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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My wife had a previous Delta Gold AMEX that she cancelled in July 2013. She applied yesterday & was approved even though she had this card previously. We called AMEX & confirmed that she was approved with the 50,000 mile offer. So ,maybe you can get this card if you had it over 1 yr ago? I cancelled my card in Sept 2013, so I am waiting to apply until Sept 1.
runkga, thanks for the data points! I am curious to see how your application goes as well—let me know! As far as I know Amex still has the once per lifetime bonus rule.
Rand, Just a follow up to let you know that the 50,000 miles showed up today on my wife’s statement. I plan to apply for mine today, as my card was cancelled Sept 2013. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Thats good news and makes me wonder how far back Amex looks. Thanks for the update!
Just a follow to let you know that I was also able to get approved for the sign up bonus even though I had a card previously. Closed my AMEX Delta Gold card 9/7/2013. Applied for the new one 9/7/2014. Was approved. Just hit my $1,000, and paid the account before the statement closed. 50,000 miles posted a couple days later. Thought you would want to know that both my wife & I were able to get this offer even though we both received the offer in 2013.