Mrs Huge is right now applying for her first ever Delta SkyMiles account, so has never had a Delta Amex before. We are planning on requesting a status match (she's CO silver) to get her Delta silver status for next year. I'm trying to figure out the best strategy for applying for Delta Amex cards for her. She doesn't fly as much as I do, so something that will help her to keep her elite status by earning MQMs will be helpful.

With any of these cards that earn MQMs as a bonus, is there a time limit on doing the first charge on the card ... ie can we wait to use the card until 2010 so that she doesn't get her MQMs until next calendar year?

I already have a gold DL personal amex, and I've already earned 30k in bonus miles but no MQMs (plus I've had DL cards in the past and earned bonus miles, but never MQMs). If I apply for the plat business amex, will I get the full bonus miles (plus MQMs), or will I only get the MQMs?