Earlier this week, I wrote about some of the amazing credit card offers that both Chase and Amex are running on their co-branded cards with Marriott. American Express is also running limited time offers on their co-branded credit cards with Delta. With these offers, you can earn up to 110,000 miles. However, Amex has refreshed these cards over the last couple of years. It can be really complicated to figure out the best option. Let’s have a detailed look.
Up to 110,000 miles, which option is the best?
Firstly, these cards only make sense for you if you fly Delta every now and then. I don’t recommend that you hoard miles or points without having a specific use for them. However, depending on your frequency of flights with Delta, one card can be more suitable for you over the other.
American Express offers a total of 7 cards, 4 consumer credit cards and 3 business credit cards. Let’s have a look at the consumer credit cards first. If you’re looking for a no annual fee option, then there’s the Delta SkyMiles Blue Card. However, it pales in comparison to it peers when you compare the benefits, welcome bonuses and credits on offer.
Consumer Credit Cards
| Click here to Apply —–> | Delta SkyMiles Gold Card | Delta SkyMiles Platinum | Delta SkyMiles Reserve |
| Welcome Bonus | 80,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 |
| Minimum Spend Required in 6 months | $3,000 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Annual Fee | $0 in the first year, $150 thereafter | $350 | $650 |
| Miles Earned on Delta Flights | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Miles Earned on Groceries | 2x (US only) | 2x (US only) | 1x |
| Miles Earned on Dining | 2x (US only) | 2x (US only) | 1x |
| Miles Earned on Hotel spend | 1x | 3x | 1x |
| MQDs Earning potential | N/A | $2,500 MQDs each year | $2,500 MQDs each year |
| MQD Boost | N/A | 1 MQD per $20 in purchases on the card | 1 MQD per $10 in purchases on the card |
| SkyClub Access | N/A | N/A | 15 visits per year & 4 one-time guest passes, access to Centurion lounge |
| Credits | $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10k in a calendar year | $150 Delta Stays credit: Book prepaid hotels at Delta.com/stays | $240 Resy Credit ($20 per month, US only) |
| $100 Delta Stays credit: Book prepaid hotels at Delta.com/stays | $120 Rideshare Credit ($10 per month, US only) | $120 Rideshare Credit ($10 per month, US only) | |
| $120 Resy Credit ($10 per month, US only) | |||
| Free Checked Bags | First Checked Bag Free | First Checked Bag Free | First Checked Bag Free |
| Priority Boarding | Zone 5 | Automatically added to complimentary upgrade list | Automatically added to complimentary upgrade list |
| Discount on In-flight Purchases | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| Mileage Discount on Award flights (Delta metal only) | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Companion Certificate | N/A | N/A | One after renewing the card each year |
| Complimentary Elite Status | N/A | Hertz Five Star Status | Hertz President’s Circle Status |
If you’re looking to get a consumer credit card, then you need to figure out a few things:
- Are you chasing Delta elite status and think lounge access is critical? Then the Delta Reserve is a no-brainer, especially if you fly Delta metal frequently and can make good use of the companion certificate.
- If you’re on the fence and just getting started with Delta, then the Gold card is a great option. The first year carries no annual fee and you can always decide upon renewal whether you want to keep it for another year.
- If your focus is to earn Delta miles on everyday purchases but you are looking to earn elite status in the long run, then the Platinum card is a better option. Why? It’s cheaper than the Reserve and you can always upgrade later to the Reserve if needed.
If you were to ask me to pick one, I’d go with the Gold card. But that’s only because I’m not a loyal Delta flyer. I won’t mind trying the card for one year for no cost and see how it suits me before I renew and pay the fee in the second year.
Business Credit Cards
| Click here to Apply ——> | Delta SkyMiles Gold Card (Business) | Delta SkyMiles Platinum (Business) | Delta SkyMiles Reserve (Business) |
| Welcome Bonus | 90,000 Miles | 100,000 Miles | 110,000 Miles |
| Minimum Spend Required in 6 months | $6,000 | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Annual Fee | $0 in the first year, $150 thereafter | $350 | $650 |
| Miles Earned on Delta Flights | 2x | 3x | 3x |
| Miles Earned on Groceries | 1x | 1x | 1x |
| Miles Earned on Dining | 2x | 1x | 1x |
| Shipping Services Providers (US Only) | 2x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Spend on Advertising in select media (US Only) | 2x | 1x | 1x |
| Miles Earned on Hotel spend | 1x | 3x | 1x |
| MQDs Earning potential | N/A | N/A | $2,500 MQDs each year |
| MQD Boost | N/A | 1 MQD per $20 in purchases on the card | 1 MQD per $10 in purchases on the card |
| SkyClub Access | N/A | N/A | 15 visits per year, access to Centurion and Escape lounges as well |
| Transit | 1.5x | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Puchases above $5,000 | 1x | 1.5x | 1x |
| Credits | $200 Delta flight credit when you spend $10k in a calendar year | $120 Resy Credit ($10 per month, US only) | $240 Resy Credit ($20 per month, US only) |
| $150 Delta Stays credit: Book prepaid hotels at Delta.com/stays | $120 Rideshare Credit ($10 per month, US only) | ||
| $250 Delta Stays credit: Book prepaid hotels at Delta.com/stays | |||
| Free Checked Bags | First Checked Bag Free | First Checked Bag Free | First Checked Bag Free |
| Priority Boarding | Zone 5 | Zone 5 | Zone 5 |
| Discount on In-flight Purchases | 20% | 20% | 20% |
| Mileage Discount on Award flights (Delta metal only) | 15% | 15% | 15% |
| Companion Certificate | N/A | Main cabin only (round-trip flights – domestic, Caribbean or Central America) | Round-trip companion certificate in First Class, Delta Comfort+ or Main Cabin |
| Complimentary Elite Status | N/A | N/A | Hertz President’s Circle Status |
Similar to the consumer credit cards, the business credit cards also offer value propositions in the same vein. The only difference being that the Delta SlyMiles Platinum Business card offers a companion certificate, while its consumer credit card equivalent doesn’t.
Compared to the consumer credit cards, you need to spend more in order to earn the welcome bonuses.
- If you’re looking to fly Delta and access SkyClubs or Centurion lounges frequently, then the Reserve card is the best option for you. It also gives you a companion certificate each year and grants complimentary President’s Circle Status with Hertz. Moreover, if you’re chasing elite status through credit card spend, then it’s your best option out of the lot.
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card finds itself in a sweet spot compared to its consumer counterpart. You can earn miles on business purchases and certain categories at a decent clip. Moreover, you also get a companion certificate each year, albeit only in main cabin.
The Pundit’s Mantra
If you’re looking to get one of these cards, then you need to figure out what your primary motive is.
- Are you just looking to earn some miles and you’re not sure whether you should keep the card beyond earning a welcome bonus? Then go for the Gold card, either personal or business. You’ll pay no annual fee for the first year and the minimum spend requirement is lower compared to the other cards.
- Are you looking to earn elite status, access airport lounges and put the companion certificate to good use? Then go for the Reserve card, either consumer or business.
- Are you looking to earn Delta miles on everyday spend, then look to ramp up and see how you can earn more miles and potentially look to earn elite status in the long run? Then go for the Platinum card, either consumer or business. The Platinum cards are perfect if you spend on purchases buying Delta flights and book hotel stays with your card. You’ll earn 3x Delta SkyMiles in each one of those categories.
As seen in the tables above, Amex’s six credit cards are catering to different customer segments.
Which is your favorite co-branded Delta credit card? Tell us in the comments section.
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