AmEx: Delta Sky Miles card vs. AmEx Platinum
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 62
AmEx: Delta Sky Miles card vs. AmEx Platinum
Hi folks,
I know there are a couple threads talking about CRCs and AmEx cards, but this is a little different question from the OPs, so I hope it's OK to start a new thread.
In one of the CRC threads, georgequinones mentioned upgrading to a Platinum card. I wandered around the AmEx website a bit this afternoon before it went down, and I couldn't quite figure out the points you're awarded with the Platinum card vs. the AmEx Delta SkyMiles card which mainly just awards you with SkyMiles. I like getting the SkyMiles, but I also really like the idea of CRC access with the Platinum card. ATL is my home airport, and I can't really justify paying for CRC access without some sort of additional perks, which is what makes the AmEx Platinum attractive. Could someone who has the Platinum card explain how the points work in terms of redeeming or swapping for SkyMiles? Is that do-able? Is it a 1-to-1 swap? If so, I'm thinking the other benefits and CRC access is worth the extra $$ to switch to the Platinum card. If not, I think I may just stick with the SkyMiles AmEx.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
I know there are a couple threads talking about CRCs and AmEx cards, but this is a little different question from the OPs, so I hope it's OK to start a new thread.
In one of the CRC threads, georgequinones mentioned upgrading to a Platinum card. I wandered around the AmEx website a bit this afternoon before it went down, and I couldn't quite figure out the points you're awarded with the Platinum card vs. the AmEx Delta SkyMiles card which mainly just awards you with SkyMiles. I like getting the SkyMiles, but I also really like the idea of CRC access with the Platinum card. ATL is my home airport, and I can't really justify paying for CRC access without some sort of additional perks, which is what makes the AmEx Platinum attractive. Could someone who has the Platinum card explain how the points work in terms of redeeming or swapping for SkyMiles? Is that do-able? Is it a 1-to-1 swap? If so, I'm thinking the other benefits and CRC access is worth the extra $$ to switch to the Platinum card. If not, I think I may just stick with the SkyMiles AmEx.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
Welcome. You actually might be a good candidate for the new card coming out if you want CRC membership and miles. If you fly DL (which is likely being from ATL) instead of DL's partners, it might be a reasonable compromise. DL miles and membership.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=811005
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 62
Hi Andy TLE,
That's what I thought when I started reading that thread a couple days ago, but it sounds like the new card is one for small Businesses? I fly a good bit for work, but am part of a behomoth of a company, definitely not a small Business. Is there a Personal version of that same card? I guess all will be revealed when the AmEx site comes back to life...
That's what I thought when I started reading that thread a couple days ago, but it sounds like the new card is one for small Businesses? I fly a good bit for work, but am part of a behomoth of a company, definitely not a small Business. Is there a Personal version of that same card? I guess all will be revealed when the AmEx site comes back to life...
Last edited by TiggBro; Apr 13, 2008 at 9:21 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STX
Programs: Used to have a bunch of shiny metallic cards. That was one life ago.
Posts: 1,807
Hi Andy TLE,
That's what I thought when I started reading that thread a couple days ago, but it sounds like the new card is one for small Businesses? I fly a good bit for work, but am part of a behomth of a company, definitely not a small Business. Is there a Personal version of that same card? I guess all will be revealed when the AmEx site comes back to life...
That's what I thought when I started reading that thread a couple days ago, but it sounds like the new card is one for small Businesses? I fly a good bit for work, but am part of a behomth of a company, definitely not a small Business. Is there a Personal version of that same card? I guess all will be revealed when the AmEx site comes back to life...
The Amex Plat that gives you lounge access also gives you Membership Rewards points. It's been a long time since I had an Amex MR card, but IIRC, they could be exchanged to virtually any frequent traveler program you want and the points are fairly valuable. I'm sure a Plat card holder can fill in some more details.
BTW, welcome to FT, TiggBro!
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
The site works for me.
It is a personal card as it says "One of the greatest privileges of your Cardmembership is the ability to share it—with family members, friends, or anyone you choose."
