No more "always double miles" with AMEX
Nov 4, 2008, 8:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Easton, PA
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club, Priority Club
Posts: 247
No more "always double miles" with AMEX
I have the Gold Delta AMEX card and my November statement has the following change in terms:
Szymon
Accumulation of Delta SkyMiles
You will continue to accumulate double miles for qualifying Delta Air Lines purchases. However, we are eliminating all other categories of
"Always Double Miles purchases." For billing periods that begin on or after January 1, 2009, the definition of "Always Double Miles
purchases" in the Agreement Regarding the Accumulation of Delta Miles in Connection with Your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American
Express is deleted, and the reference to "Always Double Miles purchases" in the second, third and fourth paragraphs of that Agreement are
deleted and replaced with "Delta Purchases."
If your Card Account was opened on or after November 1, 2007, this change will not go into effect for your Card Account until one year after the
date your Card Account was opened.
I searched the forum but haven't seen any other mention of this. Did anyone else get this change and does it impact the Platinum card as well?You will continue to accumulate double miles for qualifying Delta Air Lines purchases. However, we are eliminating all other categories of
"Always Double Miles purchases." For billing periods that begin on or after January 1, 2009, the definition of "Always Double Miles
purchases" in the Agreement Regarding the Accumulation of Delta Miles in Connection with Your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American
Express is deleted, and the reference to "Always Double Miles purchases" in the second, third and fourth paragraphs of that Agreement are
deleted and replaced with "Delta Purchases."
If your Card Account was opened on or after November 1, 2007, this change will not go into effect for your Card Account until one year after the
date your Card Account was opened.
Szymon
Nov 4, 2008, 8:33 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 57
They haven't taken it off the application yet.
https://www201.americanexpress.com/c.../b/218/0/0/0/n
https://www201.americanexpress.com/c.../b/218/0/0/0/n
Nov 4, 2008, 9:57 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: MKE
Programs: BA Gold, DL PM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,241
I have the regular AMEX gold, which has membership rewards. They have said nothing about getting rid of double points for all the regular double point purchases. I'm surprised, therefore, they'd do it for the DL card.
The terms and conditions on the website say that they are vaild through Sept 15, 2008. Perhaps something is in the works?
Dave
The terms and conditions on the website say that they are vaild through Sept 15, 2008. Perhaps something is in the works?
Dave
Nov 4, 2008, 10:04 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 219
I just spoke with an AMX representative concerning my Delta Platinum AMX and she didn't know anything about this change. That doesn't mean that it's not true. I did notice that something was going on with one of the AMX sites when I tried to investigate the current benefits of the card. The AMX rep said she'd get back to me.
Nov 4, 2008, 1:07 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
This is really big news.....most of my purchases are gas/supermarket/pharmacy.....
Really could push me towards a lower cost AMEX or one with better benefits (ie. readily redeemable awards)....see what happens with this.
Really could push me towards a lower cost AMEX or one with better benefits (ie. readily redeemable awards)....see what happens with this.
Nov 4, 2008, 1:23 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,823
EDIT: Logged into AmEx, checked my account and selected "Card Award and Benefits" - the always double miles is no longer referenced in the footnotes; only up to $60,000 in Delta purchases . . . Where were Jeff's blog postings again?
Last edited by icurhere2; Nov 4, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Nov 4, 2008, 1:26 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
Oh my gosh, this would really affect earning for some people. I do a lot of USPS purchases. If this is the case, Im switching to another airline card since I already earn enough miles on Delta actually flying. Or perhaps even a hotel-branded card without a fee.
Nov 4, 2008, 1:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kea'au, Hawaii
Programs: Recovering Delta SkyMiles Addict--Now Gold with AAdvantage
Posts: 586
OMG! Is this actually a slowdown in the profligate inflation of SkyMiles? Probably just a minor speedbump. DL will find some other way to peddle their miles. Amex is having problems in the current economy and is even being investigated for some of its practices, so they may not want to spend the cash for those double miles.
Nov 4, 2008, 2:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: AVL
Programs: AA/BA/DL/US Air
Posts: 426
Amex was a staunch supporter of Delta during bankruptcy and purchased millions of dollars worth of skymiles as a way to bolster Delta's cash flow. With all the double miles deals, Amex may very well have used up those extra miles they got for buying into Delta.
Nov 4, 2008, 2:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,738
Looks like Skymiles is now being "enhanced" by American Express as well...
Nov 4, 2008, 2:42 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Programs: Starwood Gold, HiltonHHonors Silver, Marriott Silver, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 1,775
I see that Always Double Miles has disappeared off the AMEX page. We already downgraded my husband's gold card to the blue card after his annual fee came due. I won't be renewing my gold card now, either.
That's $190 savings a year right there.
That's $190 savings a year right there.
Nov 4, 2008, 2:52 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
That would be a blessing! Now what explains the extreme auto rental promos?
Nov 4, 2008, 3:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM
Posts: 998
it is true i think
no longer on platinum website as list of card benefits....
Nov 4, 2008, 3:31 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 3,443
What about the Reserve card? Hmm maybe I will go to the Costco card after all at my renewal!
Nov 4, 2008, 3:39 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Rural TN (but WAS native)
Programs: National Executive Elite, none of the others matter
Posts: 23,823
The benefit has disappeared when I log into my account and look up the benefits,
The benefit still seems present on the Delta website (to get one to apply),
The benefit still seems present on some (but not all) of the AmEx applications.
If I get notified of no double miles for everyday purchases - as someone who buys hotel gift cards at supermarkets for the double miles - I'll go straight to SPG AmEx. CostCo option is not so palatable, given I'd have to drive most of an hour.