AMEX Delta Companion certificate Consolidated Thread
Apr 21, 2017, 12:40 pm
#1606
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,206
The cert must be fully paid with an Amex card. It even says in the T&Cs that it is not eligible with other forms of payment.
The certificate cannot be combined with another offer or discount including, but not limited to, web fares, sale fares and eCoupons.
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Primary Ticket and Companion ticket must be purchased with your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
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Primary Ticket and Companion ticket must be purchased with your Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express.
Apr 21, 2017, 12:43 pm
#1607
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Just thought about this more....this really makes it so that there is no real value in having the Reserve card, right? This effectively turns the plat cert into a reserve cert, but you'd just need to call in after booking to upgrade, right?
Apr 21, 2017, 12:53 pm
#1608
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
Besides for the additional MQMs you can earn, if you can buy the upgrade with the platinum, you would be paying for two upgrades while theoretically you are paying for one upgrade with the reserve certificate.
Apr 21, 2017, 12:54 pm
#1609
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Oh good point. So you're getting a discount in the amount of one coach ticket off the price of two first class tickets. Still a pretty good deal, and you did not spend $450 on the reserve card, only $195 for the plat, so that $255 savings needs to be accounted for as well.
Apr 21, 2017, 1:32 pm
#1610
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Oh good point. So you're getting a discount in the amount of one coach ticket off the price of two first class tickets. Still a pretty good deal, and you did not spend $450 on the reserve card, only $195 for the plat, so that $255 savings needs to be accounted for as well.
Anyway, it's good to note that you can now pay the fare difference per person for upgrading. Too bad my ticket to EYW was $571 and FC is $1,146. $1150 is a lot of change to upgrade. (fare difference per person). Eh, maybe I'll luck out and get an OLCI for one segment that'll be reasonable.
Apr 21, 2017, 1:42 pm
#1611
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
1) Amex plat is now $550 annual fee
2) they added $200 in annual Uber credits, in addition to the $200 travel credit. So that leaves $150 per year, not taking into account any of the value you get from all of the benefits (lounge access, elite status and associated upgrades in various car and hotel programs, fine hotels & resorts, etc).
Apr 21, 2017, 1:52 pm
#1612
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MCO
Programs: Delta - PM, HH - Gold, SPG - Gold, Marriott - Plat
Posts: 1,060
two points:
1) Amex plat is now $550 annual fee
2) they added $200 in annual Uber credits, in addition to the $200 travel credit. So that leaves $150 per year, not taking into account any of the value you get from all of the benefits (lounge access, elite status and associated upgrades in various car and hotel programs, fine hotels & resorts, etc).
1) Amex plat is now $550 annual fee
2) they added $200 in annual Uber credits, in addition to the $200 travel credit. So that leaves $150 per year, not taking into account any of the value you get from all of the benefits (lounge access, elite status and associated upgrades in various car and hotel programs, fine hotels & resorts, etc).
Apr 21, 2017, 2:59 pm
#1613
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 317
Apr 21, 2017, 3:00 pm
#1614
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: Delta DM, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 317
Apr 21, 2017, 3:27 pm
#1615
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
Not really, this is related to the various benefits associated with credit cards. The thread is broadly about whether or not the companion certs work, which points directly to whether or not the card is worth the fee. I'm simply discussing the benefits of the other amex card that lots of DL flyers have and use in conjunction with or instead of the amex delta plat, and other cards and their associated fees and benefits need to be a part of any useful conversation about this topic. In truth, your moderating comment is more OT than mine.
Apr 21, 2017, 5:08 pm
#1616
Join Date: May 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: Delta PM
Posts: 822
I'm sure I have mentioned it ITT before but I hold both the DL Plat and DL Reserve and find great value in them. For me the MQM Boosts, companion certs, and skyclub access seal the deal. I also have Mrs. JayTeaBee on my Reserve for a $175 fee which provides her Skyclub access as well. I was close to cancelling my Plat and getting another Reserve but ultimately decided to stand pat after the recent changes and upgrade potential using the Plat cert.
Apr 26, 2017, 11:12 pm
#1617
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
I'm trying to book an award with Skymiles for the first time from NYC-FCO and the one-way cost in business class is 137,000. Is this correct? I'm confused because I read on several blogs that the one-way price from North America to Europe is 70,000 in business class. 
Take pity on a SkyMiles newb and help me understand this seemingly opaque and confusing program.
Take pity on a SkyMiles newb and help me understand this seemingly opaque and confusing program.
Apr 27, 2017, 8:25 am
#1618
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Well finally got the itin to work. 35K each way, however the Africa-US had some painful taxes and fees (think YQ). Here's what I got:
EBB-KQ-NBO-KQ-LHR-DL-JFK-DL-IND
DFW-DL-ATL-AMS-KL-KGL-KL-EBB
I guess in today's day and age getting this for 35K OW isn't a bad deal. Even the DM agent called it a "steal". Would have preferred to have less segments but not a lot of options out of EBB to the US.
I guess I still just refuse to overpay for a ST itin, good thing partners are still at a standard level.
EBB-KQ-NBO-KQ-LHR-DL-JFK-DL-IND
DFW-DL-ATL-AMS-KL-KGL-KL-EBB
I guess in today's day and age getting this for 35K OW isn't a bad deal. Even the DM agent called it a "steal". Would have preferred to have less segments but not a lot of options out of EBB to the US.
I guess I still just refuse to overpay for a ST itin, good thing partners are still at a standard level.
Apr 27, 2017, 10:03 am
#1619
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
I'm trying to book an award with Skymiles for the first time from NYC-FCO and the one-way cost in business class is 137,000. Is this correct? I'm confused because I read on several blogs that the one-way price from North America to Europe is 70,000 in business class.
Take pity on a SkyMiles newb and help me understand this seemingly opaque and confusing program.
Take pity on a SkyMiles newb and help me understand this seemingly opaque and confusing program.
Delta does not publish an award chart anymore, but 70k miles for business class is the current standard "low-level" award you will find for USA<->Europe. This means the cheapest price you will pay is 70k miles.
Delta has dynamic award pricing now that fluctuates based on demand (and seemingly, corresponding ticket prices). In order to find 70k awards you will probably need to be flexible on dates.
So, the 137k price you are seeing is "correct" given the new ballgame.
Apr 28, 2017, 7:01 am
#1620
Join Date: May 2009
Location: GLA
Posts: 1,214
Good choice of words.
Delta does not publish an award chart anymore, but 70k miles for business class is the current standard "low-level" award you will find for USA<->Europe. This means the cheapest price you will pay is 70k miles.
Delta has dynamic award pricing now that fluctuates based on demand (and seemingly, corresponding ticket prices). In order to find 70k awards you will probably need to be flexible on dates.
So, the 137k price you are seeing is "correct" given the new ballgame.
Delta does not publish an award chart anymore, but 70k miles for business class is the current standard "low-level" award you will find for USA<->Europe. This means the cheapest price you will pay is 70k miles.
Delta has dynamic award pricing now that fluctuates based on demand (and seemingly, corresponding ticket prices). In order to find 70k awards you will probably need to be flexible on dates.
So, the 137k price you are seeing is "correct" given the new ballgame.