American Express just unrolled three versions of their Delta Airlines credit cards offering an increased welcome bonus of 50,000 miles (OFFERS EXPIRED). To earn the welcome bonus you will have to complete the minimum spending requirement, which differs from card to card.
Normally the welcome bonus on the American Express Delta Airlines credit cards is around 30,000 to 35,000 bonus miles, so if you were contemplating on applying this would be the time.
Details of the Three New 50,000 Mile Offers
All three of the offers are described to be valid until September 8, 2014. You will not be eligible for the personal Delta credit card offers if you had the same card before, these are per Amex’s new one bonus per lifetime rule. You will, however, be eligible to apply for the Delta business card if it has been at least 12 months since you closed your previous business card account.
American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Cards
Both the personal and business American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Cards are offering a bonus of 50,000 SkyMiles after you spend $1,000 in three months (OFFER EXPIRED). Additionally you can receive a $50 statement credit after making a purchase with Delta within the same three month period. The annual fee of $95 is waived for the first year for each of the three cards.
Application Link: Personal Delta Gold Skymiles Card
Application Link: Business Delta Gold Skymiles Card
Some benefits of the Amex Delta Gold SkyMiles cards include 1st checked bag free for yourself and up to 8 traveling companions, priority boarding, and a 20% discount on in-flight food and drink purchases.
American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card
The Platinum Delta airlines SkyMiles card is also now offering a 50,000 mile welcome bonus after spending $1,000 within the first three months, plus you will get 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (OFFER EXPIRED). You will also get a $100 statement credit after making a purchase with Delta in the same three month period. With the slightly better welcome bonus the caveat is that the $195 annual fee is not waived the first year.
Application Link: Platinum Delta Skymiles Card
With the Platinum Delta card you will get priority boarding and 1st free checked bag for up to 8 passengers, and also a domestic economy companion certificate.
The card also allows you to earn additional MQMs that will go towards earning elite status with Delta. When you spend $25,000 or more in purchases with your card in a calendar year you will earn 10,000 MQMs and 10,000 bonus miles. Additionally, when you spend $50,000 miles in a calendar year you will earn another 10,000 MQMs and 10,000 bonus miles.
The bottom line is that this card is geared towards big spenders and loyal Delta customers.
The Bottom Line
If you are in the market to earn some Delta miles, then these cards can be a great way to earn 50,000 miles. Normally the welcome bonus is only 30,000 miles on the Delta Gold card and 35,000 miles on the Platinum Delta card, so the increased offer is 20,000 miles better, plus you earn statement credits after a Delta purchase. Both offers are limited time and slated to run until September 8, 2014.
With both the personal and business versions of the Gold Delta SkyMiles card you will earn 50,000 SkyMiles after spending $1,000 within the first three months, plus a $50 statement credit after your first Delta purchase.
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles card offer is better for frequent Delta flyers and is offering 50,000 Delta SkyMiles and 15,000 MQMs after spending $1,000 within the first three months. You will also earn a $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase within the same three month period.
One thing to note is that Delta miles can be among the most difficult airline miles to redeem for a great value---expensive awards and relatively bad award availability. Also starting next year the program is transitioning towards a revenue based earning structure that will also include a five tier award chart.
That said, if you plan far out 50,000 Delta miles can be worth (Delta’s award chart):
- 2 round trip economy flights within the continental US, Alaska, or Canada for 50,000 miles
- 1 round trip business class flight within the continental US, Alaska, or Canada for 50,000 miles
- 1 round trip economy flight to Hawaii for 45,000 miles
- 1 round trip economy flight to the Caribbean, Mexico, or Central America for 35,000 miles
- 1 one way economy flight to Southeast Asia, Southwest Pacific, or South Asian Subcontinent 40,000 - 50,000 miles
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