Since the OP is based in ATL, I would think the new card would be useful. I don't know if the OP is a Medallion. For me that would be a deciding factor. If you need the MQMs and spend enough, go for a DL Platinum AmEx + CRC membership OR the new DL Reserve card. If you fly a ton and don't need the MQMs for status, I'd go with the regular Platinum AmEx as those miles are more flexible and therefore more "valuable".
It is a personal card as it says "One of the greatest privileges of your Cardmembership is the ability to share it—with family members, friends, or anyone you choose."
Since the OP is based in ATL, I would think the new card would be useful. I don't know if the OP is a Medallion. For me that would be a deciding factor. If you need the MQMs and spend enough, go for a DL Platinum AmEx + CRC membership OR the new DL Reserve card. If you fly a ton and don't need the MQMs for status, I'd go with the regular Platinum AmEx as those miles are more flexible and therefore more "valuable".
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 62
Thank you for the welcome, jbatl. I've lurked for a little while - have to confess that the thread on crying at airports over on TravelBuzz finally lured me out of lurkerdom. Over here in Delta-land, I'm still intimidated enough to keep my mouth shut when it comes to aircraft, routes, mileage runs, best seats, upgrades and the like. I have to admit - as long as I can get on the plane and get off where I intended, with luggage if I checked any, I don't particularly care if I get upgraded or not or what kind of plane it is, or whether there are little TVs in the backs of the seats. Although I did just fly from ATL to JFK on my way to Oregon last week, just so that I didn't have to have a center seat on a last-minute packed cross-country flight.
I'm Silver Medallion (FO? I finally figured out what the heck that means when I went through the glossary a couple days ago), which I seem to only hold onto year to year by the skin of my teeth. I fly enough to make it really routine (once or twice a month), but not enough to reach the upper heights of the Medallion program. After shunning Atlanta all through my college years and another dozen year of living "up north," I have to say that I enjoy having it as my home airport and almost never having to take connecting flights.
Anyway, between personal expenses and business expenses, my AmEx gets quite a workout, so I'm thinking that upgrading to one of the new Delta cards is sounding like the right route. Thanks to both of your for your advice!
I'm Silver Medallion (FO? I finally figured out what the heck that means when I went through the glossary a couple days ago), which I seem to only hold onto year to year by the skin of my teeth. I fly enough to make it really routine (once or twice a month), but not enough to reach the upper heights of the Medallion program. After shunning Atlanta all through my college years and another dozen year of living "up north," I have to say that I enjoy having it as my home airport and almost never having to take connecting flights.
Anyway, between personal expenses and business expenses, my AmEx gets quite a workout, so I'm thinking that upgrading to one of the new Delta cards is sounding like the right route. Thanks to both of your for your advice!
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Fairmont Prem, SPG Gold, Priority Club Plat/IC Amb, AmEx Plat
Posts: 10,839
If you spend in the six-figures, you'll have a bunch of MQMs that would basically "gift" you a higher status and more miles (GM/PM give 100% mileage bonus.) At ATL that would mean the Elite Security line, which is crucial.
So say you fly 25,000 MQMs to reach FO. Spend $50,000 on the DL Platinum AmEx personal will give you 20,00 MQMs. Another $50,000 on the DL Platinum Business will give you another 20,000 MQMs. Another $30,000 on the new DL Reserve gives 15,000 MQMs. (Total 80,000 MQMs)
So with only 25,000 BIS (butt-in-seat) miles and some spending, you could get Platinum Medallion. With all that spending, you'll rack up the SkyMiles quickly.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STX
Programs: Used to have a bunch of shiny metallic cards. That was one life ago.
Posts: 1,807
#9
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
I have the AMEX Platinum card. Personally, I'd go with it over the DL Reserve card. Here's why:
MR is way, way better than Skymiles. Not only can you transfer 1:1 into Skymiles (and supposedly it goes in virtually instantaneously), but you can also transfer 1:1 into some other airlines (or at least CO). Additionally, there are other airline awards worth more. For example, I went CX from LAX-HKG last year for, I believe, 25,000 MR points and like 300USD. The normal ticket would have been around 1500USD for that route for those dates. I got 5 MR tickets at 25,000 pts +300 each.
