Aviation enthusiasts and travelers with a penchant for history have an opportunity to acquire a piece of aviation legacy as American Express and Delta Air Lines unveil limited-edition credit cards fashioned from retired Boeing 747 planes.
Characterized by a sleek white design reminiscent of clouds, the cards are crafted from two Delta aircraft retired in 2017 following over 27 years of service in the skies.These exclusive cards are accessible to Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders until June 5, or while supplies last.
Originally introduced in 2022, the limited-edition cards garnered substantial popularity, prompting American Express to double production for this relaunch.
Jon Gantman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cobrand Product Management at American Express, expressed enthusiasm for reintroducing the beloved design, stating, “We’re bringing back one of our most popular Card designs ever with a new look honoring the ‘Queen of the Skies.’ Given the strong response from customers with our first Card design, we wanted to find another exciting opportunity for aviation enthusiasts and Card Members to have a piece of aviation history in their wallets.”
Each card is constructed using 33 percent metal sourced from the aircraft and features details such as the plane’s inaugural and final flights, tail number, and total miles flown.
Prashant Sharma, Vice President of Loyalty at Delta, emphasized the symbolic significance of each Boeing-crafted card, noting that they “carry the legacy of countless journeys and embody the spirit of exploration that drives our customers and all of us at Delta.”
The introduction of the new design coincides with Delta’s enhancements to its American Express-branded cards, albeit with an associated premium. Notably, the annual fee for the Delta Reserve card is set to increase from $550 to $650. In return, cardholders will enjoy benefits such as a $240 Resy credit, $120 rideshare credit, and $200 Delta Stays credit.
This adjustment follows significant alterations to Delta’s loyalty program, notably the shift to considering only Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) towards elite status, signaling the airline’s strategic recalibration amidst evolving market dynamics.