Delta Amex Welcome Offer Rankings
Delta SkyMiles recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of its popular partnership with American Express. Below, we've ranked the Delta Amex welcome offers in terms of value. Remember that the personal cards are only good for people over (and not trying to get back under) Chase 5/24. The business cards are good for anyone since they won't add to your 5/24 count. Also, it is important to remember the Delta Amex family rule for personal cards: Start from the bottom (which is also the most valuable) and work your way up. The business cards do not have the family rule, so you can go in any order at this time. Here are our Delta Amex welcome offer rankings.
Our Ranking Process
We've ranked the cards from worst to best in terms of value. We value Delta SkyMiles at 1.15 cents per point. If the values are close for two cards, we've taken any perks or earning structures into account, as well. The business cards will get a little extra value added to them since they are useful to more people because of the Chase 5/24 rule. The Delta cards have quite a few “perks,” or coupons as we sometimes like to call them, to also consider. You can decide what value you find in each of those perks yourself; we haven't accounted for them in our rankings.
RELATED: Application Rules For Each Bank Explained
Full Reviews + How You Can Support ToP
If you would like to see the full review on any of the cards, we've linked to them on the card names for each below. If you would like to apply for one and would like to support ToP, then you can use the affiliate links in the full credit card reviews. Remember that if you have a Player 2 referral, that is the better option for you. If not, we always greatly appreciate the support.
Delta Card Rankings
Here are the rankings, from 6th all the way up to 1st:
6th – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Platinum Business American Express Card
Let's start with the business version of the Delta Platinum card. The spending required is higher than the personal version this time around. Having it not count toward 5/24 is a nice plus, but the earning structure is a bit worse.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.
- The card has an annual fee of $350.
- Final value: $800
If you can easily use the companion certificate that comes with the card, then this could be a decent long-term keeper option.
5th – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Reserve American Express Card
Next we have the most expensive personal card. This is of course putting the value of the lounge access and a bump in the upgrades pecking order at zero value. Here are the terms for the current welcome offer:
- Earn two domestic Delta Comfort flight certificates + 50,000 bonus miles after $10,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months. A 21+ day advance purchase is required. Taxes and fees up to $80 per person apply. Terms and other restrictions apply. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
- The two roundโtrip Delta Comfort flight certificates are valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- The Delta Reserve card has a $650 annual fee which is NOT waived.
- Final value: $925
The actual value of the two roundโtrip Delta Comfort flight certificates may vary widely. Hopefully you can get at least a combined value of well over $1,000 out of themโand maybe much better, depending on when and where you book. Remember that this one impacts your 5/24 status, and it will destroy you via Amex family rules if you're not careful. This is a perks card through and through, just like the business version. It is also a card best suited for the frequent Delta flyer who doesn't have an Amex Platinum or Business Platinum for lounge access.
4th – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Platinum American Express Card
While the Platinum personal card has some decent 2x earning opportunities, you can do better in those categories with other cards in your wallet. Still, this could be a decent long-term option for frequent Delta flyers because of the companion certificate it offers each year. If you don't struggle to use it, it will likely offset your costs.
- You may be eligible for as high as 90,000 bonus miles + a $300 statement credit after you spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Apply to find out your offer. Terms apply. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
- The card has a $350 annual fee which is NOT waived.
- Final value: $985
Remember the family rules for this card and that it will count against your 5/24 count.
3rd – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Gold Business American Express Card
Do you want a good-sized welcome offer, no annual fee the first year, free checked bags and 15% cheaper award flights? Well, look no further. Though the Delta Gold Business card's welcome offer isn't as high as the current ToP two cards, it probably still brings the most value in the first year for the majority of people since it is a business card.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.
- The card has an annual fee of $150, which IS waived for the first year.
- Final value: $1,035
If you have never held a Delta credit card, we'd still recommend starting here.
2nd – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Gold American Express Card
Sliding into second place is the Gold personal card, thanks to its current welcome offer that includes a statement credit in addition to miles. The annual fee is still waived the first year, which also helps a lot in these calculations. You get the checked-bags perk and 15% off award flights without that annual fee the first year, too. Just remember this is a card for when you're over 5/24.
- You may be eligible for as high as 80,000 bonus miles + a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Apply to find out your offer. Terms apply. Offer ends 11/04/2026.
- This card has a $150 annual fee, which IS waived for the first year.
- Final value: $1,170
If you are over 5/24 and looking for a personal Delta card, this is where to start. It is the best way to stay on ToP of the Amex family rules.
1st – Delta SkyMilesยฎ Reserve Business American Express Card
In terms of value, it's hard to beat a 200,000-mile welcome offer. It does require one of the highest annual fees. The spending requirement could also be out of reach for some. The good news is they give you 6 months to complete it, at least. On the plus side: It doesn't count toward your 5/24 status.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 200,000 bonus miles after spending $20,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership. Offer ends 11/4/26.
- The card has an annual fee of $650.
- Final value: $1,650
Huge welcome offer aside, this is nothing more than a perks card for frequent Delta flyers and will likely not be useful to most.
Delta Amex Welcome Offer Rankings: ToP Thoughts
As with all things, these rankings may shake out a bit differently for you depending on your personal situation. It will also depend on what level of spend you can handle. Compared with the last time these offers were elevated, the personal cards introduced two-tiered bonuses. With these cards providing 6 months to meet the required spend, completing the offer should be possible for most people. You will have to figure out if the perks that some of the cards offer change your own calculations beyond the welcome offers, though. We cover those in our full reviews. If you have any questions on the Delta Amex welcome offer rankings, tell us in the comments over on the ToP Facebook Group.
