Originally Posted by
MichaelKade
I had both, but ended up canceling both. I have the non-Delta Amex Platinum (5x flights + Sky Club), non-Delta Amex Gold (4x Restaurants/Groceries) now.
I may reconsider getting a Delta branded Amex with the 15% off award flights but if you already have a Delta branded Amex I'd consider getting the Amex Platinum instead. The annual fee pays for itself independent of SC access and you'd get into the Amex MR ecosystem, which is much more flexible than the Delta SkyMiles system.
Agree with this. The only thing the Reserve gets you that you can't replace is going to the front of the line for upgrades within your status (as compared to non-cardholders), and if the MQM bonus fits your spending patterns better.
Get an Amex Platinum (or Business Platinum, some small differences here) and get 5x on any flights you booked through Amex >>> xfer to Skymiles, is better than earning 3x SkyMiles on only Delta purchases
Amex Gold to get 4x on restaurants and groceries, same deal
More optionally/situationally:
Amex Green for non-Amex-booked travel + transit (could be a less-good/cheaper alternative to Gold or Platinum if the other benefits those cards have don't justify the cost)
Amex Everyday for gas (not a great benefit but not expensive, either)
Business Gold could replace Green (non-Amex-booked travel) and Everyday (gas)