Is Delta's new SkyMiles Select worth the $59 price tag?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Delta unveiled a new travel benefits program on Oct. 16 called SkyMiles Select and it — as the kids say — "ain't it." The $59-a-year program gives members Main Cabin 1 boarding, eight drink vouchers (worth up to $9 each) and what the airline's calling a "limited-edition bag tag." Delta values all of these perks at $100.
The program isn't super impressive, especially considering that some of these perks come courtesy of cobranded credit cards or elite status. For instance, if you're an elite Delta Gold or Platinum Medallion you get Sky Priority, which boards before Main Cabin 1. If you're Delta Silver Medallion (which we value at $775) you'll board with Main Cabin 1 anyway. And if you hold a cobranded Delta credit card (more on that later), some offer priority boarding.
While Delta Medallion elite members don't get free drinks as a stated benefit, elites who are upgraded to Delta Comfort+ can score a free drink. If you hold a Delta American Express card, however, you'll receive 20% off eligible inflight purchases (which includes drinks) when you travel with Delta. If you fly Delta regularly, you'd get more value from inflight purchases holding a cobranded card than through SkyMiles select.
Delta's not the first U.S. airline to try a subscription service. United offers an Economy Plus subscription, which includes extra legroom in an Economy Plus seat located at the front of the economy cabin. It starts at a hefty $599, but some people (even those without United status) have been targeted for free subscriptions.
If you're not impressed by this new program but still want some of the perks like priority boarding, you may want to consider a cobranded credit card. Even better, some are currently offering elevated welcome bonuses. Here are the offers currently available:
- Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express ($450 annual fee; $550 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020; See Rates & Fees): Earn 75,000 miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months of account opening. Offer ends 10/30/19.
- Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express ($195 annual fee, $250 if application is received on or after 1/30/2020; See Rates & Fees): Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, earn a $100 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months.Offer Expires 10/30/2019.
- Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express ($95 annual fee; See Rates & Fees): Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you use your new card to make $2,000 in purchases within your first three months and a $50 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires 10/30/2019.
With any of these cards you'll also get a free checked bag (for yourself and up to eight companions on the same reservation), worth $60 per person round-trip.
Bottom line
If you're a frequent Delta traveler, spend a lot of money with the airline or have a cobranded Amex Delta card, you won't have much need for this program. However, if you fly Delta occasionally (especially in Basic Economy, where you'd otherwise board dead last) and want some perks to make your journey more comfortable (who doesn't like free alcohol?) then you may find some value in the program.
Featured photo courtesy of Delta.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.