The Delta American Platinum Express is upping the ante. Instead of just the old 10,000 elite qualifying miles for a spend target, you’ll now get 10,000 qualifying miles when you hit $25,000 in spend during a year and another 10,000 qualifying miles when you hit $50,000 in spend during the calendar year. That’s 20,000 qualifying miles for credit card spending.

The Delta Amex used to award qualifying miles for spending over the course of your cardmember year (i.e. between the months where your annual fee hits) rather than calendar year. For the 2007 transition year you get your 10,000 qualifying miles based on your cardmember year and up to 20,000 qualifying miles based on calendar year spend – so up to 30,000 qualifying miles. That’s Silver Elite status without setting foot on a plane, or Platinum for that matter with only 45,000 additional qualifying miles… 10,000 of which can be accomplished based on spend with the Delta Platinum Small Business American Express card..!

Just one more data point about how loyalty programs drive airline profits by selling miles (and credit card companies are the biggest buyers).