Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and and may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Updated June 2026: Offers and card details below are current as of this month.
Need MQD in a hurry — without burning a weekend on a mileage run? There’s a shortcut.
You can rack up as much as $10,000 in Medallion® Qualification Dollars (MQD) just by holding the right Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards. Translation: a fast-track toward Delta Medallion® status without setting foot on a plane.
Two of these cards alone can get you to Silver Medallion®.
(Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.)These cards also carry some genuinely useful statement credits — Delta Stays, rideshare credits, and the Resy dining credit — that quietly offset the annual fees if you actually use them.
The catch? SkyMiles award tickets — especially long-haul international — can be priced like a punchline. Beauty, as ever, is in the eye of the cardholder.
So let’s look at what’s on offer.
Which Card Should You Choose?
If you like premium perks and lounge access:
→ Personal: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card → See offer details
→ Business: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card → See offer details
Want a strong MQD boost with fewer bells and whistles?
→ Personal: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card → See offer details
→ Business: Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card → See offer details
Want the most affordable option with solid perks (a FOMO card 🙂 ) ?
→ Personal: Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card → See offer details
→ Business: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card → See offer details
Have a side hustle or small business?
→ You may qualify for business cards (more on that below)
Can You Stack MQD Bonuses?
Yes.
Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards: What Features Do the Cards Share?
All of the below cards (except the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card) give members:
- Free first checked bag worldwide for the cardholder and up to eight others on the same Delta PNR/reservation, plus a second checked bag on domestic Delta-operated flights (U.S. 48, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and USVI; cardholder only)
- You do not need to use your Delta Amex to pay for your Delta flight
- Zone 5 boarding (formerly “Main Cabin 1”)
- 20% statement credit for select purchases made onboard Delta flights (e.g., food, beverages)
- Takeoff 15 — save 15% on eligible SkyMiles award trip redemptions
Delta Amex Personal/Consumer Cards
Keep in mind that the Delta Amex personal cards are all subject to the family rule. For example, if you’ve had the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you’re not eligible to receive the welcome offers for the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card.
If you don’t yet have a personal/consumer Delta Amex, start with the Delta Gold, then work your way “up.”
The family rule does not apply to the business credit cards.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card ($2,500 MQD Card!)
Earn up to 125,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $9,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. First, earn 100k bonus miles after spending $6k on eligible purchases, then an additional 25k after spending $3k within six months. This offer expires on July 15, 2026. (Terms apply.). Learn here how to apply.
Delta Reserve Amex cardmembers may enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta-marketed and operated flights. (To access Centurion Lounges, your trip must be paid with an eligible American Express card.)
Reserve Card Members receive up to 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. A “Visit” is an entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club “Grab and Go” feature at one or more airports for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage, during an Eligible Card Member’s travel on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. A single Visit allows access to Delta Sky Clubs in multiple airports during the 24-hour period.
Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card. To earn an unlimited number of Visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more during a calendar year and each calendar year thereafter.
Receive four guest passes each year to Delta Sky Clubs. This is a nice perk if you’re traveling with people who don’t have Delta Sky Club access through their own Reserve card or the American Express Platinum cards. After that, up to two guests may be brought in for $50 per person. (Rates and fees.)
Cardholders receive $2,500 MQD toward Medallion® status each year. That can be very beneficial for some people — especially since the card’s annual fee is $650. (Rates and fees.) Cardholders also earn $1 MQD for each $10 in eligible purchases.
Holding a Delta Reserve Card serves as a tie-breaker when it comes to complimentary Medallion® upgrades, too.
One change worth noting: effective July 8, 2026, Centurion Lounge access during a layover requires arriving within five hours of your connecting flight, and any guests you bring must be on the same flight as you (not just traveling the same day). Minor, but worth knowing if you’ve been using the lounge as a long-layover hideout.
