Update: Card has now been officially launched, all details will be covered in that new post found here.
More information: Card will be called Delta Blue. It will come with a Medallion Qualification Dollar Waiver (MQD) until the end of 2017. Starting 1/1/18 spend on this card will not count towards the MQD waiver unless you have another American Express Delta card. Awhile ago there was a rumor that the MQD waiver would not apply for Diamond status (this is across all Delta cards). My source states that there is no indication currently that this is actually the case. My gut feeling is that this that confusion might have all been caused by this new Delta card.
There is a rumor that American Express will be launching a new no annual fee Delta card. This is what is rumored:
- Sign up bonus of 10,000 miles after $500 in spend
- 2x miles on Delta & Restaurant purchases
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Now while this is rumored, I believe it’s true as it comes from a reliable source who correctly told us that the American Express gold card would be discontinued. It’s interesting that this card will also earn 2x miles on restaurant purchases given that the other Delta cards only earn 2x miles on Delta purchases. Apparently American Express used to offer a no annual fee Delta card as well (Delta SkyMiles Options). I personally love when American Express launch new cards because you’re limited to getting the sign up bonus on their cards once per lifetime and it means another card I’m eligible for. The 10,000 mile sign up bonus isn’t inspiring, but fingers crossed that goes up to a higher level of 15,000/20,000 at times.
