Best time to apply for Delta American Express cards based on offer history

Ask any points and miles enthusiast and they’ll tell you welcome offers are one of the most important parts of their game plan. The welcome offers we’ve earned from our cards have helped us book some great trips domestically and abroad.

If you’re a frequent Delta flyer, you’re probably eyeing one of its cobranded cards to help make your experience more enjoyable. Since American Express limits cardmembers to one welcome bonus per lifetime, applying for a Delta Amex card at the right time is very important.

In this guide, we’ll go over the offer history and best time to apply for every Delta card, so you’re never in the dark about when to apply. Keep in mind that offers can change at any time and some of the offers listed on this page may no longer be available.

Note that we’ll only discuss publicly available welcome offers here. However, you might receive targeted offers with more bonus miles.

Related: Current Delta American Express credit card welcome bonuses

Best Delta American Express welcome offers

Delta SkyMiles Blue American Express card

If you want to start with a no-annual-fee Delta card (see rates and fees), the Delta SkyMiles Blue is for you. While it lacks the perks of more premium Delta cards, it still offers enough to make it worthwhile for the occasional Delta flyer.

Currently, new cardholders can earn 10,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.

Highest welcome offer

The highest welcome offer we’ve seen on the Delta Blue Amex allowed new cardmembers to earn 15,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months of card membership.

When to apply

If you see an offer over 10,000 miles, it’s a great time to apply. We haven’t seen this card receive a limited-time offer in several years, so it may not be worth waiting a long time for a potential elevated offer if you’re interested in applying.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Blue

Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express card

The Delta SkyMiles Gold offers a solid range of perks for its $150 annual fee ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year; see rates and fees), including priority boarding and free checked bags. It’s the ideal choice for any Delta flyer who doesn’t want to commit to a premium annual fee.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Gold:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

With this card’s highest-ever welcome offer, new cardmembers could earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first six months of card membership.

When to apply

When the offer is over 70,000 miles, it’s the right time to send an application in.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Gold

Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express card

If you’re a Delta loyalist but the Delta Reserve Amex is out of your price range, consider the $350-a-year Delta SkyMiles Platinum instead (see rates and fees).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Platinum:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

This card’s highest-ever welcome offer was tailored for those looking to earn status with Delta. New cardmembers could earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership.

When to apply

You’ll want to wait until this card’s welcome offer exceeds 80,000 miles before applying.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Platinum

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express card

Die-hard Delta fans will love the perks that come with this top-tier card, including a companion certificate each cardmember year and Delta Sky Club access (subject to limitations). It comes with a steep $650 annual price tag (see rates and fees), but true Delta loyalists will find the Reserve’s benefits more than make up for that.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

As a premium card, the Delta Reserve offers some of the best welcome offers of any Delta card. With its highest-ever offer, new cardmembers could earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months of card membership.

When to apply

Make sure to get a welcome offer that warrants paying this card’s $650 annual fee. We recommend waiting until the welcome offer is above 90,000 miles.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Reserve

Delta SkyMiles Gold Business American Express card

Small-business owners and freelancers who fly Delta often may find great value in the Delta Gold Business Amex. Like the consumer Delta Gold, this card comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 each year after (see rates and fees for the Gold Buisness).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Gold Business:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

Amex’s business cards often come with great welcome offers, and the Delta Business Gold is no exception. This card’s best-ever offer allowed new cardmembers to earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership.

When to apply

If you see an offer for more than 70,000 miles, it’s a perfect time to apply.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Gold Business

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business American Express card

If you’re a business owner, consider whether the Delta Platinum Business makes more sense for you than its consumer counterpart. They both have the same $350 annual fee (see rates and fees for the Platinum Business), so the choice will come down to which card’s benefits suit you more.

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

With this card, new cardmembers could earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000-$4,000 in the first three months of card membership, plus a $100 statement credit when it had its best-ever offer.

When to apply

If you see a welcome offer for 90,000 miles or more on this card, it’s time to pull the trigger.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express card

Business owners who always fly Delta should look into Amex’s top-tier Delta business card, the $650-a-year Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business (see rates and fees).

Here are the offers we have seen on the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business:

Welcome offer history

*Valuations are based on TPG’s April 2025 valuations and are not from the issuer.

Highest welcome offer

As one of Delta’s premium cards, it’s no surprise that this card had a fantastic offer for its all-time best. New cardmembers could earn 110,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership.

When to apply

With this card, you’ll want to wait for a welcome offer over 100,000 miles.

Learn more: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

Bottom line

As long as you keep this guide handy, you’ll always know when it’s the right time to apply for a Delta Amex card. Remember that Amex only allows cardmembers to earn one welcome bonus per card in a lifetime, so it’s crucial to apply at the right time.

To learn more about credit card bonus offers over time, see the following:

• The best time to apply for these popular Capital One credit cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these popular Citi cards based on offer history
• The best time to apply for these popular American Express cards based on offer history

For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Blue, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Gold, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Gold Business, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Platinum Business, click here.
For rates and fees on the Amex Delta Reserve Business, click here.