Lounge Access is not just DL but also CO, NW, and AA. Note that the lounge you used must be run by the airline operating the flight (and codeshares don't count -- if you booked DL but are flying CO, you don't get club access). However, while you are based in ATL, you never know when you might end up flying CO, NW, or AA. Might as well have that access in addition to DL (which it sounds like is only when flying DL with the new reserve card).
Concierge access has helped me a couple times. It looks like this comes with the Reserve card.
Finally, the Fine Hotels are Resorts (FHR) program which offers some nice amenities (breakfast, upgrade if available, late check-out, custom amenity for each hotel such as a complimentary lunch) if you book certain hotels through AMEX Platinum Travel Services. Rates are often pretty decent, although they are luxury (expensive) hotels exclusively.
So basically, I'd go for the platinum card.
MR is way, way better than Skymiles. Not only can you transfer 1:1 into Skymiles (and supposedly it goes in virtually instantaneously), but you can also transfer 1:1 into some other airlines (or at least CO). Additionally, there are other airline awards worth more. For example, I went CX from LAX-HKG last year for, I believe, 25,000 MR points and like 300USD. The normal ticket would have been around 1500USD for that route for those dates. I got 5 MR tickets at 25,000 pts +300 each.
Lounge Access is not just DL but also CO, NW, and AA. Note that the lounge you used must be run by the airline operating the flight (and codeshares don't count -- if you booked DL but are flying CO, you don't get club access). However, while you are based in ATL, you never know when you might end up flying CO, NW, or AA. Might as well have that access in addition to DL (which it sounds like is only when flying DL with the new reserve card).
Concierge access has helped me a couple times. It looks like this comes with the Reserve card.
Finally, the Fine Hotels are Resorts (FHR) program which offers some nice amenities (breakfast, upgrade if available, late check-out, custom amenity for each hotel such as a complimentary lunch) if you book certain hotels through AMEX Platinum Travel Services. Rates are often pretty decent, although they are luxury (expensive) hotels exclusively.
So basically, I'd go for the platinum card.
#10
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
I would take a look at the benefits of the "real" Platinum card and decide whether the cost is worth it. We have both the "real" Plat as well as the DL Plat. For us the main benefit of the "real" Plat is the onboard credit for Regent Cruises ($300 per cruise), so with that we basically get CRC access (and NW, CO & AA club) for less than $200. It also reduces the fee on the DL Plat card which we also have for the MQMs.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott G, Hilton G
Posts: 1,582
I can only speak from the side of the AMEX PL card as I don't have a DL SM Amex. No credit limit - at least that I have ever hit is a big bonus for me.
Like aa4ever noted, lounge access is included and as such, I have not renewed my CRC membership since having the PL AMEX. I can't recall a flight so far where I have regretted not having the CRC card.
As for MR vs. SM, I build a fair amount of points on my PL Amex and a business card Gold card also links into my PL account. I have transfered points mostly over to DL but usually do so only during a transfer bonus promo 15%-25% (I think I did a 30% once), usually enough in one transfer for say an extra 50K miles. The points transfer immediately. Before DL started direct JFK-LGW service, I flew Virgin a few times and used the points to upgrade which I only transfered to my VS account once the upgrade cleared (at the time I was also able to earn MQMs flying on VS). Internet based transfer took place while on the phone with the VS agent holding the Upper Class seat.
Like aa4ever noted, lounge access is included and as such, I have not renewed my CRC membership since having the PL AMEX. I can't recall a flight so far where I have regretted not having the CRC card.
As for MR vs. SM, I build a fair amount of points on my PL Amex and a business card Gold card also links into my PL account. I have transfered points mostly over to DL but usually do so only during a transfer bonus promo 15%-25% (I think I did a 30% once), usually enough in one transfer for say an extra 50K miles. The points transfer immediately. Before DL started direct JFK-LGW service, I flew Virgin a few times and used the points to upgrade which I only transfered to my VS account once the upgrade cleared (at the time I was also able to earn MQMs flying on VS). Internet based transfer took place while on the phone with the VS agent holding the Upper Class seat.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 62
Thanks to everyone else for their experiences and suggestions - I'm going to take it al under advisement. I'm definitely upgrading from my existing AmEx - still not totally sure to which one yet.