There are also several statement credit opportunities. Cardholders can earn up to:
- $240 each calendar year ($20 per calendar month) on eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases
- $200 each calendar year on eligible Delta Stays purchases made at Delta.com
- $10 each calendar month on eligible purchases in the U.S. with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto
And cardholders receive a Companion Certificate valid for First Class, Premium Select, and Main Cabin flights to select destinations starting the second year of card membership. It can now also be redeemed toward the flight portion of a Delta Vacations package.
Delta Reserve Amex members may earn a statement credit for your Global Entry application fee every four years or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4.5 years when paying with your Delta Reserve.
The card earns 3X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines and 1X on all other eligible purchases.
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Amex Reserve Card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card ($2,500 MQD Card!)

Earn up to 100,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. First, earn 80k bonus miles after spending $4k on eligible purchases, then an additional 20k after spending $2k within six months. This offer expires on July 15, 2026. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
Cardholders receive $2,500 MQD toward Medallion® status each year. That’s even more of a bargain than the Delta Reserve Amex, considering the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card‘s annual fee is $350. (Rates and fees.)
Cardholders can earn up to:
- $120 each calendar year ($10 per calendar month) on eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases
- $150 each calendar year on eligible Delta Stays purchases made at Delta.com
- $10 each calendar month on eligible purchases in the U.S. with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto
And cardholders receive a Companion Certificate valid for eligible Main Cabin flights to select destinations starting the second year of card membership. It can now also be redeemed toward the flight portion of a Delta Vacations package.
The Delta Platinum Amex is another one of the cards allowing members to earn a statement credit for your Global Entry application fee every four years or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4.5 years.
The card earns:
- 3X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines
- 3X on purchases made directly with hotels
- 2X at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the United States)
- 2X at U.S. supermarkets
- 1X on all other eligible purchases
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Amex Platinum Card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Earn up to 90,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. First, earn 70k bonus miles after spending $3k on eligible purchases, then an additional 20k after spending $2k within six months. This offer expires on July 15, 2026. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
The Delta Gold Amex is great for people who take a couple of Delta roundtrips each year, don’t care about Medallion® status, and don’t give two hoots about a Companion Certificate. Why? The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees) That can save you a bunch of money on checked luggage. Plus, the Zone 5 boarding is nice and 20% statement credit for onboard purchases can save you some money if you want to treat yourself to a cocktail or Delta premium snack while flying.
Delta Amex Gold cardholders can also enjoy up to $100 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
You can also earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in a year.
The Gold also picked up a new $120 Rideshare Credit — up to $10 back each month on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases (Uber, Lyft, Curb, and Alto) after your first card renewal. Enrollment required. (Translation: it kicks in year two — unless you downgraded from a Platinum or Reserve, in which case it’s immediate.)
Points Earnings:
- 2X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines
- 2X at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 1X on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Amex Gold Card.
Delta Amex Business Cards
Here are the cards not subject to that ugly family rule!
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card ($2,500 MQD Card!)

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardmembers may enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta marketed and operated flights. (To access Centurion Lounges, your trip must be paid with an eligible American Express card.)
Reserve Delta Business Amex Card Members receive up to 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. A “Visit” is an entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs or usage of the Delta Sky Club “Grab and Go” feature at one or more airports for a period of up to 24 hours starting upon the first Delta Sky Club entry or Grab and Go usage, during an Eligible Card Member’s travel on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. A single Visit permits using Delta Sky Club(s) in multiple airports during the 24-hour period.
Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card. To earn an unlimited number of Visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more during a calendar year and each calendar year thereafter.
Receive four guest passes each year to Delta Sky Clubs. This is a nice perk if you’re traveling with people who don’t have Delta Sky Club access through their own Reserve card or the American Express Platinum cards. After that, up to two guests may be brought in for $50 per person. (Rates and fees.)
Like it’s personal/consumer sibling, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Cardholders get $2,500 MQD toward Medallion® status each year. Cardholders also earn $1 MQD for each $10 in eligible purchases.
The same July 8, 2026 lounge change applies here too: on a layover, Centurion Lounge access requires arriving within five hours of the connecting flight, and guests must be traveling on the same flight as you.
