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Delta brings back 12Status: Score SkyMiles each time the Seahawks throw a pass

Sept. 06, 2025
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3 min read
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Delta brings back 12Status: Score SkyMiles each time the Seahawks throw a pass
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This weekend marks the return of the NFL, and with that comes an easy way for Pacific Northwest travelers to earn miles.

Delta Air Lines is bringing back 12Status, its loyalty program specifically for Delta SkyMiles members who live in Washington state, this fall.

As part of the program, the carrier will award members 1 mile for every passing yard thrown by the Seattle Seahawks this season.

While those miles won’t exactly get you a free Delta One seat to Europe, they do add up: I crunched the numbers, and over the last five seasons, the Seahawks have averaged just over 4,100 passing yards per season.

Delta Air Lines aircraft tails.
Delta Air Lines aircraft tails. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

This summer, I scored a SkyMiles award deal to book my wife on a one-way economy flight from Texas to North Carolina for 5,000 miles.

That’s not to say there are many 5,000-mile flights out there, but combined with linking your Uber and Starbucks accounts to SkyMiles, these are several other easy ways you can earn loyalty currency — that is, in addition to flying and spending on a credit card that helps you earn miles on everyday purchases.

You can sign up here for the 12Status program, which is named for the passionate Seahawks fan base aptly nicknamed the “12th man.”

It’s free, but you have to register before the Seahawks’ first game of the season kicks off at 1:05 p.m. PDT on Sunday.

Turf war in Seattle (and not just on the football field)

Delta has offered its 12Status program since 2016.

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The carrier's fall 2025 push to reward Pacific Northwest flyers comes amid some heightened competition in Seattle — a turf war that goes beyond Lumen Field.

Alaska Airlines is growing a global hub at its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) home base, where Delta also has a major hub. Both airlines have announced nonstop service from Seattle to Rome, launching next year. Alaska will also soon go head-to-head with Delta on flights to London.

Alaska grabbed plenty of headlines last month when it unveiled its new Atmos Rewards loyalty program in conjunction with merger partner Hawaiian Airlines.

Delta, for its part, just stepped up its premium offerings at SEA with a brand-new Delta One Lounge and Sky Club.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 near an Alaska Airlines hangar in Seattle. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 near an Alaska Airlines hangar in Seattle. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Best ways to earn Delta SkyMiles

As for Delta loyalists, here are some of TPG's top tips for earning SkyMiles:

Featured image by SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.