There have been rumors going around the travel blogosphere for some time that Delta would be making negative changes to the Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver offered by Amex cobranded credit cards. Many feared that Delta would completely eliminate the MQD waiver for top tier Diamond status. If that occurred then travelers would have been required to spending $15,000 directly on Delta flights in order to qualify for Diamond status.

There are plenty of ways to earn miles with airline partners on the ground through shopping, dining, staying in hotels, renting cars and taking advantage of a variety of promotions.

But there is one method that allows travelers to get a huge amount of miles in a short period of time. Getting a welcome bonus for a credit card can get you a nice head start on your next vacation using Delta SkyMiles. Then you can top off the balance by taking advantage of other type of offers.

Credit card sign-up bonuses are the fastest way to accumulate tons of points and miles. It’s important to be strategic to maximize opportunities. The best way to do that is to jump on offers when they are elevated above the standard sign-up bonus, especially when they are at or near all-time highs.

Did you know that many travel rewards credit cards come with annual spending bonuses? These bonuses can often boost you to higher levels of elite status. But there is an element of art as well as science in determining whether to ramp up spend on a specific card. We’ll break it down for you here.

Are you someone who frequently flies on Delta airlines and is looking for the best credit cards to maximize your travel rewards? This analysis will tell you the best cards to get and explain some tricks for squeezing all the benefits out of them.

Whether you’re getting your first travel rewards credit card or adding a new card to your wallet, there are many things you need to consider before applying.

Alaska Airlines made headlines recently due to its successful bid to purchase Virgin America. Though it’s not yet clear how that merger will play out for loyal Virgin America customers, it is clear that Alaska will be able to expand its West Coast routes and transcontinental flights.

Who Is the Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card From American Express Good For?

If you fly on Delta and are trying to reach or maintain elite status, the Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card can be a great tool. This premium card offers a welcome bonus and allows you to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) that count toward elite status.

Although the Platinum Delta card does come with a higher annual fee than both the basic and Gold Delta SkyMiles cards, it offers a greater potential for earning miles, with a slightly higher welcome bonus, as well as the ability to earn more bonus miles if you spend more.