FWIW another thread where this was discussed:
Skymiles Gold AMEX no longer eligible for $25k MQD waiver
Originally Posted by
dxulander
Problem statement #2: now that I have this ytd $35K USD balance on my gold amex, what is the best way to salvage this balance towards MQD waiver. I think I can "sign-up" for an eligible card (i.e. skymiles platinum) and the transactions would "transfer", but I have read in the forums (not via the Delta website) there's something about an "upgrade" v.s. a "net new" amex card sign-up, I'm unsure what the difference is.
It's not so much that it transfers, as that the spend on your Gold will be aggregated with the spend on a new Plat/Reserve card should you upgrade to one or obtain a new one.
Upgrade:
- keep the same number (at least the last time I did this)
- keep the same anniversary date; first companion certificate gets issued sooner (vs. having to wait an entire year) but also the next full annual fee comes sooner
- doesn't burn a 5/24 slot if that is important to you
- no credit pull
- check your account for an upgrade bonus (you might get some extra RDMs and/or MQMs out of it)
- however you will NOT be eligible for the signup bonus of the same type of card for ~7 years
New card
- signup bonus for a new card is generally much better than the bonus for an upgrade (if you even have an upgrade offer). Since you indicated a new app likely won't be a problem for you, this is probably the way to go.
Originally Posted by
safigan
#2: Good luck getting AmEx to qualify spending made on a non-qualifying card retroactively because you signed up for a qualifying card.
There are existing data points of exactly that happening after people upgraded to a waiver-eligible card, or adding a new waiver-eligible card to an existing Gold/Blue:
Delta AmEx MQD Waiver Question (post 5)
Originally Posted by
dxulander
What's the process to "upgrade" and how is it different than apply for new card?
Look around in your app and/or account on the website and see if there's an upgrade offer. Or call in and ask.