Which 50,000 Mile Delta Card Is Right for You?

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Having trouble deciding which increased American Express Delta SkyMiles sign-up bonus offer to apply for?

Until September 8, 2014, the sign-up bonus on the American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles (Personal), Gold Delta SkyMiles (Business), and Platinum Delta SkyMiles cards is 50,000 miles after you make $1,000 in purchases in the 1st 3 months.  Many readers have asked about this deal, because the bonus is normally only 30,000 miles.

How do you decide which card is best for you?  Let’s compare some of the perks you’ll get!

The Same, But Different

Link:   American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles (Personal)

Link:   American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles (Business)

Link:   American Express Platinum Delta SkyMiles

All 3 increased offers get you 50,000 miles after completing minimum spending.   You can use Delta miles on Delta, partners like Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, and SkyTeam alliance airlines.

50,000 miles can get you lots of Big Travel with Small Money!  For example:

• 2 round-trip coach class tickets to anywhere in the continental US, Alaska, and Canada for 50,000 miles
• A round-trip coach class ticket to Hawaii for 45,000 miles
• A round-trip coach class ticket to the Caribbean, Mexico, or Central America for 35,000 miles
• A round-trip Business Class or First Class ticket to anywhere in the continental US, Alaska, and Canada for 50,000 miles

And after January 1, 2015 (when Delta starts allowing 1-way award tickets):

• A 1-way coach class ticket to Africa for 40,000 miles
• A 1-way coach class ticket to Middle East or South Asian Subcontinent for 42,500 miles
• A 1-way coach class ticket to Southwest Pacific for 50,000 miles
• A 1-way coach class ticket to Southeast Asia (such as Thailand or Malaysia) for 40,000 miles

A Side-By-Side Comparison

Each card gives you different benefits.  And the Gold and Platinum have different annual fees.

I wrote about the Top 10 perks on the Gold Delta SkyMiles cards.  And here’s a post for folks who wonder if paying the annual fee on the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card is worth it.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the cards to help you decide which 1 is best for you!

Let’s Look at It Another Way

In summary, all 3 cards get you:

• 50,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in new purchases in the 1st 3 months
• A statement credit after your 1st Delta purchase in the 1st 3 months ($50 statement credit for Gold, $100 for Platinum)
• First checked bag free
• Double miles on Delta purchases
• 20% discount on in-flight purchases
• Priority boarding
• Pay With Miles
• Discount on Delta SkyClub lounge passes
• No foreign transaction fees

But only the Gold Delta SkyMiles personal and business cards get you:

• Annual fee of $95 waived for the 1st year
• American Express OPEN discounts (business version only)

And only the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card offers:

• 15,000 elite-qualifying miles as part of the sign-up bonus
• Up to 20,000 bonus miles and 20,000 elite-qualifying miles if you’re a big spender
• Yearly companion certificate
• But the annual fee of $195 is NOT waived for the 1st year

It Depends on How You Spend and Travel

The Gold Delta SkyMiles (personal and business) cards might be your best choice if you:

• Don’t want to pay an annual fee the 1st year
• Are NOT looking for elite status on Delta
• Won’t use a companion certificate
• Are NOT a big spender

But you might want to consider the Platinum Delta SkyMiles card if you:

• Don’t mind paying an annual fee (which is off-set partially by the $100 statement credit)
• Want elite status on Delta and fly a lot of Delta paid flights
• Can save money by using the companion certificate
• Are a big spender

Bottom Line

The American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles (Personal), Gold Delta SkyMiles (Business), and Platinum Delta SkyMiles cards all have an increased sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card in the 1st 3 months.  But the offer ends September 8, 2014.

These cards have a lot in common, but each has some unique perks that might appeal to different types of travelers.  To decide which card is best for you, consider your flying and spending habits, whether you want elite status or a companion certificate, and if you mind paying an annual fee the 1st year.

What do you like most about these cards?  Which is your favorite?