Load Up on Delta MQD and Big Bonuses at the Same Time!

Just in time for the new Medallion® year, a dozen big card offers have dropped! And four of the cards give SkyMiles members $2,500 each toward Medallion® status. So if you want to get an easy head start on 2027 status — and/or start enjoying the Medallion® benefits now, this could be a great opportunity.

It’s early in the 2027 Medallion® Year earning period. The sooner you earn status, the sooner you can enjoy its benefits. For example, if you earn Platinum Medallion® status ($15,000 MQD) now, you’ll have it for the rest of 2026, all of 2027, and through January 31, 2028.

Keep in mind that the personal/consumer Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards carry the restrictive “family” language. That means you’re not eligible for a “lower” / “less premium” / “lower annual fee card” welcome bonus if you’ve already been a member of a card “above it.”

For example, if you’ve never had a personal Delta Amex Card, start with the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, then get the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, then end with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (if you so wish). But if you already got the Reserve Card, you’re not eligible for the Platinum or Gold’s welcome offer. If you’re a Delta Platinum Amex cardholder, the only personal welcome bonus you can receive is the Reserve card.

You can still hold the cards and enjoy their benefits (assuming you’re approved) — it’s just that you won’t be eligible for their welcome offers.

However, the business flavors do not limit you up or down. If you’ve had the Business Reserve Card and want to get a Platinum Business Delta Amex or a Gold Business Delta Amex, you should be eligible for their welcome bonuses.

Delta SkyMiles® American Express Cards: What Features Do the Cards Share?

All of the below cards give members:

• Free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to eight others on the same Delta PNR/reservation
  • 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

The Four Cards That Give You MQD Toward Delta Status

A quadfecta of Delta Amexes gives members $2,500 MQD each year just for being cardmembers. That means you can earn up to $10,000 MQD without leaving your home. That’s a heck of an easy mileage run.

Here they are, along with their limited-time offers.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express 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. (Here's how: Within the first six months, earn 100k bonus SkyMiles after spending $6k on eligible purchases. Then earn another 25k Miles after spending an additional $3k on eligible purchases. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. Terms apply.)
  • Lounge access, Companion Certificate, upgrade priority
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $650 (Rates and fees.)
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  • Earn 125,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $15,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for membership. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. (Terms apply.)
  • Lounge access, Companion Certificate, upgrade priority
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $650 (Rates and fees.)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express 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. (Here's how: Within the first six months, earn 80k bonus SkyMiles after spending $4k on eligible purchases. Then earn another 20k Miles after spending an additional $2k on eligible purchases. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. Terms apply.)
  • Companion Certificate, upgrade access
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $350 (Rates and fees.)
• Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
  • Earn 100,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $8,000 in purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for membership. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. (Terms apply.)
  • Companion Certificate, upgrade access
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $350 (Rates and fees.)

Two Other Offers

The Gold flavors also feature limited-time offers:

• 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. (Here's how: Within the first six months, earn 70k bonus SkyMiles after spending $3k on eligible purchases. Then earn another 20k Miles after spending an additional $2k on eligible purchases. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. Terms apply.)
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (Rates and fees.)
• Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card
  • Earn 90,000 bonus SkyMiles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new card within six (6) months of being approved for membership. This offer expires on April 1, 2026. (Terms apply.)
  • Read our breakdown of the card here.
  • Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. (Rates and Fees)

Final Approach

If you want to jumpstart your Medallion® status, this is a great opportunity! Holding up to four select Delta Amex cards can save you a bunch of time and money toward your Medallion® quest. And they all feature big welcome offers now.

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 Delta SkyMiles® Business Platinum 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 Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card, please visit this link.