DL Platinum Amex annual fee going up to $195 in May; Drops Foreign Transaction Fees
Feb 6, 2014, 4:45 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
The difference btw Gold and Platnium is worth a lot more than $55/yr, hence the increase. Once they took away the companion cert from Gold this was inevitable.
What's their retention strategy? Other cards I have will usually waive the fee (in the form of a statement credit = the cost of the fee) if I call and threaten to cancel. Will Amex do this?
What's their retention strategy? Other cards I have will usually waive the fee (in the form of a statement credit = the cost of the fee) if I call and threaten to cancel. Will Amex do this?
Feb 6, 2014, 5:34 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,151
As an EU based DL flyer with a Reserve card this is a huge deal for me. Now I can use my card for my daily expenses here in the EU (before, with the FTF it wasn't worth it). I already had sufficient $ expenses to justify the card, but this will be icing on the cake and I can ditch my EU card (or at least stop worrying about how to maximize EU points cards, which are all basically .... compared to the US cards).
This is great news for me! (but I guess we can start the countdown to the increase of the reserve yearly fee).
This is great news for me! (but I guess we can start the countdown to the increase of the reserve yearly fee).
Feb 6, 2014, 7:15 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,398
The extra 10K MQM's aren't worth the additional $300 a year. I am better off putting $100K on a business and personal platinium Delta card and even with the increase, it is $390 a year in combined annual fees. Still $60 a year less than just getting a personal reserve card and I'll be getting 40K MQM's instead of 30K.
There is no way I can justify expensing the annual fee on a personal reserve card and a business paltinum or reserve card.
Feb 6, 2014, 7:26 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LEX
Programs: Delta Reserve - PM
Posts: 1,143
The FC companion cert (assuming you're able to use it) makes the Reserve card that much more valuable.
The other question would be, since Reserve members can give DL Platinum AMEX cards at no fee to anyone they want on their account, does that stay the same...at $0/year.
The other question would be, since Reserve members can give DL Platinum AMEX cards at no fee to anyone they want on their account, does that stay the same...at $0/year.
Feb 6, 2014, 10:51 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DTW
Programs: DL Diamond/2.2MM
Posts: 113
No mention in my January statement
Just caught this in my DL Platinum Amex card statement today:
Annual Membership Fee
We are increasing the annual membership fee for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from $150 to
$195.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
The other change is that there will no longer be any foreign transaction fees. For me personally, not sure that's worth $45/year.
Annual Membership Fee
We are increasing the annual membership fee for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from $150 to
$195.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
The other change is that there will no longer be any foreign transaction fees. For me personally, not sure that's worth $45/year.
Maybe it will be in February?
Feb 6, 2014, 10:56 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Delta DM, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 98
Just caught this in my DL Platinum Amex card statement today:
Annual Membership Fee
We are increasing the annual membership fee for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from $150 to
$195.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
The other change is that there will no longer be any foreign transaction fees. For me personally, not sure that's worth $45/year.
Annual Membership Fee
We are increasing the annual membership fee for the Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from $150 to
$195.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
The other change is that there will no longer be any foreign transaction fees. For me personally, not sure that's worth $45/year.
