Originally Posted by
ATOBTTR
I would say DL/AmEx are in better shape if the economy sours because we saw this play out during COVID when air travel dropped but DL at least kept a hefty amount of revenue coming in through co-branded AmEx spend, and DL seems to be the best at maximizing the co-branded card spend revenue among US airlines. Even if/when the economy sours and people cut back on "luxuries," people still need necessities and if they're charging those to a DL co-branded AmEx, DL still benefits.
True, but it's different since DL AmEx cards no longer earn MQMs for status and MM purposes. Now spend on DL AmEx Reserve cards, for example, only matters for the $75K limitless SC visits, RDM earning, the extra RDM earning on DL tickets (including government fees and taxes) and the very low rate of MQD earning. Some folks are keeping the card for the companion cert plus 15 SC visits.