Torn Between 2 Popular Card Offers? Here’s What to Consider
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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.Ever find yourself trying to decide between 2 great card offers?
Million Mile Secrets reader Debbie asks:
“We are trying to decide between the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles60,000 mile offer that ends November 8, 2017, or the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card50,000 point offer (after meeting minimum spend requirements). We have enough miles for Hawaii next summer. And have other points for 10 hotel nights. The Bank of America Premium Rewards card could add to our nights, plus we would be on a tier level to get more points. We would use the Delta miles for our next trip after Hawaii!
So which offer is better for Debbie? Let’s compare the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles and Bank of America Premium Rewards cards!
AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Vs. Bank of America Premium Rewards
Both cards could work well for Debbie. It’s important to know if either bank’s rules will affect your application. AMEX will only let you earn a sign-up bonus once per card per lifetime. Bank of America now restricts you to 3 cards per 12 months.
These cards will count towards Chase’s “5/24” rule. So if Debbie wants to apply for more Chase cards, she might want to see if she qualifies for the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles Business card because it won’t count towards the “5/24” rule. And it’s easier to qualify for a small business card than you think!
1. AMEX Delta Gold Cards
Link: Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
Link: Gold Delta SkyMiles® Business Credit Card from American Express
The AMEX Delta Gold personal and small business cards come with a 50,000 mile sign-up bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months. And 10,000 miles after spending an additional $1,000 within the first 6 months. This offer is good until November 8, 2017.
The 60,000 mile sign-up bonus matches the highest bonus I’ve seen for the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles card. And because you can only get the bonus on AMEX cards once per lifetime now would be a great time to consider this card.
In addition to the sign-up bonus you get:
- $50 statement credit after making a Delta purchase withing the first 3 months
- 2 miles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- First checked bag free
- Priority boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee (waived the 1st year)
- Terms Apply
This sign-up bonus alone is worth at least $600 toward Delta flights!
2. Bank of America Premium Rewards Credit Card
Link: Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card
The new Bank of America Premium Rewards card comes with a 50,000 point bonus after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
You’ll also get:
- 2x points per $1 on dining and travel
- 1.5x points per $1 on all other purchases
- $100 airline incidental statement credit per calendar year
- $100 Global Entry fee statement credit
- $95 annual fee
Each point is worth 1 cent. So the sign-up bonus is worth at least $545 when you include the minimum spending (50,000 + $3,000 X 1.5 per $1). You can redeem points for:
- Statement credits
- Flights, hotels, and car rentals booked through the Bank of America Travel Center
- A cash deposit into a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch account
- Gift cards
You need to redeem a minimum of 2,500 points at a time.
While the Delta AMEX card seems like a better deal, Debbie mentioned she would qualify for a Bank of America Preferred Rewards tier. Depending on how much you have deposited in your Bank of America accounts or invested with Bank of America, and Merrill Lynch you could earn:
- 25% bonus for having $20,000 to $49,999
- 50% bonus for having $50,000 to $99,999
- 75% bonus for having $100,000+
If Debbie qualifies for the top tier bonus she would earn 3.5 points per $1 on travel and dining, and 2.625 points per $1 on all other purchases!
This is a lot to have in an account. But retirement investments count, so it is easier to qualify than it seems at first look.
Emily and I don’t earn a commission from this offer. But we’ll always tell you about the best deals!
Bottom Line
Debbie wants to know if she should get the AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles card with an increased 60,000 mile sign-up bonus, or the new Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
The AMEX Gold Delta SkyMiles card has a limited-time offer that ends November 8, 2017. And AMEX only lets you earn a bonus once per card, per lifetime. So it makes the most sense to take advantage of this sign-up bonus while it’s high.
BUT, depending on which Bank of America Preferred Rewards tier Debbie qualifies for she could earn a 75% bonus on her purchases! Which makes the Bank of America Premium Rewards card an great option for earning cash back. This offer should be around for a while. So she could always get the AMEX Delta card now. And later on apply for the Bank of America Premium Rewards card.
Thanks for the question, Debbie!
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