What the New Delta SkyMiles American Express Offer Means for you

We’ve all seen and purposely walked (maybe even sped up) past the kiosks in the airport with employees asking if you would like to sign up for the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express. Delta has a new offer (one of the best I’ve seen) ending June 30, 2015 that may be too tempting to resist…

Delta is running a signup offer for all versions of their American Express that is one of the greatest I’ve seen yet. Delta offers three versions of the card: Gold, Platinum & Reserve. If you’ve considered this card in the past, fly Delta frequently or want a great deal here’s an overview of each card and how I value the signup offer.

DeltaAmexGold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card – Apply Here

Signup Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you make $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 3 months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

Annual Fee: $0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $95.

Mile Accrual: Earn double miles for Delta purchases and one mile for every eligible dollar spent.

Benefits: 

  • Check your first bag free on every Delta flight – up to 4 people in your reservation
  • Zone 1 boarding (third boarding group behind First Class & Sky Priority)
  • 20% in-flight savings on food and alcohol purchases on board
  • Delta Sky Club Access: Reduced fee access for you and a guest – $25/person
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • Medallion Waiver: You can waive the new spend requirement for medallion status if you spend $25,000 in eligible purchases in a given calendar year

First Year Offer Valuation: $820

  • 50,000 bonus miles = ~$550
  • $50 statement credit = $50
  • Bag Waiver = This can vary depending on how much you travel. Each use saves you $50 for a round trip. I will value this at $200 for an average traveler with 4 flights per year.
  • Flight Savings = Again, this will vary depending if you typically purchase food and drink on board. I will value this at $20 given you typically spend $100 a year on Delta food and drink purchases.

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card – Apply Here

Signup Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles + 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you make $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within your first 3 months and a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.

Annual Fee: $195

Mile Accrual: Earn double miles for Delta purchases and one mile for every eligible dollar spent.

Benefits in addition to Gold card:

  • Domestic Economy Companion Ticket: Each year when your card renews, you will receive a companion ticket that allows you to add someone to your reservation at no cost.
  • Miles Boost: Earn 10,000 MQMs & 10,000 SkyMiles for every $25,000 you spend, up to 20,000 MQMs and 20,000 SkyMiles.

First Year Offer Valuation: $1,280 – $195 annual fee = $1,085

  • 60,000 bonus miles = ~$660
  • $100 statement credit = $100
  • Companion Ticket= This will vary based on the fare for the original ticket, but I will value this at $400 for an average domestic economy fare.
  • Bag Waiver = ~$200
  • Flight Savings = ~20

Delta Reserve Credit Card – Apply Here

This is Delta’s most exclusive card that is best suited for those who wish to achieve medallion status quicker and value Delta SkyClub access.

Signup Bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus miles + 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after first purchase.

Annual Fee: $450

Mile Accrual: Earn double miles for Delta purchases and one mile for every eligible dollar spent.

Benefits in addition to Platinum card:

  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club access for you when travelling on a Delta flight
  • Domestic First Class Companion Ticket: Each year when your card renews, you will receive a companion ticket that allows you to add someone to your reservation at no cost.
  • Miles Boost: Earn 15,000 MQMs & 15,000 SkyMiles for every $30,000 you spend, up to 30,000 MQMs and 30,000 SkyMiles.
  • Receive upgrade priority over non-Delta Reserve Credit Card Members within Medallion level and fare class.

First Year Offer Valuation: $1,480 – $450 annual fee = $1,030

  • 10,000 bonus miles = ~$110
  • Companion Ticket= This will vary based on the fare for the original ticket, but I will value this at $700 for an average domestic first class fare.
  • SkyClub Access: $450
  • Bag Waiver = ~$200
  • Flight Savings = ~20

Our Recommendation

For most, you will want to consider the Gold or Platinum versions of the card that have an incredible miles offer. I personally preference the Platinum card for the companion ticket and the additional bonus miles. If you value SkyClub access and are a Delta Medallion, then the Delta Reserve card is a clear winner.

Already have a Delta SkyMiles American Express?

You may not know this, but you can actually have multiple versions of the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card. Why would you want to do this? You can still receive the signup bonus if you’ve never had that exact version of the card before. For example, you have a Gold card and would like the Platinum version. If you’ve had the card for at least 13 months you are able to upgrade the Gold card to Platinum and receive a small miles boost, but you’re better off opening a new account and receiving the full signup bonus – more than paying for itself!

[poll id=”6″]

TPS Pro Tip: If you’ve been considering signing up for Delta’s credit card, you will not want to miss out on this opportunity. This is the highest we’ve seen for the Platinum version and matches the previous highest offer from December for the Gold version. 

You may also like...

1 Response

  1. Leigh Ware says:

    TPS has made my life exponentially better. I legitimately think about you every time I check my Chase Sapphire points. Maybe it’s time for this new card??