There are also several statement credit opportunities. Cardholders can earn up to:
- $240 each calendar year ($20 per calendar month) on eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases
- That’ll save you some money on business lunches and dinners!
- $250 each calendar year on eligible Delta Stays purchases made at Delta.com
- $10 each calendar month on eligible purchases in the U.S. with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto
And cardholders receive a Companion Certificate valid for First Class, Premium Select, and Main Cabin flights to select destinations starting the second year of card membership. It can now also be redeemed toward the flight portion of a Delta Vacations package.
Delta Reserve Amex members may earn a statement credit for your Global Entry application fee every four years or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4.5 years when paying with your Delta Reserve.
The card earns 3X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines, 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus 1.5X on all purchases after spending $150,000 in a calendar year on the card, and 1X on all other eligible purchases.
The Delta Business Reserve’s annual fee is $650. (Rates and fees.)
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Amex Reserve Card.
The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card ($2,500 MQD Card!)
Earn 100,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. This offer expires on July 15, 2026. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
Here’s another affordable way to score some MQD. Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card cardholders receive $2,500 MQD each year. That’s even more of a bargain than the Delta Reserve Amex, considering the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card‘s annual fee is $350. (Rates and fees.)
Cardholders can earn up to:
- $120 each calendar year ($10 per calendar month) on eligible U.S. Resy restaurant purchases
- $200 each calendar year on eligible Delta Stays purchases made at Delta.com
- $10 each calendar month on eligible purchases in the U.S. with Uber, Lyft, Curb, Revel, and Alto
Want to save money on a business trip, reward an employee, or treat your loved ones to a trip? Starting the second year of card membership, Delta Business Platinum Amex cardholders receive a Companion Certificate valid for Main Cabin flights to select destinations. It can now also be redeemed toward the flight portion of a Delta Vacations package.
You might already have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. But aren’t you sick and tired of your employees (or family members or friends) without it holding you up at the airport while they take out their laptops and walk around in socks with the unwashed? Gross! Well, you can earn a statement credit for a Global Entry application fee every four years or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4.5 years when you pay it with your Delta Amex Business Platinum Card.
The card earns:
- 3X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines
- 3X on purchases made directly with hotels
- 1.5X on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and single eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (Terms and mile cap apply).
- 1X on all other eligible purchases
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Business Amex Platinum Card.

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
Earn 90,000 bonus SkyMiles after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases within six (6) months of being approved for card membership. This offer expires on July 15, 2026. (Terms apply.) Learn here how to apply.
Finally, we have the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card. Again, this card is great is for saving a few bucks on checked bags, onboard purchases, and getting Zone 5 priority boarding.
Or if you collect Delta Amex cards, and haven’t yet gotten the Gold, here’s your chance.
The card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (See Rates and Fees)
Delta Business Amex Gold cardholders can also enjoy up to $150 back annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com each year.
You can also earn a $200 Delta Flight Credit to use toward future travel after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
Gold Business also added a new $120 Rideshare Credit — up to $10 back each month on eligible U.S. rideshare purchases (Uber, Lyft, Curb, and Alto) after your first card renewal. Enrollment required.
Points Earnings:
- 2X on eligible purchases made with Delta Air Lines
- 2X at U.S. Shipping providers and at U.S. providers for Advertising (on up to $50,000 of purchases per category, per year)
- 2X at restaurants worldwide
- 1X on every eligible dollar spent on other purchases
Read more and learn here how to apply for the Delta Business Amex Gold Card.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, please visit this link.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
Advertiser Disclosure: Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc., is part of an affiliate sales network and and may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This relationship may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some links on this page are affiliate or referral links. We may receive a commission or referral bonus for purchases or successful applications made during shopping sessions or signups initiated from clicking those links.














Why anyone would chase status in a program with a worthless currency boggles my mind.
Some people travel for business and want chances at upgrades. I know some folks who like access to the Comfort+ seats for Platinums and Diamonds right after booking. But, yeah, the redemption rates are usually pretty grim.
@Matthew – Skypennies are not worthless just worth MUCH less than just about any other program.