[Expired] United and Delta Increased 50,000 Mile Offers
Note: The offers mentioned in this post have expired.
The United Airlines and Delta Airlines co-branded credit cards currently have increased sign-up bonuses of 50,000 miles and a $50 statement credit. These are both much higher than each of the usual online public sign-up bonuses for these cards, but they’ll both be ending in the coming days. The United offer from Chase will be ending this coming Tuesday on September 2, while the Delta offer from American Express will be ending 6 days after that on Monday, September 8. So if either of these cards could be useful, now would be the time to take advantage.
I always say, however, that we should never sign up for miles credit cards without a clear plan to use them. So before signing up for either, make sure they meet your travel goals. Although it’s not clear when this will happen again, increased offers do come around every once in a while and it’s best to understand the miles’ program’s advantages and disadvantages before jumping on a credit card.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I do receive a commission for successful applications for some of the cards on my site. I always strive to provide the most honest and useful advice regardless of commission. You don’ t have to use my links, but if you do, thank you very much for your support!)
United Airlines
Sign-up bonus:
- 50,000 United Airlines miles after spending $2000 within 3 months
- $50 statement credit after first purchase
- 5,000 additional miles for adding an authorized user.
- $95 annual fee waived the first year.
The United Airlines credit card offers a free first checked bag, priority boarding, 2 United Club passes per year, better access to award seats on United Airlines, no foreign transaction fees and 10,000 bonus miles after spending $25,000 within a calendar year.
United Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance and its mile can be used across the network of partners. I really like United miles for travel to Europe in economy class and that’s the card I recommend usually for such purposes. There’s no question Star Alliance has the largest European network and availability is pretty good. On non-domestic itineraries, United Airlines allows a free stopover and two open-jaws, making it easy to visit a few cities on a single itinerary or even add a free one-way trip.
Additional reading:
- Visiting Multiple European Cities On a Single United Airlines Award Ticket
- Maximizing United Miles: An Award to Asia and Free Long Stop in Hawaii
- How to Add Free One-Way Trips On United Airlines Awards
Delta Airlines
Sign-up bonus:
- 50,000 miles after spending $1000 within the first 3 months.
- $50 statement credit after your first Delta purchase made within 3 months.
- The $95 annual fee is waived the first year.
The card also offers priority boarding and first checked bag free. Although Delta miles are a bit harder to find availability with, they do have a few distinct advantages over some miles programs. In particular, there is no close-in booking fee for award booked within 21 days of departure (other airlines will charge $75) so those last-minute awards can be a good option. Also, Delta is one of the few miles programs to allow a free stopover on domestic round-trip awards as well as international, making their routing rules more flexible than many programs.
When award availability is difficult to find (which can happen frequently), there is a flexible Pay with Miles option essentially allowing you to redeem Delta miles at one cent each. This means that the sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles can be used for a $500 ticket in the worst case scenario. Adding a $50 statement credit means the sign-up bonus is worth at least $550.
My review of the card: Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express Sign-Up Bonus Now 50,000 Miles
whereas I agree with the idea that one should have some idea of how to use miles, I think that for families accruing miles is vital in being ready to book that aspirational family vacation. This summer I used 400K United miles pre-devaluation for four business class R/T to Europe. If I did not have the miles in the bank, i could not have moved swiftly when the flights were available. Just a thought from a family perspective on miles and points.
Is my wife able to get the bonus as well?? Or is only limited to one spouse? We plan on signing up to earn 110k united miles through your link.
Yes, both partners can get it. That one is not an affiliate link, but definitely a great offer! :)
I last applied and was approved a Chase credit card on August 1. To apply for the United Explorer card (I received my last bonus on it more than 2 years ago), I purposely plan the application NOT until Sep 1st, or even 2nd
Anybody knows if I can make the cut in case my application is put on PENDING status ( maybe for the reason of “too many cards in 60 days”) and I have to call Chase Reconsideration to clear the approval ? i.e. does the approval of card need to take place on and before Sep 2?
