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If you're a fan of Delta Airlines, you're in luck because American Express offers a range of credit cards that can help you maximize your travel rewards.
American Express Delta credit cards offer a generous sign-up bonus, with the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card offering 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months.
These cards also come with a range of benefits, including a free checked bag, priority boarding, and a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck.
By using an American Express Delta credit card for your daily purchases, you can earn miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotel stays, and other travel expenses.
Earning and Redeeming Miles
The Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card offers a decent return on certain purchases, such as 2 miles per dollar on Delta flights, dining, and U.S. supermarkets.
You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on purchases made with Delta, dining at restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S), and U.S. supermarkets.
For example, if you spend $1,000 on dining, you'll earn 2,000 miles, which is equivalent to an effective return of 2.4% based on TPG's valuations.
However, the return on other purchases is lower at 1.2%.
To redeem your miles, you can book award flights on Delta and its partners, but be aware that Delta uses a dynamic award pricing system, so redemption rates fluctuate widely.
One of the best ways to redeem Delta SkyMiles is to book a SkyMiles deal, which can offer significantly discounted economy and even Delta One award flights.
You can also redeem miles for things other than flights, such as premium drinks in Delta Sky Clubs, but most of these redemptions yield a lower return.
Here's a breakdown of the rewards earnings potential on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex card:
- 2 miles per dollar on purchases made with Delta
- 2 miles per dollar on dining at restaurants (including U.S. takeout and delivery)
- 2 miles per dollar at U.S. supermarkets
- 1 mile per dollar on other eligible purchases
Note that the Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve business cards also offer higher earnings rates on certain categories, such as transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases.
Benefits and Features
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has several benefits that make it a great choice for casual flyers. One of the main perks is the $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year, which can help offset the cost of flights.
You can also earn up to 50,000 bonus miles after making $2,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months, and get a first checked bag free when you check in with Delta for flights that are both Delta-marketed and -operated.
Some other benefits of the card include extra credit, such as earning up to $100 in statement credit when using the card to book hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays, and priority boarding and a 20% credit on food and beverages in-flight. Additionally, you'll get secondary collision damage waiver, baggage insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection.
Here are some of the key benefits of the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card:
- First checked bag free
- $200 Delta flight credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- Up to $100 annual statement credit with Delta Stays
- Extra credit on food and beverages in-flight
- Secondary collision damage waiver, baggage insurance, extended warranty, and purchase protection
Benefits
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a lot to offer, especially for casual flyers. One of the standout benefits is the $0 introduction fee for the first year, which can save you some money upfront.
You can earn 50,000 bonus miles after making $2,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first 6 months. This is a great way to boost your miles balance and get closer to your next reward flight.
To receive the 50,000 bonus miles, your Card account must not be canceled or past due at the time of fulfillment. Eligible purchases can be made by the Basic Card Member and any Additional Card Members on a single Card account.
One of the most valuable benefits of the card is the Delta flight credit of $200 towards future travel after spending $10,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year. This can be a huge help in offsetting the cost of flights.
You'll also get to check a first bag for free, which can save you up to $60 per flight. This is a great perk for anyone who likes to travel with a lot of luggage.
Here are some of the other benefits of the Gold Card:
- Earn up to $100 in statement credit when using the card to book hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays.
- Priority Boarding And More: Board first, along with a 20% credit on food and beverages in-flight.
- Extra Insurances: Cardholder can be eligible for coverage up to $1,250 if a bag is damaged or lost.
These benefits can be worth it just by flying twice a year and spending at least $10,000 on the card.
Expanded Companion Certificate Destinations
With the recent changes, Companion Certificates earned with Delta SkyMiles Platinum and Reserve credit cards can now be used on flights to Hawaii.
This is a big deal, as previously these certificates could only be used for domestic flights within the continental U.S.
You can now use your Companion Certificate for round-trip Main Cabin reservations on flights to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Additionally, the upgraded certificates can also be used for Main Cabin, First Class, and Delta Comfort+ flights to these destinations.
This means you can take a friend or family member with you on a more luxurious flight, while keeping costs low.
Changes and Updates
The changes to Amex’s Delta SkyMiles credit cards are quite significant, and it's essential to understand what's new.
Boosted welcome offers are now available, which can be a great incentive for new cardholders.
In addition to the welcome offers, the annual fees for these cards have also increased.
Increased Annual Fees
The six updated Delta SkyMiles credit cards have received notable increases to their annual fees.
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card now have a $150 annual fee after the first year, up from $99.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card have seen a $100 increase to $350 per year.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card now have a $100 increase to $650 per year.
Here's a breakdown of the increased annual fees:
These increased fees have been paired with new or increased statement credits on each card.
Other Changes
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The changes to Delta SkyMiles credit cards are not limited to welcome offers and annual fees. Other notable changes include refreshed statement credits, rewards earnings, Companion Certificates, and elite status perks.
These changes offer a lot of value to cardholders, especially if their spending patterns align with the available credits. For example, the Delta flight credit can be used on future Delta flight purchases made with your card.
You'll also notice changes to rewards earnings, which can impact how you use your card. Companion Certificates are another area where changes have been made, but the specifics are not mentioned in the article.
Here's a breakdown of the refreshed statement credits:
These changes are designed to make the most of your card's benefits, but it's essential to review the specifics of each credit to understand how they can work for you.
Return
The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card has a return on investment that's worth considering. The card has a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99, but it includes double miles for restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases.
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You'll also receive $100 towards a Delta flight once you've hit your first $10,000 on the card, as long as it's within a single year. This perk can definitely make up for the annual fee.
New cardholders can take advantage of a limited-time offer of 65,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in the first six months.
Competitors and Comparison
If you're considering the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex, you might want to look at other options that better fit your goals. The American Express Gold Card is a good choice if you want flexible rewards, as it earns points that can be transferred to Delta and other loyalty programs.
The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card is a better option if you want to earn Delta Medallion elite status, as it earns 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar toward elite status for every eligible $20 spent.
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers, offering access to Delta's network of lounges and a companion certificate.
Here are some key differences between these cards:
- The American Express Gold Card has a $325 annual fee and earns bonus points on flights booked directly with an airline and on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases.
- The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card earns 1 Medallion Qualification Dollar toward elite status for every eligible $20 spent.
- The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offers access to Delta's network of lounges and a companion certificate, but requires $75,000 in eligible purchases to earn unlimited lounge visits per year.
Blue and Platinum
The Blue and Platinum cards are the cream of the crop when it comes to the Delta SkyMiles American Express options.
The Platinum card is a serious upgrade from the Gold and Blue cards, offering triple miles on hotels and Delta purchases. This means you'll earn more miles on flights, taxes, change fees, and seat selection purchases. The Platinum card also includes a $100 credit for Global Entry or $85 credit for TSA Precheck, making traveling more convenient. And, it's the first metal card in the Delta SkyMiles lineup.
New cardholders will receive 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first six months, which is a great incentive to start using the card. The annual fee for the Platinum card is $250, so you'll need to weigh the benefits against the cost.
Blue
The Blue card is getting some love from Delta and AmEx. It now has no foreign transaction fees, a nice change from the previous 2.7 percent fee.
Earning double miles at restaurants worldwide is a great perk for Blue cardholders. This is a notable change, according to airline analyst Henry Harteveldt.
New cardholders will receive 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in their first three months of membership.
Platinum
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The Platinum card is where things get really exciting. On top of the added perks of the Gold card, Platinum cardholders get triple miles on hotels and Delta purchases.
This includes everything from flights to tax on those flights, change fees, and seat selection purchases. It's a great way to earn miles quickly.
A $100 credit for Global Entry or $85 credit for TSA Precheck is also included, which can be a huge time-saver.
New cardholders will receive 85,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first six months. This can be a great incentive to start using the card.
The annual fee for this card is $250, which is a significant investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I log into my Delta Amex card?
To log into your Delta Amex card, visit the American Express website or mobile app and enter your username and password. Click "Log In" to access your online account.
How to link Amex card to Delta account?
To link your Amex card to your Delta account, navigate to the "My Wallet" tab in the "My Delta" screen and add your Platinum Card account information. From there, follow the prompts to securely link your card to your Delta account.
What is the annual fee for the American Express Delta Platinum card?
The annual fee for the American Express Delta Platinum card is $350. This fee grants access to exclusive benefits and rewards.
Sources
- https://www.thetravel.com/delta-skymiles-gold-american-express-card-reviews/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/reviews/gold-delta-skymiles-amex-credit-card-review/
- https://www.cntraveler.com/story/deltas-american-express-cards-just-got-way-better-for-travelers
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/credit-cards/delta-skymiles-credit-cards-get-a-revamp/
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/platinum-delta-skymiles-credit-card-american-express/80k-100k-bonus-offer/
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