Delta Brings Back 747-Themed Credit Card

The American Express card is made with materials from a retired Delta 747.

New Delta Reserve credit card design (Photo: American Express)

[ Planes ]April 26, 2024 9:26 am ET

By Hemal Gosai

Delta and American Express are teaming up again to bring a limited edition credit card to consumers. For a short time, the credit card issuer and airline are offering Delta Reserve credit cards made from a pair of retired Boeing 747 aircraft.

The cards will feature a white glossy design inspired by clouds made from aircraft that were retired in 2017 after 27 years of service.

This isn’t the first time the two companies have collaborated to create a credit card design like this. In 2022 a similar credit card design was offered. The card back then was black and featured a drawing of a Boeing 747 along with information about the aircraft it was made from. This included the date of its first and last flights, registration, and total miles flown.

The card was such a big hit in 2022 that Delta and American Express decided to bring back the concept in an entirely new design and make twice as many as last time.

The new card is white but still has many of the same elements as the one introduced in 2022. The 747 drawing is different while retaining much of the same types of information such as first and last flights, miles flown, and registration.

People can get their hands on the card by applying for either the personal or business version of the Delta Reserve card issued by American Express. Existing cardholders will be able to get a card by contacting American Express and requesting one while the cards are still available. Even though American Express is making twice as many as last time, it is still expected that these cards will run out relatively quickly.

Fewer Boeing 747s in the Skies

It’s nice to see Delta and American Express honoring the aircraft type that revolutionized air travel as we know it. Unfortunately, no United States passenger airline operates the aircraft anymore but the Boeing 747 is still seen across the skies and at airports across the world. Many carriers still use the aircraft as an integral part of the fleet and air cargo carriers will continue to use the aircraft for years to come.

While Boeing 747s in passenger service are becoming increasingly less common, cargo airlines are still using the aircraft as the backbone of their fleets. The last Boeing 747 aircraft produced went to Atlas Air, a cargo airline, on Jan. 31, 2023.

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Hemal Gosai

Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile. Hemal's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.

Author

Hemal Gosai

Hemal took his first flight at four years old and has been an avgeek since then. When he isn't working as an analyst he's frequently found outside watching planes fly overhead or flying in them. His favorite plane is the 747-8i which Lufthansa thankfully flies to EWR allowing for some great spotting. He firmly believes that the best way to fly between JFK and BOS is via DFW and is always willing to go for that extra elite qualifying mile.
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