Ranking the Delta Skymiles Increased Offers According to Value
Delta and American Express launched increased offers on their co-branded cards a while back and the offer is scheduled to end tomorrow (8/3/22). These offers are pretty large in terms of Skymiles, offering upwards of 110K, but they don’t include valuable MQMs like they have in the past. Whether or not you think that is better will depend on if you chase Delta status and need MQMs. I have been chasing Delta status the last few years but would actually prefer more Skymiles this year. That is because I have so many roll over MQMs already. Throw in the fact that you still earn MQMs and MQDs on award flights and I can always use more Skymiles!
With the offers ending I figured I would rank the cards according to the value offered from the welcome offers. I will also add in some commentary of other things to consider when choosing which card is best for you.
Updated 8/2/22
Some of these offers may have changed since publishing
Ranking the Delta Skymiles Increased Offers Worst To First
These rankings are based on a 1.10 cent per point valuation for Delta Skymiles and then subtracted the annual fee. Remember that all of these cards come with Amex’s standard once per lifetime welcome offer language. It is also possible to juice these offers by using a significant other’s refer a friend link. Reno Joe says that some of the referral offers are good until late August in the comments so check your offers.
I will do these rankings from least valuable to most valuable:
Delta Reserve Personal Credit Card – $550
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within your first 3 months.
- The $550 Annual Fee IS NOT waived.
- 15K MQMs Status Boost after spending $30,000, available up to 4 times annually
- Delta Sky Club access – you must have an arriving or departing Delta ticket to access the lounge. Can bring in up to 2 guests for $29 a piece.
- First class companion certificate on your 1 year anniversary and every year there after.
- Priority boarding and an upgrade tie breaker.
- LEARN MORE
Delta Reserve Business Credit Card – $660 in value
- Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 within your first 3 months.
- The $550 Annual Fee IS NOT waived.
- 15K MQMs Status Boost after spending $30,000, available up to 4 times annually
- Delta Sky Club access – you must have an arriving or departing Delta ticket to access the lounge. Can bring in up to 2 guests for $29 a piece.
- First class companion certificate on your 1 year anniversary and every year there after.
- Priority boarding and an upgrade tie breaker.
- Learn More
American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles – $740
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months.
- $250 annual fee IS NOT waived.
- 3X SkyMiles on purchases made with Delta, plus hotels where you book directly
- 2X Skymiles at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
- Earn 10k MQMs after $25k in spending (up to twice per year) to help reach Medallion status
- Companion certificate on your 1 year anniversary and every year there after.
- LEARN MORE
American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles – $770
- Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 within your first 3 months.
- $99 Annual fee IS waived the first year
- 2X SkyMiles on purchases made with Delta, worldwide restaurants, and US food delivery
- Free checked bags for you and anyone else in the reservation.
- LEARN MORE
Gold Delta SkyMiles Business Card – $825
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within your first 3 months.
- $99 Annual fee IS waived the first year
- 2X SkyMiles on purchases made with Delta, plus shipping and advertising in the U.S.
- Free checked bags for you and anyone else in the reservation.
- Learn More
Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Card – $850
- Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within your first 3 months.
- $250 annual fee IS NOT waived
- Earn 10k MQMs after $25k in spending (up to twice per year) to help reach Medallion status
- 3X Delta Skymiles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Companion certificate on your 1 year anniversary and every year there after.
- Learn More
Other Considerations
It is not always all about the Benjamins yo 😉! Sometimes the perks and status are what truly matters. If you need the MQMs to reach the next tier of status with Delta, or you just want lounge access, then the Delta Reserve Business is probably your best bet. You may lose $400 on the front end but reaching status easier and chilling in Delta lounges may be worth more than that to you.
If you prefer to have the spending waiver and like the 2X in dining and US supermarkets then the Delta Platinum personal card may be what you need. Or, if you just want to get some Skymiles without an upfront cost then the Delta Gold Business card is just what the doctor ordered.
This is all assuming you are already above Chase 5/24 status. If not, then stick with the business card options.
Final Thoughts
People like to bash Skymiles, but these Delta Skymiles increased offers from American Express are no joke. Getting over $800 in value from any credit card is always worth consideration. These offers end 8/3/22 so be sure to snatch one now if you have been considering them.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the old king of travel rewards cards. Right now
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Learn more about this card and its features!
Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
PSA: While the PUBLIC offers are about to expire, referrals from (at least some) existing cardholders are extended to August 24th. If you want any of these cards but miss the public deadline, have some send a referral to you. Best of luck.
Good to know – I’ll add that bit in.
Don’t the Reserve cards also include Centurion Lounge access for the cardholder?
That kicks in starting in January when the revamp happens