I wrote yesterday about the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express‘ referral-triggered welcome bonus. The Delta Platinum Card has a very similar offer — for less than half the annual fee.
But which is the better deal?
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express’ Increased Welcome Bonus
Through Wednesday, July 31, the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express offers the following to new cardmembers referred by a current member.
- 10,000 MQM bonus after spending $3000 in eligible purchases during the first three months after being approved
- 70,000 SkyMiles after reaching the same minimum spend. Given you have to spend three grand — and each dollar earns one SkyMile — reaching the welcome bonus requirement would score you a total of 73,000 SkyMiles. Given that SkyMiles are worth about a penny each, figure this deal is worth at least $730 in Delta travel.
- $100 statement credit after making a Delta purchase with your card. Remember, the purchase can be anything Delta-related.
- Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when seated in the Main Cabin.
- BOGOF companion certificate for certain coach fares
- Free first checked luggage bag for you and up to eight others on the same PNR.
You can earn another 10,000 bonus MQM and SkyMiles when you spend $25,000 on the card in a calendar year. And then another 10,000 MQM and SkyMiles bonus if you spend an additional $25,000 in the same calendar year.
The card carries a $195 annual fee, which is not waived the first year.
So Which Sign Up Deal is Better?
The Reserve card’s deal requires you to spend $5000 to earn a total of 80,000 SkyMiles (75,000 welcome bonus + 5,000 in minimum spend-earned points). It also gives a 10,000 MQM bonus and $100 statement credit. The Reserve card’s annual fee is $450
The Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express earns just 7,000 fewer SkyMiles (approximately $70 in travel) than the Reserve’s welcome bonus. And the Platinum requires you spend only $3000 to earn the welcome bonus, whereas the Reserve card’s minimum is $5000.
Plus, the Reserve card’s annual fee is $255 more than the Platinum’s.
Right. So Why Even Consider the Reserve Card?!
Before you go applying for cards, think about this. The Reserve:
- Gives cardholders complimentary access to Sky Clubs when flying Delta
- Acts as a tie-breaker for upgrades
- BOGOF for domestic Delta One, first class, C+, and certain coach fares. Two first class tickets (using the Reserve card’s BOGOF) can sometimes price nearly the same as two coach seats you’d have to buy that aren’t eligible with the Delta Platinum card’s limited coach fare BOGOF.
- Ability to earn 15,000 bonus MQM and SkyMiles after spending $30,000 in a calendar year. And an additional 15,000 MQM and SkyMiles for spending another $30k that same calendar year. So if you can put $60,000 on a Reserve card, the welcome and $30k bonuses net you 40,000 MQM — which is 10,000 shy of Gold Medallion status…without even stepping on a plane.
If you don’t value SkyClub visits or upgrades, save yourself the money and get the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
I do think, though, the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express‘ first class BOGOF and SkyClub access offset the $255 annual fee difference. But everyone is different, so the choice is personal.
How to Get (or Give) a Referral
Current cardholders can refer friends and family by logging on to AmericanExpress.com, navigating to the Delta Reserve account page, and select the “Refer Now” button.
Referring cardholders will receive 15,000 bonus SkyMiles for each new member referred. A maximum of 55,000 bonus SkyMiles can be earned.
My Referral Link
If you don’t already hold the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express, would you please use my personal referral link? Thank you!!
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
