Delta's credit card revamp makes its cards better than ever, and you can earn up to 100,000 miles with the current welcome bonuses — but only until April 1, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore
by Sarah Silbert, Business Insider US- Delta and Amex announced a huge overhaul of their co-branded credit cards back in October, and the changes are now in effect.
- The cards are getting new benefits, bonus categories for earning miles, and, in some cases, higher annual fees. They’re also offering new welcome bonuses.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card are offering up to 100,000 miles: 80,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, and another 20,000 miles after your first account anniversary.
- See Business Insider’s list of the best airline credit cards »
Delta offers several credit cards for both consumers and small-business owners, and pretty much every card in the lineup just got new perks and improved welcome bonuses.
We first learned about this change in October 2019, and while the update to the Delta Amex cards comes with some increased annual fees, there are some positive additions here as well. And beyond adding new benefits, the cards are getting new designs – the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card will all be made of metal.
If you’ve been hoping to earn some Delta miles to book an upcoming flight, now could be a great time to consider one of these cards. Depending on the card you have in mind, you could earn up to 100,000 miles with the new cardholder welcome bonus. These limited-time welcome offers are only available until April 1, so don’t wait too long to apply.
Keep reading for the full details on the updated Delta credit cards and their new offers.
Keep in mind that we’re focusing on the rewards and perks that make these credit cards great options, not things like interest rates and late fees, which will far outweigh the value of any points or miles. It’s important to practice financial discipline when using credit cards by paying your balances in full each month, making payments on time, and only spending what you can afford to pay back.
Earn up to 100,000 miles with Delta’s consumer cards
Here are the new Delta card welcome bonuses, along with a few details about each newly updated card:
No annual fee: Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 15,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in the first three months.
This card has no annual fee, and it now offers 2x miles at restaurants worldwide. There are no foreign transaction fees on this card or any other Delta card.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Blue card »
For occasional Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, plus another 10,000 miles after your first anniversary of cardmembership.
Annual fee: $99 (up from $95)
This card’s annual fee is now $99, and it offers 2x miles at US supermarkets and at restaurants as well as on Delta purchases. You can also get a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 on the card in a calendar year. The Gold Delta SkyMiles card (and every other card except for the Blue Delta card with no annual fee) can get you a free checked bag on Delta flights.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Gold card »
For frequent Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles Platinum card
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, and another 20,000 miles after your first account anniversary.
Annual fee: $250 (up from $195)
The Delta Platinum card received one of the more significant updates: It now offers 3x miles on Delta purchases, plus 2x miles at restaurants at US supermarkets. It also added an application fee credit of up to $100 to cover the cost of Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you want to earn Delta miles on your everyday purchases, this card is now a better option.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card »
For airport lounge access: Delta SkyMiles Reserve card
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 miles and 20,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and another 20,000 miles after your first account anniversary.
Annual fee: $550 (up from $450)
The Delta Reserve card now has an annual fee on par with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Platinum Card® from American Express, but if you’re a very frequent Delta flyer, it could be worth it. New card benefits include access to Amex Centurion lounges when you’re flying Delta (you’ll still be able to access Delta Sky Clubs as well), up to a $100 statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and more opportunities to earn MQMs toward Delta elite status by meeting annual spending thresholds on the card.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card »
Delta’s updated cards for small-business owners
Delta also has three cards for small-business users, and these have received new benefits and welcome bonuses as well.
Best for business travelers who fly Delta a few times a year: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 miles after you spend $2,000 in the first three months, plus another 10,000 miles after your first anniversary of cardmembership
Annual fee: $99 (up from $95)
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card now offers 2x miles on some business spending categories: US shipping and US advertising purchases, as well as purchases at restaurants. As with the consumer version of this card, you can earn a $100 Delta flight credit when you spend $10,000 on the card in a year.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card »
Best for business travelers who are loyal to Delta: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, and another 20,000 miles after your first account anniversary.
Annual fee: $250 (up from $195)
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card now earns 3x miles on Delta purchases, plus 1.5x miles on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per year). It’s also adding a statement credit of up to $100 to cover the application cost for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card »
Best for premium Delta benefits: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card
Welcome bonus: Earn 80,000 miles and 20,000 MQMS after you spend $5,000 in the first three months, and another 20,000 miles after your first account anniversary.
Annual fee: $550 (up from $450)
Like the consumer Delta Reserve card, the Delta Reserve Business card now offers American Express Centurion lounge access when you’re flying Delta, and up to a $100 statement credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. If you’re working toward Delta elite status, you also have more opportunities to earn MQMs by meeting annual spending thresholds on the card. And it now earns 3x miles on Delta purchases.
Click here to learn more about the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card »
It’s now easier to earn Delta miles on your everyday spending
There are lots of new perks and small changes to benefits with this update, but overall Delta credit cards are now better options for earning miles on your non-Delta purchases. New bonus categories like US supermarkets and restaurants can help you work toward that next award flight even when you’re not on the road.
These new and improved welcome bonuses are only available until April 1, so if you’re interested in opening a Delta card and want to earn as many miles as possible, don’t wait too long to apply.