Creative Ways to Earn Delta Credit Card Statement Credits

Creative Ways to Earn Delta Credit Card Statement Credits

Delta and American Express recently launched some amazing increased welcome offers.  You can snag up to 80,000 Delta Skymiles per card until 7/2/19.  Many of these offers come with a statement credit that helps offset the annual fee but you have to make a Delta purchase.  Did you know that the purchase doesn’t have to be for a flight and that it doesn’t have to be for the full amount?  I wanted to share some creative ways to earn Delta credit card statement credits with you in case you recently applied for one of the cards or were planning to before the offer expires.

Increased Welcome Offers

Let’s first take a look at the limited time increased offers for the cards. Remember that all of these offers come with American Express’ standard once per lifetime offer restrictions.  If you have had the particular card before you are not eligible for the offer.  But if you have had one version of the card you are eligible for another version (Gold and Platinum etc).

Personal Cards

American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within your first 3 months.
• A $50 statement credit when you make your first Delta purchase (a can of Pringles works)
• $95 Annual fee IS waived the first year
• LEARN MORE

American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months.
• A $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
• $195 annual fee IS NOT waived.
• LEARN MORE

Delta Reserve Credit Card

You can get the best offer for the Delta Reserve personal and business cards via the referral route.

Business Cards

Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Card

• Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within your first 3 months.
• A $50 statement credit when you make your first Delta purchase
• $95 Annual fee IS waived the first year
• LEARN MORE

Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Card

• Earn 80,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $6,000 within your first 3 months.
• A $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.
• $195 annual fee IS NOT waived.
• LEARN MORE

Delta Reserve Business Credit Card

You can get the best offer for the Delta Reserve personal and business cards via the referral route.

How To Earn Delta Credits Outside Of Purchasing A Ticket

Now down to the good stuff.  I think many people believe that you have to purchase a Delta flight to earn the statement credit.  And I also think that many believe that the purchase needs to be for the full credit amount or over.  Both of those beliefs would be wrong.  Here is a list of some ways to earn the credit outside of paid flights:

• Pay award flight taxes and fees – this can be as low as $5.60 for a one way booking and it will trigger the full $50-$100 credit.
• Buy a can of Pringles on board a plane or headphones – these will cost you around $2-$3.
• Purchase a Delta gift card for $50.  You could then try to resell the gift card or use it for a future flight.  This is useful if you don’t have any upcoming flights or bookings on Delta.
• If you are team checked luggage (first reconsider your life choices – I kid, I kid) you could pay the checked luggage fee.  Most checked bags would be covered as a perk of carrying a Delta card but there are times they are not.
• Fly in style by upgrading your seat on an upcoming flight.
• Buy a premium drink in a Delta Skylounge

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are many ways to earn the Delta statement credit besides simply purchasing a Delta cash fare.  You can spend as little as $2 and earn a $50-$100 credit. With the Gold cards, that waive the annual fee the first year, that is like a separate cash welcome offer!

I personally go the Pringles can route.  One time I was in first class and order the Pringles and the flight attendant was so confused since first class passengers get free snacks. I had to explain what I was doing to her to get that look off of her face 🤣. I ended up giving her the can to snack on which made her pretty happy.

If there is a great way that I missed then let us know in the comments section.

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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