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Delta SkyMiles Card Referral: Earn a Welcome Offer of Bonus Miles

Writer: King of the Affiliates
King of the Affiliates
Oct 18
5 min read

Start here — apply through my referral link:

Tap my American Express referral link to see the current welcome offer and apply:

Your friend can receive a welcome offer after they apply through the referral link and are approved and get their new card. The exact offer is shown on the application page — terms apply.

If you fly Delta — even a few times a year — there's a credit card built specifically for you, and applying through a referral link can start your account with a welcome offer of bonus miles.

The Delta SkyMiles American Express cards turn your everyday spending and your Delta purchases into SkyMiles you can use toward award flights. And when you apply through a friend's referral link, you can receive a welcome offer once you're approved and get your new card.

Here's how the referral works, what the cards offer, and how to decide if one fits your wallet.

How the Amex Referral Works

It's a simple chain:

  1. Tap my referral link: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/RONALD4rB3?xl=cp10a1&mpt=v3

  2. Review the current welcome offer and terms on the application page. The exact bonus-miles offer, any spending requirement, the annual fee, and eligibility details are all shown there — read them before you apply.

  3. Apply. Approval is at American Express's discretion, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.

  4. Once approved and you receive your new card, the welcome offer applies per the terms shown on the application page.

That's the whole process. No special codes to remember — the referral link carries everything.

What Do Delta SkyMiles Cards Offer?

Delta and American Express offer a family of SkyMiles cards (Blue, Gold, Platinum, and Reserve tiers), and the details vary by card. But across the family, the theme is consistent: benefits designed around flying Delta. Per American Express's official card pages, typical benefits include:

  • Earn miles on Delta purchases. Delta SkyMiles cards earn bonus miles on purchases made directly with Delta (e.g., 2X miles per eligible dollar on the Gold card), plus miles on everyday categories like restaurants and U.S. supermarkets depending on the tier.

  • First checked bag free. Card members can check their first bag free on Delta flights globally — and on many cards, a second bag flies free on domestic flights. For a traveler who checks a bag, this one benefit can be worth hundreds of dollars a year.

  • Priority boarding. Zone 5 priority boarding on Delta flights means you board earlier, with a better shot at overhead bin space.

  • TakeOff 15. Save 15% on award travel when you use miles to book Delta flights through delta.com or the Fly Delta app.

  • 20% back on in-flight purchases. A statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight food and beverage purchases when you pay with your card.

  • No foreign transaction fees. Use the card abroad without the typical 2–3% surcharge.

Higher tiers layer on annual travel credits and lounge access, but they also carry higher annual fees — which is why the application page matters. Compare the specific card behind the referral link against how often you actually fly Delta.

Delta SkyMiles Card vs. a Generic Cash-Back Card

For a Delta flyer, the math usually favors the co-branded card:

Generic 2% cash-back card | Delta SkyMiles Amex

Rewards on Delta purchases | Flat 2% | Bonus miles on Delta (e.g., 2X)

Checked bag | You pay the fee | First bag free on Delta flights

Boarding | Standard | Priority boarding (Zone 5)

Award-travel discount | None | TakeOff 15 (15% off with miles)

In-flight purchases | No discount | 20% back as statement credit

Best for | Simplicity, any spending | Delta flyers who check bags

The honest tradeoff: a generic cash-back card is simpler and works everywhere, and its rewards never expire or devalue. The Delta card wins if you fly Delta regularly, check bags, and will actually use the miles — the free checked bag alone can outweigh an annual fee in a single round trip. If you rarely fly Delta, the generic card is the better pick.

Is a Travel Rewards Card Right for You?

A few honest checks before you apply:

  • You pay your balance in full. Rewards cards carry high APRs. If you carry a balance, interest wipes out the value of any miles. Terms apply — read the rates on the application page.

  • You fly Delta enough to use the perks. One or two checked-bag round trips a year is usually enough to justify a mid-tier card.

  • You'll use the welcome offer window. Welcome offers typically require spending a set amount in the first months — only apply if your normal spending covers it without stretching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Amex referral link?

It's a personalized link from an existing American Express cardmember. When you apply through it and are approved, you can receive a welcome offer — and the referrer may receive a referral bonus. Terms apply.

What welcome offer will I get?

The exact welcome offer of bonus miles is shown on the American Express application page when you click the referral link. Offers vary over time and by eligibility — I can't quote a figure here because the current one is only published on that page.

Do I need excellent credit to be approved?

Approval is at American Express's discretion based on creditworthiness and other factors. Travel rewards cards generally favor applicants with good to excellent credit, but the only way to know is to apply — Amex will show you the terms you're eligible for.

Which Delta SkyMiles card is this referral for?

The referral link doesn't name the tier in a way I can confirm here. Click through to see the exact card, its annual fee, and its benefit list on the application page before deciding.

Do the miles expire?

Delta SkyMiles don't expire — a long-standing and genuinely valuable feature of the program.

Can I use the card's benefits on award tickets?

Yes — benefits like the free checked bag and priority boarding apply whether you paid cash or miles for your Delta flight.

Is there an annual fee?

It depends on the card tier. The application page lists the exact annual fee and APR — review them before you apply.

What if I'm not approved?

Then no card and no welcome offer — approval is never guaranteed. Applying typically involves a hard credit inquiry, so only apply if the card genuinely fits your spending.

Ready to Apply?

If you fly Delta and pay your balance in full, a SkyMiles card with a welcome offer of bonus miles is one of the easiest travel upgrades you can make — free checked bags and priority boarding from your very first trip:

Review the current welcome offer and terms on the application page, then apply. Once you're approved and receive your new card, the welcome offer applies per the terms.

Terms apply. Offer details may change; see the American Express application page for current terms and eligibility.

More deals and rewards: streamers and creators can see my guide to getting $10 in Restream credits on the Sacramento Rewards & Deals Blogger blog.

This post contains a referral link. I may receive a reward if you apply through it.

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