Originally Posted by
bmwclubracer
If you fly on Delta and live in ATL I can't believe you don't have a skymiles card already. The benefits are real, companion ticket, free bags, can get into skyclub for reduced amount. Think you get a break on shopping and drinks on board (20% off?), combine with skymiles dining for more miles.
It's true that the Delta card can be worth it for the benefits, but it's never worth putting any spend on it more than required to reap the benefits. If you want Delta miles, you're much better off with Amex Everyday (1.2 miles per $1 if you do >= 20 transactions per month, no annual fee) or Amex Everyday Preferred (1.5 miles per $1 if you do >= 30 transactions per month, $95 annual fee). The added bonus is that the Everyday cards earn Membership Rewards, which can be kept as flexible currency until award flights are located. Then you can transfer to whichever program necessary, Delta included.
Originally Posted by
bmwclubracer
I'm looking to go to europe again and I see that I can get a one way trip to some cities for 30k miles, I'd fly standby coming back if I did that.
That's a high risk play - flying standby for Europe-US flights. Especially with multiple travelers. Not a recommended strategy. If I were ever to travel without return flights already secured, I'd feel much more comfortable sitting on a bank of flexible point currency (Amex MR, Chase UR) ready to pounce on an available return flight than flying standby.