1) First checked bag for free for both you and 8 other passengers on the same itinerary, 2) Priority boarding, 3) 20% in-flight savings, 4) Discounted SkyClub access, and 5) Having any of the four cards allows you to use your miles at a fixed redemption where you can get a discount on the price of a ticket — for every 5,000 miles redeemed you’ll get $50 off the cost of your ticket.
Additionally, each card has some extra benefits, which might persuade you to get one card over another:
- Gold card: $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card per year.
- Platinum and Reserve card (personal and business): Fee credit for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85).
- Reserve card (personal and business): Complimentary Delta Sky Club access and access to the American Express Centurion Lounges if you are flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight, you’ll receive complimentary
- Platinum or Reserve card:Â MDQ waiver if you spend $25,000 in a year on the card.
How does the companion certificate work?
The companion certificate is a benefit that only comes with the Platinum and Reserve cards (Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express).
On an annual basis (starting with your first anniversary after you sign up for the card), you’ll receive a companion certificate where another passenger can fly with you and you’ll only pay the applicable taxes and fees. It is a once a year certificate and can be gifted to friends or family members as well.
Although the certificate works in the same general nature regardless if you have the Platinum or Reserve card, there is one big benefit with the Reserve card. The companion certificate with the Reserve allows you to use the certificate on any cabin class, including First class tickets!
Related: Get a companion certificate every year with the Delta credit card
I want to redeem my miles pretty quickly after earning the miles from the welcome offer, but will not have enough for an international flight. Are there any other ways to earn Delta miles quickly?
The best option is to transfer points from your American Express Membership Rewards account. Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, unless there is a particular transfer bonus at the time. Unfortunately though, these bonus offers are far and few between.
Marriott is also a transfer partner, but it is no longer a great redemption ratio.
Will I lose my Delta miles if I eventually cancel the card?
No! Canceling co-branded hotel and airline cards will NOT impact your mileage account. If you apply for the card now and for whatever reason at a later date decide to cancel the card, will not lose the miles earned. They are safe and sound in your Delta account to be used whenever you desire.
Is this card and authorized user cards eligible for the Amex Offers?
Yes! Since this an American Express credit card, you are eligible to take advantage of the American Express statement credit offers. Unfortunately, American Express put in place some new restrictions a few years back where you can only receive one statement credit per account regardless of the number of American Express credit cards you have. Even with the new restrictions, the statement credits earned could potentially help offset your annual fee.
Overall..
With these welcome offers, now could be a good opportunity to increase your Delta account balances. For many years I thought redeeming Delta miles was incredibly overpriced, but my tune has changed over the past year and a half. Delta runs some pretty unbelievable flash promotions quite often and with this you can get some great redemptions. And right now, there are definitely some good redemptions even for a year out.
Since you are probably not using many of the benefits right now that come along with some of the cards, your best bet might be the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express. Since there’s a $0 introductory annual fee, then $95 thereafter, you will not be spending any money right on the card right away.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees on the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express, please click here.
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