Increased Offers on the Delta American Express Credit Cards!

UPDATE: There is a higher offer available on the Delta Gold Card by American Express! Visit the Delta website, attempt to make a flight booking, and then before payment there should be an offer on the Delta Gold Card featuring a 50,000 Skymiles bonus + $100 in credit – $50 more than the links I feature below!

For months now, the Delta Gold American Express Card has been on my DO NOT APPLY list within my AYP Top Cards posts – but it seems that is about to change!

The Delta Gold Card by American Express is now offering an increased and more attractive offer of 50,000 Skymiles after $2,000 spending in the first 3 months following approval, plus a $50 Statement Credit (on a Delta airfare, in-flight, or possibly even giftcard purchase – as long as it is coded as a Delta purchase)! This is a welcomed improvement from the whimpy standard public offer of 30,000 Skymiles that the card has been offering lately.

In addition to the Skymiles and statement credit, as a cardholder you will enjoy free checked bags, no foreign transactions fees, and since this is an American Express credit card, you will gain access to the valuable Amex Offers program (if you are not an Amex Cardholder already). The card comes with a $95 Annual Fee, though it is waived the first year!

Note – this offer ends July 6, 2016!

While the Delta Skymiles program has had its fair share of devaluations, the 50,000 Skymiles offer is still quite strong if you are able to leverage Delta’s lower redemption rates – like I did with my 60,000 Skymiles redemption for two one-way tickets to Paris this past Valentine’s Day!

My thoughts on this card?

I am definitely a fan of the sign-up bonus and statement credit combination and think it is well worth the application!

However, when it comes to using this card for everyday spending (beyond meeting the $2,000 threshold) – not a fan. Skymiles aren’t the most valuable point currency. Combine the relatively low point value of Skymiles with the absence of valuable Delta Gold Amex spending bonus categories (the card does offer 2x points on Delta purchases, but all other purchases earn 1x) and what you get is a lack-luster return on everyday spending. After you meet the $2,000 minimum spend threshold, use a different card for every day purchases that will provide you with a much more valuable point currency – like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Starwood American Express.

Want Skymiles and the opportunity to earn Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) for Elite Delta Status?

Then focus your attention on the more premium version – the Delta Platinum Card by American Express – also offering a limited-time increased offer through July 6, 2016!

With the Delta Platinum Card, you will earn 60,000 Skymiles and 10,000 MQMs for $2,000 in spending in the first 3 months as a cardholder, plus a $100 Statement Credit (on a Delta purchase)!

The Delta Platinum will offer you all the same perks as the Delta Gold, but will also allow you to:

1. Earn 25,000 Skymiles and 10,000 MQMs when you spend $25,000 in a calendar year (up to $50,000)
2. Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate on your card anniversary

But, these extra benefits come at a cost – to the tune of a $195 Annual Fee (NOT waived the first year).

My thoughts on this card?

You should apply for this card if:

1. You are trying to earn Elite Status with Delta and need MQMs
2. You want Skymiles and you already received a bonus on the Amex Gold (remember American Express card bonuses have a “once per lifetime” rule!)
3. You can leverage enough value out of the Companion Certificate to offset the $195 fee

Otherwise, stick with the Delta Gold and the lower annual fee!

Final Thought

Delta has increased these card offers for a limited time and I would advise applying for those looking to build their Skymiles balance for award redemptions! This is a solid bonus offering and can provide you with some great free travel! On a different note, I would not advise gathering Skymiles just for the sake of gathering (for fear that the miles will devalue), so make sure you have your travel goals in mind when applying – which is my standard Starter Guide advice!

If in doubt on which of the two offers to get – keep it simple and go for the Delta Gold Card. If the Delta Platinum Card is right for you, you will know 🙂

Note: The Business versions of these cards are also offering increased sign-up bonuses (per MommyPoints) so perhaps consider those as well if you are a small business owner!

Will you be applying for one of these increased offers?

Happy Travels!

DW