(EXPIRED) Big new Delta offers: get up to 20K MQMs!

9
Sorry, this deal is no longer available. Do you want to be alerted about new deals as they’re published? Click here to subscribe to Frequent Miler's Instant Posts by email.

The Delta credit cards have increased their welcome offers to coincide with the new increased annual fee on the cards and the offers are pretty interesting. In addition to incentivizing cardholders to keep their cards beyond the first year by offering bonus miles at anniversary, Amex and Delta are offering an unprecedented 20,000 MQMs as part of the welcome bonus on one of them. Read on for the details of the new offers.

a man sitting in an airplane

The Offers & Key Card Details

Note: For more information on each of these cards as well as links to apply, simply click the card name to go to our dedicated Frequent Miler page for each card.

Card Offer and Details
10K miles ⓘ Affiliate
10K miles after $1000 spend in the first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
No Annual Fee
Note an unusual restriction: Welcome bonus not available if you've had another Delta consumer card in the past 90 days.
FM Mini Review: This card offers an OK welcome offer for a no-fee card, but many/most other cards offer better return for spend.
Earning rate: 2X restaurants worldwide ✦ 2X Delta ✦ 1X on all other eligible purchases
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Dine: 2X (2.6%)
Brand: 2X (2.6%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Noteworthy perks: 20% statement credit on in-flight purchases of food, beverages, and headsets Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
70K miles ⓘ Affiliate
70K miles after $3K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
FM Mini Review: Priority boarding, and free checked bag make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card.
Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2x restaurants worldwide ✦ 2x US supermarkets
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Dine: 2X (2.6%)
Grocery: 2X (2.6%)
Brand: 2X (2.6%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $100 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
80k miles ⓘ Affiliate
80k after $6k spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
FM Mini Review: Priority boarding and first checked bag free make this a reasonably good option for Delta flyers who do not have elite status. However, those who can make use of an annual companion certificate would do better with the Delta Platinum card.
Earning rate: 2X Delta ✦ 2X U.S. purchases for advertising in select media and U.S. shipping purchases (capped at $50k per year starting 1/1/24)
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Brand: 2X (2.6%)
Other: 2X (2.6%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: $200 Delta flight credit after $10K in purchases in a calendar year
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Get up to $150 back per year as a statement credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Priority boarding, and first checked bag free on Delta flights. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
90K miles ⓘ Affiliate
90K miles after $4K spend in 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$350 Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate
Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 2X restaurants ✦ 2X US Supermarkets
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Travel: 3X (3.9%)
Dine: 2X (2.6%)
Grocery: 2X (2.6%)
Brand: 3X (3.9%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $150 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers (ticket must be purchases on or after 2/1/24 to receive this benefit) ✦ Cell phone protection ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
100k miles ⓘ Affiliate
100k after $8k spend in first 6 months. Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$350 Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: Good choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of annual companion certificate
Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 3X purchases made directly with hotels ✦ 1.5X on transit, eligible U.S. shipping, and purchases of $5K or more (up to $100K per year)
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Travel: 3X (3.9%)
Brand: 3X (3.9%)
Other: 1.5X (1.95%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $20 spent
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) each year upon card renewal ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights ✦ Complimentary Upgrade list: get added to the complimentary upgrade list after Delta elite members and Reserve cardmembers (ticket must be purchases on or after 2/1/24 to receive this benefit) ✦ Terms and Limitations Apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
100K Miles ⓘ Affiliate
100K miles after $6K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$650 Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status.
Earning rate: 3X Delta
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Brand: 3X (3.9%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Annual $2,500 MQD Headstart ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta ✦ Earn up to $200 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ One statement credit every 4 years for the $100 Global Entry application fee or one statement credit every 4.5 years for the $85 TSA Precheck application fee ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)
Card Offer and Details
110K miles ⓘ Affiliate
110k after $12K spend in first 6 months. Terms apply. (Rates & Fees)
(Offer Expires 3/27/2024)
$650 Annual Fee
FM Mini Review: Excellent choice for frequent Delta flyers who can make use of SkyClub access and companion certificate. Also a good choice for big spenders seeking Delta elite status.
Earning rate: 3X Delta ✦ 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping & office supply store purchases
Base: 1X (1.3%)
Office: 1.5X (1.95%)
Brand: 3X (3.9%)
Other: 1.5X (1.95%)
Card Info: Amex Credit Card issued by Amex. This card has no foreign currency conversion fees.
Big spend bonus: Earn 1 Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) per $10 spent
Noteworthy perks: 15% off when using miles to book an award flight (Delta metal only) ✦ Domestic, Caribbean, or Central American economy or first class companion certificate (subject to taxes & fees) after card renewal ✦ SkyClub access (starting 2/1/25, 15 visits per year (after 15 visits have been used, additional visits can be purchased for $50 each) or earn unlimited visits after spending $75K/calendar year on the card ✦ 4 Delta SkyClub one-time guest passes ✦ Centurion Lounge access when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card ✦ Earn up to $250 as a statement credit each year after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals with your Card through Delta Stays on delta.com/stays ✦ Up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants ✦ Up to $10 per month in statement credits for purchases with select rideshare service providers [enrollment required] ✦ Complimentary upgrades ✦ $100 Global Entry fee credit every 4 years (or 4.5 years for TSA Precheck) ✦ Priority boarding ✦ First checked bag free on Delta flights. ✦ Hertz President's Circle Status ✦ Terms and limitations apply. (Rates & Fees)

