The credit card industry is competitive, and card issuers have all kinds of strategies to get their cards at the front of consumer’ wallets. Sometimes we see credit card issuers introduce limited time card designs, with the hope that this will motivate consumers to use a certain card.
In 2022, we saw Delta and Amex partner on a ridiculously cool card design for a limited time. For those who missed this the first time around, there’s an exciting update — this card design is back!
In this post:
Delta & Amex partner for coolest card design ever
Delta & Amex issue several co-branded credit cards, and for a limited time the most premium card in the portfolio is getting a special design. Specifically, Amex and Delta have teamed up to offer a credit card made from two retired Delta Boeing 747 aircraft, with the cards being made 33% of the aircraft.
When this was offered the first time around, just a single Boeing 747 was used, so I guess there are even more opportunities for card members to get the special design this time around.
The cards will be made from the planes with the tail numbers 6302 and 6310. These planes retired in 2017, after 27 years of flying. Both jets flew over 60 million miles, and operated around 14,000 flights.
This is available to those with the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (review) between April 25 and June 5, 2024, while supplies last:
- Those who apply for the card now have the option of requesting this card design
- Existing card members can request this card design either by phone or online; if you want to make the request online, go to “Account Services,” and then “Replace Card,” and you should see this option listed
Again, this is available on a first come, first served basis, so if you’re interested I’d make the request soon.
This. Is. Awesome.
Usually special edition card designs don’t do a whole lot for me. I use the cards that offer me the best rewards for my spending, with no thought put into their appearance or what material they’re made of. That being said, this is a card I’d certainly make an exception for, because this is the coolest credit card imaginable for avgeeks.
There’s only one issue — I wouldn’t want to actually swipe this card, because I’d want to keep it in mint condition. Rather I’d want to put this in a case on my desk and preserve it, and I can’t imagine that would do much for Amex or Delta either.
Then again, I suspect I’m not your average consumer when it comes to this stuff.
Bottom line
Delta and American Express are offering a limited time design for their most premium co-branded Reserve Card, made of the fuselage of retired Delta Boeing 747s. What’s cool isn’t just that the card is made of a 747, but that the card has a picture of a 747 on it, plus all kinds of stats about the plane.
Anyone else adore this card design as much as I do?
I already got my coveted baggage tag from Alaska Airlines where the material is 100% from a retired 737 airplane. It is embossed for Million Miler and was provided as a complimentary gift (advertised market price is $75). It is awesome and totally unique.
Amen about how Amex Platinum "benefits" are getting worse and even more worse as their way to "combat" overcrowding etc, the $200 travel credit on incidentals on a single pre-determined airline.
I already got my coveted baggage tag from Alaska Airlines where the material is 100% from a retired 737 airplane. It is embossed for Million Miler and was provided as a complimentary gift (advertised market price is $75). It is awesome and totally unique.
Amen about how Amex Platinum "benefits" are getting worse and even more worse as their way to "combat" overcrowding etc, the $200 travel credit on incidentals on a single pre-determined airline.
I will give up the IAP and $200 Luxury Hotel credit and the Amex Platinum card on the next renewal. I can't see how Delta Amex is any better.
You did not consider the annual fee and the benfits or lack there of for getting the card.
You can other pieces of 747s for less than $650. I bought an amazing piece of an SR-71 for $750...
@ Ben, I received the first black version of the 747 card in 2022. I average 70 transactions a month on that account, although I always tap the reader with the card, I can't remember the last time I swiped it. That being said, my card has zero wear and looks as good as the day I received it. Now that I have the new white one coming I can preserve the black one in some manner. I can assure you that you don't leave this card in your pocket when you go through TSA.
I had the previous Delta Amex Reserve card that was made out of an old 747 and the number was stolen and I had to replace the card with a vanilla design. Now I just ordered the new one and God help any criminal that steals the number again!
@Ben - Thanks for the heads-up. I have the previous black 747 card, just ordered the new one! This will help me keep my black one in good, albeit used, condition.
I have friends who had problems with their old 747 Reserve cards de-laminating (they're made of a fused plastic and aluminum sandwich) after getting wet.
Swiping cards is still a thing? Or actually carrying them around with you? ApplePay all day long for me. Super-reliable and simple when travelling internationally too.
Eg, you can get a PlaneTag for $40 and not get tethered to a high annual fee and crappy loyalty program.
+1
I would note that the last Boeing special cards, the one that were black, were a lot flimsier than the standard purple Delta Reserve (which is also a design I like).
I ordered this card design and will use.
If only their FF currency weren’t so useless
The retired planes were only 27 years old?
Barely adolescents for Delta planes!
Now if only Chase would up the quality of its co-branded credit cards. The Marriott and Hyatt cards are so cheap looking and feeling.
Marriott could put "SPG" on some of its cards, those would be taken in minutes.
Nah. That will just remind people how much better the program used to be.
Cool Card, worthless point currency Hard Pass.
I don’t remember the last time I actually “swiped” a card, to be honest
Outside the US, my physical card use rounds to zero.
In the US, I probably use a physical card once a month.
For me, last swipe was 2023, India. The magnetic strip is being discontinued. I hope it stays until India catches up.
(Too) many bars still operate this way. I learned quickly when I had a de-magnetized card and workers hated me. Although they may support dipping cards to close out, many older systems specifically require swiping to open a tab.
@Carl
You know, I realize I never did notice what the server does when they charge my card, but you can bet I wouldn't be using this card for 1x dining, that's for sure!
Man, as an AA loyalist: I'm actually jealous on Delta, for once.
As an AA loyalist, you get a bag tag made from scrap metal every year.
You get more often than Delta. So no need to be jealous. You just have to be CK loyal.
EP's get a cheap plastic one now. I've never been CK. One can dream. Wish AA would give us a choice to upgrade/pay/redeem miles for better swag.
I have four different years of those CK metal tags and they are useless. The make a ton of noise on your bag (even one of them) and are annoying. I would love for the AA Citi card to be made out of the same material.