Delta Credit Card Changes for 2020: Will You Benefit From Them?

Starting on January 30, 2020, some major changes happened to your Delta credit card. Delta and American Express announced that new perks were added, while other benefits were adjusted or even removed. These changes impacted their entire lineup of co-branded credit cards.

Your opinion of whether or not these changes are a net positive or negative will vary depending on how you use your card. The average traveler will appreciate the ability to earn more rewards on spending, big spenders will miss some benefits, and nobody will like that annual fees increased.

Depending on which Delta credit card you have, the following changes may apply:

• Annual fee increase
• Elimination of bonus redeemable miles for big spenders
• Delta Sky Club access eliminated or fees increased
• Increased earning rates on Delta, hotel, dining, and U.S. supermarket purchases
• Guest passes to Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access added
• Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee reimbursement added

Let’s walk through each of the cards and what has changed, so you know which Delta credit card is now the best fit for you.

Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card

Along with adding extra benefits, American Express changed the name of the Delta SkyMiles Blue Credit Card to the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card. With the new launch, new applicants can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 6 months, and still enjoy the fact that this is a $0 annual fee card (terms apply).

All the changes to the Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card are positive. You'll now earn more Delta SkyMiles at restaurants worldwide. The Blue Card now earns 2X miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases. Previously, dining purchases only earned one mile per dollar and only U.S. restaurants were eligible. To put the new earnings in real-world terms, if you generally spend $2,000 per year at restaurants with this card, you'll now earn 4,000 Delta SkyMiles instead of 2,000.

Plus, American Express eliminated the 2.7% foreign transaction fee so you can now make international purchases without paying a surcharge.

The card still provides secondary rental car loss and damage insurance. Your purchases are also protected with purchase protection against theft and accidental damage for 90 days. Extended warranty coverage for an extra year is also available on eligible purchases.

In addition to these benefits, you may now also use Pay With Miles to book flights with points on Delta. And for every 5,000 miles you redeem, you'll receive an additional $50 toward the cost of your flight. That said, this valuation is one cent per mile and is not a good redemption value, so I discourage you from using this new benefit.

Who this card is best for

This credit card is a great choice for earning Delta SkyMiles if you aren't planning to travel during the year or just want to avoid paying an annual fee. Normally, the Gold Card is an ideal choice for travelers (which we’ll discuss next), but its benefits, like free checked bags and priority boarding, don't offer much value if you aren't flying regularly. The expansion of restaurant earnings and the elimination of the foreign transaction fee both make the Blue Card better for international travel than it was previously.

Check out our Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express Card review.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

American Express changed the name of what was formerly the Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, but that's not all that changed. The newly named Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card now earns more miles on dining and comes with a possible $100 flight credit based on your spending. However, cardholders also lose their MQD (Medallion Qualification Dollars) waiver (which makes earnings elite status easier) and their discounted Sky Club airport lounge access. Plus, the annual fee increased from $95 to a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $99 per year thereafter (terms apply).

When you use your Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, you can now earn 2X miles on qualifying Delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S supermarkets; and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases. With the increased earnings rate on restaurant and U.S. supermarket purchases, it is easy to make back the small annual fee increase just by continuing to spend with your card in these categories. Plus, you can now earn a $100 Delta flight credit toward the purchase of a future ticket when you spend at least $10,000 in a calendar year.

Some cardholders may miss out on the MQD waiver, but this card is not targeted toward frequent travelers so the loss of this benefit may not matter if achieving elite status isn’t a goal for you. Occasional Delta travelers don't fly enough to earn status and don’t have as much opportunity to take advantage of the now-discontinued discounted lounge access anyway.

Who this card is best for

The Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card is still one of the best travel credit cards for occasional Delta passengers — possibly even more so with these changes.

Delta SkyMiles Gold cardholders still get to enjoy free checked bags, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, and a 20% discount on in-flight purchases. The checked bag benefit alone pays for this card's $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $99 per year thereafter in one flight if you're traveling with another person.

To earn the $100 Delta flight credit, you need to spend $10,000 within a calendar year. That breaks down to $833 per month. By placing your everyday expenses like gas, groceries, utilities, and dining out on this card, most households can easily hit the $10,000 requirement to earn this benefit if it’s something you want to achieve.

If this sounds like your travel style and you don’t have this card yet, then you’ll want to take advantage of the current welcome bonus. You can earn 40,000 bonus miles after spending $2,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

Check out our Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card review.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card

The business version of the Gold Card also underwent some changes. Its new name is the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express Card, and it added some potentially valuable spending categories. You'll now earn 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases at Delta, restaurants, eligible U.S. shipping, and eligible advertising in select media; 1X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases. Plus, when you spend $10,000 or more in a calendar year, you'll receive a $100 Delta flight credit.

The changes aren't all positive, though. This Delta business card also lost the MQD waiver and discounted Delta Sky Club access, while the annual fee increased from $95 to a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, $99 per year thereafter (terms apply).

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The card now known as the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card retains a lot of great benefits, and now it can net you more SkyMiles per dollar as well. You'll now earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and at hotels; 2X miles per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets; and 1X miles for every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. The old version of the card only earned 2X per dollar spent with Delta and 1X per dollar spent on hotels, dining, and groceries.

A reimbursement up to $100 has also been added for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees. You can use the Global Entry credit once every four years and the TSA Precheck credit once every 4.5 years.

