If you’ve been considering applying for one of Delta’s cobranded Amex credit cards but haven’t pulled the trigger yet, mark your calendar and make sure you apply before Jan. 30, 2020. On that date, all of the Delta Amex cards will undergo a refresh. Some new benefits will be added but their annual fees will rise. If you apply before Jan. 30, you’ll be able to take advantage of the current welcome offers and be grandfathered into the old fees for one year.
Reading reading: Delta Amex cards adding major new benefits, changing others in 2020
While Delta SkyMiles have long had a bad reputation among the three legacy U.S. airlines, that’s starting to change. Delta’s increasingly frequent flash award sales have opened up some stellar deals over the last year — including round-trip tickets to Australia for just 40,000 miles. If you want to pad your SkyMiles balance to take advantage of the next award sale, or earn perks like priority boarding and free checked bags to make your Delta travels more comfortable, a SkyMiles credit card is a great way to do so.
Let’s take a look at what exactly is changing, so you can decide which card to apply for before the new benefits and fees go into effect on Jan. 30.
In This Post
Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
The entry-level Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express will see a modest increase in its annual fee, from $95 to $99 (see rates and fees). The card will be gaining a 2x bonus category at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (currently 1x), and the ability to earn a $100 Delta flight credit after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year. Terms apply.
After Jan. 30, however, you won’t be able to earn a Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver by spending on this card, and the ability to buy discounted SkyClub passes for $29 per person will go away as well.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus miles after you use your new Card to make $1,000 in purchases within your first three months, and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first three months.
Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
The mid-range Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express is getting a new 3x bonus category for Delta purchases (currently 2x) and hotels (currently 1x), and a 2x bonus category for restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (currently 1x). It’s also becoming the latest credit card to offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit (every four years for Global Entry, every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck).
At the same time, the annual fee is rising to $250 (see rates and fees) from the current $195 (see rates and fees), and discounted SkyClub passes are increasing to $39 from $29. In addition, Delta is changing the “Miles Boost” feature that rewards big spenders. You’ll still earn 10,000 bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles after you spend $25,000 and then $50,000 a calendar year, but you’ll no longer earn any redeemable miles as part of the benefit. Terms apply.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 35,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months. In addition, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new card within your first three months.
Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express
By far the biggest changes are coming to Delta’s premium credit card, the Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express. Like the Platinum Delta Amex, the Reserve will now earn 3x miles on Delta purchases, though its annual fee is climbing more than 20%, to $550 (see rates and fees). Cardholders will get two one-time SkyClub guest passes (in addition to the current SkyClub membership for cardholders), and will also get access to Amex Centurion lounges when flying Delta with a ticket purchased on their Reserve card.
The Reserve is also adding a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit (every four years for Global Entry, every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck), and seeing some changes to its Miles Boost rewards. Like the Platinum, cardholders will no longer earn redeemable miles for meeting certain spending thresholds, but they will have the ability to earn 15,000 bonus MQMs after spending $30,000, $60,000, $90,000 and $120,000 a year. Terms apply.
Current welcome bonus: Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months.
Bottom line
Amex gave us nearly four months’ warning before these changes kicked in, but if you’ve been hesitating about applying for a Delta Amex credit card, now is your last chance under the old fee structure. If you apply before Jan. 30 you’ll be able to enjoy one year of the lower annual fees across all these cards, but you’ll get access to the improved benefits on Jan. 30 along with any new applicants.
For rates and fees of the Gold Delta SkyMiles Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve Card, please click here.
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