If a Delta-heavy travel year is on your calendar, the current line-up of Delta SkyMiles American Express cards deserves a look. There are seven cobranded cards in total — four personal and three business — and nearly all of them have elevated welcome offers live at the moment, topping out at 125,000 bonus miles. Based on The Points Guy's November 2026 valuations, that haul could be worth around $1,500 towards flights.
The standout is the Delta SkyMiles Reserve. It's currently offering up to 125,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first six months — the highest bonus ever seen on the card, and with $1,000 less in required spending than the previous best version of that offer. The trade-off is a $650 annual fee, but the perk stack is built for frequent flyers: Delta Sky Club access with 15 visits a year plus four guest passes, an annual companion certificate covering first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin round trips within the U.S., two free checked bags, 15% off Delta award bookings, and status-boosting MQD earnings including 2,500 MQD headstart each qualification year.
A tier down, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum carries a $350 fee and offers up to 90,000 miles after $3,000 of spending — solid value for a moderate outlay. You still get a Main Cabin companion certificate (valid within the U.S. and to Mexico and select international spots), priority boarding, free checked bags and the 15% award discount, plus 1 MQD per $20 spent.
For occasional Delta flyers, the SkyMiles Gold is the sensible entry point: up to 80,000 miles after just $2,000 of spending in six months, with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150. On the business side, offers run from 85,000 miles after $6,000 of spending up to 125,000 miles after $15,000, and a business card also comes with up to $1,020 in statement credits on offer.
Before you apply, two rules matter. Amex generally grants a welcome bonus on each card only once per lifetime, so it pays to wait for an offer this elevated rather than jumping on a standard deal. And personal Delta cards carry a 'family rule': if you currently hold or previously held a higher-tier Delta Amex — say the Reserve — you may be blocked from bonuses on the Blue, Gold or Platinum. Business cards don't have that restriction. Amex will typically show you whether you're eligible for a welcome offer before you commit to the card.
Who is this for? Anyone planning multiple Delta flights in the next year, especially couples who could use a companion certificate or travellers who value lounge access enough to offset a $650 fee. If you rarely fly Delta, the Gold's low spending requirement makes the bonus achievable without rearranging your budget. One caution: the headline figures assume you can hit the spending thresholds organically — chase the bonus with money you'd spend anyway. Offers can vary by applicant and won't last forever, so check what you're targeted for before applying.
Via The Points Guy
