Some offers mentioned below are no longer available.
As of February 1, 2024, big changes are in effect for Delta SkyMiles American Express cards.
Annual fees increased almost across the board, but the additional cost can be more than offset by new statement credits. Business Delta cards also got new bonus spending categories, while premium cards got upgrades to their Companion Certificates and a built-in elite status boost. To top it off, the revamped credit cards are offering new cardholders elevated welcome bonuses for a limited time.
Below, CNBC Select details the new features, fees and bonuses of the Delta Amex cards so you can determine whether these airline cards deserve a spot in your wallet.
Amex Delta card changes
The good news is that no benefits or bonus spending categories are being removed (outside of some changes previously announced in late 2023). Cardholders will continue to enjoy perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags and 15% off award flights. The luxury card options have the same lounge access benefits and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credits.
As long as you can take full advantage of the new statement credits, these changes are a net positive.
Delta SkyMiles Gold card changes
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card holders can earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months.
Annual fee
The intro annual fee for the Delta Gold card is $0 for the first year, then $150 (up from $99). For existing cardholders, the new annual fee applies to renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New features
- Delta flight credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits toward Delta flights after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $100 in annual statement credits toward eligible prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
Delta SkyMiles Gold Business card changes
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card holders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months. Offer ends 3/27/24.
Annual fee
The intro annual fee for the Delta Gold card is $0 for the first year, then $150 (up from $99). For existing cardholders, the new annual fee applies to renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New features
- Delta flight credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits toward Delta flights after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $150 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
- New bonus spending categories: Earn 2X miles on U.S. Shipping and U.S. advertising purchases on select media (on up to $50,000 in purchases per category, per year)
Delta SkyMiles Platinum card changes
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card holders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months.
Annual fee
The annual fee of the Delta Platinum card is now $350 (up from $250). Existing cardholders pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New Features
- Resy credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 per month)
- Rideshare credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 per month)
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $150 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
- Elite status boost: Get $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart. Plus, earn $1 MQD for every $20 you spend on your card.
- Expanded Companion Certificate: Companion Certificate is now valid for routes within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Previously, it was only valid for routes within the continental U.S.
- Hertz status: Receive complimentary Hertz Five Star Status (enrollment required). To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and "Enroll in Promotion" at delta.com/hertz.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business card changes
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card holders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months. Offer Ends 3/27/24.
Annual fee
The annual fee of the Delta Platinum Business card is now $350 (up from $250). Existing cardholders pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New Features
- Resy credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $10 per month)
- Rideshare credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 per month)
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
- Elite status boost: Get $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart. Plus, earn $1 MQD for every $20 you spend on your card.
- Expanded Companion Certificate: Companion Certificate is now valid for routes within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Previously, it was only valid for routes within the continental U.S.
- New spending categories: Earn 1.5X miles on transit, U.S. shipping and single purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $100K per year in combined purchases)
- Hertz status: Receive complimentary Hertz Five Star Status (enrollment required) To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and "Enroll in Promotion" at delta.com/hertz.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve card
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders can earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months.
Annual fee
The annual fee of the Delta Reserve card is now $650 (up from $550). Existing cardholders pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New Features
- Resy credit: Up to $240 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants (up to $20 per month)
- Rideshare credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases (up to $10 per month)
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
- Elite status boost: Get $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart. Plus, earn $1 MQD for every $10 you spend on your card.
- Expanded Companion Certificate: Companion Certificate is now valid for routes within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Previously, it was only valid for routes within the continental U.S.
- Hertz status: Receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle Status after enrollment To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and "Enroll in Promotion" at delta.com/hertz.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card changes
Welcome bonus
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card holders can earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on their new card in the first six months.
Annual fee
The annual fee of the Delta Reserve Business card is now $650 (up from $550). Existing cardholders pay the new annual fee for renewals on or after May 1, 2024 (see rates and fees).
New Features
- Resy credit: Up to $240 in annual statement credits toward U.S. Resy restaurants ($20 per month)
- Rideshare credit: Up to $120 in annual statement credits toward U.S. rideshare purchases ($10 per month)
- Delta Stays credit: Up to $250 in annual statement credits toward prepaid hotel and vacation rental Delta Stays bookings
- Elite status boost: Get $2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) at the beginning of each qualifying year with MQD Headstart. Plus, earn $1 MQD for every $10 you spend on your card.
- Expanded Companion Certificate: Companion Certificate is now valid for routes within the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America. Previously, it was only valid for routes within the continental U.S.
- New spending categories: Earn 1.5X miles on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and U.S. office supply stores and on all eligible purchases after $150K in spending that calendar year
- Hertz status: Receive complimentary Hertz President's Circle Status after enrollment To receive the benefit, you must add your Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Account number to your SkyMiles Account associated with your Eligible Card, register at delta.com/mypromos/eligible, and "Enroll in Promotion" at delta.com/hertz.
What these changes mean for you
The annual fees for six Delta cards are increasing by $51 to $100. While this is a significant change, each card is getting two more new statement credit offers. These offers can provide up to $300 to $610 in value each year depending on the card.
Even if you only use a fraction of the new credits, you'll come out ahead because no existing benefits are being eliminated. The value is even better for the small business cards because card members have additional bonus spending categories.
If you've been considering a Delta card, now is a good time to apply because there are also limited-time increase welcome bonus offers. Each of these intro bonuses gives you a generous six months to meet the spending requirement, which is double the amount of time you'll get with many travel credit cards.
Bottom line
Most Delta cards have undergone a major overhaul. The annual fees for these cards went up, but new benefits can easily offset the extra expense. The cards also didn't lose any existing valuable perks, which means this is likely a largely positive change for most cardholders.
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Read more
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
