So I'm trying to decide if I am going to redeem 60,000 or so skypesos for SC membership. Before you ask WTH I am thinking here it goes...
Right now I've got just under 150,000 SM. While it would be great to redeem 100,000 for a J ticket on a partner airline, I cannot for the life of me find any inventory to anywhere I want to go during the dates I would want to go, so in effect, my 150,000 SM might as well be zero SM. That said, I fly about 30 - 40 segments a year domestic and about half of those involve layover (mostly due to MR's).
In my mind it would make sense then if I can use my SM for award flights, then I might as well get SC access for the year. Am I losing it? I know it isn't the greatest value for my SM, but to be honest, DL has pretty much shown me they think my SM are virtually worthless anyhow.
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 19,585
To get SC access when flying DL, get an AmEx regular Plat card (lots of other benefits) or the DL AmEx Reserve card (ssslight upgrade priority and both RDM/MQM on DL). Either carries an annual fee of about $500, which is less than the value of 60,000 miles at one cent per mile.
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To get SC access when flying DL, get an AmEx regular Plat card (lots of other benefits) or the DL AmEx Reserve card (ssslight upgrade priority and both RDM/MQM on DL). Either carries an annual fee of about $500, which is less than the value of 60,000 miles at one cent per mile.
very good point. Just upgrade to the platinum DL AMEX. Have to wait until December to UG to the reserve card.
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 19,585
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGfromOC
very good point. Just upgrade to the platinum DL AMEX. Have to wait until December to UG to the reserve card.
Not the DL AmEx Plat credit card--that one doesn't give SC access except for $25 per visit for a lower annual fee--but the regular nonaffiliated AmEx Plat charge card, that lets you (and guests) use SCs when flying DL that day, the same for AA lounges when flying AA, and the few US lounges even when not flying US.
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Programs: DL PM, US Silver, HH Diamond, MR Silver, Avis First
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When i was PLT, i used the Miles redemption to join SC and i feel like it was a great benefit. I used a number of ancillary benefits of full membership:
1. Access to SkyClub even when flying alternative airlines (ATL, PHL, SEA, ETC.)
2. Free access to REGUS lounge in downtown areas. Served as a great meet up location and burning time during rough weather when arrive early at client location (PHL, BDL, CHI, etc).
While some will argue that it is not a 'great' exchange rate, i felt is was a good use of the miles that i earned.
Not the DL AmEx Plat credit card--that one doesn't give SC access except for $25 per visit for a lower annual fee--but the regular nonaffiliated AmEx Plat charge card, that lets you (and guests) use SCs when flying DL that day, the same for AA lounges when flying AA, and the few US lounges even when not flying US.
The other issue that comes into play here is how often will the OP be using the SC.... if it's only a few times a year for short periods of time..... or once a week for an hour or two (or longer if there's a delay)
Programs: DL KM, DM; HH Diamond, Starwood Gold, Hyatt Plat , 9 other airlines, 10 other hotels
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RFDMinnesota
No. Absolutely not. Never. Under 1 cent/SM is no good. You can PWM for at least 1 cent per mile
Not quite: If I spend 50,000 SP for a ticket, it also costs me an additions 10K+ SP and 5K MQMs. (Not so important, of course, if it's somebody else's ticket.)
The other issue that comes into play here is how often will the OP be using the SC.... if it's only a few times a year for short periods of time..... or once a week for an hour or two (or longer if there's a delay)
etc etc
Bob H
I'm flying about every other week. Would use SC each time, but mostly in 45 min or so increment, unless I am facing a delay or something. Just hard for me to justify spending $450/year for the AMEX Platinum too. Most my miles were earned last year due to business travel that was expensed, so cost me nothing - so more or less the miles were free.
I'm flying about every other week. Would use SC each time, but mostly in 45 min or so increment, unless I am facing a delay or something. Just hard for me to justify spending $450/year for the AMEX Platinum too. Most my miles were earned last year due to business travel that was expensed, so cost me nothing - so more or less the miles were free.
Actually you can reduce the $450 AmEx platinum annual fee to $50 within the first year.
Each calendar year you get a $200 airline fee credit. So you would get $200 this year and $200 next year. That is $400 of the $450 fee credited. If you don't have incidental charges with DL (in-flight food, checked luggage, award ticket fees, etc), you can buy small denomination gift cards.
You also get the $100 Global Entry fee reimbursed when you apply and charge the application fee to the AmEx platinum.
So the first 12 months will give you $500 of benefits for your $450 annual fee without even considering anything else like lounge access, etc.
Actually you can reduce the $450 AmEx platinum annual fee to $50 within the first year.
Each calendar year you get a $200 airline fee credit. So you would get $200 this year and $200 next year. That is $400 of the $450 fee credited. If you don't have incidental charges with DL (in-flight food, checked luggage, award ticket fees, etc), you can buy small denomination gift cards.
You also get the $100 Global Entry fee reimbursed when you apply and charge the application fee to the AmEx platinum.
So the first 12 months will give you $500 of benefits for your $450 annual fee without even considering anything else like lounge access, etc.
You make a good point. I'll need to look in to that.
IF you've got a bazillion miles, yes. As an FO with only 150k, no way. How much use are you really going to get out of it for those 60k and nly flying 25k/yr? Heck, if you know when you're flying and have long enough layovers to justify a SC membership anyway, you might get enough use with just a couple month passes for $99 or even single visit passes and still come in under $400. Maybe well under $400.
The Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve are both options to consider. For instance with the Reserve you will get MQM's, a yearly companion fare, even first class, and skyclub access along with a bit of upgrade priority.
The Amex Platinum will give you club access on most airlines you are flying that day, priority pass for other clubs, global entry, a $200 airline credit.
As you can see the costs are pretty minimal. I have both, and I will be buying a FC ticket and my wife get one for the cost of taxes. That saves at least $1000, and more likely $1500 or so.
