runfit

To make it even sweeter (unless I am off on this), if you sign up for the card now, you get the $200 towards certain payments of your choice of airline this year AND next year - before you even have to renew your card! So, technically, you get $400 of flight-related expenses! Again, I could be wrong, but I think that is how it is.

akcae

You are somewhat wrong. The $200 airline fee credit is an annual benefit of the Platinum card (not just limited for this year and/or next). When you get your card, and in December of each year, you can designate your "preferred" airline. For the subsequent year, any fee deemed eligible by Amex, up to $200/yr, will be credited back to your account. Examples are: inflight food/beverages, change fees, baggage fees. Some people have seen entire tickets refunded if they were sub-$200, but I suspect this is a fluke that won't be long-lived.

hawaii2midtown

Two questions:

"When you get your card, and in December of each year"
Can you clarify this? Do you mean that you can do this twice during the first year?

Do you know if the credits show up as a statement credit the following month?

akcae

Basically -- I received my card last month and will be designating my preferred airline at some point before my next trip. At the end of this year, in December, I will have an opportunity to change that designation for next year (or not do anything and keep the same airline for next year).

The credits seem to post fairly quickly based on what I've read on FT. I haven't actually used this benefit yet, so no first-hand experience yet.

runfit

I know - I think we are saying the same thing. I was saying that the $200 benefit is good for this year AND next year, before the annual fee would come up again. So, one could use the $200 in fees this year and early next year and cancel after that, correct? That is what I was talking about.

lv2vl

Well, the TC said, "Each Card Account is eligible for up to a total of $200 a year in statement credits, regardless of the number of Cards on the Account." So does this "a year" mean calendar year, or a year from membership renewal date to next renewal date? runfit will be correct if it meant calendar year.

thepointsguy

My understanding is that it based on calendar year. When they implemented this benefit late in 2010, people had to use their $200 by Dec 31 and then a new $200 reset on Jan 1. So technically, it might be possible to use your $200 benefit this year and then again on Jan 1, 2012 then cancel before you have to renew. Whether Amex would bill you for the portion you used in 2012 is TBD- I don't think anyone has tried it yet.

hawaii2midtown

That would be pretty awesome if if ended up being "worth" $400 without even considering RDMs/MQMs and lounge access.

BTW TPG, I LOVE your site and daily emails. Really appreciate the time and attention to detail you put into it all.

howto

Sorry if I am asking a stupid question.

I remember Delta's legal team was reviewing the situation for the additional 30% bonus in Feb. Have they had an answer yet? March 31 is approaching...

Thanks

mtkeller

Nothing yet, but I've just sent another email inquiring, since it's been several weeks since I've heard anything.

mooper

Thanks for the help! Now, to extend my original question a bit farther... after my wife has gifted me the 75K RDMs (including bonus) and 25K MQMs using the points sourced from her Amex card and account, if I get the card *for myself* (again, I've never had the card before, and I have never transferred MR points, though I will have been the fresh recipient of my first batch via my wife), could I then initiate the transfer of my own 50K MR points plus bonuses to myself, thereby netting another 25K MQMs, or 50K MQMs total, or is the 50% offer limited to 25K MQMs (and 50% bonus RDMs, for that matter) per *Delta* account, regardless of the Amex MR account initiating the transfer? I think the answer is no, there is no way - even for two married MR virgins - to score 50K MQM for one recipient via this offer - but I just want to be sure. Any help?

Yes, great point, and I did do that. The 50% (and 30%, for that matter) offers are both showing in *each* of our DL accounts. I mistakenly mentioned that they were showing just in hers, but I edited my original post to show otherwise. Thanks for the heads up, though.

That's too bad on the non-stacking, but I'll be happy enough with the 75K RDMs.

bfisk

Just tried to get into the Admirals Club and they need an American Boarding pass with the card. Flying SW today so got a rock.

akcae

Correct -- for lounge access, you need to show the Plat card, a boarding pass for same-day travel and and ID. The boarding pass is NOT required for US Airways clubs, so you can use them (if there are any) when traveling on an airline not participating in the lounge program.

On 3/31 we will know more about the pending addition of Priority Pass benefit (and if it'll be worth it) which may open up more lounge options.

dealOCD

and yes...I have read the posts...all 50 plus pages...lol...sick I know...I may not post much but Ive enjoyed flyertalk for years and have been known to go a lil crazy for travel bonuses like the old 20 partners for 20k on AA...sad I know...but with pregnancy and a new baby I stopped traveling and lost my status...I cant believe i cant even get decent seats on a flight now...so Im raring to get back!

so Im about to pull the trigger on this card and hubby would think Im crazy...Ok...I mean crazier than my usual travel "schemes" as he calls them. So just before I do I want to make sure I dont goof...In filling out the aplication on the site with the 50k deal it asks if I am currently a cardmember for a shorter application...I am an amex card member...the delta platinum card but that shouldnt effect it right? so am I right in thinking that I need to click yes and just sign in or will that effect my 50,000 deal?

thanks!

apolloms

i just said no and filled out my application the long way...took a total of 5 minutes....