Quick Thoughts

While it seems reasonable to expect an increase in offer here given the increase in annual fee on these cards, I’m pleasantly surprised by the new offers.

Keep in mind of course that Delta SkyMiles are not the most valuable airline currency, but with regular flash sales presenting opportunities to get north of a cent per mile for economy class redemptions and the occasional partner award opportunity, these offers can certainly be decent fr someone looking to boost up a Delta account.

Offering bonus miles at first anniversary is certainly an intriguing way to entice people to keep the card beyond the first year. If you also value the other benefits of these cards, I could see these bonuses convincing you to keep the card for at least two years.

A couple of cards feature new bonus categories, including restaurants, US supermarkets, and money spent directly with hotels (see the details above). We previously covered a number of the key changes along with some analysis of their relative value (See: Delta credit cards: huge changes coming.) While you could earn better category bonuses on cards that earn Amex Membership Rewards points and transfer those points to Delta, it’s at least nice to see some chances for bonus categories for those who will otherwise spend on these cards toward Delta status or MQD waivers.

Speaking of status, the ability to pick up 20,000 miles toward elite status (MQMs) as part of the welcome bonus on the Reserve cards is terrific for those chasing status who expect to come up short of the next level. That should go a long way toward making that next level more reachable. As a reminder, Silver status with Delta only requires 25,000 MQMs. The bonus on this card will get you almost half way to Gold.

a comparison of different colors of a colorSince you can also earn MQMs from spend on those cards, $60K spend in a calendar year would get you Gold status without stepping on a plane. Platinum status would then be within reach with moderate flight activity (given that $25K spend across one or more Delta cards will grant you an MQD waiver up to Platinum status). Queue up the first commenter to note that “when everyone has status, no one has status”, but it would seem like useful status could be fairly easy for some. Keep in mind that Delta Diamond still requires either $15K in MQDs or $250K in Delta credit card spend (across one or more Delta credit cards) to get an MQD waiver.

Overall, these offers are all good values for spend in year 1 and the Platinum and Reserve cards are likely keepers beyond year 1 for the anniversary points and benefits. The Reserve cards in particular look like a great deal for those chasing status despite the bump in annual fee.

Keep in mind that these offers contain lifetime language, so you will not be eligible for the bonus on a card that you have or have had, regardless as to whether or not you received a welcome bonus. However, you are eligible for the bonus on each of the cards that you have not had before (provided Amex does not give you a pop-up message during the application process advising otherwise).

Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

9 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments