AMEX Delta Companion certificate Consolidated Thread
Apr 20, 2017, 2:49 pm
#1576
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Just remember that you don't get the Reserve Cert until AFTER the first year. So I think it's a $450 AF? So you'll have paid $900 by the time you get one cert, so I guess it would depend on what flight you take if it's worth the BOGO in A/I (or whatever it is) for FC. Although the Platinum Amex gets you Skyclub for $27 each I think?
AmEx Skymiles Gold and Platinum get you Skyclub access for $29 per person; Reserve gets only you in for free and $29 per person thereafter, so that's not that much difference, IMHO.
Apr 20, 2017, 2:58 pm
#1577
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
That's true, and I can stomach waiting a year at $195 a lot better than at $450. But I guess this is meant to reduce churning. AmEx Skymiles Gold and Platinum get you Skyclub access for $29 per person; Reserve gets only you in for free and $29 per person thereafter, so that's not that much difference, IMHO.
AmEx Skymiles Gold and Platinum get you Skyclub access for $29 per person; Reserve gets only you in for free and $29 per person thereafter, so that's not that much difference, IMHO.I primarily use the Plat amex to reach the $25K min. spend and also get MQM boosts.
Apr 20, 2017, 2:59 pm
#1578
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Amex certs can be used on an opaque subset of LUTXV fares. Just because 2 T fares are available on a flight doesn't necessarily mean you can use the cert - though I personally haven't ever had a problem using my certs (at most I have to be flexible by a couple hours here and there).
Technically you can pay to upgrade the fares on a companion cert, but....it's not worth it because you'll be quoted the fare difference for the paid ticket, and then the ENTIRE fare for the free ticket. Basically the companion ticket is issued in the booked class but with a base fare = $0. So when you buy-up to the new fare, the original ticket has no value to be credited toward the new one.
There are occasional reports of people receiving buy-up offers at OLCI, but those aren't true buy ups and of course aren't guaranteed.
If you want to fly in a premium cabin and pay for it, there's actually very good value in the Reserve cert and that might be the route you want to go. Also no guessing or gambling with the opportunity for a buy-up - you just get the seat you want from the beginning.
Technically you can pay to upgrade the fares on a companion cert, but....it's not worth it because you'll be quoted the fare difference for the paid ticket, and then the ENTIRE fare for the free ticket. Basically the companion ticket is issued in the booked class but with a base fare = $0. So when you buy-up to the new fare, the original ticket has no value to be credited toward the new one.
There are occasional reports of people receiving buy-up offers at OLCI, but those aren't true buy ups and of course aren't guaranteed.
If you want to fly in a premium cabin and pay for it, there's actually very good value in the Reserve cert and that might be the route you want to go. Also no guessing or gambling with the opportunity for a buy-up - you just get the seat you want from the beginning.
Of course, there's the MQD waiver, but this card would just be for the perks and not my primary card for spending, so I wouldn't end up qualifying for that. I'll probably wait until later in the year to upgrade anyway - I don't want my certificates expiring in the middle of the summer when I'm most likely to want to use it.
Apr 20, 2017, 3:05 pm
#1579
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
This is why I have the Amex Platinum (non delta) plus the delta branded amex platinum. The non-branded card is $550/year but it comes with lots of benefits that, if well used, make it well worth the cost ($200 in airline fee credit, $200 in Uber credit, sky club access, Priority Pass lounge access, mid-level elite status at multiple hotel and car rental chains, Global Entry fee reimbursement and more).
I primarily use the Plat amex to reach the $25K min. spend and also get MQM boosts.
I primarily use the Plat amex to reach the $25K min. spend and also get MQM boosts.
Plus I'm a millennial, so apparently I'm supposed to think AmEx is "stodgy" now...
Apr 20, 2017, 3:11 pm
#1580
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
I think you and I have both written about itineraries where you didn't get A or I for all legs. In the past I just waited until something became available (have always been able to use my certificate and my wife's). Since we can now get upgraded I might be more inclined to choose one of those. It's usually been the MCO-ATL leg and with C+ it's not a big deal.
Apr 20, 2017, 4:15 pm
#1581
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
Well that's unfortunate... So I guess if you buy up to premium cabins, then the Reserve is the way to go to get any value out of the companion cert, assuming I can buy C+ and use the cert for C+. (I'm not sure I'd want to spring for F on a domestic flight, and if I buy regular coach, then it's back to the same issue as with the Platinum.)
Of course, there's the MQD waiver, but this card would just be for the perks and not my primary card for spending, so I wouldn't end up qualifying for that. I'll probably wait until later in the year to upgrade anyway - I don't want my certificates expiring in the middle of the summer when I'm most likely to want to use it.
Of course, there's the MQD waiver, but this card would just be for the perks and not my primary card for spending, so I wouldn't end up qualifying for that. I'll probably wait until later in the year to upgrade anyway - I don't want my certificates expiring in the middle of the summer when I'm most likely to want to use it.
Apr 20, 2017, 4:36 pm
#1582
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Apr 20, 2017, 5:42 pm
#1583
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
I had discussed this with DL after C+ came out and the agent agreed that it made sense, but they haven't seen fit to change the contract yet.
Apr 20, 2017, 6:01 pm
#1584
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I didn't think you could pay to upgrade, but as you point out you would never want to. Also, I guess you still can't get C+ with the certificate, but now you can upgrade for free (possibly).
I think you and I have both written about itineraries where you didn't get A or I for all legs. In the past I just waited until something became available (have always been able to use my certificate and my wife's). Since we can now get upgraded I might be more inclined to choose one of those. It's usually been the MCO-ATL leg and with C+ it's not a big deal.
I think you and I have both written about itineraries where you didn't get A or I for all legs. In the past I just waited until something became available (have always been able to use my certificate and my wife's). Since we can now get upgraded I might be more inclined to choose one of those. It's usually been the MCO-ATL leg and with C+ it's not a big deal.
Well that's unfortunate... So I guess if you buy up to premium cabins, then the Reserve is the way to go to get any value out of the companion cert, assuming I can buy C+ and use the cert for C+. (I'm not sure I'd want to spring for F on a domestic flight, and if I buy regular coach, then it's back to the same issue as with the Platinum.)
Of course, there's the MQD waiver, but this card would just be for the perks and not my primary card for spending, so I wouldn't end up qualifying for that. I'll probably wait until later in the year to upgrade anyway - I don't want my certificates expiring in the middle of the summer when I'm most likely to want to use it.
Of course, there's the MQD waiver, but this card would just be for the perks and not my primary card for spending, so I wouldn't end up qualifying for that. I'll probably wait until later in the year to upgrade anyway - I don't want my certificates expiring in the middle of the summer when I'm most likely to want to use it.
Still, even when I had the DL Plat cert, I got some pretty good uses on it by applying it to particularly expensive, but very short routes. I can deal with regular coach seats for under 2 hours when I'm saving $300-$400.
And while medallions can UG to C+, I believe strickerj has no status so that doesn't help him/her.
Apr 20, 2017, 6:12 pm
#1585
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Yeah, I think we have. And that's a really good point. I'm flying this week on a Reserve cert that is a couple hours later than what I actually wanted b/c all the earlier itins were mixed cabin. With the new upgrade rules, I'd be totally fine riding in F for 4+ hours and then finishing the last 90 mins in C+ (with a good chance at a medallion UG).
Yeah, the equation is a little different for everyone. I would probably say that it's not worth the $450 AF on the Reserve if you would only purchase C+ with it (unless you're going to use a TON of SkyClubs, which I imagine you wouldn't if you're not on DL enough to even make FO).
Still, even when I had the DL Plat cert, I got some pretty good uses on it by applying it to particularly expensive, but very short routes. I can deal with regular coach seats for under 2 hours when I'm saving $300-$400.
Agree with others who are saying you should be able to just buy C+. DL is kind of screwing themselves out of revenue at that point.
And while medallions can UG to C+, I believe strickerj has no status so that doesn't help him/her.
Yeah, the equation is a little different for everyone. I would probably say that it's not worth the $450 AF on the Reserve if you would only purchase C+ with it (unless you're going to use a TON of SkyClubs, which I imagine you wouldn't if you're not on DL enough to even make FO).
Still, even when I had the DL Plat cert, I got some pretty good uses on it by applying it to particularly expensive, but very short routes. I can deal with regular coach seats for under 2 hours when I'm saving $300-$400.
Agree with others who are saying you should be able to just buy C+. DL is kind of screwing themselves out of revenue at that point.
And while medallions can UG to C+, I believe strickerj has no status so that doesn't help him/her.
And when I do travel, it's with my wife, so I'd still be paying to guest her in even with the Delta Reserve card. I might still go for the Skymiles Platinum though... We started buying up to C+ for the priority boarding (back when it was Economy Comfort and relatively cheap), so regular coach with the Zone 1 boarding that comes with the Skymiles AmEx would be good enough. A free coach ticket is surely worth $100 a year to me. Thanks for everyone's insight!
Apr 20, 2017, 6:42 pm
#1586
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Yeah I've been kind of waffling between the AmEx Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve - AmEx definitely gets you more benefits, but CSR is ultimately a lot cheaper since the $300 travel credit would be much easier for me to use than the AmEx airline fee credit. Plus by most accounts, UR points are more valuable than MR.
Plus I'm a millennial, so apparently I'm supposed to think AmEx is "stodgy" now...
Plus I'm a millennial, so apparently I'm supposed to think AmEx is "stodgy" now...
Apr 20, 2017, 7:10 pm
#1587
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
The Amex airline fee credit can easily be used by purchasing a gift certificate on Delta, in $50 increments. Also, remember that the Amex card now offers $200/year in Uber credits, so there is an instant $400 rebate between those two programs if used well. Also, if you watch the Amex "offers" its not hard to make up the rest. I just used an offer that was for a $100 statement credit when you spend $500 on Delta, bringing my annual savings right away to $500 between all programs, and it could go higher depending on which offers I use.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:13 pm
#1588
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Apr 20, 2017, 7:30 pm
#1590
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663