With Chase, the rules are different than Amex. As long as your application is for a specific offer and your application gets approved, you will get that offer even if it gets approved once the offer ends. That is, if you apply and your application takes a few weeks to review, you still receive the 50,000 mile offer. However, keep in mind that if you wait longer than 30 days, you will have to reapply and your credit will need to be pulled again.
Need your help…..I break down into some bullet points so it’s easier for you to answer each:
1. I got approved for SPG Amex card on June 30, today is Sept 1, (same situation with Chase, I got Ink on June 30) so it’s not 91 days yet…. what do you think on my chance of getting approved if I apply for the limited increased sign up bonus Amex Delta card (and Chase United card)? since I read that it’s better to wait 91 days between applications for card issued by same bank.
2. Also can I get approved if I apply American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles Personal and Business version in same day (if you have affiliate link for this, please let me know)? What about for Chase United card, does it have personal and business version as well and can I apply both on same day?
3. I have plan to use Marriott points for my upcoming trip in Asia next year. And as you know Chase also have increased 70k points sign up bonus for Marriott card and 140k for Ritz. When will this end, is this limited time to as with United and Delta one? Do you think I should apply for Chase United or Marriot card first for app-o-rama this time? If I apply for Chase United, then I have to wait 91 days before I can apply for Chase Marriott or Ritz and maybe their sign up bonus is less than now.
Please confirm as soon as possible, I need your answer before I can apply using your affiliate links today.Thank you.
Hi, just got back home from my Labor Day weekend trip!
1. Although approvals are very individual, I always like to err on the side of caution and wait a while between applications, probably longer than most people would. If you really have a specific use for those Delta miles where you need need them and have a good relationship with Amex, then it may be worth a shot and it may work out. But, otherwise, I generally prefer to wait until the next opportunity.
2. You can frequently get approved for the business and personal version for the credit cards by submitting your applications close together – you as an individual and you as a business are generally viewed as separate entities, but again, every situation is different. I do have affiliate links to both in my Credit Karma page under ‘Best Credit Cards’ in the Amex section. The United card only has a personal version, unfortunately.
3. I don’t know when the Marriott and Ritz Carlton offers will end, but you can only really get one of those at a time. The Ritz offer has been around for a while. In my opinion, good offers come around once in a while so, if this one disappears, another good one is likely to be around the corner at some point. It’s more important to be cautious and comfortable and the miles will all come in time :)
Awesome~ thanks for your advice! I applied for Amex Delta personal and got a pending status, called recon right away and the rep said she has to turn it to underwriting section and will let me know the final decision in 1-2 days. Is this normal for Amex? FYI I got approved for both SPG personal and business on June 30 (instant approval for personal but had to call recon line to get approved). Since my app for Delta personal still pending until the rep got back to me, now I cannot apply for business version :(. I was planning to apply business on same day after my Delta personal get approved. Can I apply business version on Aug 8 (last day of promo) if my personal version got approved? Will Amex see many inquiries, even if personal and business supposed to be separate entities? Any thoughts on this, please?
I have had a United airline credit card a couple of years ago. I canceled my card after about a year. I received a bonus at that time. I just signed up and received a new credit card a couple of days ago. Will I receive another bonus? Of course I am hoping I will. That is why I signed up for another card. Thank you
With Chase, if you are approved, then they will honor the bonus. So you should receive it provided you meet the spending requirements, of course.
I applied for Amex Delta personal and got a pending status, called recon right away and the rep said she has to turn it to underwriting section and will let me know the final decision in 1-2 days. Is this normal for Amex? FYI I got approved for both SPG personal and business on June 30 (instant approval for personal but had to call recon line to get approved). Since my app for Delta personal still pending until the rep got back to me, now I cannot apply for business version :(. I was planning to apply business on same day after my Delta personal get approved. Can I apply business version on Aug 8 (last day of promo) if my personal version got approved? Will Amex see many inquiries, even if personal and business supposed to be separate entities? Any thoughts on this, please?
Does anyone know if you can earn the 50000 bonus from Amex if you already have a different card with them? I know this was a limitation for their Platinum. But I don’t see that in the fine print for the Gold card.