Delta SkyMiles American Express cards are offering new cardholders huge welcome bonuses—but these windfalls might be a bit too good to be true.
From February 6 to April 2, 2025, eligible applicants for a range of Delta SkyMiles cards can snag up to 110,000 bonus miles. Many people might see a windfall like this as rocket fuel for their travel dreams—but it leaves me scratching my head over Delta's increasingly elusive premium cabin awards.
The promotion spans Delta's entire card lineup, from the entry-level Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to the top-tier Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Each tier is offering bonuses that are much richer than the standard offer.
For instance, the Gold card's offer soars from 50,000 to 80,000 miles, while the Reserve card tempts with a whopping 100,000 miles, up from its usual 70,000.
Before you rush to apply, consider this: Delta's recent pivot to prioritizing premium cabin revenue has reshaped the SkyMiles landscape. While these inflated bonuses might seem like a ticket to luxury travel, the reality of finding those coveted first-class seats at reasonable mile rates has become increasingly challenging.
The Delta SkyMiles special offers
Delta's limited-time promotion, running until April 2, 2025, includes the following welcome bonuses for new cardholders. These offers represent significant increases over the standard welcome bonuses, with some cards offering up to 30,000 additional miles compared to their usual offers.
Personal Delta SkyMiles cards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
Business Delta SkyMilescards:
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $12,000 in purchases within the first 6 months
Standard benefits of Delta SkyMiles cards
Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards offer a range of standard benefits for both personal and business travelers. Let's break down the key features of each card:
Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card
- TakeOff 15: Save 15% on Award Travel on Delta when booking with miles
- $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in purchases on the card in a calendar year
- First checked bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip flight per person
- Zone 5 Priority Boarding
- $150 Delta Stays Credit for prepaid hotels or vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays
- 20% in-flight savings on select purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- 2X SkyMiles on Delta and U.S. restaurants and groceries, 1X on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card
All benefits of the Gold card, plus:
- Annual Companion Certificate upon card renewal
- Faster path to elite status through Status Boost
- Additional statement credits for Resy and rideshare purchases
- 3X miles on Delta purchases and hotels, 2X miles at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets, 1X on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
All benefits of the Platinum card, plus:
- Complimentary Delta Sky Club access (15 visits per year)
- Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
- Annual Companion Certificate valid for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin
- Fastest path to elite status
- 3X miles on Delta purchases, 1X on all other purchases
Business Delta SkyMiles Cards
The business versions of these cards offer similar benefits to their personal counterparts, with some additional perks tailored for business spending:
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Business Card: Swaps 2X on groceries for 2X miles on U.S. shipping and select advertising purchases
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business Card: Adds 1.5X miles on single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to 50,000 additional miles per year)
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card: Adds 1.5X miles on all purchases after spending $150,000 in a calendar year
Here’s the good news
These offers are much richer than the standard Delta SkyMiles bonuses, with some cards offering up to 30,000 additional miles. The Gold card's jump from 50,000 to 80,000 miles for just $1,000 more in spending is particularly attractive, especially for those who can easily meet the spend requirement.
For business owners earning 90,000 to 110,000 miles could provide substantial value, particularly if aligned with planned business expenses.
Airline credit cards are worth it, but with one big caveat. In many cases, the primary value is the perks, not the miles. Benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and companion certificates can provide tangible value that often outweighs the annual fee.
As long as you are content with flying economy, the Delta SkyMiles cards can present real value, too. Check out the SkyMiles deals page to get an idea of where your miles could take you, especially once you consider the TakeOff15 discount that comes with Delta Amex cards.
I’ve seen flights to Mexico for 10,000 SkyMiles and flights within the continental U.S. for 5,000 SkyMiles on the deals page over the past few months.
Joseph Hostetler, credit cards expert and writer, took advantage of an award deal. “I recently booked round-trip travel to a wedding 850 miles away for just 12,000 Delta miles all-in. Competing airlines wanted over double that price,” he says.
But here’s the catch
Delta's focus on premium cabin revenue has led to a devaluation of SkyMiles for aspirational redemptions. This shift in strategy has made it increasingly difficult for SkyMiles members to get value from their miles, especially for first-class travel.
Delta's success in selling premium cabins for cash has created a dilemma. While it's great for their bottom line, it potentially diminishes the value proposition of their other credit card offerings. As first-class seats become less available for award bookings, the allure of earning SkyMiles through credit card spend may wane.
Moreover, while these offers come with higher bonuses, they also require increased spending. It's crucial to ensure you can meet these thresholds without overextending yourself financially.
The takeaway
For Delta loyalists or those eyeing a big trip, these offers present an opportunity to quickly amass a substantial mileage balance. However, it's essential to temper expectations about how far these miles will take you, especially in premium cabins.
The Gold card offer stands out as the best balance of increased bonus and manageable spend increase. For high spenders or business owners, the Reserve cards' offers could provide exceptional value, particularly when factoring in additional perks like Sky Club access and companion certificates.
Remember, these are limited-time offers ending April 2, 2025. If you've been considering a Delta card, now might be the time to act—but ensure a new card aligns with your travel goals and financial situation. And keep in mind that while the miles can be valuable, the real worth of these cards often lies in their ongoing benefits rather than in aspirational premium cabin redemptions.
Related reading:
Delta’s First-Class dilemma: maximizing ticket revenue leaves SkyMiles members cold