The annual Delta companion certificate is still available when you renew your card. It is good for one Main Cabin domestic round trip, and you’ll pay taxes and fees of no more than $75 to redeem it. Plus, you'll enjoy other benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. On the flip side, cardholders may still enter the Delta Sky Club lounges, but the fee has increased from $10 to $39 per visit.

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card has always been a great card for Delta travelers who want to earn elite status. But although you'll still earn 10,000 MQMs (Medallion Qualification Miles) for $25,000 in spending (up to twice per year), you will no longer earn bonus redeemable miles. The old version of the card used to earn you 10,000 SkyMiles for every $25,000 in spending (twice per year), which you could redeem for flights and other options available. With the value of Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each according to reader feedback, that's a potential loss in value of $240.

But it’s possible the additional miles earned on Delta purchases, hotels, dining, and groceries can make up for that loss. If you spend $8,000 on flights, $5,000 on hotels, and $2,000 on dining and groceries, you'll earn 20,000 more points using the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express than you would have before. That's $15,000 in spending to earn 20,000 redeemable miles compared to the $50,000 previously required.

Although the annual fee increased from $195 to $250, the higher-earning power of spending bonuses can offset that increased fee (terms apply).

Who this card is best for

The Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta travelers who want to earn bonus miles by spending on things other than Delta purchases. Just bring your Delta Platinum Card with you on vacation to earn extra miles on Delta flights, hotel reservations, and dining. Frequent travelers will also appreciate the newly installed TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement.

New applicants also have access to a generous welcome offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases in the first 6 months.

Check out our Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card review.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card

The business version of this card is also changing, starting with its name – it is now known as the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express Card. When using this card, you now earn 3X miles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with Delta and on eligible hotel purchases; 1.5X miles per $1 spent on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (capped at 50,000 miles per calendar year); and 1X mile per $1 spent on other eligible purchases. A Global Entry or TSA Precheck fee reimbursement has also been added.

The negative changes mirror those of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express. Cardholders no longer earn 10,000 bonus redeemable miles after spending $25,000 and Sky Club access is now $39 per visit (up from $29). Plus, the annual fee increased from $195 to $250 (terms apply).

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Formerly known as the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, this premium card is now the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. It is designed for travelers who want to not only earn rewards miles, but also maximize their Delta elite status by spending with this card.

Your opportunity to earn SkyMiles with this card has expanded with an increase in rewards miles on Delta purchases. You can now earn 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases.

Cardholders can also now earn up to 60,000 MQMs per year based on their spending, which is double the number of MQMs they could previously earn. For every $30,000 spent on the card, you'll earn 15,000 MQMs (up to 60,000 MQMs). Cardholders also receive an MQD waiver, making it easier to qualify for elite status.

Many of this card’s existing benefits have stayed the same or have been improved. You'll still receive a round-trip companion certificate each year, which is good for a domestic flight in Main Cabin, Comfort+, or First Class. You’ll continue to have your first bag checked for free and receive priority boarding with Main Cabin 1. But now, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express cardholders also get access to complimentary upgrades for non-Medallion members.

Your existing complimentary access to Delta Sky Club lounges has been enhanced with the addition of two one-time guest passes. Cardholders also now have complimentary access to American Express Centurion Lounges.

Plus, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve now includes up to $100 in reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees.

On the other side of things, cardholders have lost out on the redeemable miles earned for every $30,000 spent on the card. This is a big negative, but the ability to earn more on Delta purchases and earn twice as many MQMs each year can potentially make up for that.

Cardholders are also losing Sky Priority security access. This benefit provided special security lanes at selected airports to speed you through security. The loss of this perk is offset by the addition of Global Entry or TSA Precheck reimbursement, though.

American Express also increased the annual fee by $100 to $550 (terms apply). But this increase is muted by the enhanced benefits of Centurion Lounge access, two complimentary Sky Club passes, Global Entry reimbursement, and complimentary upgrades for non-Medallions.

Who this card is best for

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is best for dedicated Delta travelers. This card is a powerhouse when it comes to earning status and maximizing benefits while flying Delta. If you regularly enjoy lounge access, want to use TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, and travel frequently, then this card could be a fit for you.

If you don’t have this card yet and you’re a regular Delta customer, you should also know about the current welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months (and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs)).

Check out our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The business card version of the Delta Skymiles Reserve also has a new name — the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card. Like its personal credit card counterpart, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business card now offers amplified earnings. You can earn 3X miles for eligible purchases made directly with Delta; 1.5X miles per dollar after spending $150,000 in a calendar year; and 1X miles on all other eligible purchases.

Cardholders can earn up to 60,000 MQMs each year and receive two Delta Sky Club passes annually. With this card, it is possible to receive Delta Gold Medallion status by maxing out the MQMs you can earn and using the MQD waiver benefit. The card also comes with complimentary Centurion Lounge access, and non-Medallion members may receive complimentary upgrades when flying Delta.

On the other hand, the annual fee increased from $450 to $550 (terms apply), you lost Sky Priority security access, and there are no longer bonus redeemable miles each time you meet spending thresholds.

The bottom line on the Delta credit card changes

Each of Delta’s co-branded credit cards has been impacted by the recent changes. American Express added numerous benefits, which is a good thing, but some cardholders could be negatively affected by benefits that were reduced or eliminated.

Our advice is to review how you use your Delta credit card. Depending on your circumstances, the changes could be positive or negative. Or they may simply mean that while you want to remain a Delta cardholder, it might be time to consider a different Delta card. It may make sense to downgrade or upgrade your Delta credit card to reposition yourself into a card that fits your needs and spending habits.