I am quite happy with it. I spend more than 10,000 a year overseas and removing the FTF will be a big plus for me. Kudos Delta and AMEX.^^
Feb 6, 2014, 11:23 am
#24
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,245
Looks like AMEX also dropped the $55 discount for having a CHARGE CARD. I know many people didn't have this, but I was grandfathered in over the years - looks like AMEX jamming more. (this is for my reserve card, but assume same discount is being removed from PLT)
Ironically it is right above the section telling you starting 5/1 you have to leave your wife behind when you go into the SkyClub
FROM STATEMENT:
Annual Membership Fee
You have been receiving a reduced annual membership fee of $395 on your Delta Reserve Credit Card. This reduced fee was provided to Card Members with a qualifying American Express Charge Card. This reduced fee will no longer be offered. Accordingly, we are increasing the annual membership fee to $450.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
Ironically it is right above the section telling you starting 5/1 you have to leave your wife behind when you go into the SkyClub
FROM STATEMENT:
Annual Membership Fee
You have been receiving a reduced annual membership fee of $395 on your Delta Reserve Credit Card. This reduced fee was provided to Card Members with a qualifying American Express Charge Card. This reduced fee will no longer be offered. Accordingly, we are increasing the annual membership fee to $450.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
Feb 6, 2014, 12:24 pm
#25
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: United Gold Elite, former multi-year Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 167
Looks like AMEX also dropped the $55 discount for having a CHARGE CARD. I know many people didn't have this, but I was grandfathered in over the years - looks like AMEX jamming more. (this is for my reserve card, but assume same discount is being removed from PLT)
Ironically it is right above the section telling you starting 5/1 you have to leave your wife behind when you go into the SkyClub
FROM STATEMENT:
Annual Membership Fee
You have been receiving a reduced annual membership fee of $395 on your Delta Reserve Credit Card. This reduced fee was provided to Card Members with a qualifying American Express Charge Card. This reduced fee will no longer be offered. Accordingly, we are increasing the annual membership fee to $450.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
Ironically it is right above the section telling you starting 5/1 you have to leave your wife behind when you go into the SkyClub
FROM STATEMENT:
Annual Membership Fee
You have been receiving a reduced annual membership fee of $395 on your Delta Reserve Credit Card. This reduced fee was provided to Card Members with a qualifying American Express Charge Card. This reduced fee will no longer be offered. Accordingly, we are increasing the annual membership fee to $450.00 beginning at your account renewal that occurs on or after May 03, 2014.
I've thought for a long time they should offer 1.5 or 2 miles / dollar instead. That would make me reconsider cancelling. But I doubt they will do that.
Feb 6, 2014, 4:14 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,664
The FC companion cert (assuming you're able to use it) makes the Reserve card that much more valuable.
The other question would be, since Reserve members can give DL Platinum AMEX cards at no fee to anyone they want on their account, does that stay the same...at $0/year.
The other question would be, since Reserve members can give DL Platinum AMEX cards at no fee to anyone they want on their account, does that stay the same...at $0/year.
2) I didn't know about the free plats for authorized users. So then between the $200 reimbursement for airline expenses and the $100 GE reimbursement (which I realized it's once every five years) the difference in price between the Plat and the Reserve isn't that steep anymore.
Plus in my case given my spending pattern, I'd benefit from additional MQMs.
Will have to look into this further, might end up getting the Reserve.
Feb 6, 2014, 5:05 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: ATL
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 208
According to The Points Guy, Amex cards issued after May 1 will also have EMV/Smartchips to their cards as well. All I have to say is, finally! About time we have some better security on our credit cards. I may actually consider keeping the card with this additional upgrade.
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/02/delt...ng-may-1-2014/
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/02/delt...ng-may-1-2014/
Feb 6, 2014, 5:11 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,272
1) Can the FC companion cert be used to get a free coach companion cert (i.e., the kind you get with the DL Amex Plat)?
2) I didn't know about the free plats for authorized users. So then between the $200 reimbursement for airline expenses and the $100 GE reimbursement (which I realized it's once every five years) the difference in price between the Plat and the Reserve isn't that steep anymore.
Plus in my case given my spending pattern, I'd benefit from additional MQMs.
Will have to look into this further, might end up getting the Reserve.
2) I didn't know about the free plats for authorized users. So then between the $200 reimbursement for airline expenses and the $100 GE reimbursement (which I realized it's once every five years) the difference in price between the Plat and the Reserve isn't that steep anymore.
Plus in my case given my spending pattern, I'd benefit from additional MQMs.
Will have to look into this further, might end up getting the Reserve.
Feb 6, 2014, 5:27 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,398
According to The Points Guy, Amex cards issued after May 1 will also have EMV/Smartchips to their cards as well. All I have to say is, finally! About time we have some better security on our credit cards. I may actually consider keeping the card with this additional upgrade.
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/02/delt...ng-may-1-2014/
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/02/delt...ng-may-1-2014/
Feb 6, 2014, 5:30 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,272
I agree it's not terribly useful in the US, either, and certainly not an upgrade that changes the calculus of whether it's worth keeping the card or not. Even the few merchants that have terminals that support the chip, they're usually disabled and you have to swipe. Saw that Target was investing $100m in upgrading their equipment following their recent breach... perhaps that will start the ball rolling with retailers.