Georgia Denies Delta Tax Break Following NRA Split
With two separatelawsuits filed against the airline this week, as well as a missed opportunity to celebrate the US curling team in style, Delta's PR team is working overtime.
They'll probably be staying late at the office tonight as well: Georgia lawmakers just successfully blocked a major tax cut for Atlanta-based Delta Airlines in retaliation for the carrier's recent public stand against the National Rifle Association (NRA).
After a deadly shooting at a Florida high school this past Valentine's Day, Delta joined a number of corporations, including fellow carrier United Airlines, that formally cut ties with the NRA. On February 24, Delta terminated its NRA member discount, and asked the NRA to remove all Delta information from its website.
Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle retaliated with a tweet of his own:
On March 1, the Georgia Senate and House overwhelmingly passed a GOP-amended tax bill that removed a sales tax exemption on jet fuel worth as much as $50 million for Delta, according to CNN Money.
The bill now sits on the desk of Republican Governor Nathan Deal, who holds the power to veto or approve the bill. Despite criticizing the political "antics" of Cagle and other pro-gun legislators as "unbecoming squabble", Deal stated Wednesday that he will approve the bill because "disagreement on key issues of our time should not prevent Georgians from keeping more of their hard-earned dollars."
Delta, one of the world's largest airlines, which employs around 33,000 employees at its Georgia headquarters alone, has other options if the break-up takes place. The carrier has been wooed by a number of Democrats following the NRA split.
A day after Cagle's threat, Virginia Democrat Governor Ralph Northam tweeted Delta, saying:
New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul added her own proposal for Delta, saying, "As one of your most frequent flyers, know that the NY LG admires your principled stance. Let's continue our great relationship. NY is open for business & ❤'s Delta — move HQ to where you're appreciated?"
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees