Originally Posted by
appleguru
I’ve had the card now for several years, but based on the changes to the SM program (no more reasonable waiver for DM), I see a lot less value in continuing to pay for the card.
My $450 annual fee just posted... I have ~24k spend atm. If I downgrade to the plat card, will I hit the 25k waiver (and get the plat mqm boost) when I spend ~$1k more to hit $25k? Or do those reset when you downgrade? I assume I’d get the full fee refunded?
Would I lose my companion cert if I downgrade? Anything else I need to think about?
First off, Amex reps will tell you much different info - ignore them.
1) Only downgrade (or upgrade) to any Amex card after you have had the new card bonus for THAT specific card (all big 6 of the Delta cards are unique products).
2) Amex will, if you ask, wave most of the fee or give you bonus SkyMiles offset vs cancel. At least once or even more when they or Delta makes negative card impacting changes.
3) Tho BOGO cert sticks even if you cancel and you have one year to spend/fly it. Pay with ANY (and anyones) Amex card (Delta or non-Delta). It dumps in when fee bills
4) Careful with pro-rated credits. New "official" Amex rule is 30 days to get fee back. YMMV after 30 days.
5) Many play upgrade/downgrade game each year (keeping point 1 in mind). I.E. spend for max MQM bonus, wait one full billing cycle, then UG/DG and spend for new MQM bonus level. Next year, rinse and repeat.
6) If you do the above with both personal and business Delta Amex cards you can always have 1x Reserve card and 1x Platinum card at any given time and get at least 1x first class and 1x coach BOGO each year.
7) As mentioned by other 25k Amex card spend upgrade tie-breaker is across all cards.